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Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 20-F

 

 

 

☐	REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR 12(g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

OR

 

☒	ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020

OR

 

☐	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from

    

    

    

to

    

    

    

OR

 

☐	SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of event requiring this shell company report

Commission

file number 001-38699

 

 

STUDIO CITY INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)

Cayman Islands

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

36th Floor, The Centrium, 60 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong

(Address of principal executive offices)

Company Secretary, Tel +852 2598 3600, Fax +852 2537 3618

36th Floor, The Centrium, 60 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong

(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile

number and Address of Company Contact Person)

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of Each Class		Trading Symbol		Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
American depositary shares each representing four Class A ordinary shares		MSC		The New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None.

(Title of Class)

Securities for which there is a

reporting

obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:

None.

(Title of Class)

 

 

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.

370,352,700 Class A ordinary shares and 72,511,760 Class B ordinary shares outstanding as of December 31, 2020

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule

 405 of the Securities Act.

    

Yes

  

☐

    

No

  

☒

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section

 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

    

Yes

  

☐

    

No

  

☒

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 period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2)

 has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

    

Yes

  

☒

    

No

  

☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of

 Regulation

 S-T

 (

§

232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

    

Yes

  

☒

    

No

  

☐

I

ndicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a

 non-accelerated

 filer, or an emerging growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “emerging growth company” in

 Rule

 12b-2

 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large  accelerated  filer    ☐		Accelerated filer   ☒		Non-accelerated filer   ☐		Emerging growth company   ☐

If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  

☐

† The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.    Yes  

☒

    No  

☐

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:

 

U.S. GAAP   ☒		International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board   ☐		Other   ☐

If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.    Item 17  

☐

    Item 18  

☐

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as

defined in Rule 12b-2 of the

Exchange Act).    Yes  

☐

    No  

☒

(APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.    Yes  

☐

    No  

☐

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

		Page
INTRODUCTION			1
GLOSSARY			4
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS			7
PART I			9
ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS			9
ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE			9
ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION			10
A. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA			10
B. CAPITALIZATION AND INDEBTEDNESS			12
C. REASONS FOR THE OFFER AND USE OF PROCEEDS			12
D. RISK FACTORS			13
ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY			61
A. HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMPANY			61
B. BUSINESS OVERVIEW			61
C. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE			84
D. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT			85
ITEM 4A. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS			85
ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS			85
A. OPERATING RESULTS			86
B. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES			96
C. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, PATENTS AND LICENSES, ETC.			100
D. TREND INFORMATION			100
E. OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS			102
F. TABULAR DISCLOSURE OF CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS			102
G. SAFE HARBOR			103
ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES			104
A. DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT			104
B. COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS			107
C. BOARD PRACTICES			108
D. EMPLOYEES			113
E. SHARE OWNERSHIP			114
ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS			115
A. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS			115
B. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS			116

 

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Table of Contents

		Page
C. INTERESTS OF EXPERTS AND COUNSEL			122
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION			122
A. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION			122
B. SIGNIFICANT CHANGES			123
ITEM 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING			123
A. OFFERING AND LISTING DETAILS
B. PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
C. MARKETS
D. SELLING SHAREHOLDERS
E. DILUTION
F. EXPENSES OF THE ISSUE
ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION			124
A. SHARE CAPITAL			124
B. MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION			124
C. MATERIAL CONTRACTS			133
D. EXCHANGE CONTROLS			133
E. TAXATION			133
F. DIVIDENDS AND PAYING AGENTS			139
G. STATEMENT BY EXPERTS			139
H. DOCUMENTS ON DISPLAY			139
I. SUBSIDIARY INFORMATION			139
ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK			140
ITEM 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES			140
A. DEBT SECURITIES			140
B. WARRANTS AND RIGHTS			140
C. OTHER SECURITIES			141
D. AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES			141
PART II			142
ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES			142
ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS			142
ITEM 15. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES			142
ITEM 16A. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT			144
ITEM 16B. CODE OF ETHICS			144
ITEM 16C. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES			144

 

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Table of Contents

		Page
ITEM 16D. EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES			144
ITEM 16E. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS			144
ITEM 16F. CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT			145
ITEM 16G. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE			145
ITEM 16H. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE			145
PART III			145
ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS			145
ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS			145
ITEM 19. EXHIBITS			146
SIGNATURES			151
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS			F-1

 

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Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION

In this annual report on

Form 20-F,

unless otherwise indicated:

 

•

“2018 Project Facility” refers to the senior secured project facility, dated January 28, 2013 and as amended from time to time, entered into between, among others, Studio City Company, as borrower, and certain subsidiaries as guarantors, comprising a term loan facility of HK$10,080,460,000 (approximately US$1.3 billion) and revolving credit facility of HK$775,420,000 (approximately US$100 million), and which was amended, restated and extended by the 2021 Studio City Senior Secured Credit Facility;

 

•

“2020 Notes” refers to the 8.50% senior notes due 2020 in an aggregate principal amount of US$825,000,000 issued by Studio City Finance on November 26, 2012 and as to which no amount remains outstanding following the redemption of all remaining outstanding amounts in March 2019;

 

•

“2020 Notes Tender Offer” refers to the conditional tender offer by Studio City Finance to purchase for cash any and all of the outstanding 2020 Notes, which commenced in January 2019 and settled in February 2019;

 

•

“2021 Studio City Senior Secured Credit Facility” refers to the facility agreement dated November 23, 2016 with, among others, Bank of China Limited, Macau Branch, to amend, restate and extend the 2018 Project Facility to provide for senior secured credit facilities in an aggregate amount of HK$234.0 million, which consist of a HK$233.0 million (approximately US$30.1 million) revolving credit facility and a HK$1.0 million (approximately US$129,000) term loan facility, and which has been amended, restated and extended by the 2028 Studio City Senior Secured Credit Facility;

 

•

“2024 Notes” refers to the 7.25% senior notes due 2024 in an aggregate principal amount of US$600,000,000 issued by Studio City Finance on February 11, 2019 and as to which no amount remains outstanding following the redemption of all remaining outstanding amounts in February 2021;

 

•

“2024 Notes Tender Offer” refers to the conditional tender offer by Studio City Finance to purchase for cash any and all of the outstanding 2024 Notes, which commenced and settled in January 2021;

 

•

“2025 Notes” refers to the 6.00% senior notes due 2025 in an aggregate principal amount of US$500,000,000 issued by Studio City Finance on July 15, 2020;

 

•

“2028 Notes” refers to the 6.50% senior notes due 2028 in an aggregate principal amount of US$500,000,000 issued by Studio City Finance on July 15, 2020;

 

•

“2028 Studio City Senior Secured Credit Facility” refers to the facility agreement dated March 15, 2021 with, among others, Bank of China Limited, Macau Branch, to amend, restate and extend the 2021 Studio City Senior Secured Credit Facility to provide for senior secured credit facilities in an aggregate amount of HK$234.0 million, which consist of a HK$233.0 million (approximately US$30.1 million) revolving credit facility and a HK$1.0 million (approximately US$129,000) term loan facility;

 

•

“2029 Notes” refers to the 5.00% senior notes due 2029 in an aggregate principal amount of US$750,000,000 issued by Studio City Finance on January 14, 2021;

 

•

“ADSs” refers to our American depositary shares, each of which represents four Class A ordinary shares;

 

•

“Altira Macau” refers to an integrated resort located in Taipa, Macau, that caters to Asian VIP rolling chip customers;

 

•

“board” and “board of directors” refer to the board of directors of our Company or a duly constituted committee thereof;

 

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Table of Contents

•

“China” and “PRC” refer to the People’s Republic of China, excluding the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the PRC (Hong Kong), the Macau Special Administrative Region of the PRC (Macau) and Taiwan from a geographical point of view;

 

•

“City of Dreams” refers to an integrated resort located in Cotai, Macau, which currently features casino areas and four luxury hotels, including a collection of retail brands, a wet stage performance theater (temporarily closed since June 2020) and other entertainment venues;

 

•

“DICJ” refers to the Direcção de Inspecção e Coordenação de Jogos (the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau), a department of the Public Administration of Macau;

 

•

“Greater China” refers to mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau, collectively;

 

•

“HK$” and “H.K. dollar(s)” refer to the legal currency of Hong Kong;

 

•

“Master Service Providers” refer to certain of our affiliates with whom we entered into a master service agreement and a series of work agreements with respect to the non-gaming services at the properties in Macau, and that are also subsidiaries of Melco Resorts, including Melco Crown (COD) Developments Limited (now known as COD Resorts Limited), Altira Developments Limited (now known as Altira Resorts Limited), the Gaming Operator, MPEL Services Limited (now known as Melco Resorts Services Limited), Golden Future (Management Services) Limited, MPEL Properties (Macau) Limited, Melco Crown Security Services Limited (now known as Melco Resorts Security Services Limited), MCE Travel Limited (now known as Melco Resorts Travel Limited), MCE Transportation Limited and MCE Transportation Two Limited (now known as MCO Transportation Two Limited);

 

•

“MCO Cotai” refers to MCO Cotai Investments Limited (formerly known as MCE Cotai Investments Limited), a subsidiary of Melco Resorts and a shareholder of our Company;

 

•

“Melco International” refers to Melco International Development Limited, a Hong Kong-listed company;

 

•

“Melco Resorts” refers to Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited, a Cayman Islands company and with its American depositary shares listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market;

 

•

“Melco Resorts Macau” or the “Gaming Operator” refers to Melco Resorts (Macau) Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of Macau that is a subsidiary of Melco Resorts, the holder of a subconcession under the Subconcession Contract and the operator of Studio City Casino. The equity interest of the Gaming Operator is 90% owned by Melco Resorts and 10% owned by Mr. Lawrence Ho, the managing director of the Gaming Operator;

 

•

“MOP” or “Pataca(s)” refers to the legal currency of Macau;

 

•

“MSC Cotai” refers to our subsidiary, MSC Cotai Limited, which is a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands with limited liability;

 

•

“New Cotai” refers to New Cotai, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company;

 

•

“Renminbi” and “RMB” refer to the legal currency of China;

 

•

“Studio City” refers to a cinematically-themed integrated resort in Cotai, an area of reclaimed land located between the islands of Taipa and Coloane in Macau;

 

•

“Studio City Casino” refers to the gaming areas being operated within Studio City;

 

•

“Studio City Company” refers to our subsidiary, Studio City Company Limited, which is a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands with limited liability;

 

•

“Studio City Company Notes” refers to, collectively, the US$350.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.875% senior secured notes due 2019 (the “2019 Studio City Company Notes”) and the US$850.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7.250% senior secured notes due 2021 (the “2021

 

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Table of Contents

Studio City Company Notes”), each issued by Studio City Company on November 30, 2016 and as to which no amount remains outstanding following the repayment in full upon maturity in November 2019 (in the case of the 2019 Studio City Company Notes) and the redemption of all remaining outstanding amounts in August 2020 (in the case of the 2021 Studio City Company Notes);

 

•

“Studio City Developments” refers to our subsidiary, Studio City Developments Limited, a Macau company;

 

•

“Studio City Entertainment” refers to our subsidiary, Studio City Entertainment Limited, a Macau company;

 

•

“Studio City Finance” refers to our subsidiary, Studio City Finance Limited, which is a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands with limited liability;

 

•

“Studio City Hotels” refers to our subsidiary, Studio City Hotels Limited, a Macau company;

 

•

“Studio City Investments” refers to our subsidiary, Studio City Investments Limited, which is a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands with limited liability;

 

•

“Studio City Project Facility” refers to the senior secured project facility, dated January 28, 2013 and as amended from time to time, entered into between, among others, Studio City Company, as borrower, and certain subsidiaries as guarantors, comprising a term loan facility of HK$10,080,460,000 (approximately US$1,300 million) and revolving credit facility of HK$775,420,000 (approximately US$100 million), and which was amended, restated and extended by the 2021 Studio City Senior Secured Credit Facility;

 

•

“Subconcession Contract” refers to the subconcession contract executed between the Gaming Operator and Wynn Resorts (Macau) S.A., or Wynn Resorts Macau, on September 8, 2006, that provides for the terms and conditions of the subconcession granted to the Gaming Operator by Wynn Resorts Macau;

 

•

“US$” and “U.S. dollar(s)” refer to the legal currency of the United States;

 

•

“U.S. GAAP” refers to the U.S. generally accepted accounting principles; and

 

•

“we,” “us,” “our,” “our Company” and “the Company” refer to Studio City International Holdings Limited and, as the context requires, its predecessor entities and its consolidated subsidiaries.

This annual report on

Form 20-F

includes our audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 and as of December 31, 2020 and 2019.

Any discrepancies in any table between totals and sums of amounts listed therein are due to rounding. Accordingly, figures shown as totals in certain tables may not be an arithmetic aggregation of the figures preceding them.

 

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Table of Contents

GLOSSARY

 

“average daily rate” or “ADR”		calculated by dividing total room revenues including complimentary rooms (less service charges, if any) by total rooms occupied, including complimentary rooms, i.e., average price of occupied rooms per day
“cage”		a secure room within a casino with a facility that allows patrons to carry out transactions required to participate in gaming activities, such as exchange of cash for chips and exchange of chips for cash or other chips
“chip”		round token that is used on casino gaming tables in lieu of cash
“concession”		a government grant for the operation of games of fortune and chance in casinos in Macau under an administrative contract pursuant to which a concessionaire, or the entity holding the concession, is authorized to operate games of fortune and chance in casinos in Macau
“dealer”		a casino employee who takes and pays out wagers or otherwise oversees a gaming table
“drop”		the amount of cash to purchase gaming chips and promotional vouchers that is deposited in a gaming table’s drop box, plus gaming chips purchased at the casino cage
“drop box”		a box or container that serves as a repository for cash, chip purchase vouchers, credit markers and forms used to record movements in the chip inventory on each table game
“electronic gaming table”		table with an electronic or computerized wagering and payment system that allow players to place bets from multiple-player gaming seats
“gaming machine”		slot machine and/or electronic gaming table
“gaming machine handle”		the total amount wagered in gaming machines
“gaming machine win rate”		gaming machine win (calculated before non-discretionary incentives (including the point-loyalty programs) as administered by the Gaming Operator and allocating casino revenues related to goods and services provided to gaming patrons on a complimentary basis) expressed as a percentage of gaming machine handle
“gaming promoter”		an individual or corporate entity who, for the purpose of promoting rolling chip and other gaming activities, arranges customer transportation and accommodation, provides credit in its sole discretion if authorized by a gaming operator and arranges food and beverage services and entertainment in exchange for commissions or other compensation from a gaming concessionaire or subconcessionaire
“integrated resort”		a resort which provides customers with a combination of hotel accommodations, casinos or gaming areas, retail and dining facilities, MICE space, entertainment venues and spas
“junket player”		a player sourced by gaming promoters to play in the VIP gaming rooms or areas
“marker”		evidence of indebtedness by a player to the casino or gaming operator
“mass market patron”		a customer who plays in the mass market segment
“mass market segment”		consists of both table games and gaming machines played by mass market players primarily for cash stakes

 

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“mass market table games drop”		the amount of table games drop in the mass market table games segment
“mass market table games hold percentage”		mass market table games win (calculated before discounts, commissions, non-discretionary incentives (including the point-loyalty programs) as administered by the Gaming Operator and allocating casino revenues related to goods and services provided to gaming patrons on a complimentary basis) as a percentage of mass market table games drop
“mass market table games segment”		the mass market segment consisting of mass market patrons who play table games
“MICE”		Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions, an acronym commonly used to refer to tourism involving large groups brought together for an event or specific purpose
“net rolling”		net turnover in a non-negotiable chip game
“non-negotiable chip”		promotional casino chip that is not to be exchanged for cash
“non-rolling chip”		chip that can be exchanged for cash, used by mass market patrons to make wagers
“occupancy rate”		the average percentage of available hotel rooms occupied, including complimentary rooms, during a period
“premium direct player”		a rolling chip player who is a direct customer of the concessionaires or subconcessionaires and is attracted to the casino through marketing efforts of the gaming operator
“progressive jackpot”		a jackpot for a gaming machine or table game where the value of the jackpot increases as wagers are made; multiple gaming machines or table games may be linked together to establish one progressive jackpot
“revenue per available room” or “REVPAR”		calculated by dividing total room revenues including complimentary rooms (less service charges, if any) by total rooms available, thereby representing a combination of hotel average daily room rates and occupancy
“rolling chip” or “VIP rolling chip”		non-negotiable chip primarily used by rolling chip patrons to make wagers
“rolling chip patron”		a player who primarily plays on a rolling chip or VIP rolling chip tables and typically plays for higher stakes than mass market gaming patrons
“rolling chip segment”		consists of table games played in private VIP gaming rooms or areas by rolling chip patrons who are either premium direct players or junket players
“rolling chip volume”		the amount of non-negotiable chips wagered and lost by the rolling chip market segment
“rolling chip win rate”		rolling chip table games win (calculated before discounts, commissions, non-discretionary incentives (including the point-loyalty programs) as administered by the Gaming Operator and allocating casino revenues related to goods and services provided to gaming patrons on a complimentary basis) as a percentage of rolling chip volume
“slot machine”		traditional slot or electronic gaming machine operated by a single player
“subconcession”		an agreement for the operation of games of fortune and chance in casinos between the entity holding the concession, or the concessionaire, and a subconcessionaire, pursuant to which the subconcessionaire is authorized to operate games of fortune and chance in casinos in Macau

 

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“table games win”		the amount of wagers won net of wagers lost on gaming tables that is retained and recorded as casino revenues. Table games win is calculated before discounts, commissions, non-discretionary incentives (including the point-loyalty programs) as administered by the Gaming Operator and allocating casino revenues related to goods and services provided to gaming patrons on a complimentary basis
“VIP gaming room”		gaming rooms or areas that have restricted access to rolling chip patrons and typically offer more personalized service than the general mass market gaming areas

 

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This annual report on

Form 20-F

contains forward-looking statements that relate to future events, including our future operating results and conditions, our prospects and our future financial performance and condition, all of which are largely based on our current expectations and projections. The forward-looking statements are contained principally in the sections entitled “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors,” “Item 4. Information on the Company” and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects.” Known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. See “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors” for a discussion of some risk factors that may affect our business and results of operations. Moreover, because we operate in a heavily regulated and evolving industry, may become highly leveraged and operate in Macau, a growth market with intense competition, new risk factors may emerge from time to time. It is not possible for our management to predict all risk factors, nor can we assess the impact of these factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement.

In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “potential,” “continue,” “is/are likely to” or other similar expressions. We have based the forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements relating to:

 

•

our goals and strategies;

 

•

the material impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic on our business, financial results and liquidity, which could worsen and persist for an unknown duration;

 

•

the reduced access to our target markets due to travel restrictions, and the potential long-term impact on customer retention;

 

•

the expected growth of the gaming and leisure market in Macau and visitation in Macau;

 

•

restrictions or conditions on visitation by citizens of mainland China to Macau, including in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, with respect to which we are unable to predict when all, or any of, such travel restrictions will be eased, or the period of time required for tourism to return to pre-pandemic levels (if at all);

 

•

the impact on the travel and leisure industry from factors such as an outbreak of an infectious disease, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, extreme weather patterns or natural disasters, military conflicts and any future security alerts and/or terrorist attacks or other acts of violence;

 

•

general domestic or global political and economic conditions, including in China and Hong Kong, which may impact levels of travel, leisure and consumer spending;

 

•

our ability to successfully operate Studio City;

 

•

our ability to obtain all required governmental approval, authorizations and licenses for the remaining project;

 

•

our ability to obtain adequate financing for the remaining project;

 

•

our ability to develop the remaining project in accordance with our business plan, completion time and within budget;

 

•

our compliance with conditions and covenants under the existing and future indebtedness;

 

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•

construction cost estimates for the remaining project, including projected variances from budgeted costs;

 

•

our ability to enter into definitive contracts with contractors with sufficient skill, financial strength and relevant experience for the construction of the remaining project;

 

•

capital and credit market volatility;

 

•

our ability to raise additional capital, if and when required;

 

•

increased competition from other casino hotel and resort projects in Macau and elsewhere in Asia, including the concessionaires (SJM, Wynn Resorts Macau and Galaxy) and subconcessionaires (including MGM Grand Paradise, S.A., or MGM Grand, and Venetian Macau Limited, or Venetian Macau) in Macau;

 

•

government policies and regulation relating to the gaming industry, including gaming license approvals and the legalization of gaming in other jurisdictions, and leisure market in Macau;

 

•

the uncertainty of tourist behavior related to spending and vacationing at casino resorts in Macau;

 

•

fluctuations in occupancy rates and average daily room rates in Macau;

 

•

the liberalization of travel restrictions on PRC citizens and convertibility of the Renminbi;

 

•

the tightened control of certain cross-border fund transfers from the PRC;

 

•

the completion of infrastructure projects in Macau;

 

•

our ability to retain and increase our customers;

 

•

our ability to offer new services and attractions;

 

•

our future business development, financial condition and results of operations;

 

•

the expected growth in, market size of and trends in the market in Macau;

 

•

expected changes in our revenues, costs or expenditures;

 

•

our expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of our brand and business;

 

•

our ability to continue to develop new technologies and/or upgrade our existing technologies;

 

•

cybersecurity risks including misappropriation of customer information or other breaches of information security;

 

•

our ability to protect our intellectual property rights;

 

•

growth of and trends of competition in the gaming and leisure market in Macau;

 

•

general economic and business conditions globally and in Macau;

 

•

our ability to comply with the NYSE Business Plan (as defined herein), the New York Stock Exchange’s continued listing standards and maintain the listing of our ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange; and

 

•

other factors described under “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors.”

The forward-looking statements made in this annual report on

Form 20-F relate

only to events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this annual report on

Form 20-F.

Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. You should read this annual report on

Form 20-F

and the documents that we referenced in this annual report on

Form 20-F and

have filed as exhibits with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect.

 

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PART I

 

ITEM 1.

IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 2.

OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

Not applicable.

 

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ITEM 3.

KEY INFORMATION

A. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following selected consolidated statement of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 and balance sheet data as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report beginning on

page F-1.

The Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification 326,

Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (Topic 326)

(“ASU

2016-13”)

on January 1, 2020 under the modified retrospective method. Results for the periods beginning on or after January 1, 2020 are presented under the ASU

2016-13,

while prior year amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with the previous basis. The Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification 842,

Leases (Topic 842)

(“New Leases Standard”) on January 1, 2019 under the modified retrospective method. Results for the periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019 are presented under the New Leases Standard, while prior year amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with the previous basis. The Company adopted a new revenue recognition standard issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “New Revenue Standard”) on January 1, 2018 under the modified retrospective method. Results for the periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018 are presented under the New Revenue Standard, while prior year amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with the previous basis.

The selected consolidated statement of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 and the balance sheet data as of December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 have been derived from our consolidated financial statements not included in this annual report. Our consolidated financial statements are prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. You should read the selected consolidated financial data in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” included elsewhere in this annual report. The historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected in the future.

 

		Year Ended December 31,
		2020 (1)				2019 (2)				2018 (3)				2017				2016
		(In thousands of US$, except for share and per share data)
Consolidated Statements of Operations Data:
Total operating revenues		$	49,208			$	626,733			$	571,213			$	539,814			$	424,531
Total operating costs and expenses		$	(329,136	)		$	(448,737	)		$	(433,351	)		$	(459,364	)		$	(479,297	)
Operating (loss) income		$	(279,928	)		$	177,996			$	137,862			$	80,450			$	(54,766	)
Net (loss) income		$	(405,092	)		$	43,629			$	(20,745	)		$	(76,437	)		$	(242,789	)
Net loss (income) attributable to participation interest		$	83,466			$	(10,065	)		$	(853	)		$	—			$	—
Net (loss) income attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited		$	(321,626	)		$	33,564			$	(21,598	)		$	(76,437	)		$	(242,789	)
Net (loss) income attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited per Class A ordinary share (5) :
Basic		$	(1.091	)		$	0.139			$	(0.113	)		$	(0.422	)		$	(1.339	)
Diluted		$	(1.103	)		$	0.139			$	(0.113	)		$	(0.422	)		$	(1.339	)
Net (loss) income attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited per ADS (4)(5) :
Basic		$	(4.363	)		$	0.555			$	(0.451	)		$	(1.687	)		$	(5.357	)
Diluted		$	(4.411	)		$	0.555			$	(0.451	)		$	(1.687	)		$	(5.357	)
Weighted average Class A ordinary shares outstanding used in net (loss) income attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited per Class A ordinary share calculation (5) :
Basic			294,837,092				241,818,016				191,533,455				181,279,400				181,279,400
Diluted			367,348,852				241,818,016				191,533,455				181,279,400				181,279,400

 

(1)	We adopted the ASU 2016-13 on January 1, 2020 under the modified retrospective method. There was no material impact on our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2020 as a result of the adoption of the ASU 2016-13.

 

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(2)	We adopted the New Leases Standard on January 1, 2019 under the modified retrospective method. There was no material impact on our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2019 as a result of the adoption of the New Leases Standard.

 

(3)	We adopted the New Revenue Standard on January 1, 2018 under the modified retrospective method. There was no material impact on our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2018 as a result of the adoption of the New Revenue Standard.

 

(4)	Each ADS represents four Class A ordinary shares.

 

(5)

In connection with the Company’s initial public offering on October 22, 2018, the Company underwent a series of organizational transactions. For the calculation of net loss attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited per Class A ordinary share for periods prior to the initial public offering, including the year ended December 31, 2018 for which a portion of the period preceded initial public offering, the Company has retrospectively presented net loss attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited per Class A ordinary share and the share capital as if the organizational transactions had occurred at the beginning of the earliest period presented. Such retrospective presentation reflects the re-designation of the then issued 18,127.94 ordinary shares of US$1 par value each into 181,279,400 Class A ordinary shares of US$0.0001 par value each for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015. For periods prior to the initial public offering date, the retrospective presentation does not include the exchange of 72,511,760 Class A ordinary shares into 72,511,760 Class B ordinary shares of US$0.0001 par value each and the issuance of 115,000,000 Class A ordinary shares in the initial public offering.

 

		As of December 31,
		2020 (1)				2019 (2)				2018 (3)				2017				2016
		(In thousands of US$)
Summary Consolidated Balance Sheets Data:
Total current assets			607,821				414,440				459,041				460,927				397,218
Cash and cash equivalents			575,215				299,367				345,854				348,399				336,783
Bank deposits with original maturities over three months			—				—				—				9,884				—
Restricted cash			13				27,735				31,582				34,400				34,333
Amounts due from affiliated companies			10,672				61,990				42,339				37,826				1,578
Total non-current assets			2,436,076				2,297,800				2,343,297				2,466,640				2,624,781
Property and equipment, net			2,180,897				2,107,457				2,175,858				2,280,116				2,419,410
Land use right, net			116,109				118,888				121,544				125,672				128,995
Operating lease right-of-use assets (2)			17,379				14,238				—				—				—
Restricted cash			131				130				129				130				130
Total assets			3,043,897				2,712,240				2,802,338				2,927,567				3,021,999
Total current liabilities			162,151				100,171				438,972				178,070				193,439
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities  (2)			118,946				82,553				62,825				155,840				156,495
Current portion of long-term debts, net			—				—				347,740				—				—
Amounts due to affiliated companies			42,966				14,248				21,953				19,508				33,462
Long-term debt, net			1,584,660				1,435,088				1,261,904				1,999,354				1,992,123
Operating lease liabilities, non-current (2)			17,137				13,720				—				—				—
Other long-term liabilities			11,778				3,149				4,017				9,512				19,130
Total liabilities			1,776,174				1,553,581				1,705,937				2,187,524				2,205,519
Total shareholders’ equity (3)			1,059,987				891,368				843,472				740,043				816,480
Participation interest			207,736				267,291				252,929				—				—
Total shareholders’ equity and participation interest (3)			1,267,723				1,158,659				1,096,401				740,043				816,480
Total liabilities, shareholders’ equity and participation interest (3)			3,043,897				2,712,240				2,802,338				2,927,567				3,021,999

 

(1)	We adopted the ASU 2016-13 on January 1, 2020 under the modified retrospective method. There was no material impact on our financial position as of January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020 as a result of the adoption of the ASU 2016-13.

 

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(2)

We adopted the New Leases Standard on January 1, 2019 under the modified retrospective method and recognized operating lease right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities of US$14.7 million and US$14.7 million, respectively as of January 1, 2019. As of December 31, 2019, operating lease right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities were US$14.2 million and US$14.6 million, respectively.

 

(3)	We adopted the New Revenue Standard on January 1, 2018 under the modified retrospective method and recognized an increase to the opening balance of accumulated losses of US$3.3 million due to the cumulative effect of adopting the New Revenue Standard.

Exchange Rate Information

Our reporting currency is the U.S. Dollar and functional currencies are the U.S. Dollar, Hong Kong Dollar and Pataca. This annual report on Form

20-F

contains translations of certain Pataca, Hong Kong Dollar and Renminbi amounts into U.S. Dollars for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise stated, all translations of Hong Kong Dollar and Renminbi amounts into U.S. Dollars in this annual report on Form

20-F

were made at the rates of HK$7.7528 to US$1.00 and RMB6.5067 to US$1.00, respectively.

The H.K. dollar is freely convertible into other currencies (including the U.S. dollar). Since October 17, 1983, the H.K. dollar has been officially linked to the U.S. dollar at the rate of HK$7.80 to US$1.00. The market exchange rate has not deviated materially from the level of HK$7.80 to US$1.00 since the peg was first established. However, in May 2005, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority broadened the trading band from the original rate of HK$7.80 per U.S. dollar to a rate range of HK$7.75 to HK$7.85 per U.S. dollar. The Hong Kong government has stated its intention to maintain the link at that rate and, acting through the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, has a number of means by which it may act to maintain exchange rate stability. However, no assurance can be given that the Hong Kong government will maintain the link at HK$7.75 to HK$7.85 per U.S. dollar or at all.

The noon buying rate on December 31, 2020 in New York City for cable transfers in H.K. dollars per U.S. dollars, provided in the H.10 weekly statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board of the United States as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, was HK$7.7534 to US$1.00. On March 19, 2021, the noon buying rate was HK$7.7646 to US$1.00. We make no representation that any H.K. dollar or U.S. dollar amounts could have been, or could be, converted into U.S. dollar or H.K. dollar, as the case may be, at any particular rate or at all.

On March 19, 2021, the noon buying rate for Renminbi was RMB6.5070 to US$1.00.

The Pataca is pegged to the H.K. dollar at a rate of HK$1.00 = MOP1.03. All translations from Patacas to U.S. dollars in this annual report on

Form 20-F

were made at the exchange rate of MOP7.9854 = US$1.00. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York does not certify for customs purposes a noon buying rate for cable transfers in Patacas.

We make no representation that the Pataca, Hong Kong Dollar, Renminbi or U.S. Dollar amounts referred to in this annual report on Form

20-F

could have been, or could be, converted into U.S. Dollars, Patacas, Renminbi and Hong Kong Dollars, as the case may be, at any particular rate or at all.

B. CAPITALIZATION AND INDEBTEDNESS

Not applicable.

C. REASONS FOR THE OFFER AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Not applicable.

 

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D. RISK FACTORS

The following summarizes some, but not all, of the risks provided below. Please carefully consider all of the information discussed in this Item 3.D. “Risk Factors” in this annual report for a more thorough description of these and other risks.

You should carefully consider the following risk factors in addition to the other information set forth in this annual report. Our business, financial condition and results of operations can be affected materially and adversely by any of the following risk factors.

Risks Relating to Our Business

 

•

Risks relating to the COVID-19 pandemic and other epidemics and pandemics.

 

•

Risks relating to our short operating history.

 

•

Risks relating to our reliance on the operation of the Studio City Casino under the Services and Rights to Use Arrangements.

 

•

Risks relating to our sole operation of Studio City.

 

•

Risks relating to the potential discontinuation of VIP rolling chip operations at Studio City Casino.

 

•

Risks relating to our history of net losses.

 

•

Risks relating to the development of our remaining project for Studio City.

 

•

Risks relating to the inability to generate sufficient cash flow to meet our debt service obligations.

 

•

Risks relating to our compliance with credit facility and debt instruments.

 

•

Risks relating to our current and potential future indebtedness and our need for additional financing.

 

•

Risks relating to depending on the continued efforts or our senior management and retaining qualified personnel.

 

•

Risks relating to failure to comply with anti-corruption laws and anti-money laundering policies.

 

•

Risks relating to failure to protect the integrity and security of data, including customer information.

 

•

Risks relating to being delisted from the New York Stock Exchange if the PCAOB continues to be unable to inspect our independent registered public accounting firm for three years.

 

•

Risks relating to inadequate insurance coverage.

Risks Relating to Operating in the Gaming Industry in Macau

 

•

Risks relating to the Gaming Operator’s Subconcession Contract.

 

•

Risks relating to facing intense competition.

 

•

Risks relating to adverse changes or developments in gaming laws or regulations in Macau.

Risks Relating to Our Relationship with Melco Resorts

 

•

Risks relating to our dependence on our shareholder, Melco Resorts.

Risks Relating to Conducting Business and Operating in Macau

 

•

Risks relating to restrictions on export of Renminbi.

 

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Risks Relating to Our Shares and ADSs

 

•

Risks relating to compliance with the New York Stock Exchange requirements for continued listing.

Risks Relating to Our Business

The

COVID-19

pandemic has had, and will likely to continue to have, a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

In December 2019, an outbreak of

COVID-19

was identified and has since spread around the world. In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the

COVID-19

outbreak a global pandemic. Many governments around the world have implemented a variety of measures to reduce the spread of

COVID-19,

including travel restrictions and bans, instructions to residents to practice social distancing, quarantine advisories,

shelter-in-place

orders and required closures of

non-essential

businesses. The

COVID-19

pandemic has negatively impacted the global economy, disrupted global supply chains and created significant volatility and disruption of financial markets.

As a result of the

COVID-19

outbreak, the PRC government suspended the issuance of group and individual travel visas from China to Macau and the Hong Kong SAR government suspended all ferry and helicopter services between Hong Kong and Macau. In addition, the Macau government required all casinos in Macau to be closed for a

15-day

period in February 2020. Upon resumption of operations in February 2020, casinos in Macau were required to implement health-related precautionary measures, including temperature checks, mask protection, health declarations and requirements that gaming patrons be stopped from congregating together, that the number of players and spectators at tables be limited to three to four, that gaming patrons be prohibited from sitting in adjacent seats at gaming tables and that gaming patrons and casino employees maintain minimum physical distances.

Quarantine-free travel, subject to

COVID-19

safeguards such as testing and the usual visa requirements, was reintroduced between Macau and an increasing number of areas and cities within the PRC in progressive phases from June to August 2020, commencing with an area in Guangdong Province, which is adjacent to Macau, and expanding to additional areas and major cities within Guangdong Province, followed by most other areas of the PRC. On September 23, 2020, mainland China authorities fully resumed the IVS exit visa program, which permits individual PRC citizens from nearly 50 PRC cities to travel to Macau for tourism purposes. On December 21, 2020, the Macau government announced that generally, individuals who have been to countries and regions other than mainland China and Taiwan in the preceding 21 days are required to undergo a mandatory

21-day

quarantine upon entry into Macau from mainland China, Taiwan or Hong Kong. While certain travel restrictions have eased, health-related precautionary measures remain in place and customers were only recently permitted to enter casino premises in Macau without a negative nucleic acid test certificate. In addition, foreigners continue to be unable to enter Macau, except if they have been in mainland China in the preceding 21 days and are eligible for an exemption application.

According to the DSEC, visitor arrivals to Macau decreased by 85.0% on a year-over-year basis in 2020 as compared to 2019 while, according to the DICJ, gross gaming revenues in Macau declined by 79.3% on a year-over-year basis in 2020. As we derive all of our revenues from our business and operations in Macau, our business has been materially and adversely affected by the

COVID-19

pandemic.

The

COVID-19

pandemic has also caused severe disruptions to the businesses of our tenants and other business partners, which may increase the risk of them defaulting on their contractual obligations with us resulting in potential increases in our bad debts.

As the impact from

the COVID-19 pandemic

is ongoing, any recovery from such disruptions will depend on future events, such as the successful production, distribution and widespread acceptance of safe and

 

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effective vaccines; the development of effective treatments

for COVID-19; the

duration of travel and visa restrictions and customer sentiment and behavior (including the length of time before customers resume travel and participation in entertainment and leisure activities at high-density venues and the impact of potential higher unemployment rates, declines in income levels and loss of personal wealth resulting from

the COVID-19 pandemic

on consumer behavior related to discretionary spending and traveling), all of which are highly uncertain. While

COVID-19

vaccines have been approved in various countries, the production, distribution and administration of any such vaccines on a widespread basis may take a significant amount of time, and there can be no assurances as to the long-term safety and efficacy of such vaccines or if the current vaccines will be effective against new strains of the coronavirus that causes

COVID-19.

Moreover, even if the

COVID-19

pandemic subsides, there is no guarantee that travel and consumer sentiment will rebound quickly or at all.

The disruptions to our business caused by the

COVID-19

pandemic have had a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and as such disruptions are ongoing, such material and adverse effects will likely continue.

We have a short operating history compared to many of our competitors and are therefore subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Our short operating history may not be indicative of our future operating results and prospects.

We have a short business operating history compared to many of our competitors, and there is limited historical information available about us upon which you can base your evaluation of our business and prospects. Studio City commenced operations in October 2015. As a result, you should consider our business and prospects in light of the risks, expenses, uncertainties and challenges that we may face given our short operating history in the intensely competitive market of the gaming business. The historical performance at the other casinos operated by the Gaming Operator should not be taken as an indication of Studio City Casino’s future performance or the performance of our remaining project once it commences operations.

We may encounter risks and difficulties frequently experienced by companies with early stage operations, and those risks and difficulties may be heightened by challenging market conditions of the gaming business in Macau and other challenges our business faces. Certain of these risks relate to our ability to:

 

•

operate, support, expand and develop our operations and our facilities;

 

•

respond to economic uncertainties, including the higher prospect of a global recession and a contraction of liquidity in the global credit markets as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic;

 

•

respond to competitive market conditions;

 

•

fulfill conditions precedent to draw down or roll over funds from current and future credit facilities;

 

•

comply with covenants under our existing and future debt issuances and credit facilities;

 

•

respond to changing financial requirements and raise additional capital, as required;

 

•

complete the development of our remaining project for Studio City on time and in compliance with the conditions under the relevant land concession contract;

 

•

obtain the necessary authorizations, approvals and licenses from the relevant governmental authorities for the development of our remaining project for Studio City;

 

•

attract and retain customers and qualified staff;

 

•

maintain effective control of our operating costs and expenses;

 

•

maintain internal personnel, systems, controls and procedures to assure compliance with the extensive regulatory requirements applicable to our business as well as regulatory compliance as a public company; and

 

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•

assure compliance with, and respond to changes in, the regulatory environment and government policies.

If we are unable to successfully manage one or more of such risks, we may be unable to operate our businesses in the manner we contemplate and generate revenues in the amounts and at the rate we anticipate. If any of these events were to occur, it may have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operation and cash flows.

Because neither we nor any of our subsidiaries hold a gaming license in Macau, Studio City Casino is operated by the Gaming Operator through the Services and Right to Use Arrangements under the Gaming Operator’s subconcession. Any failure by the Gaming Operator to comply with its obligations as a subconcessionaire or any failure by the Gaming Operator or us to comply with its or our respective obligations under the Services and Right to Use Arrangements, including any regulatory requirements thereunder, may have a material adverse effect on the operation of Studio City Casino.

The Gaming Operator and our subsidiary, Studio City Entertainment, have entered into the Services and Right to Use Arrangements under which the Gaming Operator has agreed to operate Studio City Casino since we do not hold a gaming license in Macau. Under such arrangements, the Gaming Operator deducts gaming taxes and the costs incurred in connection with its operations from Studio City Casino’s gross gaming revenues. We receive the residual amount and recognize such residual amount as revenues from provision of gaming related services.

The Services and Right to Use Arrangements were approved by the Macau government and are subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions imposed by the Macau government on the Gaming Operator and us in connection with granting its approval. Such conditions include but are not limited to Studio City Entertainment being subject to Macau government supervision applicable to gaming concessionaires and subconcessionaires. As a substantial part of our revenues and cash flows are generated from the Gaming Operator’s operation of Studio City Casino, any failure by the Gaming Operator to comply with any statutory, contractual or any other duties imposed on it as a subconcessionaire or any failure by the Gaming Operator or us to comply with its or our respective obligations under the Services and Right to Use Arrangements, including but not limited to any conditions imposed by the Macau government in granting its approval for our entry into the Services and Right to Use Arrangements, may result in the approval for the Services and Right to Use Arrangements being revoked by the Macau government and consequently an inability to receive any amounts thereunder or provide any gaming facilities at Studio City and thus have a material adverse effect on the operation of Studio City Casino including its suspension or cessation, and may cause the suspension or termination of the Gaming Operator’s subconcession. In 2008, the Macau government announced that services agreements with respect to gaming activities would no longer be approved or authorized. As a result, if the Services and Right to Use Arrangements or the Gaming Operator’s subconcession is terminated, we may not be able to enter into a new services agreement with another concessionaire or subconcessionaire. Even if such moratorium is lifted, we may not be able to enter into an arrangement for the operation of Studio City Casino with another concessionaire or subconcessionaire on terms that are as comparable or acceptable to us or at all. For details of the terms of the Services and Right to Use Arrangements, see “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions — B. Related Party Transactions.”

Furthermore, the Gaming Operator has exclusive access to the customer database of the gaming operations at Studio City Casino and in the event of termination of the arrangement under the Services and Right to Use Arrangements, we may not be able to gain access to such database.

Any material dispute with the Gaming Operator or any failure by the Gaming Operator to comply with its obligations under its subconcession or by the Gaming Operator or us to comply with its or our respective obligations under the Services and Right to Use Arrangements, including but not limited to any conditions imposed by the Macau government in granting its approval for our entry into the Services and Right to Use

 

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Arrangements, may have a material adverse effect on the operation of Studio City Casino and in turn affect our financial condition and results of operations.

We rely on services provided by subsidiaries of Melco Resorts, including hiring and training of personnel for Studio City.

According to the Services and Right to Use Arrangements, the Gaming Operator, a subsidiary of Melco Resorts, is responsible for the operation of the Studio City Casino facilities, including hiring, employing, training and supervising casino personnel. The Gaming Operator deducts gaming taxes and the costs incurred in connection with its operations, including staff costs from Studio City Casino’s gross gaming revenues. We expect the Gaming Operator to continue managing all recruitment and training-related matters for staff that have been deployed at Studio City Casino.

In addition, under the Management and Shared Services Arrangements, we receive certain services from certain members of the Melco Resorts group. We rely on the Master Service Providers to recruit, allocate, train, manage and supervise a substantial majority of the staff who are all solely dedicated to our property to perform our corporate and administrative functions and carry out other

non-gaming

activities, including food and beverage management, retail management, hotel management, entertainment projects, mall development and sales and marketing activities, among others. In addition, pursuant to the Management and Shared Services Arrangements, certain shared services staff including certain senior management from the Master Service Providers are not solely dedicated to our property and may not devote all of their time and attention to the operation of Studio City. These shared services staff work for other properties owned by Melco Resorts, which may directly and indirectly compete with us. Any expansion of the business of Melco Resorts, whether effectuated through the Gaming Operator or other companies, could divert the attention and time of these shared services staff from the operations of Studio City and adversely affect us.

If the Gaming Operator or the Master Service Providers are unable to attract and retain a sufficient number of qualified staff or to provide satisfactory services to us or the costs of qualified staff increase significantly, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

The costs associated with the Services and Right to Use Arrangements and the Management and Shared Services Arrangements may not be indicative of the actual costs we could have incurred as an independent company.

Under the Services and Right to Use Arrangements, the Gaming Operator deducts gaming taxes and the costs of operation of Studio City Casino. We receive the residual gross gaming revenues and recognize these amounts as our revenues from provision of gaming related services.

Under the Management and Shared Services Arrangements, certain of our corporate and administrative functions as well as operational activities are administered by staff employed by certain subsidiaries of Melco Resorts, including senior management services, centralized corporate functions and operational and venue support services. Payment arrangements for the services are provided for in the individual work agreements and may vary depending on the services provided. Corporate services are charged at

pre-negotiated

rates, subject to a base fee and cap. Senior management service fees and staff costs on operational services are allocated to us based on percentages of efforts on the services provided to us. Other costs in relation to shared office equipment are allocated based on a percentage of usage.

We believe the costs incurred under the Services and Right to Use Arrangements and the allocation methods under the Management and Shared Services Arrangements are reasonable and the consolidated financial statements reflect our cost of doing business. However, such allocations may not be indicative of the actual expenses we would have incurred had we operated as an independent company.

 

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We face concentration risk in relation to our sole operation of Studio City.

We are dependent upon the operation of Studio City to generate our revenue and cash flows. Given that our operations are conducted only at Studio City in Macau, we are subject to greater risks than a company with several operating properties in several markets. These risks include, but are not limited to:

 

•

dependence on the gaming, tourism and leisure market in Macau;

 

•

limited diversification of our business and sources of revenue;

 

•

a decline in air, land or ferry passenger traffic to Macau from China or other areas or countries due to higher ticket costs, fears concerning travel, travel restrictions or otherwise, including as a result of the outbreak of widespread health epidemics or pandemics, such as the outbreak of COVID-19, or any social unrest in Hong Kong;

 

•

a decline in economic and political conditions in Macau, China or Asia, or an increase in competition within the gaming industry in Macau or generally in Asia;

 

•

inaccessibility to Macau due to inclement weather, road construction or closure of primary access routes;

 

•

austerity measures imposed now or in the future by the governments in China or other countries in Asia;

 

•

tightened control of cross-border fund transfers and/or foreign exchange regulations or policies effected by the Chinese or Macau governments;

 

•

any enforcement or legal measures taken by the Chinese government to deter gaming activities and/or marketing thereof;

 

•

changes in Macau governmental laws and regulations, including gaming laws and regulations, anti-smoking legislation, or interpretations thereof, as well as China travel and visa policies;

 

•

lower than expected rate of increase or decrease in the number of visitors to Macau;

 

•

natural and other disasters, including typhoons, outbreaks of infectious diseases, terrorism or violent criminal activities, affecting Macau;

 

•

relaxation of regulations on gaming laws in other regional economies that could compete with the Macau market;

 

•

government restrictions on growth of gaming markets, including policies on gaming table allocation and caps; and

 

•

a decrease in gaming activities and other spending at Studio City Casino.

Any of these developments or events could have a material adverse effect on our business, cash flows, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

Furthermore, as Macau is a limited gaming concession market nearing its land capacity for the development of integrated resorts, opportunities to expand our operations, if any, may be limited.

The Gaming Operator will continue the operation of VIP rolling chip tables at the Studio City Casino until December 31, 2021, subject to early termination with 30 days’ prior notice by either Studio City or the Gaming Operator. Any discontinuation of such VIP rolling chip operations is likely to materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

VIP rolling chip operations, including both junket and premium direct VIP offerings, were introduced at Studio City Casino in early November 2016. Such VIP rolling chip operations are operated by the Gaming Operator under the Services and Right to Use Arrangements. The VIP tables used in such operations were initially allocated by the Macau government for operation by the Gaming Operator at gaming areas of the

 

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Gaming Operator’s other properties in Macau. In December 2020, we announced the Gaming Operator’s continuation of VIP rolling chip operations at the Studio City Casino until December 31, 2021. Such VIP rolling chip operations are subject to early termination with 30 days’ prior notice by either Studio City Entertainment or the Gaming Operator.

The 250 mass market gaming tables permitted to be operated at the Studio City Casino by the Gaming Operator are designated for mass market purposes only and there is no assurance or expectation that such tables may be operated as VIP rolling chip tables in the future as the Macau government has determined that tables authorized for mass market gaming operations may not be utilized for VIP gaming operations. Amounts received from the Studio City Casino VIP gaming operations, as determined under the Services and Right to Use Arrangements, amounted to negative US$16.7 million, US$20.0 million and US$35.7 million in 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

While we expect our business strategy going forward to continue to focus on cultivating further growth in the premium mass and mass market segments at the Studio City Casino and enhancing our differentiated

non-gaming

amenities to complement our gaming operations, any discontinuation of the VIP rolling chip operations at Studio City Casino is likely to have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Studio City Casino’s VIP rolling chip operations, while they continue, may cause volatility in our financial condition and results of operations due to changes in the economic and regulatory environments and Studio City Casino’s ability to attract and retain VIP rolling chip players.

Studio City Casino has and, to the extent VIP rolling chip operations continue, is expected to incur costs associated with the VIP rolling chip operations, while the expected revenues to be generated from the VIP rolling chip operations may be volatile primarily due to high bets and the resulting high winnings and losses. Gross win per VIP table per day were approximately US$3,700, US$21,000 and US$38,000 in 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. VIP rolling chip operations are also more vulnerable to changes in the economic environment and therefore inherently more volatile than mass market operations. For example, according to statistics compiled from the DICJ, VIP rolling chip gross gaming revenues declined in Macau from 2015 to 2016 and again from 2018 to 2019, while mass market gross gaming revenues increased during the same periods. Moreover, VIP rolling chip operations involve commissions to the gaming promoters and, as a result, the margins associated with VIP rolling chip operations are usually lower than the margins for mass market operations and may also be volatile from

period-to-period

due to significant variances in winnings and losses. As a result, Studio City Casino’s business, results of operations and cash flows may become more volatile, while VIP rolling chip operations continue, compared to that of other casinos with only mass market gaming operations.

Further, the VIP rolling chip players pool is limited and we cannot assure you that the existing VIP rolling chip players at Studio City Casino will be recurring players. If Studio City Casino loses its existing VIP rolling chip players or fails to attract new VIP rolling chip players while VIP rolling chip operations are ongoing, our revenues and cash flows from the provision of gaming-related services could be materially and adversely affected. In addition, the VIP rolling chip segment may be particularly susceptible to certain changes in government policies, regulations and enforcement actions. For instance, the anti-corruption campaign of the Chinese government has had a negative effect on the VIP rolling chip segment in Macau. Any further campaigns may negatively affect the numbers of VIP rolling chip players in Macau and in turn, materially and adversely affect our business.

We have a history of net losses and may not achieve profitability in the future.

Studio City may not be financially successful or generate the cash flows that we anticipate. We generated net income attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited of US$33.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 while we had net losses attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited of US$321.6 million, US$21.6 million, US$76.4 million and US$242.8 million for the years ended December 31,

 

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2020, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, primarily because of the impact of the

COVID-19

pandemic in the case of December 31, 2020 and Studio City only commenced operations in October 2015 and was ramping up operations. In addition, we incurred negative operating cash flows of US$113.1 million in 2015.

We expect our costs and expenses to increase in absolute amounts due to (i) the continued expansion of our operations, which will cause us to incur increased costs and expenses associated with the operation of our businesses; and (ii) the continued development of our remaining project.

We also expect that we will continue to incur significant capital expenditures as we continue to expand our existing operations and develop our remaining project. These efforts may be more costly than we expect and our revenue may not increase sufficiently to offset these expenses. We may continue to take actions and make investments that do not generate optimal short-term financial results and may even result in increased operating losses in the short term with no assurance that we will eventually achieve the intended long-term benefits or profitability. These factors may adversely affect our ability to achieve profitability and service debt obligations and interest payments under any of our existing or future financing facilities.

We have a substantial amount of existing indebtedness and may incur additional indebtedness, which could have significant effects on our business and future operations.

We have a substantial amount of existing indebtedness. As of December 31, 2020, we had total outstanding indebtedness of approximately US$1.60 billion, representing the outstanding principal balances of our existing notes and credit facility. See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects — B. Liquidity and Capital Resources — Indebtedness.” Significant interest and principal payments are required to meet our obligations under the existing indebtedness. Our substantial indebtedness could have important consequences for you and significant effects on our business and future operations. For example:

 

•

if we fail to meet our payment obligations or otherwise default under the agreements governing our existing indebtedness, the applicable lenders or note holders under our indebtedness will have the right to accelerate such indebtedness and exercise other rights and remedies against us;

 

•

we may be limited in our ability to obtain additional financing, if needed, to fund our working capital requirements, capital expenditures, debt service, general corporate or other obligations, including our obligations with respect to the existing indebtedness;

 

•

we are required to use all or a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations of Studio City to service our indebtedness, which will reduce the available cash flow to fund our operations, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes;

 

•

we may be limited in our ability to respond to changing business and economic conditions and to withstand competitive pressures, which may affect our financial condition;

 

•

under certain existing indebtedness, the interest rates we pay in respect of the indebtedness which we are not required to hedge will fluctuate with the current market rates and, accordingly, our interest expense will increase if market interest rates increase;

 

•

we may be placed at a competitive disadvantage to our competitors who are not as highly leveraged; and

 

•

in the event that we or one of our subsidiaries were to default, it may result in the loss of all or a substantial portion of our and/or our subsidiaries’ assets over which our creditors have taken or will take security.

Under the terms of the indentures governing our existing indebtedness, we will be permitted to incur additional indebtedness if certain conditions are met, some of which may be senior secured indebtedness. If we incur additional indebtedness, certain risks described above will be exacerbated.

 

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If we are unable to comply with our existing and/or future indebtedness obligations and other agreements, there could be a default under those agreements. If that occurs, lenders could terminate their respective commitments to lend to us or terminate their respective agreements, and holders of our debt securities could accelerate repayment of debt and declare all outstanding amounts due and payable, as the case may be. Furthermore, existing agreements governing our indebtedness contain, and future agreements governing our indebtedness are likely to contain, cross-acceleration or cross-default provisions. As a result, our default under any such agreement may cause the acceleration of repayment of other indebtedness or result in a default under agreements governing our other indebtedness. If any of these events occur, our assets and cash flows may not be sufficient to repay in full all of our indebtedness and we may not be able to find alternative financing. Even if we are able to obtain alternative financing, it may not be on terms that are comparable or acceptable to us.

Certain covenants under our agreements governing our existing indebtedness restrict our ability to engage in certain transactions and may impair our ability to respond to changing business and economic conditions.

Certain covenants under our agreements governing our existing indebtedness impose operating and financial restrictions on us. The restrictions that are imposed under these debt instruments include, among other things, limitations on our ability to:

 

•

pay dividends or distributions on account of our equity interests;

 

•

make specified restricted payments;

 

•

incur additional debt;

 

•

engage in other businesses or make investments;

 

•

create liens on assets;

 

•

enter into transactions with affiliates;

 

•

merge or consolidate with another company;

 

•

transfer and sell assets;

 

•

issue preferred stock;

 

•

create dividend and other payment restrictions affecting subsidiaries; and

 

•

designate restricted and unrestricted subsidiaries.

Certain of our credit facilities are secured by mortgages, assignment of land use rights, leases or equivalents, security over shares, charges over bank accounts, security over assets and other customary security over the assets of our subsidiaries. In the event of a default under such credit facilities, the holders of such secured indebtedness would first be entitled to payment from their collateral security and only then would holders of certain of our subsidiaries’ unsecured debt be entitled to payment from their remaining assets.

As a result of these covenants and restrictions, we will be limited in how we conduct our business, and we may be unable to raise additional financing to compete effectively or to take advantage of new business opportunities. Future indebtedness or other contracts could contain financial or other covenants more restrictive than those contained in the agreements governing the existing indebtedness. In addition, general economic conditions, industry conditions and other events beyond our control may also affect our ability to comply with these provisions. If we fail to abide by such covenants, we may be unable to maintain our current financing arrangements, obtain suitable future financings or avoid an event of default which may adversely impact our cash flows, existing operations and future development.

We generate a portion of our revenues from, and are subject to risks in

operating, non-gaming offerings.

We generate a portion of our revenues from

non-gaming

offerings and our financial performance in part depends on our ability to attract new and repeat customers to the

non-gaming

facilities at Studio City. Both

 

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visitation and the level of spending at our themed attractions, hotel, retail shops, restaurants and other leisure and entertainment facilities are key drivers of revenues and profitability, and reductions in either could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations and cash flows. In addition, any cessation of the operation of VIP tables by the Gaming Operator at Studio City Casino, or any reduction in such operation, could have a material adverse effect on visitation and the level of spending at our leisure and entertainment facilities as rolling chip patrons have become increasingly significant growth drivers for our

high-end

retail and fine-dining offerings. We do not have a long track record in operating these

non-gaming

facilities and may not be able to attract new and recurring customers to our

non-gaming

facilities at Studio City. Our success in

non-gaming

offerings depends on, among others, the effectiveness of our advertising and marketing initiatives, the attractiveness and safety of our entertainment facilities as compared to other resorts in Macau, the compliance with legal and regulatory requirements for our retail, entertainment and food and beverage outlets and our continued cooperation with the popular retail brands and restaurants. Moreover, many of our attractions which draw in large numbers of visitors, such as the Golden Reel and Batman Dark Flight may become obsolete in terms of technology or otherwise fail to continue to attract sufficient number of visitors. We cannot assure you that we will be financially successful in our

non-gaming

offerings or be able to maintain the average daily rate, occupancy rate and REVPAR of Studio City hotel or visitation to Studio City in general, which may adversely affect our ability to generate the cash flows that we anticipate and impact our operations and financial condition.

Studio City Casino’s gaming operations could be impacted by the reputation and integrity of the parties engaged in business activities at Studio City Casino and we cannot assure you that these parties will always maintain high standards of conduct or suitability throughout the term of Studio City Casino’s association with them. Failure to do so may potentially cause the Gaming Operator, us and our shareholders to suffer harm to our and our shareholders’ reputation, as well as impaired relationships with, and possibly sanctions from, gaming regulators.

The reputation and integrity of the parties who are or will be engaged in gaming activities at Studio City Casino are important to the continued operations of the casino in compliance with Gaming Operator’s subconcession and our own reputation. For parties that engage in gaming related activities, where relevant, the gaming regulators are expected to undertake their own probity checks and will reach their own suitability findings in respect of the activities and parties with which Studio City Casino may be associated. In addition, we conduct, and we expect that the Gaming Operator will conduct, an internal due diligence and evaluation process prior to the engagement of such parties. However, notwithstanding such regulatory probity checks, the Gaming Operator’s due diligence and our own due diligence, we cannot assure you that the parties with whom Studio City Casino is or will be associated will always maintain the high standards that gaming regulators, the Gaming Operator and we require or that such parties will maintain their suitability throughout the term of Studio City Casino’s association with them. If Studio City Casino were to be associated with any party whose probity was in doubt, this may reflect negatively on the Gaming Operator and our own probity when assessed by gaming regulators. A party associated with Studio City Casino may fall below the gaming regulators’ suitability standards.

In particular, the reputation of the gaming promoters operating in Studio City Casino is important to the Gaming Operator’s ability to continue to operate in compliance with its subconcession and our own reputation. While we endeavor, and we expect that the Gaming Operator also endeavors, to ensure high standards of probity and integrity in such gaming promoters, we cannot assure you that such gaming promoters will always maintain such high standards. If the probity of a gaming promoter associated with Studio City Casino was in doubt or such promoter failed to operate in compliance with Macau laws consistently, this may be considered by regulators or investors to reflect negatively on the Gaming Operator’s and on our own probity and compliance records. Such a gaming promoter may fall below the Gaming Operator’s or our standards of probity, integrity and legal compliance. There can also be no assurance that any allegation against, or negative publicity relating to, the gaming promoters operating in Studio City Casino or the Gaming Operator’s or our standards of probity, integrity and legal compliance will not have a material adverse impact on our reputation and business operations.

 

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If any of the above were to occur, we, the Gaming Operator and our shareholders may suffer harm to our, the Gaming Operator’s and our shareholders’ reputation, as well as impaired relationships with, and possibly sanctions from, gaming regulators with authority over operations.

We are developing the remaining project for Studio City under the terms of a land concession which currently require us to fully develop the land on which Studio City is located by May 31, 2022. Any extension of the development period is subject to Macau government review and approval at its discretion. In the event of any failure to complete the remaining project, we could be forced to forfeit all or part of our investment in Studio City, along with our interest in the land on which Studio City is located and the building and structures on such land.

Land concessions in Macau are issued by the Macau government and generally have terms of 25 years and are renewable for further consecutive periods of ten years. Land concessions further stipulate a period within which the development of the land must be completed. The land on which Studio City is located must be fully developed by May 31, 2022.

While we opened Studio City in October 2015, development for the remaining land of Studio City is still ongoing. Although we have already made significant capital investments for the development for the remaining land of Studio City, we expect to require significant additional capital investments to complete the development. As of December 31, 2020, we had incurred approximately US$256.2 million aggregate costs relating to the development of our remaining project, primarily related to the initial design and planning costs. Based on our current plan for the remaining project, we currently expect a project budget of approximately US$1.25 billion to US$1.30 billion for the development of the remaining project (exclusive of any

pre-opening

costs and financing costs). Such development for the remaining project of Studio City may be funded through various sources, including cash on hand, operating free cash flow as well as debt and/or equity financing. Our ability to obtain any debt financing also depends on a number of factors beyond our control, including market conditions such as the higher prospect of a global recession and a contraction of liquidity in the global credit markets caused by the effect of the large-scale global

COVID-19

pandemic and investors’ and lenders’ perceptions of, and demand for the debt financing for the remaining project of Studio City. There is no guarantee that we can secure the necessary additional capital investments, including any debt financing, required for the development of the remaining project of Studio City in a timely manner or at all.

There is also no guarantee that we will complete the development of the remaining land of Studio City by the deadline. With the disruptions from the

COVID-19

outbreak, the construction period has been delayed and is expected to extend beyond the estimated approximately 32 months and the current development period. The extension of the development period of the remaining project for Studio City is subject to Macau government review and approval at its discretion. While the Macau government may grant extensions if we meet certain legal requirements, there can be no assurance that the Macau government will grant us the necessary extension of the development period or not exercise its rights to terminate the Studio City land concession. In the event that no further extension is granted or the Studio City land concession is terminated, we could lose all or substantially all of our investment in Studio City, including our interest in the land and building and may not be able to continue to operate Studio City as planned, which will materially and adversely affect our business and prospects, results of operations and financial condition.

Future development of the remaining project is subject to significant risks and uncertainties.

Under our current plan for the remaining project, the remaining project is expected to consist of two hotel towers with a total of approximately 900 rooms and suites and a gaming area. In addition, we currently envision the remaining project to also contain a waterpark with indoor and outdoor areas. Other

non-gaming

attractions expected to be part of the remaining project include MICE space, retail and food and beverage outlets and a cineplex.

 

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The development and construction risks of the remaining project at Studio City include:

 

•

failure or delay in obtaining the necessary permits, authorizations, approvals and licenses from the relevant governmental authorities, including for any further extension of the development period;

 

•

lack of sufficient, or delays in availability of, financing;

 

•

changes to plans and specifications;

 

•

engineering problems, including defective plans and specifications;

 

•

changes in laws and regulations, or in the interpretation and enforcement of laws and regulations, applicable to leisure, real estate development or construction projects;

 

•

costs in relation to compliance with environmental rules and regulations in our development plans;

 

•

disruptions to key supply markets, including shortages of, and price increases in, energy, materials and skilled and unskilled labor, and inflation, including any disruptions resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak;

 

•

labor disputes or work stoppages;

 

•

shortage of qualified contractors and suppliers or inability to enter into definitive contracts with contractors with sufficient skills, financial resources and experience on commercially reasonable terms, or at all;

 

•

disputes with and defaults by or between suppliers, contractors and subcontractors and other counter-parties;

 

•

personal injuries to workers and other persons;

 

•

environmental, health and safety issues, including site accidents and the spread or outbreak of infectious diseases, such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic;

 

•

fires, typhoons and other natural disasters, including weather interferences or delays; and

 

•

other unanticipated circumstances or cost increases.

We are currently developing the remaining project. However, there is no assurance that our expected development plan will be successful and that we will be able to secure commercial terms favorable to us from our potential business or financing sources. In addition, we expect that our capital expenditures and depreciation and amortization expenses will increase as we continue to develop our remaining project. As of December 31, 2020, we incurred approximately US$256.2 million of aggregate costs relating to the development of our remaining project, primarily related to the initial design and planning costs and construction costs. Based on our current plan for the remaining project, we currently expect a project budget of approximately US$1.25 billion to US$1.30 billion for the development of the remaining project (exclusive of any

pre-opening

costs and financing costs). As we obtain additional debt and/or equity financing, our leverage may intensify, our financing-related costs may increase and your equity interest in us may be diluted, as the case may be. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that we may be able to respond adequately to competitive or unfavorable market conditions to successfully operate and capitalize on our investment in the remaining project when it commences operations.

The occurrence of any of these developments or construction risks could increase the total costs, delay or prevent the construction or opening or otherwise affect the design and features of the remaining project at Studio City. With the disruptions from the

COVID-19

outbreak, the construction period has been delayed and is expected to extend beyond the estimated approximately 32 months. In addition, we cannot guarantee that our construction costs or total project costs for the remaining project at Studio City will not increase above our budget. The extension of the development period of the remaining project for Studio City is subject to Macau government review and approval at its discretion. Any failure to complete the remaining project on time or within our budget could have a material adverse effect on our business and prospects, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

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We may not be able to obtain adequate financing on satisfactory terms for our existing business and/or remaining project, or at all.

In the past, we have funded our capital investment projects primarily through credit facilities, issuance of debt securities and other debt and equity financings. We will require additional funding in the future for the expansion of our current business and/or development of our remaining project, which may be substantial and which we may raise through a combination of credit, debt and equity financings. We may be required to seek the approval or consent of or notify the relevant government authorities or third parties in order to obtain such financings. We cannot assure you that we would be able to obtain such required approval or consent from the relevant government authorities or third parties with respect to such financing in a timely manner or at all.

Any financing related to the remaining project at Studio City will also be subject to, among others, the terms of our existing and any future financings. In addition, our ability to obtain credit, debt or equity financing on acceptable terms depends on a variety of factors that are beyond our control, including market conditions such as the higher prospect of a global recession and a contraction of liquidity in the global credit markets caused by the effect of the large-scale global

COVID-19

pandemic, investors’ and lenders’ perceptions of, and demand for, bond, bank and equity securities of gaming companies and interest rates. For example, changes in ratings outlooks may subject us to ratings agency downgrades, which could make it more difficult for us to obtain financing on acceptable terms. Moody’s revised the outlook for Studio City Finance to negative in May 2020. S&P placed Studio City Company on credit watch negative in February 2020 and revised the outlook to negative in September 2020.

As a result, we cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain sufficient funding on terms satisfactory to us, or at all, to finance our existing business and/or remaining project. If we are unable to obtain such funding, our business, cash flow, financial condition, results of operations and prospects could be materially and adversely affected. We may, from time to time, seek to obtain new financings or refinance our outstanding debt through the international markets. Any such financing or refinancing, and our evaluation thereof, will depend on the prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. The amounts involved may be material.

Our results of operations are subject to seasonality and other fluctuations.

We are subject to seasonality and other fluctuations in our business. Our revenue is also largely affected by promotional and marketing activities and revenue may increase as a result of these activities. Launch of new promotions or the timing of such promotions may further cause our quarterly results to fluctuate and differ from historical patterns. Our results of operations will likely fluctuate due to these and other factors, some of which are beyond our control, including but not limited to: (i) fluctuations in overall consumer demand for gaming and hospitality, leisure and resort during certain months and holidays; (ii) introduction of new policies or regulatory measures; and (iii) macro-economic conditions and their effect on discretionary consumer spending. Because of these and other factors as well as the short operating history of our business, it is difficult for us to accurately identify recurring seasonal trends in our business. In addition, our rapid growth has masked certain fluctuations that might otherwise be apparent in our results of operations. When our growth stabilizes, the seasonality in our business may become more pronounced. If we fail to accurately identify the seasonal trends in our business and match our customer services and supplies in an effective manner, it may have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Macau’s infrastructure may not adequately support the development of Macau’s gaming and leisure industry, which may adversely affect our expected performance.

Macau consists of a peninsula and two islands and is connected to China by two border crossings. Macau has an international airport and connections to China and Hong Kong by road, ferry and helicopter. To support Macau’s planned future development as a gaming and leisure destination, the frequency of bus, car, air

 

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and ferry services to Macau will need to increase. While various projects are under development to improve Macau’s internal and external transportation links, including the Macau Light Rapid Transit and capacity expansion of border crossings, these projects may not be approved, financed or constructed in time to handle the projected increase in demand for transportation or at all, which could impede the expected increase in visitation to Macau and adversely affect Studio City. For example, there had been a delay in the commencement of operation of the Macau Light Rapid Transit, which occurred in December 2019. Any further delays or termination of Macau’s transportation infrastructure projects may have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Furthermore, the expected benefits from the completion of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, which opened to traffic on October 23, 2018, may not fully materialize, and may not result in significantly increased traffic to Macau and to Studio City.

Health and safety or food safety incidents at Studio City may lead to reputational damage and financial exposures.

We provide goods and services to a significant number of customers on a daily basis at Studio City. In particular, with the number of attractions, entertainment and food and beverage offerings in Studio City, there are risks of health and safety incidents or adverse food safety events, such as food poisoning, slip and fall accidents or surges in crowd flow at popular ingress and egress points. While we have a number of measures and controls in place aimed at managing such risks, we cannot guarantee that our insurance is adequate to cover all losses, which may result in us incurring additional costs or damages, and negatively impact our financial performance. Such incidents may also lead to reduced customer flow and reputational damage to Studio City.

Our information technology and other systems are subject to cyber security risks, including misappropriation of customer information, other breaches of information security or other cybercrimes, as well as regulatory and other risks.

We rely on information technology and other systems (including those maintained by third-parties with whom we contract to provide data services) to maintain and transmit large volumes of customer information, credit card settlements, credit card funds transmissions, mailing lists and reservations information and other personally identifiable information. We also maintain important internal company data such as personally identifiable information about our staff and information relating to our operations. The systems and processes we have implemented to protect customers, staff and company information are subject to the rapidly changing risks of compromised security and may therefore become outdated. Despite our preventive efforts, we are subject to the risks of compromised security, including cyber and physical security breaches, system failure, computer viruses, technical malfunction, inadequate system capacity, power outages, natural disasters and inadvertent, negligent or intentional misuse, disclosure or dissemination of information or data by customers, company staff or employees of third-party vendors, ransomware attacks that encrypt, exfiltrate or otherwise render data unusable or unavailable or other forms of cybercrimes that include fraud or extortion. These risks can also be manifested in a variety of other ways, including through methods which may not yet be known to the cyber security community, and have become increasingly difficult to anticipate and prevent.

The steps we take to deter and mitigate these risks may not be successful and our insurance coverage for protecting against cyber security risks may not be sufficient. Our third-party information system service providers face risks relating to cyber security similar to ours, and we do not directly control any of such service providers’ information security operations. A significant theft, loss or fraudulent use of customer or company data maintained by us or by a third-party service provider could have an adverse effect on our reputation, cause a material disruption to our operations and management team, and result in remediation expenses, regulatory penalties and litigation by customers and other parties whose information was subject to such attacks, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations and cash flows. If our information technology systems become damaged or otherwise cease to function properly, our service and results

 

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of operations may be adversely affected and we may have to make significant investments to repair or replace them. Furthermore, any extended downtime from power supply disruptions or information technology system outages which may be caused by cyber security attacks or other reasons at Studio City may lead to an adverse impact on our operating results if we are unable to deliver services to customers for an extended period of time.

Despite the security measures we currently have in place, our facilities and systems and those of our third-party service providers may be vulnerable to security breaches, acts of vandalism, phishing attacks, computer viruses, misplaced or lost data, programming or human errors, other cybercrimes and other events. Cyber-attacks are becoming increasingly more difficult to anticipate and prevent due to their rapidly evolving nature and, as a result, the technology we use to protect our systems could become outdated. The occurrence of any of the cyber incidents described above could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and cash flows.

Any perceived or actual electronic or physical security breach involving the misappropriation, loss, or other unauthorized disclosure of confidential or personally identifiable information, whether by us or by a third party, could disrupt our business, damage our reputation and relationships with our customers, suppliers and staff, expose us to risks of litigation, significant fines and penalties and liability, result in the deterioration of our customers’, suppliers’ and staff’s confidence in us, and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. Any perceived or actual unauthorized disclosure of personally identifiable information of our staff, customers, suppliers or website visitors could harm our reputation and credibility and reduce our ability to attract and retain staff, customers and suppliers. We are also subject to enactment of new laws or amendments to existing laws with more stringent requirements in relation to cybersecurity. For example, a new Cybersecurity Law was introduced in Macau in 2019 which also applies to our businesses in Macau. See “Item 4. Information on the Company — B. Business Overview — Cybersecurity Regulations.” As any of the above cybersecurity threats develop and grow and our obligations under cybersecurity regulations increase, we may find it necessary to make significant further investments to protect our data and infrastructure, including the implementation of new computer systems or upgrades to existing systems, deployment of additional personnel and protection-related technologies, engagement of third-party consultants, and training of personnel.

Failure to protect the integrity and security of company staff, supplier and customer information and comply with applicable privacy regulations may result in damage to reputation and/or subject us to fines, penalties, lawsuits, restrictions on our use or transfer of data and other risks.

Our businesses collect, use and transmit large volumes of data, including credit card numbers and personal data in various information systems relating to our customers, suppliers and staff, and such personal data may be collected and/or used in, and transmitted to or from, multiple jurisdictions. Our customers, suppliers and staff have a high expectation that we will adequately protect their personal information. Such collection, use and/or transmission of personal data are governed by privacy laws and regulations and such laws and regulations change often, vary significantly by jurisdiction and often are newly enacted. For example, the European Union (EU)’s General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”), which became effective in May 2018, requires companies to meet new and more stringent requirements regarding the handling of personal data. The GDPR may also capture data processing by

non-EU

firms with no EU establishment if, for example, they conduct direct marketing that specifically targets individuals in the EU. As GDPR is a newly enacted law, there is limited precedence on the interpretation and application of GDPR. In addition, the Chinese government published a draft personal information protection law in October 2020 and if enacted, may impose further obligations on organizations handling personal information of Chinese citizens. Furthermore, we must also comply with other industry standards such as those for the credit card industry and other applicable data security standards.

Compliance with applicable privacy regulations may increase our operating costs and/or adversely impact our ability to market our products, properties and services to our customers and guests. For example, these laws and regulations may restrict information sharing in ways that make it more difficult to obtain or share

 

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information concerning at risk individuals. In addition,

non-compliance

with applicable privacy regulations by us (or in some circumstances

non-compliance

by third parties engaged by us) may result in damage of reputation and/or subject us to fines, penalties, payment of damages, lawsuits, criminal liability or restrictions on our use or transfer of data. Failure to meet the GDPR requirements, for example, may result in penalties of up to four percent of worldwide revenue.

Negative press or publicity about us or our directors, officers or affiliates may lead to government investigations, result in harm to our business, brand or reputation and have a material and adverse effect on our business.

Unfavorable publicity regarding us or our directors, officers or affiliates, whether substantiated or not, may have a material and adverse effect on our business, brand and reputation. Such negative publicity may require us to engage in a defensive media campaign, which may divert our management’s attention, result in an increase in our expenses and adversely impact our results of operations, financial condition, prospects and strategies. The continued expansion in the use of social media over recent years has compounded the potential scope of the negative publicity that could be generated. Any negative press or publicity could also lead to government or other regulatory investigations, including causing regulators to take action against us or the Gaming Operator, including actions that could affect the ability or terms upon which the Gaming Operator holds its subconcession, its or our suitability to continue as a shareholder of certain subsidiaries and/or the suitability of key personnel to remain with the Gaming Operator. If any of these events were to occur, it would cause a material adverse effect on our business and prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

If qualified management and personnel cannot be retained at Studio City, our business could be significantly harmed.

We place substantial reliance on the gaming, project development and hospitality industry experience and knowledge of the Macau market possessed by members of our board of directors, our senior management team as well as other management personnel who serve Studio City under the Management and Shared Services Arrangements. We may experience changes in our key management in the future for reasons beyond our control. Loss of Mr. Lawrence Ho’s services or the services of the other members of our board of directors or key management personnel could hinder our ability to effectively manage our business and implement our growth and development strategies. Finding suitable replacements for members of our board of directors or senior management could be difficult, and competition for personnel of similar experience could be intense in Macau. In addition, we do not currently carry key person insurance on any members of our senior management team.

Operation of Studio City also requires extensive operational management and staff. The supply of experienced skilled and unskilled personnel in Macau is severely limited. Many of the personnel occupy sensitive positions requiring qualifications sufficient to meet gaming regulatory and other requirements or are required to possess other skills for which substantial training and experience may be needed. Moreover, competition to recruit and retain qualified gaming and other personnel is likely to intensify further as competition in the Macau integrated resort market increases. In addition, concessionaires and subconcessionaires are not currently allowed under the Macau government’s policy to hire

non-Macau

resident dealers and supervisors. We cannot assure you that a sufficient number of qualified individuals will be attracted and retained to operate Studio City or that costs to recruit and retain such personnel will not increase significantly. In addition, the Gaming Operator has previously been subject to certain labor demands and rallies. The inability to attract, retain and motivate qualified staff by the Gaming Operator and Master Service Providers could have a material adverse effect on our business.

In addition, recruitment efforts for the operations of Studio City may be adversely impacted by Macau government’s policies with respect to the approval and renewal of work permits for

non-resident

workers. In its policy address for 2017, the Macau government announced that it would continue to submit the applications for employment of

non-resident

workers to a rigorous exam and to stimulate the promotion of local workers to management positions in the gaming industry, signaling a tighter control on the employment of

non-resident

 

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workers. Further, in its policy addresses for 2018, 2019 and 2020, the Macau government has stressed once again that it will continue to monitor the proportion of management positions held by local workers in gaming operators and implement measures to ensure that such proportion is kept at a percentage not lower than 85% for senior and

mid-management

positions.

As we develop our remaining project, the construction of such project is subject to hazards that may cause personal injury or loss of life that expose us to liabilities and possible losses.

The construction of large-scale properties, such as the remaining project for Studio City, can be dangerous. Construction workers at such sites are subject to hazards that may cause personal injury or loss of life, thereby subjecting the contractors and us to liabilities, possible losses, delays in completion of the projects and negative publicity. We believe, and require that, our contractors take safety precautions that are consistent with industry practice, but these safety precautions may not be adequate to prevent serious personal injuries or loss of life, damage to property or delays. We are currently developing the remaining project. However, if accidents occur during the construction of our remaining project, there may be serious delays, including delays imposed by regulators, liabilities and possible losses which may not be covered by insurance, and our business, prospects and reputation may be materially and adversely affected.

Any simultaneous planning, design, construction and development of our remaining project may stretch our management’s time and resources, which could lead to delays, increased costs and other inefficiencies in the development of these projects.

There may be overlap in the planning, design, development and construction periods of our remaining project. Members of our senior management will be involved in planning and developing our remaining project at the same time, in addition to overseeing our

day-to-day

operations. Our management may be unable to devote sufficient time and attention to the remaining project, as well as Studio City, which may result in delays in the construction or opening of any of our future projects, cause construction cost overruns or cause the performance of Studio City to be lower than expected, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our contractors may face difficulties in finding sufficient labor at an acceptable cost, which could cause delays and increase construction costs after we commence development of our remaining project.

The contractors we retain to construct our projects may face difficulties and competition in finding qualified construction labor and managers as more projects commence construction in Macau and as substantial construction activity continues in China as well as due to the imposition of travel restrictions, such as the travel restrictions imposed as a result of the

COVID-19

outbreak. Immigration and labor regulations as well as travel restrictions in Macau or China may cause our contractors to be unable to recruit sufficient laborers from China to make up for any shortage in available labor in Macau and to help reduce the costs of construction, which could cause delays and increase the construction costs of our remaining project.

The possible infringement of key intellectual property used in our business, the dissemination of proprietary information used in our business or the infringement or alleged infringement of intellectual property rights belonging to third parties could adversely affect our business.

As part of our branding strategy, we have applied for or registered a number of trademarks (including “Studio City” trademarks) in Macau, Hong Kong and other jurisdictions for use in connection with Studio City. Where possible, we intend to continue to register trademarks as we develop, review and implement our branding strategy for Studio City. We intend to take steps to safeguard our intellectual property from infringement by third parties, such as taking actions against trademark and copyright violations, if and when necessary, and our staff and/or staff of the Gaming Operator or its affiliates or its designees are subject to confidentiality provisions in their employment agreements. Despite such measures, we cannot assure you that we will be successful in

 

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defending against the infringement of intellectual property to be used in our business or that any proprietary information to be used in our business will not be disseminated to our competitors, which could have an adverse effect on our future results of operations. In addition, our current and any future trademarks are subject to expiration and we cannot guarantee that we will be able to renew all of them prior to expiration. Our inability to renew the registration of certain trademarks and the loss of such trademarks could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

We face the potential risk of claims that we have infringed the intellectual property rights of third parties, which could be expensive and time-consuming to defend, cause us to cease using certain intellectual property rights or selling or providing certain products or services, result in us being required to pay significant damages or to enter into costly royalty or licensing agreements in order to obtain the right to use a third party’s intellectual property rights (if available at all), any of which could have a negative impact on the operation of Studio City and harm our future prospects. Furthermore, if litigation were to result from such claims, our business could be interrupted.

We may not have sufficient insurance coverage.

We currently have various insurance policies providing certain coverage typically required by gaming and hospitality operations in Macau. These insurance policies provide coverage that is subject to policy terms, conditions and limits. Certain of these policies have been obtained by us and certain of these policies have been obtained by Melco Resorts. We cannot assure you that we or, in the case of policies obtained by Melco Resorts, Melco Resorts will be able to renew such insurance coverage on equivalent premium costs, terms, conditions and limits upon their expiration. Certain events, such as typhoons and fires, may increase and have increased our premium costs. The cost of coverage may in the future become so high that insurance policies we deem necessary for the operation of our projects may not be obtainable on commercially practicable terms, or at all, or policy limits may need to be reduced or exclusions from our coverage expanded.

We cannot assure you that any such insurance policies we or Melco Resorts obtained or may obtain will be adequate to protect us from material losses. Certain acts and events, including any pandemic, epidemic of infectious diseases, earthquakes, hurricanes and floods, or terrorist acts, could expose us to significant uninsured losses that may be, or are, uninsurable or too expensive to justify obtaining insurance. As a result, we, or Melco Resorts, may not be successful in obtaining insurance without increases in cost or decreases in coverage levels. In addition, in the event of a substantial loss, the insurance coverage we carry or benefit from may not be sufficient to pay the full market value or replacement cost of our lost investment or in some cases could result in certain losses being totally uninsured. In addition to the damages caused directly by a casualty loss (such as fire or natural disasters), infectious disease outbreaks or terrorist acts, we may suffer a disruption of our business as a result of these events or be subject to claims by third parties who may be injured or harmed. As an example, the

COVID-19

pandemic has resulted in many governments around the world, including in Macau, placing quarantines disallowing residents to travel into or outside of the quarantined area, enforcing business closures and other restrictions. While we intend to continue carrying business interruption insurance and general liability insurance, such insurance may not be available on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, and, in any event, may not be adequate to cover any losses that may result from such events.

There is limited available insurance in Macau and our insurers in Macau may need to secure reinsurance in order to provide adequate cover for our property and development projects. Our credit agreements, the Subconcession Contract and certain other material agreements require a certain level of insurance to be maintained, which must be obtained in Macau, unless otherwise authorized by the respective counter-parties. Failure to maintain adequate coverage could be an event of default under our credit agreements or the Subconcession Contract and may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

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Studio City Entertainment’s tax exemption from complementary tax on income received from the Gaming Operator under the Services and Right to Use Arrangements will expire in 2021.

Companies in Macau are subject to complementary tax of 12% of taxable income, as defined in relevant tax laws. The Macau government granted to Studio City Entertainment, one of our subsidiaries, a Macau complementary tax exemption until 2021 on profits generated from income received from the Gaming Operator, to the extent that such income results from gaming operations within Studio City Casino and has been subject to gaming taxes. We cannot assure you that the complementary tax exemption to Studio City Entertainment will be extended beyond its expiration date. If the tax exemption cannot be extended and we are held liable for complementary tax, it may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.

From time to time, we may be involved in legal and other proceedings arising out of our operations.

We may be involved in disputes with various parties involved in the construction and operation of Studio City, including contractual disputes with contractors, consultants, suppliers, retailers, food and beverage operators and construction workers. See “Item 8. Financial Information — A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information — Legal and Administrative Proceedings.” Regardless of the outcome, these disputes may lead to legal or other proceedings and may result in substantial costs, delays in our development schedule and the diversion of resources and management’s attention. In addition, we may be involved in a variety of litigation, regulatory proceedings and investigation arising out of our business, which are inherently unpredictable. Ultimate judgments or settlements for such proceedings could increase our costs and thereby lower our profitability or have a material adverse effect on our liquidity. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain the appropriate and sufficient types or levels of insurance for Studio City. We may also have disagreements with regulatory bodies in the course of our operations, which may subject us to administrative proceedings and unfavorable decisions that result in penalties, suspension or restrictions on our operations, and/or delay the development of our remaining project at Studio City or closure of outlets at Studio City that are currently in operation. In such cases, our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected.

In addition, claims and proceedings against us, including but not limited to any claims alleging that we received, misappropriated or misapplied funds, or violated any anti-corruption law or regulation, may result in our business operations being subject to greater scrutiny from relevant regulatory authorities and requiring us to make further improvements to our existing systems and controls and business operations, all of which may increase our compliance costs. No assurance can be provided that any provisions we have made for such matters will be sufficient. Litigation and regulatory proceedings and investigation are inherently unpredictable and our results of operations or cash flows may be adversely affected by an unfavorable resolution of any pending or future litigation, disputes and regulatory investigation.

Any failure or alleged failure to comply with anti-corruption laws, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”), could result in penalties, which could harm our reputation and have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We are subject to various anti-corruption laws, including the FCPA. The FCPA prohibits companies and any individuals or entities acting on their behalf from offering or making improper payments or providing things of value to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or keeping business. The FCPA also requires companies to maintain accurate books and records and to devise and maintain a system of internal accounting controls. There has been a general increase in FCPA enforcement activities in recent years by the SEC and the U.S. Department of Justice. Both the number of FCPA cases and sanctions imposed have risen significantly.

While we and our affiliated companies have adopted and implemented an anti-corruption compliance program covering both commercial bribery and public corruption which includes internal policies, procedures and training aimed to prevent and detect anti-corruption compliance issues and risks, and procedures to take

 

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remedial action when compliance issues are identified, we cannot assure you that our employees, consultants, contractors and agents, and those of our affiliates, will adhere to the anti-corruption compliance program, or that any action taken to comply with, or address compliance issues, will be considered adequate by the regulatory bodies with jurisdiction over us and our affiliates. Any violation of our compliance program or applicable law by us or our affiliates could subject us or our affiliates to investigations, prosecutions and other legal proceedings and actions which could result in civil penalties, administrative remedies and criminal sanctions, any of which may result in a material adverse effect on our reputation, cause us to lose customer relationships or lead to other adverse consequences on our business, prospects, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, as a U.S. listed company, certain U.S. laws and regulations apply to our operations and compliance with those laws and regulations increases our cost of doing business.

Fluctuation in the value of the H.K. dollar, U.S. dollar, Pataca or RMB may adversely affect our indebtedness, expenses and profitability.

Although the majority of the revenues from the operation of Studio City are denominated in H.K. dollars, we have certain expenses and revenues denominated in Patacas. In addition, a certain portion of our indebtedness and certain expenses are denominated in U.S. dollars, and the costs associated with repaying such debt and servicing interest payments are denominated in U.S. dollars. The value of the H.K. dollar and Patacas against the U.S. dollar may fluctuate and may be affected by, among other things, changes in political and economic conditions. Although the exchange rate between the H.K. dollar and the U.S. dollar has been pegged since 1983 and the Pataca is pegged to the H.K. dollar, we cannot assure you that the H.K. dollar will remain pegged to the U.S. dollar and that the Pataca will remain pegged to the H.K. dollar. In addition, the currency market for Patacas is relatively small and undeveloped and therefore our ability to convert large amounts of Patacas into U.S. dollars over a relatively short period of time may be limited. As a result, we may experience difficulty in converting Patacas into U.S. dollars, which could hinder our ability to service a portion of our indebtedness and certain expenses denominated in U.S. dollars. On the other hand, to the extent that we are required to convert U.S. dollar financings into H.K. dollars or Patacas for our operations, fluctuations in the exchange rates between H.K. dollars or Patacas against the U.S. dollar could have an adverse effect on the amounts we receive from the conversion.

Furthermore, the depreciation of RMB against U.S. dollar or H.K. dollar will affect the purchasing power of visitors from the PRC, which in turn may affect the visitation and level of spending at Studio City. To date we have not engaged in hedging transactions with respect to foreign exchange exposure of our revenues and expenses in our

day-to-day

operations. Instead, we plan to maintain a certain amount of our operating funds in the same currencies in which we have obligations, thereby reducing our exposure to currency fluctuations. However, we may occasionally enter into foreign exchange transactions as part of financing transactions and capital expenditure. We will consider our overall policy on hedging for foreign exchange risk from time to time. Any significant fluctuations in the exchange rates mentioned above may have a material adverse effect on our revenues and financial condition.

Furthermore, China has tightened currency exchange controls and restrictions on the export and conversion of the Renminbi, the currency of mainland China, in recent years. Restrictions on the export of the Renminbi, as well as the increased effectiveness of such restrictions, may impede the flow of patrons from mainland China to Macau, inhibit the growth of gaming in those markets and negatively impact our gaming operations.

 

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Our audit report included in this annual report has been prepared by auditors who are not inspected by the PCAOB. As such, you are deprived of the benefits of a PCAOB inspection. In addition, various legislative and regulatory developments related to U.S.-listed China-based companies due to a lack of PCAOB inspection and other developments may have a material adverse impact on our listing and trading in the U.S. and the trading prices of our ADSs. We could be delisted from the New York Stock Exchange if the PCAOB continues to be unable to inspect our independent registered public accounting firm for three consecutive years.

Our independent registered public accounting firm that issues the audit reports included in our annual reports filed with the SEC as an auditor of companies that are traded publicly in the United States and firms registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), or the PCAOB, is required by the laws of the United States to undergo regular inspections by the PCAOB to assess its compliance with the laws of the United States and professional standards.

Our auditor is located in Hong Kong, a special administrative region of China, a jurisdiction where the PCAOB is currently unable to conduct full inspections without the approval of the Chinese authorities. As a result, we understand that our auditor is not currently inspected by the PCAOB.

Inspections of other firms that the PCAOB has conducted outside mainland China have identified deficiencies in those firms’ audit procedures and quality control procedures, which can be addressed as part of the inspection process to improve future audit quality. The lack of PCAOB inspections in mainland China and Hong Kong prevents the PCAOB from regularly evaluating our auditors’ audit procedures and quality control procedures as they relate to their work, and/or their affiliated independent registered public accounting firms’ work, in mainland China and Hong Kong. As a result, we and investors are deprived of the benefits of such regular inspections.

The inability of the PCAOB to conduct full inspections of auditors in mainland China and Hong Kong makes it more difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of our auditors’ audit procedures and quality control procedures as compared to auditors who primarily work in jurisdictions where the PCAOB has full inspection access. In addition, the SEC may initiate proceedings against our independent registered public accounting firm, whether in connection with an audit of our company or other China-based companies, which could result in the imposition of penalties against our independent registered public accounting firm, such as suspension of its ability to practice before the SEC. All of these could cause our investors and potential investors in our ADSs to lose confidence in our audit procedures, reported financial information and the quality of our financial statements.

In May 2013, the PCAOB announced that it had entered into a Memorandum of Understanding on Enforcement Cooperation with the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or the CSRC, and the PRC Ministry of Finance, which established a cooperative framework between the parties for the production and exchange of audit documents relevant to investigations undertaken by the PCAOB, the CSRC or the PRC Ministry of Finance in the United States and the PRC. The PCAOB continued to discuss with the CSRC and the PRC Ministry of Finance on joint inspections in the PRC of PCAOB-registered audit firms that provide auditing services to Chinese companies that trade on U.S. stock exchanges. In December 2018, the SEC and the PCAOB issued a joint statement on regulatory access to audit and other information internationally that cites the ongoing challenges faced by them in overseeing the financial reporting of companies listed in the United States with operations in China, the absence of satisfactory progress in discussions on these issues with Chinese authorities and the potential for remedial action if significant information barriers persist. In April 2020, the SEC and the PCAOB issued another joint statement reiterating the greater risks of insufficient disclosures from companies in many emerging markets, including China, compared to those from U.S. domestic companies. In discussing the specific issues related to these risks, the statement again highlighted the PCAOB’s inability to inspect audit work and practices of accounting firms in China with respect to U.S. reporting companies. In June 2020, the U.S. President at that time issued a memorandum ordering the President’s Working Group on Financial Markets, or the PWG, to submit a report to him within 60 days of the memorandum that includes recommendations for

 

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actions that can be taken by the executive branch and by the SEC or the PCAOB on Chinese companies listed on U.S. stock exchanges and their audit firms. In August 2020, the PWG released the report. In particular, with respect to jurisdictions that do not grant the PCAOB sufficient access to fulfill its statutory mandate, or NCJs, the PWG recommended that enhanced listing standards be applied to companies from NCJs for seeking initial listing and remaining listed on U.S. stock exchanges. Under the enhanced listing standards, if the PCAOB does not have access to work papers of the principal audit firm located in a NCJ for the audit of a U.S.-listed company as a result of governmental restrictions, the U.S.-listed company may satisfy this standard by providing a

co-audit

from an audit firm with comparable resources and experience where the PCAOB determines that it has sufficient access to the firm’s audit work papers and practices to inspect the

co-audit.

There is currently no legal framework under which such a

co-audit

may be conducted for China-based companies. The report recommended a transition period until January 1, 2022 before the new listing standards apply to companies already listed on U.S. stock exchanges. Under the PWG recommendations, if we fail to meet the enhanced listing standards before January 1, 2022, we could face

de-listing

from the New York Stock Exchange, deregistration from the SEC and/or other risks, which may materially and adversely affect, or effectively terminate, our ADS trading in the United States. There were recent media reports about the SEC’s proposed rulemaking in this regard. It is uncertain whether the PWG recommendations will be adopted, in whole or in part, and the impact of any new rule on us cannot be estimated at this time.

As part of a continued regulatory focus in the United States on access to audit and other information currently protected by national law, in particular China’s, in June 2019, a bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced bills in both houses of Congress that would require the SEC to maintain a list of issuers for which the PCAOB is not able to inspect or investigate an auditor report issued by a foreign public accounting firm. In June 2019, the Senate introduced The Ensuring Quality Information and Transparency for Abroad-Based Listings on our Exchanges (EQUITABLE) Act, which prescribes increased disclosure requirements for such issuers and, beginning in 2025, the delisting from national securities exchanges such as the New York Stock Exchange of issuers included for three consecutive years on the SEC’s list. On December 18, 2020, the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, or the Act, was enacted. In essence, the Act requires the SEC to prohibit foreign companies from listing securities on U.S. securities exchanges if a company retains a foreign accounting firm that cannot be inspected by the PCAOB for three consecutive years, beginning in 2021. The SEC is currently in the process of implementing the requirements of the Act. The enactment of the Act and any additional rulemaking efforts to increase U.S. regulatory access to audit information in China could cause investor uncertainty for affected SEC registrants, including us, the market price of our ADSs could be materially adversely affected, and we could be delisted if we are unable to meet the PCAOB inspection requirement in time.

Our audit and risk committee is aware of the Act and regularly communicates with our independent auditor to monitor developments in the rulemaking.

Economic or trade sanctions and a heightened trend towards trade and technology

“de-coupling”

could negatively affect the relationships and collaborations with our suppliers, service providers, technology partners and other business partners, which could materially and adversely affect our competitiveness and business operations.

The United Nations and a number of countries and jurisdictions, including China, the United States and the EU, have adopted various economic or trade sanction regimes. In particular, economic and trade sanctions have been threatened and/or imposed by the U.S. government on a number of China-based technology companies, including ZTE Corporation, Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd., or Huawei, Tencent Holdings Limited, certain of their respective affiliates, and other China-based technology companies. These Chinese technology conglomerates manufacture and/or develop telecommunications and other equipment, software, mobile Apps and devices that are popular and widely used globally, including by us and by our customers, especially those in mainland China. Actions have been brought against ZTE Corporation and Huawei and related persons by the U.S. government. The United States has also in certain circumstances threatened to impose further sanctions, trade embargoes, and other heightened regulatory requirements on China and China-based companies.

 

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These restrictions, and similar or more expansive restrictions that may be imposed by the U.S. or other jurisdictions in the future, though may not be directly applicable to us, may materially and adversely affect our suppliers, service providers, technology partners or other business partners’ abilities to acquire technologies, systems, devices or components that may be critical to our relationships or collaborations with them. In addition, if any of our suppliers, service providers, technology partners or other business partners that have collaborative relationships with us or our affiliates were to become subject to sanctions or other restrictions, this might restrict or negatively impact our ongoing relationships or collaborations with them, which could materially and adversely affect our competitiveness and business operations. Media reports on alleged uses of the technologies, systems or innovations developed by business partners or other parties not affiliated with or controlled by us, even on matters not involving us, could nevertheless damage our reputation and lead to regulatory investigations, fines and penalties against us.

Risks Relating to Operating in the Gaming Industry in Macau

The Subconcession Contract expires in June 2022 and if the Gaming Operator is unable to secure a new concession or subconcession or an extension of the subconcession in 2022, or if the Macau government were to exercise its redemption right, the Gaming Operator would be unable to operate Studio City Casino.

The Subconcession Contract expires on June 26, 2022. Unless a new concession or subconcession is granted or the subconcession is extended, the Gaming Operator’s operations will cease on such expiration date, and in accordance with current legislation on reversion of casino premises, Studio City Casino’s gaming related equipment operated by the Gaming Operator under its subconcession will automatically revert to the Macau government without compensation. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected and may continue to affect the Macau government’s process in relation to the granting of new concessions and may hinder the process related to an extension of the current concessions and subconcessions. In addition, under the Subconcession Contract, from 2017, the Macau government has the right to redeem the Subconcession Contract by providing the Gaming Operator with at least one year’s prior notice. The Macau government has not issued formal guidelines or policies with respect to the renewal or extension of subconcessions or the grant of new concessions or subconcessions. In the event the Gaming Operator is not able to secure any new concession or subconcession or extend its subconcession on terms favorable or acceptable to it, or at all, or the Macau government redeems the subconcession, our results of operations, financial condition, cash flows and prospects may be materially and adversely affected and we would be subject to additional refinancing risks with respect to our existing indebtedness.

Under the Gaming Operator’s subconcession, the Macau government may terminate the subconcession under certain circumstances without compensation to the Gaming Operator and may determine that Studio City Casino may not continue to operate under the Services and Right to Use Arrangements, which would prevent the operation of Studio City Casino.

Under the Gaming Operator’s subconcession, the Macau government has the right to unilaterally terminate the subconcession in the event of

non-compliance

by the Gaming Operator with its basic obligations under the subconcession and applicable Macau laws. If such a termination were to occur, the Gaming Operator would be unable to operate casino gaming in Macau, including Studio City Casino. Termination events include, among others, the operation of gaming without permission or operation of a business which does not fall within the business scope of the subconcession; abandonment of approved business or suspension of operations of its gaming business in Macau without reasonable grounds for more than seven consecutive days or more than 14

non-consecutive

days within one calendar year; transfer of all or part of the Gaming Operator’s operation in Macau in violation of the relevant laws and administrative regulations governing the operation of games of fortune or chance and other casino games in Macau and without Macau government approval; failure to pay taxes, premiums, levies or other amounts payable to the Macau government; and systematic

non-compliance

with the Macau Gaming Law’s basic obligations. These events could lead to the termination of the Gaming Operator’s subconcession without compensation and the Gaming Operator would be unable to operate casino gaming in

 

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Macau, which would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows and could result in defaults under our indebtedness agreements and a partial or complete loss of our investments in Studio City. In many of these instances, the Subconcession Contract does not provide a specific cure period within which any such events may be cured and, instead, the Gaming Operator would rely on consultations and negotiations with the Macau government to remedy any such violation.

Under the terms of the Services and Right to Use Arrangements to which Studio City Entertainment, one of our subsidiaries, is a party, the Gaming Operator has agreed to operate Studio City Casino. If, upon termination of the Gaming Operator’s subconcession, Studio City Entertainment were not able to enter into similar arrangements with other gaming concessionaires or subconcessionaires in Macau, Studio City Casino may not be able to continue to operate.

Further, if Studio City Entertainment were to be found unsuitable or to undertake actions that are inconsistent with the Gaming Operator’s subconcession terms and requirements, the Gaming Operator could suffer penalties, including the termination of its subconcession, and the Macau government may determine that Studio City Casino may not continue to operate under the Services and Right to Use Arrangements or at all. This would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows and could result in defaults under our indebtedness, and a partial or complete loss of our investments in Studio City. For details of the terms of the Services and Right to Use Arrangements, see “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions — B. Related Party Transactions — Services and Right to Use Arrangements.”

Under the Gaming Operator’s subconcession, the Macau government is allowed to request various changes in the plans and specifications of the properties operated by the Gaming Operator, including Studio City Casino, and to make various other decisions and determinations that may be binding on us. For example, Macau’s Chief Executive has the right to require the increase of the Gaming Operator’s share capital or that the Gaming Operator provides certain deposits or other guarantees of performance with respect to its obligations in any amount determined by the Macau government to be necessary. The Gaming Operator also needs to first obtain the approval of the Macau governmental authorities before raising certain financing. The Gaming Operator’s ability to incur indebtedness or raise equity may be further restricted by its existing and any future financings. As a result, we cannot assure you that the Gaming Operator will be able to comply with these requirements or any other requirements of the Macau government or with the other requirements and obligations imposed by the subconcession.

The Subconcession Contract also contains various covenants and other obligations as to which the determination of compliance is subjective, and any failure to comply with any such covenant or obligation could result in the termination of the subconcession. For example, requirements of compliance with general and special duties of cooperation and special duties of information may be subjective, and we cannot assure you that the Gaming Operator will always be able to operate gaming activities in a manner satisfactory to the Macau government. Accordingly, we will be impacted by the Gaming Operator’s continuing communications and good faith negotiations with the Macau government to ensure that the Gaming Operator is performing its obligations under the subconcession in a manner that would avoid any violations.

Furthermore, pursuant to the Subconcession Contract, the Gaming Operator is obligated to comply not only with the terms of that agreement, but also with laws, regulations, rulings and orders that the Macau government might issue or enact in the future. We cannot assure you that it will be able to comply with all such laws, regulations, rulings or orders or that any such laws, regulations, rulings or orders would not adversely affect its ability to operate Studio City Casino. If any disagreement arises between the Gaming Operator and the Macau government regarding the interpretation of, or its compliance with, a provision of the Subconcession Contract, we will be relying on its consultation and negotiation process with the applicable Macau governmental agency as described above. During any such consultation, however, the Gaming Operator will be obligated to comply with the terms of the Subconcession Contract as interpreted by the Macau government.

 

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Currently, under the Macau Gaming Law, upon the expiration or termination of the Gaming Operator’s subconcession by the Macau government, all of the Gaming Operator’s casino premises and gaming equipment, including Studio City Casino’s gaming area and equipment, would revert to the Macau government automatically without compensation to the Gaming Operator. Based on information from the Macau government, proposed amendments to the legislation regarding the reversion of casino premises are being considered. We expect that if such amendments take effect, upon the expiration or termination of the Gaming Operator’s subconcession by the Macau government, only the portion of casino premises within the Gaming Operator’s development as then designated by the Macau government (including all gaming equipment) would revert to the Macau government automatically without compensation to the Gaming Operator.

Studio City Casino faces intense competition in the gaming industry of Macau and elsewhere in Asia, and it may not be able to compete successfully.

The gaming industry in Macau and elsewhere in Asia is highly competitive. Our competitors include many of the largest gaming, hospitality, leisure and resort companies in the world. Some of these current and future competitors are larger than us and may have more diversified resources, better brand recognition and greater access to capital to support their developments and operations in Macau and elsewhere. In particular, in recent years, some of our competitors have opened new properties, expanded operations and/or announced their intention for further expansion and developments in Cotai, where Studio City is located. For example, Galaxy Casino, S.A., or Galaxy, opened Galaxy Macau Resort in Cotai in May 2011, phase 2 of the Galaxy Macau Resort opened in May 2015 and phase 3 of the Galaxy Macau Resort is currently being developed and expected to be completed and fully operational in the first half of 2022, while phase 4 is expected to be completed and operational within a few years after the completion of Phase 3. Sands Cotai Central in Cotai opened in April 2012, Wynn Palace opened in August 2016, Parisian Macao opened in September 2016 and MGM Cotai opened in February 2018. In addition, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, S.A., or SJM is currently developing its project in Cotai which is expected to open in the first half of 2021 and Sands Cotai Central in Cotai has been rebranded and redeveloped into The Londoner Macau, which opened in February 2021.

Studio City Casino will also compete to some extent with casinos located in other countries, such as Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia, South Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and elsewhere in the world, including Las Vegas and Atlantic City in the United States. In addition, a law which conceptually enables the development of integrated resorts in Japan took effect in December 2016, with corresponding legislation providing a legislative framework for the development and implementation of integrated resorts in Japan taking effect in July 2018. Certain other markets may in the future legalize casino gaming, including Taiwan and Thailand. Certain of these gaming markets may not be subject to as stringent regulations as the Macau market. Studio City Casino will also compete with both legal and illegal online gaming and sports-betting websites, cruise ships operating out of Hong Kong and other areas of Asia that offer gaming. The proliferation of gaming venues in Asia could significantly and adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition, cash flows and prospects.

Currently, Macau is the only region in the Greater China area offering legal casino gaming. Although the Chinese government has strictly enforced its regulations prohibiting domestic gaming operations, there may be casinos in parts of China that are operated illegally and without licenses. In addition, there is no assurance that China will not in the future permit domestic gaming operations. Competition from casinos in China, legal or illegal, could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition, cash flows and prospects.

Furthermore, Melco Resorts, as well as the Gaming Operator, may take action to construct and operate new gaming projects or invest in such projects, located in other countries in the Asia region (including new gaming projects in Macau) or outside the Asia region, which, along with their current operations, such as Altira Macau and City of Dreams, may increase the competition Studio City Casino will face. See “— Risks Relating to Our Relationship with Melco Resorts — We may have conflicts of interest with Melco Resorts and, because of

 

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Melco Resorts’ controlling ownership interest in our company, we may not be able to resolve such conflicts on favorable terms for us

.

”

Gaming is a highly regulated industry in Macau and adverse changes or developments in gaming laws or regulations could be difficult to comply with or significantly increase costs, which could cause Studio City Casino to be unsuccessful.

Gaming is a highly regulated industry in Macau and is subject to the risk of changes in laws and policies. Current laws, such as licensing requirements, tax rates and other regulatory obligations, including those for anti-money laundering, could change or become more stringent resulting in additional regulations being imposed upon gaming operations in Macau as well as increased audits and inspections by regulators, including Studio City Casino. Any such adverse developments in the regulation of the gaming industry could be difficult to comply with and could significantly increase costs, which could cause Studio City Casino to be unsuccessful and adversely affect our financial performance.

In September 2009, the Macau government set a cap on commission payments to gaming promoters of 1.25% of net rolling. This policy may limit the Gaming Operator’s ability to develop successful relationships with gaming promoters and attract VIP rolling chip players, which in turn may adversely affect the financial performance of the VIP rolling chip operations at Studio City Casino while they continue. Any failure to comply with these regulations may result in the imposition of liabilities, fines and other penalties and may materially and adversely affect the Gaming Operator’s subconcession. See “Item 4. Information on the Company — B. Business Overview — Gaming Promoters Regulations.”

In addition, the Macau government imposed regulations and restrictions that affect the minimum age required for entrance into casinos in Macau, entry into casinos by

off-duty

gaming-related employees, location requirements for sites with gaming machine lounges, data privacy and other matters. Any such legislation, regulation or restriction imposed by the Macau government may have a material adverse impact on our operations, business and financial performance. Furthermore, our inability to address any of these requirements or restrictions imposed by the Macau government could adversely affect our reputation and result in criminal or administrative penalties, in addition to any civil liability and other expenses. See “Item 4. Information on the Company — B. Business Overview — Gaming Regulations.”

Also, starting from January 1, 2019, smoking on the premises of casinos is only permitted in authorized segregated smoking lounges with no gaming activities, and such segregated smoking lounges are required to meet certain standards determined by the Macau government. Studio City Casino currently has a number of segregated smoking lounges. We cannot assure you that the Macau government will not enact more stringent smoking control legislations. Such limitations imposed on smoking have and may deter potential gaming patrons who are smokers from frequenting casinos in Macau, which could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. See “Item 4. Information on the Company — B. Business Overview — Smoking Regulations.”

Furthermore, in March 2010, the Macau government announced that the number of gaming tables operating in Macau should not exceed 5,500 until the end of the first quarter of 2013. On September 19, 2011, the Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macau government announced that for a period of ten years thereafter, the total number of gaming tables to be authorized in Macau will increase by an amount equal to an average 3% per annum for ten years. The Macau government subsequently clarified that the allocation of tables over this

ten-year

period does not need to be uniform and tables may be

pre-allocated

to new properties in Macau. There is no assurance that the Studio City Casino will be allocated any new gaming tables authorized by the Macau government, including in connection with the remaining project. The Macau government has also determined that tables authorized by the Macau government for mass market gaming operations may not be utilized for VIP gaming operations. These restrictions are not legislated or enacted into statutes or ordinances and, as such, different policies, including in relation to the annual increase rate in the number of gaming tables, may be adopted, and existing policies amended, at any time by the relevant Macau government authorities.

 

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Current Macau laws and regulations concerning gaming and gaming concessions and matters such as prevention of money laundering are fairly recent or there is little precedent on the interpretation of these laws and regulations. While we expect that the Gaming Operator will operate Studio City Casino in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations of Macau, these laws and regulations are complex and a court or an administrative or regulatory body may in the future render an interpretation of these laws and regulations or issue new or modified regulations that differ from our or the Gaming Operator’s interpretation, which could have a material adverse effect on the operation of Studio City Casino and on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and prospects.

Our activities in Macau are subject to administrative review and approval by various departments of the Macau government. For example, our business activities and Studio City Casino are subject to the administrative review and approval by the DICJ, Macau health department, Macau labor bureau, Macau public works bureau, Macau fire department, Macau finance department and Macau government tourism office. We cannot assure you that we or the Gaming Operator will be able to obtain or maintain all necessary approvals, which may materially affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and prospects. Macau law permits redress to the courts with respect to administrative actions. However, such redress is largely untested in relation to gaming regulatory issues.

Studio City Casino is subject to operational risks commonly faced by other gaming facilities in Macau.

Studio City Casino faces operational risks commonly experienced in the gaming industry in Macau. Such risks include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

•

Inability to Collect Gaming Receivables from Credit Customers. The Gaming Operator may grant gaming credit directly to certain customers at Studio City Casino, which will often be unsecured. The Gaming Operator may not be able to collect all of its gaming receivables from its credit customers at Studio City Casino, and we expect that the Gaming Operator will be able to enforce its gaming receivables only in a limited number of jurisdictions, including Macau and under certain circumstances, Hong Kong. The Gaming Operator’s inability to collect gaming receivables from credit customers may in turn affect our financial performance.

 

•

Limited Availability of Credit to Gaming Patrons. The Gaming Operator conducts its table gaming activities at Studio City Casino partially on a credit basis. The Gaming Operator extends credit to its gaming promoters and such gaming promoters will also conduct their operations by extending credit to gaming patrons. Any general economic downturn and turmoil in the financial markets may result in broad limitations on the availability of credit from credit sources as well as lengthening the recovery cycle of extended credit. In particular, due to credit conditions in China and the tightening of cross-border fund transfers by the Chinese government to control capital outflows in recent years, the number of visitors to Macau from China, as well as the amounts they are willing to spend in casinos, may decrease, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

•

Dependence on Relationships with Gaming Promoters. With the rise in casino operations in Macau, the competition for relationships with gaming promoters has increased and is expected to continue to increase. If the Gaming Operator is unable to utilize, maintain and/or develop relationships with gaming promoters for the Studio City Casino, the Gaming Operator will have to seek alternative ways to develop and maintain relationships with VIP rolling chip players, which may not be available, or if available, may not be as profitable as relationships developed through gaming promoters. Also, in the event the Macau government reduces the cap on the commission rates payable to gaming promoters, gaming promoters’ incentives to bring travelers to casinos in Macau would be further diminished and certain of the gaming promoters may be forced to cease or reduced operations. Increased regulatory scrutiny of gaming promoters in Macau has resulted, and may continue to result, in the cessation of business of certain gaming promoters, thereby resulting in the remaining gaming promoters having

 

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significant leverage and bargaining strength in negotiating agreements, including negotiating changes to existing agreements with the Gaming Operator, the loss of business to competitors or the loss of relationships with certain gaming promoters by the Gaming Operator for the Studio City Casino. These developments may have a material adverse effect on the business, prospects, results of operation and financial condition of Studio City Casino. For example, amendments to China’s criminal laws, such that anyone that organizes trips for Chinese citizens for the purpose of gambling outside of mainland China, including Macau, may be deemed to have conducted a criminal act, took effect on March 1, 2021. It is currently unclear whether and to what extent this amendment will adversely impact the operations of the Gaming Operator’s gaming promoters in the future. See also “— Risks Relating to Conducting Business and Operating in Macau — Policies, campaigns and measures adopted by the PRC and/or Macau governments from time to time could materially and adversely affect our operations.”

 

•

Inability to Control Win Rates. The gaming industry is characterized by an element of chance. In addition to the element of chance, theoretical expected win rates will also be affected by the spread of table limits and factors that are beyond the operator’s control, such as a player’s skill and experience, the mix of games played, the financial resources of players, the volume and mix of bets played, the amount of time players spend on gambling and the number of players. As a result of the variability in these factors, the actual win rates at Studio City Casino may differ from the theoretical win rates anticipated and could result in less winnings than anticipated.

 

•

Risk of Fraud or Cheating of Gaming Patrons and Staff. Gaming customers may attempt or commit fraud or cheat in order to increase their winnings, including in collusion with the casino’s staff. Internal acts of cheating could also be conducted by staff through collusion with dealers, surveillance staff, floor managers or other gaming area staff. Failure to discover such acts or schemes in a timely manner could result in losses in Studio City Casino operations and negative publicity for Studio City. In addition, gaming promoters or other persons could, without the knowledge of the Gaming Operator, enter into betting arrangements directly with patrons on the outcomes of games of chance, thus depriving Studio City Casino of revenues.

 

•

Risk of Counterfeiting. All gaming activities at Studio City Casino’s table games are conducted exclusively with gaming chips which are subject to the risk of alteration and counterfeiting. The Gaming Operator has incorporated a variety of security and anti-counterfeit features to detect altered or counterfeit gaming chips. Despite such security features, unauthorized parties may try to copy gaming chips and introduce, use and cash in altered or counterfeit gaming chips in Studio City’s gaming areas. Any negative publicity arising from such incidents could result in losses in Studio City Casino operations and negative publicity for Studio City.

 

•

Risk of Malfunction of Gaming Machines . There is no assurance that the slot machines at Studio City will be functioning properly at all times. If any one or more gaming machines malfunction due to technical or other reasons, the win rates associated with the gaming machines may be affected in a way that adversely impact the revenue of Studio City Casino. In addition, Studio City Casino’s reputation may be materially and adversely affected as a result of any incidents of malfunction.

Any of these risks has the potential to materially and adversely affect Studio City Casino and our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and prospects.

The Macau government could grant additional rights to conduct gaming in the future, which could significantly increase competition in Macau and cause Studio City Casino to lose or be unable to gain or maintain market share.

Pursuant to the terms of the Macau Gaming Law, the Macau government is precluded from granting more than three gaming concessions. Each concessionaire was permitted to enter into a subconcession agreement with one subconcessionaire. The total number of concessions and subconcessions granted in Macau is six. The

 

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Macau government is currently considering the process of renewing, extending or granting gaming concessions or subconcessions for concessions and subconcessions expiring in 2022. The policies and laws of the Macau government could result in the grant of additional concessions or subconcessions, which could significantly increase competition in Macau and cause Studio City Casino to lose or be unable to maintain or gain market share, and as a result, adversely affect our business.

We cannot assure you that anti-money laundering policies that have been implemented at Studio City Casino and its compliance with applicable anti-money laundering laws will be effective to prevent Studio City Casino from being exploited for money laundering purposes.

Macau’s free port, offshore financial services and free movement of capital create an environment whereby Macau’s casinos could be exploited for money laundering purposes. Melco Resorts’ and the Gaming Operator’s anti-money laundering policies, which we believe to be in compliance with all applicable anti-money laundering laws and regulations in Macau, are applied to the operation of Studio City Casino. However, we cannot assure you that the Gaming Operator, our contractors, agents or the staff performing services at Studio City Casino will continually adhere to such policies or any such policies will be effective in preventing Studio City Casino operations from being exploited for money laundering purposes, including from jurisdictions outside of Macau. We cannot assure you that we will not be subject to any accusation or investigation related to any possible money laundering activities despite the anti-money laundering measures we have adopted and undertaken or that we will adopt and undertake in the future.

The Gaming Operator also deals with significant amounts of cash in Studio City Casino’s operations and is subject to various reporting and anti-money laundering regulations as well as audits and inspections by regulators. Any incidents of money laundering, accusations of money laundering or regulatory investigations into possible money laundering activities involving Studio City Casino, its staff, gaming promoters or customers or others with whom it is associated could have a material adverse impact on our reputation, business, cash flow, financial condition, prospects and results of operations. Any serious incident of, or repeated violation of, laws related to money laundering or any regulatory investigation into money laundering activities may cause a revocation or suspension of the subconcession held by the Gaming Operator. For more information regarding anti-money laundering regulations in Macau, see “Item 4. Information on the Company — B. Business Overview — Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Regulations.”

Risks Relating to Our Relationship with Melco Resorts

We are heavily dependent on our shareholder, Melco Resorts, and expect to continue to be dependent on Melco Resorts.

Melco Resorts is a developer, owner and operator of integrated resort facilities in Asia and Europe, and our business has benefited significantly from Melco Resorts’ strong market position in Macau and its expertise in both gaming and

non-gaming

businesses. We cannot assure you we will continue to receive the same level of support from Melco Resorts in the future.

Melco Resorts has provided us with substantially all of our financial, administrative, sales and marketing, human resources and legal services and has also provided us with the services of a number of its staff pursuant to the Management and Shared Services Arrangements. Other than our property general manager, all of the Studio City dedicated staff are employed by the Master Service Providers under such arrangements. See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions — B. Related Party Transactions — Management and Shared Services Arrangements.” We expect Melco Resorts to continue to provide us with such support services in the future. However, there is no assurance that employees of Master Service Providers, who also support our financial, management, administration and other corporate functions, will be able to carry out their responsibilities in the best interests of Studio City or provide sufficient support for us to operate as an independent public company in compliance with the relevant financial reporting, internal control and other legal

 

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and regulatory requirements. In addition, to the extent Melco Resorts does not continue to provide us with such support, we may need to create our own support systems and may encounter operational, administrative and strategic difficulties. Having to create our own support systems due to lack of support from Melco Resorts may cause us to react more slowly than our competitors to industry changes and may divert our management’s attention from running our business, increase our operating costs or otherwise harm our operations.

In addition, since we have only been a public company since October 2018, our management team will need to develop the expertise necessary to comply with the numerous regulatory and other requirements applicable to public companies, including requirements relating to corporate governance, listing standards and securities and investor relations issues. Prior to our initial public offering, we were indirectly subject to requirements to maintain an effective internal control over financial reporting under Section 404 of the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002 as a subsidiary of Melco Resorts. However, as a public company itself, our management will have to evaluate our internal control system independently with new thresholds of materiality and to implement necessary changes to our internal control system. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so in a timely and effective manner.

Our business has benefited significantly from our relationship with Melco Resorts. Any negative development in Melco Resorts’ market position or brand recognition may materially and adversely affect our marketing efforts and the strength of our brand.

We are a subsidiary of Melco Resorts and have benefited significantly from our relationship with Melco Resorts in marketing our brand. For example, we have benefited by providing services to Melco Resorts’ long-term customers. We also benefit from Melco Resorts’ strong brand recognition in Macau, which has provided us credibility and a broad marketing reach. If Melco Resorts loses its market position, the effectiveness of our marketing efforts through our association with Melco Resorts may be materially and adversely affected. In addition, any negative publicity associated with Melco Resorts will likely have an adverse impact on the effectiveness of our marketing as well as our reputation and our brand.

We may have conflicts of interest with Melco Resorts and, because of Melco Resorts’ controlling ownership interest in our company, we may not be able to resolve such conflicts on favorable terms for us.

Conflicts of interest may arise between Melco Resorts and us in a number of areas relating to our past and ongoing relationships. Potential conflicts of interest include:

 

•

Other Gaming, Retail and Entertainment Resorts in Macau. Melco Resorts owns other gaming, retail and entertainment resorts in Macau and the Gaming Operator, as a subsidiary of Melco Resorts, operates casinos and gaming areas at such resorts owned by Melco Resorts. The ownership and operation of City of Dreams and Altira Macau by Melco Resorts and the Gaming Operator may divert their attention and resources. For example, VIP rolling chip operations at Studio City Casino are operated by the Gaming Operator under the Services and Right to Use Arrangements and the VIP tables used in such operations were initially allocated by the Macau government for operation by the Gaming Operator at gaming areas of the Gaming Operator’s other properties in Macau. The Gaming Operator will continue VIP rolling chip operations at the Studio City Casino until December 31, 2021, subject to early termination with 30 days’ prior notice by either Studio City Entertainment or the Gaming Operator. Any discontinuation of operation of VIP tables at Studio City Casino and potential allocation of such VIP tables to other Melco Resorts properties, as well as any strategic decisions made by Melco Resorts to focus on their other projects in Macau rather than us, could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

 

•

Allocation of Business Opportunities . Melco Resorts, as well as the Gaming Operator, may take action to construct and operate new gaming projects or invest in such projects located in the Asian region (including new gaming projects in Macau) or elsewhere, which, along with their current operations, including City of Dreams and Altira Macau, may divert their attention and resources. For example, in

 

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2015, Melco Resorts opened City of Dreams Manila, a casino, hotel, retail and entertainment resort in Manila, the Philippines. In 2019, Melco Resorts acquired from Melco International a 75% equity interest in the City of Dreams Mediterranean project, which is currently under development, as well as the temporary and satellite casinos opened prior to the official launch of the City of Dreams Mediterranean project. We could face competition from these other gaming projects. Due to the Management and Shared Services Arrangements we have with Melco Resorts, should Melco Resorts decide to focus more attention on gaming projects located in other areas, including in jurisdictions that may be expanding or commencing their gaming industries, or should economic conditions or other factors result in a significant decrease in gaming revenues and number of patrons in Macau, Melco Resorts may make strategic decisions to focus on their other projects rather than us, which could adversely affect our development and operation of Studio City and future growth.

 

•

Related Party Transactions. We have entered into a number of related party transactions, including the Management and Shared Services Arrangements, that we believe allow us to leverage off the experience and scale of Melco Resorts. While these arrangements were entered into at pre-agreed rates that we believe are commercially reasonable, the determination of such commercial terms were subject to judgment and estimates and we may have obtained different terms for similar types of services had we entered into such arrangements with independent third parties or had we not been a subsidiary of Melco Resorts.

 

•

Our Board Members and Executive Officers May Have Conflicts of Interest . Certain of our directors are also the directors and/or executive officers of Melco Resorts, our property general manager serves on Melco Resorts’ executive committee and our chief financial officer is an executive officer of Melco Resorts. In addition, our senior management team (including staff of Melco Resorts designated to Studio City under the Management and Shared Services Arrangements) also has reporting obligations to Melco Resorts. Certain of our directors have also been appointed by New Cotai. These relationships could create, or appear to create, conflicts of interest when these persons are faced with decisions with potentially different implications for Melco Resorts or New Cotai, as the case may be, and us. See “— Risks Relating to Our Business — We rely on services provided by subsidiaries of Melco Resorts, including hiring and training of personnel for Studio City” and “— Certain of our directors and executive officers hold a substantial amount of share options, restricted shares and ordinary shares of Melco Resorts, which could create an appearance of potential conflicts of interests.” While we have appointed independent directors to our board of directors, and our audit and risk committee consists solely of independent directors, due to the nature of their role as independent directors, such directors may not have access to the same information, resources and support as directors who are also directors and/or executive officers of Melco Resorts, which may hinder their ability to eliminate all conflicts of interest presented by our relationships with Melco Resorts.

 

•

Developing Business Relationships with Melco Resorts’ Competitors . So long as Melco Resorts remains our controlling shareholder, we may be limited in our ability to do business with its competitors, such as other gaming operators in Macau. This may limit our ability to market our services for the best interests of our company and our other shareholders.

We expect to operate, for as long as Melco Resorts is our controlling shareholder, as a subsidiary of Melco Resorts. Melco Resorts may from time to time make strategic decisions that it believes are in the best interests of its business as a whole, including our company. These decisions may be different from the decisions that we would have made on our own. Melco Resorts’ decisions with respect to us or our business may be resolved in ways that favor Melco Resorts and therefore Melco Resorts’ own shareholders, which may not coincide with the interests of our other shareholders. We may not be able to resolve any potential conflicts, and even if we do so, the resolution may be less favorable to us than if we were dealing with a

non-controlling

shareholder. Even if both parties seek to transact business on terms intended to approximate those that could have been achieved among unaffiliated parties, this may not succeed in practice.

 

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Certain of our directors and executive officers hold a substantial amount of share options, restricted shares and ordinary shares of Melco Resorts, which could create an appearance of potential conflicts of interests.

Certain of our directors and executive officers hold a substantial amount of share options, restricted shares and ordinary shares of Melco Resorts, and the value of such share options and restricted shares are related to the value of the ordinary shares of Melco Resorts. In addition, our directors and executive officers are eligible to participate in the share incentive plan of Melco Resorts. See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees — B. Compensation of Directors and Executive Officers — Share Incentive Plan.” The direct and indirect interests of our directors and executive officers in the ordinary shares of Melco Resorts and the presence of certain directors and executive officers of Melco Resorts on our board of directors or senior executive team could create, or appear to create, conflicts of interest with respect to matters involving both Melco Resorts and us that could have different implications for Melco Resorts and us. For example, potential conflicts of interest could arise in connection with the resolution of any dispute between Melco Resorts and us, or the affiliates of Melco Resorts and us, regarding the terms of the arrangements we have with Melco Resorts or its affiliates. These arrangements include the Services and Right to Use Arrangements, the Management and Shared Services Arrangements and any commercial agreements between Melco Resorts and us, or the affiliates of Melco Resorts and us. Potential conflicts of interest may also arise out of any commercial arrangements that Melco Resorts and us may enter into in the future. Similar potential conflicts may also arise related to the pursuit of certain opportunities, including growth opportunities in Macau or elsewhere.

Changes in Melco Resorts’ share ownership, including a change of control of its subsidiaries’ shares, could result in our inability to draw loans or cause events of default under our indebtedness, or could require us to prepay or make offers to repurchase certain indebtedness.

Credit facility agreements relating to certain of our indebtedness contain change of control provisions, including in respect of Melco Resorts’ obligations relating to the control and/or ownership of certain of its and our subsidiaries including their and our assets. Under the terms of such credit facility agreements, the occurrence of certain change of control events, including a decline below certain thresholds in the aggregate direct or indirect shareholdings in certain of Melco Resorts’ subsidiaries, including Studio City Holdings Five Limited, Studio City Finance and Studio City Investments, may result in an event of default and/or a requirement to prepay the credit facilities in relation to such indebtedness in full.

The terms of the agreement of certain indebtedness also contain change of control provisions whereby the occurrence of a relevant change of control event will require us to offer to repurchase the securities at a price equal to 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest and, if any, additional amounts and other amount specified under such indebtedness to the date of repurchase.

Any occurrence of these events could be outside our control and could result in events of default and cross-defaults which may cause the termination and acceleration of our credit facilities and other indebtedness and potential enforcement of remedies by our lenders or note holders (as the case may be), which would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Risks Relating to Conducting Business and Operating in Macau

Our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected by any economic slowdown in Macau, China and nearby Asia regions as well as globally.

All of our operations are in Macau. Accordingly, our results of operations and financial condition may be materially adversely affected by significant political, social and economic developments in Macau and China. A slowdown in economic growth in China could adversely impact the number of visitors from China to Studio City as well as the amount they are willing to spend in our hotel, restaurants and other facilities as well as at Studio City Casino, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of the operations and financial condition. A number of measures taken by the Chinese government in recent years to control the rate of

 

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economic growth, including those designed to tighten credit and liquidity, have led to a slowdown of China’s economy. According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, China’s GDP growth rate was 2.3% in 2020, which was much lower than the 6.0% in 2019, and any slowdown in its future growth may have an adverse impact on financial markets, currency exchange rates, as well as the spending of visitors in Macau and Studio City. In addition, in 2020, the value of the Renminbi appreciated approximately 6.7% against the U.S. Dollar. There is no guarantee that economic downturns, whether actual or perceived, any further decrease in economic growth rates or an otherwise uncertain economic outlook in China will not occur or persist in the future, that they will not be protracted or that governments will respond adequately to control and reverse such conditions, any of which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

In addition, the global macroeconomic environment is facing significant challenges, including the higher prospect of a global recession caused by the effect of a large-scale global

COVID-19

pandemic, and dampened business sentiment and outlook. These events have also caused significant declines as well as volatility in global equity and debt capital markets, further elevating the risk of an extended global economic downturn or even a global recession that could in turn trigger a severe contraction of liquidity in the global credit markets. Even prior to these events, the global economy was facing the end of quantitative easing by the U.S. Federal Reserve, the economic slowdown in the Eurozone in 2014, uncertainties relating to the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union, the continuation of international trade conflicts, including the trade disputes between the United States and China and the potential further escalation of trade tariffs and related retaliatory measures between these two countries and globally. The United States and China have, in recent years, been involved in disputes over trade policies and practices and each has implemented or proposed to implement tariffs on certain imported products. There is considerable uncertainty over the impact and duration of the

COVID-19

pandemic on the global macroeconomic environment. In addition, tensions between the United States and China have continued to escalate in 2020 in connection with ongoing trade disputes as well as other political factors, including the

COVID-19

pandemic and the status of Hong Kong. Continued rising political tensions could reduce levels of trade, investment, technological exchanges and other economic activities between the two major economies, which would have a material adverse effect on global economic conditions and the stability of global financial markets.

Considerable uncertainty over the long-term effects of the expansionary monetary and fiscal policies adopted by the central banks and financial authorities of some of the world’s leading economies, including the United States and China, remains. There have been concerns over conflicts, unrest and terrorist threats in the Middle East, Europe and Africa, including between the United States and Iran, which have resulted in volatility in oil and other markets, and over the conflicts involving Ukraine and Syria and potential conflicts involving the Korean peninsula. Any severe or prolonged slowdown in the global economy or increase in international trade or political conflicts may materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, continued turbulence in the international markets may adversely affect our ability to access capital markets to meet liquidity needs.

Studio City Casino’s operations could be adversely affected by foreign exchange restrictions on the Renminbi.

Gaming operators in Macau are currently prohibited from accepting wagers in Renminbi, the currency of China. There are currently restrictions on the export of the Renminbi outside of China, including to Macau. For example, a Chinese citizen traveling abroad is only allowed to take a total of RMB20,000 plus the equivalent of up to US$5,000 out of China. Moreover, an annual limit of RMB100,000 (US$15,369) on the aggregate amount that can be withdrawn overseas from Chinese bank accounts was set by the Chinese government, with effect on January 1, 2018. In addition, the Chinese government’s ongoing anti-corruption campaign has led to tighter monetary transfer regulations, including real-time monitoring of certain financial channels, reducing the amount that China-issued ATM cardholders can withdraw in each withdrawal, imposing a limit on the annual aggregate amount that may be withdrawn and the launch of facial recognition and identity card checks with respect to certain ATM users, which could disrupt the amount of money visitors can bring from mainland China to Macau. Furthermore, the Macau government has launched identity card checks with respect to certain ATM

 

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users and recently recommended banks perform adequate due diligence and monitoring of merchants with respect to usage of

point-of-sales

machines, such as cash registers where a customer is charged for goods or services purchased. These measures may limit liquidity availability and curb capital outflows. In addition, on June 12, 2017, a law with respect to the control of cross-border transportation of cash and other negotiable instruments to the bearer was enacted and came into effect on November 1, 2017. In accordance with such law, all individuals entering Macau with an amount in cash or negotiable instrument to the bearer equal to or higher than the amount of MOP120,000 (US$15,027) as determined by the Chief Executive of Macau are required to declare such amount to the customs authorities. For further details, please refer to “Item 4. Information on the Company — B. Business Overview — Control of Cross-border Transportation of Cash Regulations.” Restrictions on the export of the Renminbi and related measures may impede the flow of customers from China to Macau, inhibit the growth of gaming in Macau and negatively impact the operation of Studio City Casino.

Policies, campaigns and measures adopted by the PRC and/or Macau governments from time to time could materially and adversely affect our operations.

Our operating results may be adversely affected by:

 

•

tightening of travel restrictions to Macau or from China, including due to the outbreak of infectious diseases, such as the COVID-19 outbreak;

 

•

austerity measures which may be imposed by the Chinese government;

 

•

changes in government policies, laws and regulations, or in the interpretation or enforcement of these policies, laws and regulations;

 

•

changes in cross-border fund transfer and/or foreign exchange regulations or policies effected by the Chinese and/or Macau governments;

 

•

measures taken by the Chinese government to deter marketing of gaming activities to mainland Chinese residents by foreign casinos;

 

•

measures that may be introduced to control inflation, such as interest rate increases or bank account withdrawal controls; and

 

•

changes in the rate or method of taxation by the Macau government.

A significant number of the customers of Studio City Casino come from, and are expected to continue to come from, China. Any travel restrictions imposed by China, such as the travel restrictions imposed due to the

COVID-19

outbreak, could negatively affect the number of patrons visiting Studio City from China. Since

mid-2003,

under the Individual Visit Scheme, or IVS, Chinese citizens from certain cities have been able to travel to Macau individually instead of as part of a tour group. In

mid-2008

through 2010, the Chinese government adjusted its visa policy and limited the number of visits Chinese citizens may make to Macau in a given time period. China also banned “zero fare tours,” popular among visitors to Macau from mainland China, whereby travelers avail the services of tour guides at minimal or no cost if they agree to shop in designated areas in exchange. Further, in 2014, the Chinese government and the Macau government tightened visa transit policies for mainland China residents. Starting on July 1, 2014, the Macau government has tightened transit visa rule implementation, limiting such travelers to a

five-day

stay, with documented proof that they were going to a third destination. From July 2015, Macau eased the restrictions and again allowed mainland Chinese passport holders who transit via the city to stay for up to seven days. While the Chinese government has in the past restricted and then loosened IVS travel frequently, it has recently indicated its intention to maintain tourism development by opening the IVS to more Chinese cities to visit Macau. In March 2016, for instance, the Ministry of Public Security of China announced a new practice to make it easier for some mainland Chinese citizens to apply for the IVS visa. It is unclear whether these and other measures will continue to be in effect or become more restrictive in the future. For instance, as a result of the

COVID-19

outbreak, the PRC government suspended the issuance of group and individual travel visas from China to Macau. The IVS program was fully resumed by the PRC government on September 23, 2020. A decrease in the number of visitors from China would adversely affect Studio City’s results of operations.

 

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In addition, certain policies and campaigns implemented by the Chinese government may lead to a decline in the number of patrons visiting Studio City and the amount of spending by such patrons. The strength and profitability of our business depends on consumer demand for integrated resorts in general and for the type of luxury amenities that a gaming operator offers. Initiatives and campaigns undertaken by the Chinese government in recent years have resulted in an overall dampening effect on the behavior of Chinese consumers and a decrease in their spending, particularly in luxury good sales and other discretionary spending. For example, the Chinese government’s ongoing anti-corruption campaign has had an overall dampening effect on the behavior of Chinese consumers and their spending patterns both domestically and abroad. In addition, the number of patrons visiting Studio City may be affected by the Chinese government’s focus on deterring marketing of gaming to mainland Chinese citizens by casinos and its initiatives to tighten monetary transfer regulations, increase monitoring of various transactions, including bank or credit card transactions, reduce the amount that China-issued ATM cardholders can withdraw in each withdrawal and impose a limit on the annual aggregate amount that may be withdrawn. It has also been reported that the Chinese government is developing its digital currency and has performed certain test trials in its application within mainland China. If a digital currency is adopted by the Macau government for gaming operations in Macau, there could be a material and adverse impact on Studio City Casino’s VIP rolling chip operations if limitations on transactions per player are also introduced in conjunction with the adoption of the digital currency. In addition, amendments to China’s criminal laws, such that anyone that organizes trips for Chinese citizens for the purpose of gambling outside of mainland China, including Macau, may be deemed to have conducted a criminal act, came into effect on March 1, 2021. It is currently unclear whether, and to what extent, these amendments will adversely impact the operations of gaming promoters and any

knock-on

effects on VIP rolling chip operations as well as on the premium direct, premium mass and mass market segments. Further, prior convictions of staff of a foreign casino in China in relation to gaming related activities in China have also created regulatory uncertainty on marketing activities in China. A wide interpretation, application or enforcement of these amendments by the PRC governmental authorities could have a material and adverse effect on our business and prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

Our operations in Macau are also exposed to the risk of changes in laws and policies that govern operations of Macau-based companies. Tax laws and regulations may also be subject to amendment or different interpretation and implementation, thereby adversely affecting our profitability after tax. Further, certain terms of the Gaming Operator’s subconcession may be subject to renegotiations with the Macau government in the future, including the premium amount the Gaming Operator will be obligated to pay the Macau government in order to continue operations at Studio City Casino. As Studio City Entertainment is expected to fund part of the premium for the operation of Studio City Casino, increased premium due to any renegotiations could have a material adverse effect on the results of our operations and financial condition.

Uncertainties in the legal systems in the PRC may expose us to risks.

Gaming related activities in the PRC, including marketing activities, are strictly regulated by the PRC government and subject to various PRC laws and regulations. The PRC legal system continues to rapidly evolve and the interpretations of many laws, regulations and rules are not always uniform. In addition, the PRC legal system is based in part on government policies and internal rules, some of which are not published on a timely basis or at all. As a result, we may not be aware of all policies and rules imposed by the PRC authorities which may affect or relate to our business and operations. There is also no assurance that our interpretation of the laws and regulations that affect our activities and operations in the PRC is or will be consistent with the interpretation and application by the PRC governmental authorities. These uncertainties may impede our ability to assess our legal rights or risks relating to our business and activities. Any changes in the laws and regulations, or in the interpretation or enforcement of these laws and regulations, which affect gaming related activities in the PRC could have a material and adverse effect on our business and prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

In addition, PRC administrative and court authorities have significant discretion in interpreting and implementing statutory terms. Such discretion of the PRC administrative and court authorities increases the

 

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uncertainties in the PRC legal system and makes it difficult to evaluate the likely outcome of any administrative and court proceedings in the PRC. Any litigation or proceeding in the PRC may be protracted and result in substantial costs and diversion of our resources and management attention. Any such litigation or proceeding could have a material adverse effect on our business, reputation, financial condition and results of operations.

Terrorism, violent criminal acts, the uncertainty of war, widespread health epidemics or pandemics, political developments and other factors affecting discretionary consumer spending and leisure travel may reduce visitation to Macau and harm our operating results.

The strength and profitability of our business will depend on consumer demand for integrated resorts and leisure travel in general. Terrorist and violent criminal activities in Europe, the United States, Southeast Asia and elsewhere, military conflicts in the Middle East, social events and natural disasters such as typhoons, tsunamis and earthquakes, and outbreaks of widespread health epidemics or pandemics, including the

COVID-19

outbreak, among other things, have negatively affected travel and leisure expenditures. Terrorism, other criminal acts of violence or social events and widespread health epidemics or pandemics could have a negative impact on international travel and leisure expenditures, including lodging, gaming and tourism. We cannot predict the extent to which such acts may affect us, directly or indirectly, in the future. In addition, introduction of the National Security Law for Hong Kong and the U.S. State Department’s statements in reaction to it has resulted in further deterioration in the

Sino-U.S.

bilateral relationship, which could negatively affect the Chinese economy and its demand for gaming and leisure activities. See also “— The

COVID-19

pandemic has had, and will likely continue to have, a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations” and “— An outbreak of widespread health epidemics or pandemics, contagious disease or other outbreaks may have an adverse effect on the economies of affected countries or regions and may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations”.

In addition, other factors affecting discretionary consumer spending, including amounts of disposable consumer income, fears of recession, lack of consumer confidence in the economy, change in consumer preferences, high energy, fuel and other commodity costs and increased cost of travel may negatively impact our business. An extended period of reduced discretionary spending and/or disruptions or declines in airline travel could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

An outbreak of widespread health epidemics or pandemics, contagious disease or other outbreaks may have an adverse effect on the economies of affected countries or regions and may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our business could be, and in certain cases, such as the

COVID-19

pandemic, has been materially and adversely affected by the outbreak of widespread health epidemics or pandemics, such as swine flu, avian influenza, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), Zika and Ebola. The occurrence of such health epidemics or pandemics, prolonged outbreak of an epidemic illness or other adverse public health developments in China or elsewhere in the world could materially disrupt our business and operations. Such events could significantly impact our industry and cause severe travel restrictions between China and Macau as well as temporary or prolonged closures of the facilities we use for our operations and disruptions to public transportation, which would severely disrupt our operations and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Such events may also indirectly and materially adversely impact our operations by negatively impacting the outlook, growth or business sentiment in the global, regional or local economy. See also “— The

COVID-19

pandemic has had, and will likely continue to have, a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.”

Several countries, including Japan, South Korea and Vietnam, have registered cases of avian flu since the end of 2020. Fully effective avian flu vaccines have not been developed and there is evidence that the H5N1 virus is constantly evolving so we cannot assure you that an effective vaccine can be discovered or commercially manufactured in time to protect against the potential avian flu pandemic. In the first half of 2003, certain

 

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countries in Asia experienced an outbreak of SARS, a highly contagious form of atypical pneumonia, which seriously interrupted economic activities and caused the demand for goods and services to plummet in the affected regions.

In addition to the ongoing outbreak of

COVID-19,

there can be no assurance that an outbreak of swine flu, avian influenza, SARS, MERS, Zika, Ebola or other contagious disease or any measures taken by the governments of affected countries against such potential outbreaks will not seriously interrupt our gaming operations. The perception that an outbreak of any health epidemic or contagious disease may occur may also have an adverse effect on the economic conditions of countries in Asia. In addition, our operations could be disrupted if any of our facilities or employees or others involved in our operations were suspected of having

COVID-19,

swine flu, avian influenza, SARS, MERS, Zika or Ebola as this could require us to quarantine some or all of such employees or persons or disinfect the facilities used for our operations. Furthermore, any future outbreak may restrict economic activities in affected regions, which could result in reduced business volume and the temporary closure of our facilities or otherwise disrupt our business operations and adversely affect our results of operations. Our revenues and profitability could be materially reduced to the extent that a health epidemic or other outbreak harms the global or PRC economy in general.

Macau is susceptible to typhoons and heavy rainstorms that may damage our property and disrupt our operations.

Macau’s subtropical climate and location on the South China Sea renders it susceptible to typhoons, heavy rainstorms and other natural disasters. In the event of a major typhoon, such as Typhoon Hato in August 2017, Typhoon Mangkhut in September 2018 or other natural disaster in Macau, Studio City may be severely damaged, our operations may be materially and adversely affected and Studio City Casino may even be required to temporarily cease operations by regulatory authorities. Any flooding, unscheduled cessation of operations, interruption in the technology or transportation services or interruption in the supply of public utilities is likely to result in an immediate, and possibly substantial, loss of revenues due to a shutdown of Studio City, including operations at Studio City Casino. Although we benefit from certain insurance coverage with respect to these events, our coverage may not be sufficient to fully indemnify us against all direct and indirect costs, including loss of business, which could result from substantial damage to, or partial or complete destruction of, Studio City or other damages to the infrastructure or economy of Macau.

Risks Relating to Our Shares and ADSs

We are a holding company. Our sole material asset is our equity interest in MSC Cotai and we will be accordingly dependent upon distributions from MSC Cotai to pay dividends and cover our corporate and other expenses.

We are a holding company and have no material assets other than our equity interest in MSC Cotai. We have also undertaken that we will not own equity interests in any other entity other than MSC Cotai and that we will contribute to MSC Cotai all net proceeds received by us from sales of equity securities and sales of assets. Please see “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions — B. Related Party Transactions —

Pre-IPO

Organizational Transactions.” Because we will have no independent means of generating revenue, our ability to pay dividends, if any, and cover our corporate and other expenses is dependent on the ability of MSC Cotai to generate revenue to pay such dividends and expenses. This ability, in turn, may depend on the ability of MSC Cotai’s subsidiaries to make distributions to it. The ability of MSC Cotai and its subsidiaries to make such distributions will be subject to, among other things, (i) the applicable laws and regulations of the relevant jurisdictions that may limit the amount of funds available for distribution, (ii) restrictions in the Participation Agreement or relevant debt instruments issued by MSC Cotai or its subsidiaries in which it directly or indirectly holds an equity interest and (iii) the availability of funds to distribute. For example, if the

COVID-19

pandemic continues to disrupt our operations or escalates, it may have a material adverse effect on the availability of funds for MSC Cotai and its subsidiaries to distribute. To the extent that we need funds and MSC Cotai or its

 

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subsidiaries are restricted from making such distributions or payments under applicable law or regulation or under the terms of any financing arrangements, or are otherwise unable to provide such funds, our liquidity and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.

Our listing was authorized by the Macau government subject to certain conditions imposed on the Gaming Operator, us and our direct and indirect shareholders. Failure by the Gaming Operator, us or our direct and indirect shareholders to comply with such conditions may result in our obligation to delist the ADSs from the New York Stock Exchange or have a material adverse effect on the operation of Studio City Casino.

Our listing was authorized by the Macau government subject to the continued satisfaction of certain conditions including the following:

 

•

the company continues to hold, directly or indirectly, 100% of the equity interest of its subsidiary, Studio City Entertainment;

 

•

Melco Resorts continues to hold, directly or indirectly, at least 50.1% of the equity interest in us;

 

•

Melco International continues to hold, directly or indirectly, the majority of the equity interest in Melco Resorts; and

 

•

Mr. Lawrence Ho, directly or indirectly, continues to hold the majority of the equity interest in Melco International to control such entity.

Under such authorization, the Gaming Operator is required to annually provide the Macau government with evidence with respect to the compliance with the above conditions. In addition, under such authorization, we and the Gaming Operator are also required to comply with the conditions imposed by the Macau government in connection with its approval of our entry into the Services and Right to Use Arrangements.

The Macau government also has the right to revoke the listing authorization if it deems that the listing is contrary to the public interest or in case of breach of the mentioned conditions. In case of revocation of the listing authorization by the Macau government, we may be required by the Macau government to delist the ADSs from the New York Stock Exchange. Failure to do so could result in the approval of the Services and Right to Use Arrangements being revoked, which would prevent us from receiving any amounts thereunder, in a closure order being issued with respect to the Studio City Casino or in the suspension or termination of the Gaming Operator’s subconcession and consequently we may be unable to offer any gaming facilities at Studio City.

Participation by certain of our principal shareholders in our equity offerings has reduced the available public float for our ADSs.

MCO Cotai, our controlling shareholder, and certain funds managed by Silver Point Capital, L.P., one of our principal shareholders, participated in our initial public offering and were allocated 25,550,000 ADSs, or 77.3%, of the total amount of ADSs offered in our initial public offering at the initial public offering price. In addition, MCO Cotai, New Cotai and certain funds managed by Silver Point Capital, L.P. also participated in the series of private offers we announced in July 2020 and purchased 121,304,652 Class A shares, or 94.4% of the total amount of Class A shares purchased in such offerings. Out of the 47,163,189 ADSs (representing 188,652,756 Class A ordinary shares) outstanding, 15,330,000 ADSs, or 32.5% of such outstanding ADSs, are owned by MCO Cotai and, as of December 31, 2020, 15,392,680, or 32.6%, and 7,693,529 ADSs, or 16.3% of such outstanding ADSs, are owned funds managed by Silver Point, L.P. and New Cotai, respectively. See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions — A. Major Shareholders.”

Such purchases and ownership reduced the otherwise available public float for our ADSs and the liquidity of our ADSs relative to what it would have been had these ADSs been purchased by other investors and thereby may adversely impact the trading price of our ADSs.

 

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We have not been in compliance with the New York Stock Exchange requirements for continued listing and as a result our ADSs may be delisted from trading on the New York Stock Exchange, which would have a material effect on us and the liquidity of our ADSs and Class A ordinary shares.

On February 20, 2020, we announced that we received a notice from the New York Stock Exchange notifying us that we were not in compliance with Section 802.01A of the New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual, or the NYSE Manual, which requires the number of total shareholders of the Company’s capital stock be no less than 400 shareholders, or the NYSE Notice. Pursuant to the NYSE Notice, the Company is subject to the procedures set forth in Sections 801 and 802 of the NYSE Manual and was requested to submit a business plan within 90 days of receipt of the NYSE Notice that demonstrates how we expect to return to compliance with the minimum total shareholder requirement within a maximum period of 18 months of receipt of the notice.

In accordance with the timing requirement under the NYSE Notice, we submitted a business plan in May 2020, or the NYSE Business Plan. On July 2, 2020, we were notified the NYSE Business Plan was accepted by the New York Stock Exchange. In such notification, the New York Stock Exchange also notified us that we were not in compliance with the requirement under Section 802.01A of the NYSE Manual which requires the number of total shareholders of the Company’s capital stock to be no less than 1,200 shareholders if the average monthly volume of its ADSs is less than 100,000 for the most recent 12 months, or the Additional

NYSE Non-Compliance,

and subject to the procedures set forth in Sections 801 and 802 of the NYSE Manual for the Additional

NYSE Non-Compliance. The NYSE

Business Plan addressed both

the non-compliance contained

in the NYSE Notice and the Additional

NYSE Non-Compliance. We

expect to have a period of 18 months from receipt of the NYSE Notice to regain compliance with both of the afore-mentioned continued listing standards. We are subject to quarterly monitoring by the New York Stock Exchange for compliance with the NYSE Business Plan. If we fail to comply with the NYSE Business Plan or do not meet the continued listing standards at the end of

the 18-month period,

we expect we will be subject to prompt initiation of NYSE suspension and delisting procedures.

We cannot assure you that we can or will continually adhere to all of the continued listing requirements of the New York Stock Exchange, including those required to maintain our listing on the New York Stock Exchange, or that the New York Stock Exchange will not take any other action in the course of monitoring our implementation of the NYSE Business Plan, including any reduction of the remediation period. If we are delisted from the New York Stock Exchange, our ADSs or ordinary shares may be eligible for trading on an

over-the-counter

market in the United States. In the event that we are not able to obtain a listing on another U.S. stock exchange or quotation service for our ADSs, it may be extremely difficult for holders of our ADSs and shareholders to sell their ADSs or ordinary shares. Moreover, if our ADSs are delisted from the New York Stock Exchange but listed elsewhere, it will likely be on a market with less liquidity and more price volatility than experienced on the New York Stock Exchange. Holders of our ADSs and our shareholders may not be able to sell their ADSs or ordinary shares on any such substitute market in the quantities, at the times or at the prices that could potentially be available on a more liquid trading market. In addition, following a delisting from the New York Stock Exchange, as direct or indirect holders of 5% or more of our shares are subject to suitability and financial capacity review by the DICJ, a direct or indirect sales of our ADSs or ordinary shares representing 5% or more of our outstanding share capital may require prior approval by the Macau government. See “Item 4. Information on the Company — B. Business Overview — Gaming Regulations,” “Item 4. Information on the Company — B. Business Overview — Gaming Regulations — The Gaming Operator’s Subconcession” and “Item 4. Information on the Company — B. Business Overview — Gaming Regulations — Services and Right to Use Arrangements Regulatory Requirements.” As a result of these factors, if our ADSs are delisted from the New York Stock Exchange, the price and liquidity of our ADSs and ordinary shares may be materially and adversely affected.

 

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The trading price of our ADSs has been volatile since our ADSs began trading on The New York Stock Exchange and may be subject to fluctuations in the future, which could result in substantial losses to investors.

The trading price of our ADSs has been and may continue to be subject to wide fluctuations. Since our listing on October 18, 2018 to March 26, 2021, the trading prices of our ADSs ranged from US$11.87 to US$28.59 per ADS and the closing sale price on March 26, 2021 was US$13.51 per ADS. The trading price of our ADSs may be volatile and could fluctuate widely due to factors beyond our control. This may happen because of broad market and industry factors, including the performance and fluctuation of the market prices of other companies with business operations located mainly in Macau or China that have listed their securities in the United States. In addition to market and industry factors, the price and trading volume for our ADSs may be highly volatile for factors specific to our own operations, including the following:

 

•

limited public float of our ADSs;

 

•

developments in the Macau market or other Asian gaming markets, including disruptions caused by widespread health epidemics or pandemics, such as the COVID-19 outbreak;

 

•

uncertainties or delays relating to the financing, completion and successful operation of our remaining project for Studio City;

 

•

general economic, political or other factors that may affect Macau, where Studio City is located and/or the macroeconomic environment, including the COVID-19 pandemic or any other global pandemic or crisis;

 

•

changes in the economic performance or market valuations of the gaming and leisure industry companies;

 

•

changes in the Gaming Operator’s market share of the Macau gaming market;

 

•

regulatory developments affecting us or our competitors;

 

•

actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly or annual operating results;

 

•

announcements of new investments, acquisitions, strategic partnerships or joint ventures by us or our competitors;

 

•

changes in financial estimates by securities analysts;

 

•

detrimental adverse publicity about us, Studio City or our industries;

 

•

additions or departures of key personnel;

 

•

fluctuations in the exchange rates between the U.S. dollar, H.K. dollar, Pataca and Renminbi;

 

•

release or expiration of lock-up or other transfer restrictions on our outstanding equity securities or sales of additional equity securities;

 

•

sales or perceived sales of additional shares or ADSs or securities convertible or exchangeable or exercisable for shares or ADSs;

 

•

potential litigation or regulatory investigations; and

 

•

rumors related to any of the above, irrespective of their veracity.

In addition, the securities market has from time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that are not related to the operating performance of particular companies. For example, in connection with the

COVID-19

outbreak, securities markets across the globe have experienced significant volatility. These market fluctuations may also have a material adverse effect on the market price of our ADSs.

In the past, shareholders of public companies have often brought securities class action suits against those companies following periods of instability in the market price of their securities. If we were involved in a

 

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class action suit, it could divert a significant amount of our management’s attention and other resources from our business and operations and require us to incur significant expenses to defend the suit, which could harm our results of operations. Any such class action suit, whether or not successful, could harm our reputation and restrict our ability to raise capital in the future. In addition, if a claim is successfully made against us, we may be required to pay significant damages, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, or if they adversely change their recommendations regarding our ADSs, the market price for our ADSs and trading volume could decline.

The trading market for our ADSs depends in part on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. If research analysts do not establish and maintain adequate research coverage or if one or more of the analysts who covers us downgrades our ADSs or publishes inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, the market price for our ADSs would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our company or fail to publish reports on us regularly, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which, in turn, could cause the market price or trading volume for our ADSs to decline.

Techniques employed by short sellers may drive down the market price of our ADSs.

Short selling is the practice of selling securities that the seller does not own but rather has borrowed from a third party with the intention of buying identical securities back at a later date to return to the lender. The short seller hopes to profit from a decline in the value of the securities between the sale of the borrowed securities and the purchase of the replacement shares, as the short seller expects to pay less in that purchase than it received in the sale. As it is in the short seller’s interest for the price of the security to decline, many short sellers publish, or arrange for the publication of, negative opinions regarding the relevant issuer and its business prospects in order to create negative market momentum and generate profits for themselves after selling a security short. These short attacks have, in the past, led to selling of shares in the market.

Public companies that have substantially all of their operations in Greater China have been the subject of short selling. Much of the scrutiny and negative publicity has centered on allegations of a lack of effective internal control over financial reporting resulting in financial and accounting irregularities and mistakes, inadequate corporate governance policies or a lack of adherence thereto and, in many cases, allegations of fraud. As a result, many of these companies are now conducting internal and external investigations into the allegations and, in the interim, are subject to shareholder lawsuits and/or SEC enforcement actions.

It is not clear what effect such negative publicity could have on us. If we were to become the subject of any unfavorable allegations, whether such allegations are proven to be true or untrue, we could have to expend a significant amount of resources to investigate such allegations and/or defend ourselves. While we would strongly defend against any such short seller attacks, we may be constrained in the manner in which we can proceed against the relevant short seller by principles of freedom of speech, applicable law or issues of commercial confidentiality. Such a situation could be costly and time-consuming and could distract our management from growing our business. Even if such allegations are ultimately proven to be groundless, allegations against us could severely impact our business operations, and any investment in our ADSs could be greatly reduced or even rendered worthless.

Holders of ADSs have fewer rights than shareholders and must act through the depositary to exercise those rights.

Holders of ADSs do not have the same rights of our shareholders and may only exercise the voting rights with respect to the underlying Class A ordinary shares of the depositary and in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement. Advance notice of at least seven days is required for the convening of our

 

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annual general meeting and other shareholders meetings. When a general meeting is convened, you may not receive sufficient notice of a shareholders’ meeting to permit you to withdraw Class A ordinary shares represented by your ADSs to allow you to cast your vote with respect to any specific matter. In addition, the depositary and its agents may not be able to send voting instructions to you or carry out your voting instructions in a timely manner. We will make all reasonable efforts to cause the depositary to extend voting rights to you in a timely manner, but we cannot assure you that you will receive the voting materials in time to ensure that you can instruct the depositary to vote your ADSs. The depositary and its agents will not be responsible for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote, for the manner in which any vote is cast or for the effect of any such vote. As a result, you may not be able to exercise your right to vote and you may lack recourse if your ADSs are not voted as you requested. In addition, in your capacity as an ADS holder, you will not be able to convene a shareholder meeting.

Your rights to pursue claims against the depositary as a holder of ADSs are limited by the terms of the deposit agreement. In addition, parties to the Participation Agreement have agreed to resolve any disputes by arbitration.

As a holder of our ADSs, you are a party to the deposit agreement under which our ADSs are issued. Under the deposit agreement, any action or proceeding against or involving the depositary arising out of or based upon the deposit agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby or by virtue of you owning the ADSs may only be instituted in a state or federal court in New York, New York. In addition, under the deposit agreement, you, as a holder of our ADSs, will have irrevocably waived any objection which you may have to the laying of venue of any such proceeding and irrevocably submitted to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such action or proceeding. The depositary may, however, in its sole discretion, require that any dispute or difference arising from the relationship created by the deposit agreement be referred to and finally settled by an arbitration proceeding to be conducted under the terms described in the deposit agreement, which may include claims arising under the U.S. federal securities laws and claims not in connection with our initial public offering, although the arbitration provisions do not preclude you from pursuing claims under the U.S. federal securities laws in federal courts. Furthermore, we may amend or terminate the deposit agreement without your consent. If you continue to hold your ADSs after an amendment to the deposit agreement, you agree to be bound by the terms and subject to the conditions of the deposit agreement as amended.

In addition, the Participation Agreement, pursuant to which MSC Cotai granted the Participation Interest to New Cotai, provides that all disputes arising out of the Participation Agreement must be resolved through arbitration proceedings subject to certain limited exceptions and such provision will affect the manner by which New Cotai or any other parties to the Participation Agreement may pursue any claim or action arising out of the Participation Agreement. For more information, see “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions — B. Related Party Transactions —

Pre-IPO

Organizational Transactions — Participation Agreement.”

ADSs holders may not be entitled to a jury trial with respect to claims arising under the deposit agreement, which could result in less favorable outcomes to the plaintiff(s) in any such action.

The deposit agreement governing the ADSs representing our Class A ordinary shares provides that, subject to the depositary’s right to require a claim to be submitted to arbitration, the federal or state courts in the City of New York have exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine claims arising under the deposit agreement and in that regard, to the fullest extent permitted by law, ADS holders waive the right to a jury trial of any claim they may have against us or the depositary arising out of or relating to our shares, the ADSs or the deposit agreement, including any claim under the U.S. federal securities laws.

If we or the depositary opposed a jury trial demand based on the waiver, the court would determine whether the waiver was enforceable based on the facts and circumstances of that case in accordance with applicable state and federal law. The enforceability of a contractual

pre-dispute

jury trial waiver in connection

 

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with claims arising under the U.S. federal securities laws has not been finally adjudicated by the United States Supreme Court. However, based on past court decisions, we believe that a contractual

pre-dispute

jury trial waiver provision is generally enforceable, including under the laws of the State of New York, which govern the deposit agreement. In determining whether to enforce a contractual

pre-dispute

jury trial waiver provision, courts will generally consider whether a party knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily waived the right to a jury trial. We believe that this is the case with respect to the deposit agreement and the ADSs. It is advisable that you consult legal counsel regarding the jury waiver provision before investing in the ADSs.

If you or any other holders or beneficial owners of ADSs bring a claim against us or the depositary in connection with matters arising under the deposit agreement or the ADSs, including claims under the U.S. federal securities laws, you or such other holder or beneficial owner may not be entitled to a jury trial with respect to such claims, which may have the effect of limiting and discouraging lawsuits against us and/or the depositary. If a lawsuit is brought against us and/or the depositary under the deposit agreement, it may be heard only by a judge or justice of the applicable trial court, which would be conducted according to different civil procedures and may result in different outcomes than a trial by jury would have had, including results that could be less favorable to the plaintiff(s) in any such action.

Nevertheless, if this jury trial waiver provision is not enforced, to the extent a court action proceeds, it would proceed under the terms of the deposit agreement as a jury trial.

Your right to participate in any future rights offerings may be limited, which may cause dilution to your holdings, and you may not receive cash dividends if it is unlawful or impractical to make them available to you.

We may, from time to time, distribute rights to our shareholders, including rights to acquire our securities. However, we cannot make rights available to you in the United States unless we register the rights and the securities to which the rights relate under the Securities Act of 1933, or the Securities Act, or an exemption from the registration requirements is available. Also, under the deposit agreement, the depositary bank will not make rights available to you unless the distribution to ADS holders of both the rights and any related securities are either registered under the Securities Act, or exempted from registration under the Securities Act. We are under no obligation to file a registration statement with respect to any such rights or securities or to endeavor to cause such a registration statement to be declared effective. Moreover, we may not be able to establish an exemption from registration under the Securities Act. Accordingly, you may be unable to participate in our rights offerings and may experience dilution in your holdings.

In addition, the depositary of our ADSs has agreed to pay to you the cash dividends or other distributions it or the custodian receives on our Class A ordinary shares or other deposited securities after deducting its fees and expenses. You will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of Class A ordinary shares your ADSs represent. However, the depositary may, at its discretion, decide that it is unlawful, inequitable or impractical to make a distribution available to any holders of ADSs. For example, it would be unlawful to make a distribution to a holder of ADSs if it consists of securities that require registration under the Securities Act but that are not properly registered or distributed under an applicable exemption from registration. Also, the depositary may determine that it is not practicable to distribute certain property through the mail, or that the value of certain distributions may be less than the cost of mailing them. In these cases, the depositary may decide not to distribute such property and you will not receive such distribution. Except as otherwise provided under the Registration Rights Agreement, we have no obligation to register under U.S. securities laws any ADSs, Class A ordinary shares, rights or other securities received through such distributions. See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions — B. Related Party Transactions — Registration Rights Agreement.” We also have no obligation to take any other action to permit the distribution of ADSs, Class A ordinary shares, rights or anything else to holders of ADSs.

 

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Substantial future sales or perceived potential sales of our ADSs, ordinary shares or other equity securities in the public market could cause the price of our ADSs to decline significantly.

As of December 31, 2020, New Cotai owned 7,693,529 ADSs, representing approximately a 6.9% voting and economic interest in our company, and 72,511,760 Class B ordinary shares, representing approximately a 16.4% voting,

non-economic

interest in our company. New Cotai also has a Participation Interest, which entitles New Cotai to receive from MSC Cotai an amount equal to approximately 20% of the amount of any distribution, dividend or other consideration paid by MSC Cotai to us, subject to adjustments, exceptions and conditions. Under the Participation Agreement, New Cotai and its permitted transferees will be entitled to exchange its Participation Interest for Class A ordinary shares. We have granted registration rights with respect to the Class A ordinary shares delivered in exchange for Participation Interests. See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions — B. Related Party Transactions —

Pre-IPO

Organizational Transactions” and “— Registration Rights Agreement.”

In addition, certain funds managed by Silver Point Capital, L.P., as of December 31, 2020, beneficially owned 61,570,720 Class A ordinary shares in the form of ADSs, representing 16.6% of our outstanding Class A ordinary shares, while Melco International beneficially owned 243,020,416 Class A ordinary shares, representing 65.6%, of our outstanding Class A ordinary shares. See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions — A. Major Shareholders.”

Sales of substantial amounts of our ADSs in the public market, including upon the exchange of all or part of the Participation Interest by New Cotai or its permitted transferees, or the perception that these sales could occur, could adversely affect the market price of our ADSs and could materially impair our ability to raise capital through equity offerings in the future. We also cannot predict what effect, if any, market sales of securities held by our significant shareholders or any other shareholder or the availability of these securities fur future sales will have on the market price of our ADSs. ADSs held by holders who are not affiliates of our company will be freely tradeable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, and shares and ADSs held by our affiliates (in each case, to the extent such holders are deemed to be affiliates of the Company) may also be sold in the public market subject to the restrictions in Rule 144 and Rule 701 under the Securities Act and any applicable

lock-up

agreements. The ADSs represent interests in our Class A ordinary shares. We would, subject to market forces, expect there to be a close correlation in the price of our ADSs and the price of the Class A ordinary shares and any factors contributing to a decline in one market is likely to result to a similar decline in another.

The depositary for our ADSs will give us a discretionary proxy to vote our Class A ordinary shares underlying your ADSs if you do not vote at shareholders’ meetings, except in limited circumstances, which could adversely affect your interests.

Under the deposit agreement for our ADSs, the depositary will give us a discretionary proxy to vote our Class A ordinary shares underlying your ADSs at shareholders’ meetings if you do not give voting instructions to the depositary, unless:

 

•

we have failed to timely provide the depositary with our notice of meeting and related voting materials;

 

•

we have instructed the depositary that we do not wish a discretionary proxy to be given;

 

•

we have informed the depositary that there is substantial opposition as to a matter to be voted on at the meeting;

 

•

a matter to be voted on at the meeting would have a material adverse impact on shareholders; or

 

•

voting at the meeting is made on a show of hands.

The effect of this discretionary proxy is that, if you fail to give voting instructions to the depositary, you cannot prevent our Class A ordinary shares underlying your ADSs from being voted, absent the situations described above, and it may make it more difficult for shareholders to influence our management. Holders of our Class A ordinary shares are not subject to this discretionary proxy.

 

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Because we do not expect to pay dividends in the foreseeable future, you must rely on price appreciation of our ADSs for return on your investment.

We currently intend to retain most, if not all, of our available funds and any future earnings to fund the development and growth of our business. As a result, we do not expect to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. See “Item 8. Financial Information — A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information — Dividend Policy” and note 17 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report. Therefore, you should not rely on an investment in our ADSs as a source for any future dividend income.

Our board of directors has complete discretion as to whether to distribute dividends, subject to certain requirements of the laws of the Cayman Islands. Under the laws of the Cayman Islands, a Cayman Islands company may pay a dividend out of either profit or share premium account, provided that in no circumstances may a dividend be paid if this would result in the company being unable to pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. Even if our board of directors decides to declare and pay dividends, the timing, amount and form of future dividends, if any, will depend on, among other things, our future results of operations and cash flow, our capital requirements and surplus, the amount of distributions, if any, received by us from our subsidiaries, our financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. Accordingly, the return on your investment in our ADSs will likely depend entirely upon any future price appreciation of our ADSs. There is no guarantee that our ADSs will appreciate in value or even maintain the price at which you purchased the ADSs. You may not realize a return on your investment in our ADSs and you may even lose your entire investment in our ADSs.

You may be subject to limitations on the transfer of your ADSs.

Your ADSs are transferable on the books of the depositary. However, the depositary may close its books at any time or from time to time when it deems expedient in connection with the performance of its duties. The depositary may close its books from time to time for a number of reasons, including in connection with corporate events such as a rights offering, during which time the depositary needs to maintain an exact number of ADS holders on its books for a specified period. The depositary may also close its books in emergencies, and on weekends and public holidays. The depositary may refuse to deliver, transfer or register transfers of our ADSs generally when our share register or the books of the depositary are closed, or at any time if we deem or the depositary deems it advisable to do so because of any requirement of law or of any government or governmental body, or under any provision of the deposit agreement, or for any other reason.

You may have difficulty enforcing judgments obtained against us.

We are a company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands and substantially all of our assets are located outside the United States. All of our current operations are conducted in Macau. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for you to bring an action against us in the United States in the event that you believe that your rights have been infringed under the U.S. federal securities laws or otherwise. It may also be difficult for you to enforce in the Cayman Islands and Macau courts judgments obtained in U.S. courts based on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws against us and our directors and executive officers. In addition, there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the Cayman Islands and Macau would recognize or enforce judgments of U.S. courts against us or such individuals predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state. It is also uncertain whether such Cayman Islands and Macau courts would be competent to hear original actions brought in the Cayman Islands and Macau against us or such individuals predicated upon the securities laws of the United States or any state. For more information regarding the relevant laws of the Cayman Islands and Macau.

 

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We are a foreign private issuer within the meaning of the rules under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act, and as such we are exempt from certain provisions applicable to domestic public companies in the United States.

Because we are a foreign private issuer under the Exchange Act, we are exempt from certain provisions of the securities rules and regulations in the United States that are applicable to U.S. domestic issuers, including: (i) the rules under the Exchange Act requiring the filing of quarterly reports on Form

10-Q

or current reports on Form

8-K

with the SEC; (ii) the sections of the Exchange Act regulating the solicitation of proxies, consents, or authorizations in respect of a security registered under the Exchange Act; (iii) the sections of the Exchange Act requiring insiders to file public reports of their stock ownership and trading activities and liability for insiders who profit from trades made in a short period of time; and (iv) the selective disclosure rules by issuers of material nonpublic information under Regulation FD.

We will be required to file an annual report on Form

20-F

within four months of the end of each fiscal year. In addition, we currently publish our results on a quarterly basis through press releases, distributed pursuant to the rules and regulations of the New York Stock Exchange. Press releases relating to financial results and material events will be furnished to the SEC on Form

6-K.

However, the information we are required to file with or furnish to the SEC will be less extensive and less timely compared to that required to be filed with the SEC by U.S. domestic issuers.

As a foreign private issuer, we are subject to New York Stock Exchange corporate governance listing standards. However, the New York Stock Exchange rules permit a foreign private issuer like us to follow the corporate governance practices of its home country, including with respect to board and committee composition and shareholder approval requirements with respect to issuances of equity securities. Certain corporate governance practices in the Cayman Islands, which is our home country, may differ significantly from New York Stock Exchange corporate governance listing standards. For instance, shareholders of Cayman Islands exempted companies like us have no general rights under Cayman Islands law to inspect corporate records or to obtain copies of lists of shareholders of these companies. Our directors have discretion under our articles of association to determine whether or not, and under what conditions, our corporate records may be inspected by our shareholders, but are not obliged to make them available to our shareholders. In addition, we rely on this “home country practice” exception and do not have a majority of independent directors serving on our board and we are not required to obtain shareholder approval prior to issuances of ordinary shares or ADSs under New York Stock Exchange rules. This may make it more difficult for you to obtain the information needed to establish any facts necessary for a shareholder motion or to solicit proxies from other shareholders in connection with a proxy contest.

As a “controlled company” within the meaning of the New York Stock Exchange corporate governance rules, we are eligible to, and, in the event we no longer qualify as a foreign private issuer, we intend to elect not to comply with certain of the New York Stock Exchange corporate governance standards, including the requirement that a majority of directors on our board of directors be independent directors.

Certain corporate governance practices in the Cayman Islands, which is our home country, differ significantly from requirements for companies incorporated in other jurisdictions such as the United States. To the extent we choose to follow home country practice with respect to corporate governance matters, our shareholders may be afforded less protection than they otherwise would under rules and regulations applicable to U.S. domestic issuers.

We incur increased costs as a result of being a public company.

As a public company, we incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as rules subsequently implemented by the SEC and the New York Stock Exchange, impose various requirements on the corporate governance practices of public

 

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companies. These rules and regulations have increased our legal and financial compliance costs and have made some corporate activities more time-consuming and costly. We have also incurred significant expenses and devote substantial management effort toward ensuring compliance with the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the other rules and regulations of the SEC. For example, as a result of becoming a public company, we have increased the number of independent directors and adopted policies regarding internal controls and disclosure controls and procedures. As a public company, it may be more difficult and more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance, and we may be required to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage. In addition, we will incur additional costs associated with our public company reporting requirements. It may also be more difficult for us to find qualified persons to serve on our board of directors or as executive officers.

We are a Cayman Islands exempted company and, because judicial precedent regarding the rights of shareholders is more limited under Cayman Islands law than that under U.S. law, you may have less protection for your shareholder rights than you would under U.S. law.

We are an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands. Our corporate affairs are governed by our memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Act (as amended) of the Cayman Islands, or Companies Act, and the common law of the Cayman Islands. The rights of shareholders to take action against the directors, actions by minority shareholders and the fiduciary duties of our directors to us under Cayman Islands law are to a large extent governed by the common law of the Cayman Islands. The common law of the Cayman Islands is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the Cayman Islands as well as from the common law of England, the decisions of whose courts are of persuasive authority, but are not binding, on a court in the Cayman Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary duties of our directors under Cayman Islands law are not as clearly established as they would be under statutes or judicial precedent in some jurisdictions in the United States. In particular, the Cayman Islands has a less developed body of securities laws than the United States. Some U.S. states, such as Delaware, have more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law than the Cayman Islands. In addition, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action in a federal court of the United States.

Shareholders of Cayman Islands exempted companies like us have no general rights under Cayman Islands law to inspect corporate records (other than the memorandum and articles of association) or to obtain copies of lists of shareholders of these companies. Our directors have discretion under our articles of association to determine whether or not, and under what conditions, our corporate records may be inspected by our shareholders, but are not obliged to make them available to our shareholders. This may make it more difficult for you to obtain the information needed to establish any facts necessary for a shareholder motion or to solicit proxies from other shareholders in connection with a proxy contest.

As a result of all of the above, our public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions taken by management, members of the board of directors or controlling shareholders than they would as shareholders of a U.S. public company. For a discussion of significant differences between the provisions of the Companies Act (as amended) of the Cayman Islands and the laws applicable to companies incorporated in the United States and their shareholders, see “Item 10. Additional Information — B. Memorandum and Articles of Association — Differences in Corporate Law.”

If we are a passive foreign investment company for United States federal income tax purposes for any taxable year, United States holders of our ADSs could be subject to adverse United States federal income tax consequences.

A

non-United

States corporation will be a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for United States federal income tax purposes for any taxable year if either (i) at least 75% of its gross income for such taxable year is passive income or (ii) at least 50% of the value of its assets (based on an average of the quarterly

 

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values) during such year is attributable to assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income. Based on the value of our assets and the composition of our income and assets, we do not believe we were a PFIC for United States federal income tax purposes for our taxable year ended December 31, 2020. However, the determination of whether or not we are a PFIC according to the PFIC rules is made on an annual basis and will depend on the composition of our income and assets and the value of our assets from time to time. Therefore, changes in the composition of our income or assets or the value of our assets may cause us to become a PFIC. The determination of the value of our assets (including goodwill not reflected on our balance sheet) may be based, in part, on the quarterly market value of our ADSs, which is subject to change and may be volatile.

The classification of certain of our income as active or passive, and certain of our assets as producing active or passive income, and hence whether we are or will become a PFIC, depends on the interpretation of certain United States Treasury Regulations as well as certain IRS guidance relating to the classification of assets as producing active or passive income. Such regulations and guidance are potentially subject to different interpretations. If due to different interpretations of such regulations and guidance the percentage of our passive income or the percentage of our assets treated as producing passive income increases, we may be a PFIC in one or more taxable years.

If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which a United States person holds ADSs, certain adverse United States federal income tax consequences could apply to such United States person. See “Item 10. Additional Information — E. Taxation — United States Federal Income Taxation — Passive Foreign Investment Company.”

If a United States person is treated as owning at least 10% of our shares, such holder may be subject to adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences.

If a United States person is treated as owning (directly, indirectly or constructively) at least 10% of the value or voting power of our stock (including our ordinary shares and ADSs), such person may be treated as a “United States shareholder” with respect to us. A United States shareholder of a “controlled foreign corporation” may be required to report annually and include in its U.S. taxable income its pro rata share of “Subpart F income,” “global intangible

low-taxed

income” and investments in U.S. property by controlled foreign corporations, regardless of whether we make any distributions. An individual that is a United States shareholder with respect to a controlled foreign corporation generally would not be allowed certain tax deductions or foreign tax credits that would be allowed to a United States shareholder that is a U.S. corporation. Failure to comply with these reporting obligations may subject you to significant monetary penalties and may prevent the statute of limitations with respect to your U.S. federal income tax return for the year for which reporting was due from starting. We cannot provide any assurances that we will assist investors in determining whether we are a controlled foreign corporation or whether such investor is treated as a United States shareholder with respect to us or furnish to any United States shareholders information that may be necessary to comply with the aforementioned reporting and tax paying obligations. A United States investor should consult its advisors regarding the potential application of these rules to an investment in the stock.

 

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ITEM 4.

INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY

A. HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMPANY

We were established as an international business company, limited by shares, under the laws of the British Virgin Islands as CYBER ONE AGENTS LIMITED on August 2, 2000 and subsequently

re-registered

as a business company, limited by shares, under the British Virgin Islands Business Companies Act, 2004. New Cotai acquired a 40% equity interest in us on December 6, 2006. MCO Cotai acquired a 60% equity interest in us on July 27, 2011. Melco Resorts is an exempted company incorporated with limited liability under the Companies Act (as amended) of the Cayman Islands and its American Depositary Shares are listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market in the United States. On January 17, 2012, our name was changed from CYBER ONE AGENTS LIMITED to STUDIO CITY INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED.

In October 2001, we were granted a land concession in Cotai by the Macau government for the development of Studio City, a cinematically-themed integrated resort. Studio City commenced operations on October 27, 2015. We conduct our principal activities through our subsidiaries, which are primarily located in Macau. We currently operate the

non-gaming

operations of Studio City. The Gaming Operator operates the Studio City Casino. See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions — B. Related Party Transactions.”

Prior to the completion of our initial public offering, we engaged in a series of organizational transactions, or the Organizational Transactions, through which substantially all of our assets and liabilities were contributed to our subsidiary, MSC Cotai, a business company limited by shares incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, in exchange for newly-issued shares of MSC Cotai. For more information on the Organizational Transactions, see “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions — B. Related Party Transactions —

Pre-IPO

Organizational Transactions.” In connection with such Organizational Transactions, we redomiciled by way of continuation as an exempted company incorporated with limited liability under the laws of the Cayman Islands on October 15, 2018.

In October 2018, we completed the initial public offering of our ADSs, each of which represents four Class A ordinary shares, and listed our ADSs on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “MSC.” For more information on our corporate structure, see “— C. Organizational Structure.”

For a description of our principal capital expenditures for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects — B. Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

Our principal executive offices are located at 36th Floor, The Centrium, 60 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong. Our telephone number at this address is

852-2598-3600

and our fax number is

852-2537-3618.

Our website is www.studiocity-macau.com. The information contained on our website is not part of this annual report on Form

20-F.

The SEC maintains an internet site (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.

B. BUSINESS OVERVIEW

Overview

Studio City is a world-class integrated resort located in Cotai, Macau and its principal operating activities are the provision of gaming related services and the hospitality business in Macau. Studio City Casino has 250 mass market gaming tables and, in 2019, approximately 947 gaming machines, which we believe provide

 

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higher margins and attractive long-term growth opportunities. The mass market focus of Studio City Casino is currently complemented with junket and premium direct VIP rolling chip operations, which include up to 45 tables authorized for VIP rolling chip operations. In 2020, excluding gaming tables and gaming machines that were not in operation due to government-mandated closures or social distancing measures in relation to the

COVID-19

outbreak, Studio City Casino had an average of approximately 282 gaming tables and 586 gaming machines in operation. Our cinematically-themed integrated resort is designed to attract a wide range of customers by providing highly differentiated

non-gaming

attractions, including the world’s first

figure-8

Ferris wheel, a Batman flying theater ride, a deluxe night club and karaoke and a

5,000-seat

live performance arena. Studio City features approximately 1,600 luxury hotel rooms, diverse food and beverage establishments and approximately 25,000 square meters of complementary retail space. Studio City was named Casino/Integrated Resort of the Year in 2016 by the International Gaming Awards.

Studio City is strategically located in Cotai, as one of the few dedicated Cotai hotel-casino resort stops on the Macau Light Rapid Transit Line, with an access bridge leading to Studio City.

Studio City has delivered continuous earnings improvement since commencing operations in October 2015 through 2019. We have grown total operating revenues from US$539.8 million in 2017 to US$571.2 million in 2018 and further to US$626.7 million in 2019. We generated net income attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited of US$33.6 million in 2019 and net losses attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited of US$76.4 million and US$21.6 million in 2017 and 2018, respectively. We increased our Adjusted EBITDA from US$279.1 million in 2017 to US$314.8 million in 2018 and further to US$361.0 million in 2019, and expanded our Adjusted EBITDA margin from 51.7% to 55.1% and further to 57.6%, respectively, for these periods. However, due to the temporary casino closure and enhanced quarantine and social distancing measures to contain the

COVID-19

pandemic in 2020, our total operating revenues decreased from US$626.7 million in 2019 to US$49.2 million in 2020 and we generated net loss attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited of US$321.6 million in 2020 compared to a net income attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited of US$33.6 million in 2019.

Studio City Casino is operated by the Gaming Operator, one of the subsidiaries of Melco Resorts and a holder of a gaming subconcession, and we operate the

non-gaming

businesses of Studio City.

We generated all of our revenues for each of the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 from our operations in Macau, the sole market in which we compete to operate. For further information on the Macau gaming market, see “— Market and Competition — Macau Gaming Market.”

Gaming

Studio City Casino currently consists of a mass market table gaming area, a gaming machine area and a VIP gaming area, with a total operating gross floor area of 23,745 square meters, located on the first two floors of Studio City. Studio City Casino gaming customers currently include mass market and VIP rolling chip players. Studio City Casino catered exclusively to mass market players until it launched its VIP rolling chip operations in November 2016, including both junket and premium direct VIP offerings. For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, Studio City Casino’s gross gaming revenues was US$264.4 million, US$1,432.0 million and US$1,583.8 million, respectively.

Studio City Casino currently has 250 mass market gaming tables and, in 2019, approximately 947 gaming machines. In 2020, excluding gaming tables and gaming machines that were not in operation due to government-mandated closures or social distancing measures in relation to the

COVID-19

outbreak, Studio City Casino had an average of approximately 282 gaming tables and 586 gaming machines in operation. These gaming tables offer gaming patrons a variety of options including baccarat, three card baccarat, fortune baccarat, blackjack, craps, Caribbean stud poker, roulette, sic bo, fortune 3 card poker and other games. Studio City Casino also offers VIP rolling chip operations, with up to 45 tables authorized for such operations until December 31,

 

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2021, subject to early termination with 30 days’ prior notice by either the Gaming Operator or Studio City Entertainment. We currently expect our business strategy going forward to continue to focus on cultivating further growth in the premium mass and mass market segments at the Studio City Casino and enhancing our differentiated

non-gaming

amenities to complement our gaming operations.

Mass Market Segment

The mass market gaming area caters to mass market gaming patrons and offers a full range of games, 24 hours daily. The layout of the gaming floor is organized using the different market segments that Studio City Casino targets, namely the mainstream mass market and the premium mass market. The premium mass market gaming area has decorations and features distinctive from the mainstream mass market gaming area.

Studio City Casino’s mass market table games drop and hold percentage were US$0.73 billion and 26.6% in 2020, respectively, US$3.49 billion and 29.1% in 2019, respectively, and US$3.27 billion and 26.5% in 2018, respectively. As a result, Studio City Casino had gross gaming revenue from mass market table games of US$193.8 million, US$1,014.2 million and US$868.5 million in 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Studio City Casino’s gaming machine handle and gaming machine win rate were US$0.74 billion and 2.8% in 2020, respectively, US$2.60 billion and 3.1%, respectively, in 2019, and US$2.48 billion and 3.4% in 2018, respectively. As a result, Studio City Casino had gross gaming revenue from gaming machine of US$20.2 million, US$79.5 million and US$83.9 million in 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Average net win per gaming machine per day in 2020, 2019 and 2018 was US$98, US$230 and US$240, respectively.

Studio City Casino will continue to

re-examine

the mass market gaming areas to maximize table utilization, to innovate gaming products and to invest in technologies and analytical capability to enhance table productivity and customer retention.

VIP Rolling Chip Segment

In November 2016, Studio City Casino introduced VIP rolling chip operations, including both junket and premium direct VIP offerings, which include up to 45 tables authorized for VIP rolling chip operations. The VIP rolling chip area is comprised of private gaming salons or areas that have restricted access to rolling chip patrons and offer more personalized and ultra-premium services than the mainstream and premium mass market gaming areas. It is also situated at a higher level than the mass market gaming areas with generally

higher-end

dining and beverage options and special decorations. The Gaming Operator will continue VIP rolling chip operations at the Studio City Casino until December 31, 2021, subject to early termination with 30 days’ prior notice by either Studio City Entertainment or the Gaming Operator. Studio City Casino’s VIP rolling chip volume, VIP rolling chip win rate and VIP rolling chip gross gaming revenue were US$2.21 billion, 2.28% and US$50.4 million, respectively, in 2020, US$10.99 billion, 3.08% and US$338.3 million, respectively, in 2019 and US$21.24 billion, 2.97% and US$631.4 million, respectively, in 2018.

Hotel

Studio City includes self-managed luxury hotel facilities with approximately 1,600 hotel rooms, all elegantly furnished and complete with services and amenities to match. The hotel facilities include indoor and outdoor swimming pools, beauty salon, spa, fitness centers and other amenities. The Studio City hotel features two distinct towers, enabling it to provide a variety of accommodation selections to visitors. The premium

all-suite

Star Tower offers approximately 600 suites complete with lavish facilities and dedicated services for a luxury retreat. There are six types of suites which range in size from the Star Premier King Suite at 62 square meters to the Star Grand Deluxe Suite at 211 square meters which includes a living room, dining room and a separate bedroom. Personalized

check-in,

private indoor heated pool and health club can be enjoyed by all Star Tower guests. The Celebrity Tower with approximately 1,000 rooms brings a deluxe hotel experience to a board range of travelers, which includes access to all of the entertainment facilities offered by Studio City. It offers

 

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eleven different room packages ranging from the Celebrity King at 42 square meters to the Celebrity Deluxe Suite at 95 square meters. The following table sets forth certain data with respect to our hotel for the years indicated:

 

		For the Year Ended December 31,
		2020				2019				2018
Average daily rate (US$)			128				135				138
REVPAR (US$)			36				135				138
Occupancy rate			28	%			100	%			100	%

Studio City garnered the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star recognition for its hotel, spa and restaurant for two consecutive years in 2020. Its Star Tower achieved the Sharecare Health Security VERIFIED

®

with Forbes Travel Guide certification in 2020, recognizing its commitment to creating a culture of accountability and following global best practices to heighten health security.

Dining

We believe that our selection of dining options that include restaurants, bars and lounges offering a diverse selection of local, regional and international cuisine attracts more visitors to Studio City. Studio City offers both

high-end

and casual dining restaurants, cafes, bars and lounges to cater to the tastes and preferences of our patrons. A wide range of food and beverage outlets are located throughout Studio City, including traditional Cantonese, northern Chinese, South East Asian, Japanese, Italian and other western and international cuisines as well as local Macau cuisine. Studio City offers gourmet dining with a range of signature restaurants including one Michelin-starred

Pearl Dragon

.

Retail

Studio City has approximately 25,000 square meters of themed and innovative retail space at the lower levels of the property. It has a net leasable area of approximately 23,000 square meters. The retail mall showcases a variety of shops and food and beverage offerings including a small portion of our self-operated retail outlets.

The Boulevard at Studio City provides a unique retail experience to visitors. The immersive retail entertainment environment at Studio City enables visitors to shop in a streetscape environment with featured streets and squares inspired by iconic shopping and entertainment locations, including New York’s Times Square. Studio City’s retail space offers a mix of fashion-forward labels and internationally-renowned brands.

Entertainment

Macau is an increasingly popular tourist destination and in order to attract more tourists and locals, Studio City incorporated many entertainment themes and elements which appeal to the mainstream mass consumer. Our diverse, immersive and entertainment-driven experiences and innovative venues cater to a wide range of demographic groups, including young professionals and families with children. As a major tourist attraction in Macau, Studio City’s premier entertainment offerings help to drive visitation to our property. Studio City’s entertainment offerings include:

 

•

Golden Reel — an iconic landmark of Macau, it is the world’s first figure-8 and Asia’s highest Ferris wheel. The Golden Reel rises approximately 130 meters high between Studio City’s Art Deco-inspired twin hotel towers. The iconic landmark features 17 spacious Steampunk-themed cabins that can each accommodate up to ten passengers.

 

•

Batman Dark Flight — the world’s first flight simulation ride based on the “Batman” franchise. Enhanced with the latest in flight simulation technology and the very best in audio design and visual

 

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graphics, this immersive flying theater ride provides thrill-seekers with a dynamic flying experience based on a multi-sensory, action-packed, digitally-animated Batman storyline with Batman’s heart-stopping encounters.

 

•

Studio City Event Center — a 5,000-seat multi-purpose arena representing the centerpiece of Studio City’s live entertainment offerings. The complex has a first-class premium seating level offering 16 private VIP suites, in addition to approximately 242 luxury club seats and a deluxe club lounge. Each VIP suite is spacious and elegantly designed, coming fully equipped with stylish furnishings and a flat-screen TV. Playing host to concerts, theatrical shows, sporting events, family shows, award ceremonies and more, the Studio City Event Center is the next generation in versatile, innovative, premier and live entertainment venues.

 

•

Studio City Water Park (opening in 2021) — a water park featuring several high-thrill and family-focused attractions, including the High Point Twister, a 20-meter tall slide tower with waterslides for individuals and small families alike, and the Golden Bucket, a massive water play structure with a classic tipping bucket, four slides and over 60 water features. For small children, the Studio City Water Park includes the Little Lagoon with four slides for kids of all ages and their parents. Finally, the Studio City Water Park also includes Studio City’s Riverscape, a jungle-themed action river that is over 450 meters long which offers three routes of differing lengths, three white-sand beaches and 16 water features throughout the guest’s journey.

 

•

Macau EStadium — a high-performance e-Sports venue that can seat approximately 220 guests. Macau EStadium is equipped with virtual non-casino gaming facilities and cutting-edge technology capable of hosting an array of e-Sports events, including top multiplayer gaming tournaments and live-streaming of e-Sports events from other parts of the world.

 

•

Legend Heroes PVRk — a technology-based entertainment park which combines virtual technology with the physical world to deliver an immersive user experience. Legend Heroes PVRk features flight simulation, VR simulations, Bowling Alleys, a free arcade, trendy retail, and a high-tech café featuring Macau’s only Robot Barista.

 

•

Studio 88 KTV — a deluxe night club and karaoke.

 

•

Studio 8 — the only TV studio facility in Macau to provide open access to “plug-in and play” facilities to create a fully operational television recording and broadcast studio. Studio 8 is a state-of-the-art studio facility with all the best-in-class infrastructure to support portable specialist equipment required for world-class TV production.

Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions

Studio City offers over 4,000 square meters of indoor event space with flexible configurations and customization options, which can accommodate a variety of events from an exclusive banquet to an international conference. The Grand Ballroom space of 1,820 square meters can be configured into three separate ballrooms with a banquet capacity of 1,200 seats or a cocktail reception for 1,500 people. Eight individual salons, together with the Grand Ballroom, provide a banquet seating capacity of up to 1,300 seats or meeting and

break-out

spaces with extensive

pre-function

areas for up to 1,800 people. Many of the salons offer views of the pool deck and have private outdoor terraces for coffee and lunch breaks.

MICE events typically take place on weekdays, thereby drawing traffic during the portion of the week when hotels and casinos in Macau normally experience lower demand relative to weekends and holidays when occupancy and room rates are typically at their peak due to leisure travel. Since its opening, events held at Studio City included live concerts from headline acts such as Madonna, four time Grammy Awards nominee FLO RIDA, Aaron Kwok (

郭富城

), Han Hong (

韓紅

), Kenny G,

A-mei

(

張惠妹

) and Jam Hsiao (

蕭敬騰

) as well as themed events such as a

three-day

Wedding Showcase (featuring dream wedding venue

set-ups,

tableware demonstrations, wedding gown catwalk shows and instrumental performances), a Chinese New Year’s Promo, Shakemas Campaign for Christmas, Michelin Guide Street Food Festival and The Super 8 basketball tournament.

 

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Customers

We seek to cater to a broad range of customers with a focus on mass market players through the diverse gaming and

non-gaming

facilities and amenities at Studio City. The loyalty program, which is operated by the Gaming Operator jointly with other Gaming Operator casinos, at Studio City ensures that each customer segment is specifically recognized and incentivized in accordance with their revenue contribution. The loyalty program is segmented into several tiers. Members earn points for their gaming spending which may be redeemed for a range of retail gifts and complimentary vouchers to be used in our restaurants, bars, shows, hotel and Studio City Casino. Members also receive other benefits such as discounts, parking entitlement and invitations to member-only promotional events. Dedicated customer hosting programs provide service to our most valuable customers and these customers enjoy exclusive access to private luxury gaming salons. In addition, we utilize sophisticated analytical programs and capabilities to track the behavior and spending patterns of our patrons. We believe these tools will help deepen our understanding of our customers to optimize yields and make continued improvements to our Studio City property.

Gaming Patrons

Gaming patrons currently include mass market players and VIP rolling chip players.

Mass market players are

non-VIP

rolling chip players that come to Studio City Casino for a variety of reasons, including our brand, the quality and comfort of the mass market gaming offerings. Mass market players are classified as mainstream mass market and premium mass market players. Our premium mass market players generally do not take advantage of our luxury amenities to the same degree as VIP rolling chip players, but they are offered a variety of premium mass market amenities and loyalty programs, such as reserved space on the regular gaming floor and various other services, that are generally unavailable to mainstream mass market players. Mass market players play table games and gaming machines for cash stakes that are typically lower than those of VIP rolling chip players.

VIP rolling chip players are patrons who participate in Studio City Casino’s

in-house

rolling chip programs or in the rolling chip programs of the gaming promoters at the dedicated VIP gaming areas. These patrons include premium direct players sourced through the marketing efforts of the Gaming Operator, and junket players sourced by the gaming promoters. VIP rolling chip players can earn a variety of gaming related cash commissions and complimentary products and services, such as rooms, food and beverage and retail products provided by the Gaming Operator. The gaming promoters typically offer similar complimentary products or services and extend credit to the junket players sourced by them.

Non-Gaming

Patrons

We provide

non-gaming

patrons with a broad array of accommodations and leisure and entertainment offerings featured at Studio City, including interactive attractions, rides and attractive retail offerings and food and beverage selections.

We assess and evaluate our focus on different market segments from time to time and adjust our operations accordingly.

Gaming Promoters

Gaming promoters in Macau are independent third parties that include both individuals and corporate entities, all of which are officially required to be licensed by the DICJ. The Gaming Operator has procedures to screen prospective gaming promoters prior to their engagement and conducts periodic checks that are designed to ensure that the gaming promoters with whom the Gaming Operator associates meet suitability standards.

 

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The gaming promoters are compensated through commission arrangements that are calculated on a monthly or a per trip basis. Commission is calculated either by reference to revenue share or monthly rolling chip volume. The gaming promoters may also receive complimentary allowances for food and beverage, hotel accommodation and transportation.

Advertising and Marketing

In order to be competitive in the Macau gaming environment, the Gaming Operator holds various promotions and special events at Studio City and operates a loyalty program for patrons. In addition, Studio City participates in cross marketing and sales campaigns developed by the Gaming Operator. We believe this arrangement helps reduce marketing costs through scale synergies and enhances cross-revenue opportunities.

Moreover, we seek to attract customers to Studio City and to grow our customer base over time by undertaking a variety of advertising and marketing activities.

There are public relations and marketing and branding teams dedicated to Studio City that cultivate media relationships, promote Studio City’s brands and directly liaise with customers within target Asian and other countries in order to explore media opportunities in various markets. Advertising activities at Studio City are rolled out through a variety of local and regional media platforms, including digital, social media, print, television, online, outdoor as well as collateral and direct mail pieces. We also engage celebrities for marketing activities. We believe that these marketing and incentive programs will increase our brand awareness and drive further visitation to Studio City.

Awards

In recognition of Studio City’s facilities, games, customer service, atmosphere, style and design, Studio City was awarded the International Five Star Standard, Best Large Hotel Macau, Best City Hotel Macau, Best Resort Hotel Macau and Best Convention Hotel Macau in the International Hotel Awards

2017-18.

Studio City was the Global Winner in the “Luxury Casino Hotel” category and the Regional Winner (East Asia) in the “Luxury Family Hotel” category of the 2017 World Luxury Hotel Awards. The property was also awarded the “Casino/Integrated Resort of the Year” in the International Gaming Awards in 2016 and honored as “Asia’s Leading New Resort” in World Travel Awards in 2016. Studio City’s Star Tower received the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star recognition the fourth consecutive year in 2021 and achieved the Sharecare Health Security VERIFIED

®

with Forbes Travel Guide certification in 2020, recognizing its commitment to creating a culture of accountability and following global best practices to heighten health security. Zensa Spa was awarded the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star recognition for the third time in 2021 and was named “World’s Most Luxurious Spa” by the Guide in 2018. Studio City’s signature Cantonese restaurant,

Pearl Dragon

, received its third Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star recognition in 2021 and was selected as a Regional Winner in the “Chinese Cuisine” category at the 2020 World Luxury Restaurant Award. It received

one-Michelin-starred

establishment rank for the fifth consecutive year in the Michelin Guide Hong Kong Macau 2021, while Bi Ying has once again been recommended in the guidebook. In addition,

Pearl Dragon

and

Bi Ying

were included in the list of Hong Kong Tatler’s Best Restaurants guide in 2017.

Market and Competition

Macau Gaming Market

Gaming in Macau is administered through government-sanctioned concessions awarded to three different concessionaires: SJM, Galaxy and Wynn Resorts Macau.

SJM is a subsidiary of SJM Holdings Ltd., a company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in which family members of Mr. Lawrence Ho, the chairman of our company and the chairman and chief executive

 

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officer of Melco Resorts, have shareholding interests. SJM currently operates multiple casinos throughout Macau. SJM (through its predecessor Tourism and Entertainment Company of Macau Limited) commenced its gaming operations in Macau in 1962 and is developing its project in Cotai, which is currently expected to open in the first half of 2021.

SJM has granted a subconcession to MGM Grand. MGM Grand is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and was originally formed as a joint venture by

MGM-Mirage

and Ms. Pansy Ho, sister of Mr. Lawrence Ho. MGM Grand opened MGM Macau on the Macau Peninsula in December 2007 and MGM Cotai in February 2018.

Galaxy currently operates multiple casinos in Macau, including StarWorld, a hotel and casino resort in Macau’s central business and tourism district. The Galaxy Macau Resort opened in Cotai in May 2011 and the opening of Phase 2 of the Galaxy Macau Resort took place in May 2015. Galaxy is currently developing phase 3 of the Galaxy Macau Resort, which is currently expected to be completed and fully operational in the first half of 2022, while phase 4 is expected to be completed and operational within a few years after the completion of Phase 3.

Galaxy has granted a subconcession to Venetian Macau Limited, a subsidiary of Las Vegas Sands Corporation and Sands China Limited, which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, respectively. Las Vegas Sands Corporation is the developer of Sands Macao, The Venetian Macau, Sands Cotai Central and Parisian Macao. Venetian Macau Limited, with a subconcession under Galaxy’s concession, operates Sands Macao on the Macau peninsula, together with The Venetian Macau and the Plaza Casino at The Four Seasons Hotel Macao, which are located in Cotai. Venetian Macau Limited also operated Sands Cotai Central in Cotai, which has been rebranded and redeveloped into The Londoner Macau, which opened in February 2021. Sands China Ltd. opened the Parisian Macao in Cotai in September 2016.

Wynn Resorts Macau, is a subsidiary of Wynn Macau, Limited, which is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, and of Wynn Resorts Limited, which is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market. Wynn Resorts Macau opened Wynn Macau in September 2006 on the Macau Peninsula and an extension called Encore in 2010. In August 2016, Wynn Resorts Macau opened Wynn Palace, in Cotai. Melco Resorts Macau obtained its subconcession from Wynn Resorts Macau. Melco Resorts Macau, in addition to Studio City Casino, also operates Mocha Clubs, Altira Macau (located in Taipa Island), which opened in May 2007, and City of Dreams located in Cotai, which opened in June 2009. Phase 3 of City of Dreams, which includes the Morpheus Hotel, opened in June 2018.

The existing concessions and subconcessions do not place any limit on the number of gaming facilities that may be operated. In addition to facing competition from existing operations of these concessionaires and subconcessionaires, we will face increased competition when any of them constructs new or renovates

pre-existing

casinos in Macau or enters into leasing, services or other arrangements with hotel owners, developers or other parties for the operation of casinos and gaming activities in new or renovated properties. Each of these concessionaires was permitted to grant one subconcession. The Macau government is currently considering the process of renewal, extension or grant of gaming concessions or subconcessions expiring in 2022. The Macau government further announced that the number of gaming tables in Macau should not exceed 5,500 until the end of the first quarter of 2013 and that, thereafter, for a period of ten years, the total number of gaming tables to be authorized will be limited to an average annual increase of 3%. These restrictions are not legislated or enacted into laws or regulations and, as such, different policies, including the policy on the annual increase rate in the number of gaming tables, may be adopted at any time by the relevant Macau government authorities. According to the DICJ, the number of gaming tables operating in Macau as of December 31, 2020 was 6,080. The Macau government has reiterated further that it does not intend to authorize the operation of any new casino or gaming area that was not previously authorized by the Macau government, or permit tables authorized for mass market gaming operations to be utilized for VIP gaming operations or authorize the expansion of existing casinos or gaming areas. However, the policies and laws of the Macau government may

 

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change and permit the Macau government to grant additional gaming concessions or subconcessions. Such change in policies may also result in a change in the number of gaming tables and casinos that the Macau government is prepared to authorize for operation.

Other Regional Markets

Studio City may also face competition from casinos and gaming resorts in other regions such as Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. Casinos and integrated gaming resorts are becoming increasingly popular in Asia, giving rise to more opportunities for industry participants and increasing regional competition.

Singapore legalized casino gaming in 2006. Genting Singapore PLC opened its resort, Resorts World Sentosa, in Sentosa, Singapore in February 2010 and Las Vegas Sands Corporation opened its casino at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore in April 2010. In December 2016, a law which conceptually enables the development of integrated resorts in Japan took effect, with corresponding legislation providing a legislative framework for the development and implementation of integrated resorts in Japan taking effect in July 2018. In addition, several other Asian countries are considering or are in the process of legalizing gambling and establishing casino-based entertainment complexes.

We may also face competition from hotels and resorts, including many of the largest gaming, hospitality, leisure and resort companies in the world. These include Travellers International Hotel Group, Inc., Bloomberry Resorts Corporation, Tiger Resorts Leisure and Entertainment Inc., Melco Resorts Leisure (PHP) Corporation as well as Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.

Genting Highlands is a popular international gaming resort in Malaysia, approximately a

one-hour

drive from Kuala Lumpur. We believe that the Genting Highlands caters to a different market than Macau, in large part because of the distance and travel times from the Greater China population centers from which Macau is expected to draw its principal traffic.

South Korea has allowed casinos for foreigners for some time including Seven Luck Casino and Paradise Walker Hill Casino in Seoul and Paradise Casinos in Busan and Incheon. Kangwon Land Casino operates the only casino in the country that is open to Korean nationals.

Star Cruises (Hong Kong) Ltd., or Star Cruises, is a leading cruise line in the Asia Pacific and is one of the largest cruise line operators in the world. Worldwide, Star Cruises presently operates a combined fleet of approximately 20 ships with more than 26,000 lower berths. Star Cruises vessels in Asia Pacific offer extensive gaming activities to their passengers. These cruise vessels may compete for Asian-based patrons with Studio City Casino gaming operations in Macau.

There are a number of casino complexes in certain tourist destinations in Cambodia such as Dailin, Bavet, Poipet, Sihanoukville and Koh Kong, but they are relatively small compared to those in Macau.

In addition, there are major gaming facilities in Australia located in Melbourne, Perth, Sydney and the Gold Coast.

Seasonality

Macau, which is our principal market of operation, experiences many peaks and seasonal effects. The “Golden Week” and “Chinese New Year” holidays are generally the key periods where business and visitation increase considerably in Macau. While we may experience fluctuations in revenues and cash flows from month to month, we do not believe that our business is materially impacted by seasonality.

 

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Land and Properties

Land Concession

In October 2001, we entered into a land concession contract with the Macau government for the land on which Studio City is located. The contract was subsequently amended in 2012 and 2015.

The granted land is located in Cotai, Macau, with a total area of approximately 130,789 square meters. The gross construction area of our granted land is approximately 707,078 square meters. Currently, the gross floor area of Studio City is approximately 457,462 square meters.

The land concession contract has a term of 25 years commencing on October 2001 and is renewable for further consecutive periods of ten years, subject to applicable legislation in Macau. Under the land concession contract, the Macau government may exercise its termination rights under certain conditions.

Pursuant to our land concession and the extension granted by the Macau government, our granted land, including the remaining project, must be fully developed by May 31, 2022. See “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Our Business — We are developing the remaining project for Studio City under the terms of a land concession which currently require us to fully develop the land on which Studio City is located by May 31, 2022. Any extension of the development period is subject to Macau government review and approval at its discretion. In the event of any failure to complete the remaining project, we could be forced to forfeit all or part of our investment in Studio City, along with our interest in the land on which Studio City is located and the building and structures on such land.”

Development of Our Remaining Project

Under our current plan for the remaining project, the remaining project is expected to consist of two hotel towers with approximately 900 rooms and suites and a gaming area. In addition, we currently envision the remaining project to also contain a waterpark with indoor and outdoor areas. Other attractions expected to be part of the remaining project include MICE space, retail and food and beverage outlets and a cineplex. As of December 31, 2020, we have incurred approximately US$256.2 million of aggregate costs relating to the development of our remaining project, primarily related to the initial design and planning costs. Based on our current plan for the remaining project, we currently expect a project budget of approximately US$1.25 billion to US$1.30 billion for the development of the remaining project (exclusive of any

pre-opening

costs and financing costs). With the disruptions from the

COVID-19

outbreak, the construction period has been delayed and is expected to extend beyond the estimated approximately 32 months and the current development period. The extension of the relevant development period is subject to Macau government review and approval at its discretion.

Our plan for the remaining project may be subject to further revision and change and detailed design elements remain subject to further refinement and development. See

“

Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Our Business — We are developing the remaining project for Studio City under the terms of a land concession which currently require us to fully develop the land on which Studio City is located by May 31, 2022. Any extension of the development period is subject to Macau government review and approval at its discretion. In the event of any failure to complete the remaining project, we could be forced to forfeit all or part of our investment in Studio City, along with our interest in the land on which Studio City is located and the building and structures on such land,” “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Our Business — Future development of the remaining project is subject to significant risks and uncertainties,” and “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Our Business — We may not be able to obtain adequate financing on satisfactory terms for our existing business and/or remaining project, or at all.”

Properties

Apart from the property site for Studio City, we do not own or lease any other properties.

 

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Intellectual Property

As part of our branding strategy, we have applied for or registered a number of trademarks (including “Studio City” trademarks) in Macau, Hong Kong and other jurisdictions for use in connection with Studio City. Where possible, we intend to continue to register trademarks as we develop, review and implement our branding strategy for Studio City. However, our current and any future trademarks are subject to expiration and we cannot guarantee that we will be able to renew all of them upon expiration.

Our trademarks and other intellectual property rights distinguish our services and products from those of our competitors and contribute to our ability to compete in our target markets. To protect our intellectual property, we rely on a combination of trademark, copyright and trade secret laws. To protect our intellectual property rights, we monitor any infringement or misappropriation of our intellectual property rights, and staff working at Studio City are generally subject to confidentiality obligations. For our license agreements that are required for our operations, see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects — C. Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, etc.”

Insurance

We maintain and benefit from, and expect to continue to maintain and benefit from, insurance of the types and in amounts that are customary in the industry and which we believe will reasonably protect our interests. This includes commercial general liability (including product liability and accidental pollution liability), automobile liability, workers compensation, property damage and machinery breakdown and business interruption insurances. We also require certain contractors who may perform work on Studio City, as well as other vendors, to maintain certain insurances. In each case, all such insurances are subject to various caps on liability, both on a per claim and aggregate basis, as well as certain deductibles and other terms and conditions. We do not maintain

key-man

life insurance. See “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Our Business — We may not have sufficient insurance coverage.”

Environmental Matters

We are committed to environmental awareness and have developed

built-in

innovative and energy saving green technologies for operations at Studio City. Currently, we are not aware of any material environmental complaints having been made against us.

Our Internal Control Policies

We have adopted our own governance policies and internal control measures in order to achieve operations in a professional manner in compliance with its, and Melco Resorts’, internal control requirements and applicable laws.

The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, or the FCPA, and Macau laws prohibit us and the staff and agents participating in the operations in Studio City from offering or giving money or any other item of value to win or retain business or to influence any act or decision of any government official. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, or the Code, includes provisions relating to compliance of all applicable anti-corruption laws including FCPA and the relevant Macau laws. The Ethical Business Practices Program covers corruption in both public and private sectors. It also covers the activities of our shareholders (to the extent they act or take actions on our behalf), directors, officers, employees and dedicated staff members performing services solely at Studio City.

Studio City Casino is managed and operated by the Gaming Operator guided by requirements under the Subconcession Contract and applicable laws and Melco Resorts’ governance policies, including a set of anti-money laundering policies and procedures, or AML Policy, approved by the DICJ, addressing requirements issued by the DICJ and the DICJ’s instructions on anti-money laundering, counter-terrorist financing and other applicable laws and regulations in Macau.

 

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There are training programs in place with the aim that all relevant staff involved in gaming operations managed by the Gaming Operator understand such AML Policy and the related procedures. The Gaming Operator also uses an integrated IT system to track and automatically generate significant cash transaction reports and, if permitted by the DICJ and the Finance Information Bureau, has the capability to submit those reports electronically.

Gaming Regulations

The ownership and operation of casino gaming facilities in Macau are subject to the general civil and commercial laws and specific gaming laws, in particular, Law No. 16/2001, or the Macau Gaming Law. Macau’s gaming operations are also subject to the grant of a concession or subconcession by, and regulatory control of, the Macau government. See “— The Gaming Operator’s Subconcession.”

The DICJ is the supervisory authority and regulator of the gaming industry in Macau. The core functions of the DICJ are:

 

•

to collaborate in the definition of gaming policies;

 

•

to supervise and monitor the activities of the concessionaires and subconcessionaires;

 

•

to investigate and monitor the continuing suitability and financial capacity requirements of concessionaires, subconcessionaires and gaming promoters;

 

•

to issue licenses to gaming promoters;

 

•

to license and certify gaming equipment; and

 

•

to issue directives and recommend practices with respect to the ordinary operation of casinos.

Below are the main features of the Macau Gaming Law, as supplemented by Administrative Regulation no. 26/2001, that are applicable to the gaming business.

 

•

If the Gaming Operator violates the Macau Gaming Law, the Gaming Operator’s subconcession could be limited, conditioned, suspended, revoked, or subject to compliance with certain statutory and regulatory procedures. In addition, the Gaming Operator, and the persons involved, could be subject to substantial fines for each separate violation of the Macau Gaming Law or of the Subconcession Contract at the discretion of the Macau government. Further, if the Gaming Operator terminates or suspends the operation of all or a part of its gaming operations without permission for reasons not due to force majeure, or in the event of the insufficiency of the gaming facilities and equipment which may affect the normal operation of its gaming business, the Macau government would be entitled to replace the Gaming Operator during such disruption and to ensure the continued operation of the gaming business. Under such circumstances, the Gaming Operator would bear the expenses required for maintaining the normal operation of the gaming business.

 

•

The Macau government also has the power to supervise concessionaires and subconcessionaires in order to assure financial stability and capability. See “— The Gaming Operator’s Subconcession — The Subconcession Contract” below for more details.

 

•

Any person who fails or refuses to apply for a finding of suitability after being ordered to do so by the Macau government may be found unsuitable. Any shareholder of a concessionaire or subconcessionaire holding shares equal to or in excess of 5% of such concessionaire’s or subconcessionaire’s share capital who is found unsuitable will be required to dispose of such shares by a certain time (the transfer itself being subject to the Macau government’s authorization). If a disposal has not taken place by the time so designated, such shares must be acquired by the concessionaire or subconcessionaire. The Gaming Operator will be subject to disciplinary action if, after it receives notice that a person is unsuitable to be a shareholder or to have any other relationship with it, the Gaming Operator:

 

•

pays that person any dividend or interest upon its shares;

 

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•

allows that person to exercise, directly or indirectly, any voting right conferred through shares held by that person;

 

•

pays remuneration in any form to that person for services rendered or otherwise; or

 

•

fails to pursue all lawful efforts to require that unsuitable person to relinquish his or her shares.

 

•

The Macau government also requires prior approval for the creation of a lien over shares or property comprising a casino and gaming equipment and utensils of a concession or subconcession holder. In addition, the creation of restrictions on its shares in respect of any public offering requires the approval of the Macau government to be effective.

 

•

The Macau government must give its prior approval to changes in control through a merger, consolidation, shares acquisition, or any act or conduct by any person whereby such person obtains control of the Gaming Operator. Entities seeking to acquire control of a concessionaire or subconcessionaire must satisfy the Macau government with regards to a variety of stringent standards prior to assuming control. The Macau government may also require controlling shareholders, officers, directors and other persons having a material relationship or involvement with the entity proposing to acquire control, to be investigated for suitability as part of the approval process of the transaction.

Non-compliance

with these obligations could lead to the revocation of the Gaming Operator’s subconcession and could materially and adversely affect its gaming operations.

The Macau government has also enacted other gaming legislation, rules and policies. Further, it imposed policies, regulations and restrictions that affect the minimum age required for entrance into casinos in Macau, the number of gaming tables that may be operated in Macau, location requirements for sites with gaming machine lounges, supply and requirements of gaming machines, equipment and systems, instruction on responsible gaming, restrictions on the utilization of mass market gaming tables for VIP gaming operations and other matters. In addition, the Macau government may consider enacting new regulations that may adversely affect the Gaming Operator’s gaming operations. The Gaming Operator’s inability to address the requirements or restrictions imposed by the Macau government under such legislation or rules could adversely affect its gaming operations, including Studio City Casino.

Gaming Promoters Regulations

Macau Administrative Regulation no. 6/2002, as amended pursuant to Administrative Regulation no. 27/2009, or the Gaming Promoters Regulation, regulates licensing of gaming promoters and the operations of gaming promotion business by gaming promoters. Applications to the DICJ by those seeking to become licensed gaming promoters must be sponsored by a concessionaire or subconcessionaire. Such concessionaire or subconcessionaire must confirm that it may contract the applicant’s services subject to the latter being licensed. Licenses are subject to annual renewal and a list of licensed gaming promoters is published every year in the Macau Official Gazette. The DICJ monitors each gaming promoter and its staff and collaborators. In October 2015, the DICJ issued specific accounting related instructions applicable to gaming promoters and their operations. Any failure by gaming promoters to comply with such instructions may impact their license and ability to operate in Macau.

In addition, concessionaires and subconcessionaires are jointly liable for the activities of their gaming promoters and collaborators within their casinos. In addition to the licensing and suitability assessment process performed by the DICJ, all of the Gaming Operator’s gaming promoters undergo a thorough internal vetting procedures. The Gaming Operator conducts background checks and also conducts periodic reviews of the activities of each gaming promoter, its employees and its collaborators for possible

non-compliance

with Macau legal and regulatory requirements. Such reviews generally include investigations into compliance with applicable anti-money laundering laws and regulations as well as tax withholding requirements.

 

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Concessionaires and subconcessionaires are required to report periodically on commissions and other remunerations paid to their gaming promoters. A 5% tax must be withheld on commissions and other remunerations paid by a concessionaire or subconcessionaire to its gaming promoters. Under the Gaming Promoters Regulation and in accordance with the Secretary for Economy and Finance Dispatch no. 83/2009, effective as of September 11, 2009, a commission cap of 1.25% of net rolling has been in effect. Any bonuses, gifts, services or other advantages which are subject to monetary valuation and which are granted, directly or indirectly, inside or outside of Macau by any concessionaire or subconcessionaires or any company of their respective group to any gaming promoter shall be considered a commission. The commission cap regulations impose fines, ranging from MOP100,000 (US$12,523) up to MOP500,000 (US$62,614), on gaming operators that do not comply with the cap and other fines, ranging from MOP50,000 (US$6,261) up to MOP250,000 (US$31,307) on gaming operators that do not comply with their reporting obligations regarding commission payments. If breached, the legislation on commission caps has a sanction enabling the relevant government authority to make public a government decision imposing a fine on a concessionaire and subconcessionaire by publishing such decision on the DICJ website and in two Macau newspapers (in Chinese and Portuguese respectively). We believe the Gaming Operator has implemented the necessary internal control systems to ensure compliance with the commission cap and reporting obligations in accordance with applicable rules and regulations.

The Macau government is currently considering amending the Macau Administrative Regulation no. 6/2002. The Macau government is, among other things, proposing that the licensing requirements for gaming promoters be more stringent and restrictive, the imposition of new penalties and the increase of the amounts of current fines.

Gaming Credit Regulations

Macau Law no. 5/2004 has legalized the extension of gaming credit to patrons or gaming promoters by concessionaires and subconcessionaires. Gaming promoters may also extend credit to patrons upon obtaining an authorization by a concessionaire or subconcessionaire to carry out such activity. Assigning or transferring one’s authorization to extend gaming credit is not permitted. This statute sets forth filing obligations for those extending credit and the supervising role of the DICJ in this activity. Gaming debts contracted pursuant to this statute are a source of civil obligations and may be enforced in court.

Access to Casinos and Gaming Areas Regulations

Under Law no. 10/2012, as amended pursuant to Law no. 17/2018, the minimum age required for entrance into casinos in Macau is 21 years of age. The director of the DICJ may authorize employees under 21 years of age to temporarily enter casinos or gaming areas, after considering their special technical qualifications. In addition,

off-duty

gaming related employees of gaming operators and gaming promoters may not, starting from December 2019, access any casinos or gaming areas, except during the Chinese New Year festive season or under specific circumstances.

Smoking Regulations

Under the Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Law, as amended pursuant to Law no. 9/2017, from January 1, 2019, smoking on casino premises is only be permitted in authorized segregated smoking lounges with no gaming activities and such smoking lounges are required to meet certain standards determined by the Macau government.

Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Regulations

In conjunction with current gaming laws and regulations, we are required to comply with the laws and regulations relating to anti-money laundering activities in Macau. Law no. 2/2006 (as amended pursuant to Law

 

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no. 3/2017), the Administrative Regulation no. 7/2006 (as amended pursuant to Administrative Regulation no. 17/2017) and the DICJ Instruction no. 1/2016 in effect from May 13, 2016 (as amended pursuant to DICJ Instruction no. 1/2019), govern compliance requirements with respect to identifying, reporting and preventing anti-money laundering and terrorism financing crimes at casinos in Macau. Under these laws and regulations, the Gaming Operator is required to:

 

•

implement internal procedures and rules governing the prevention of anti-money laundering and terrorism financing crimes which are subject to prior approval from DICJ;

 

•

identify and evaluate the money laundering and terrorism financing risk inherent to gaming activities;

 

•

identify any customer who is in a stable business relationship with the Gaming Operator, who is a politically exposed person or any customer or transaction where there is a sign of money laundering or financing of terrorism or which involves significant sums of money in the context of the transaction, even if any sign of money laundering is absent;

 

•

refuse to deal with any customers who fail to provide any information requested by the Gaming Operator;

 

•

keep records on the identification of a customer for a period of five years;

 

•

establish a regime for electronic transfers;

 

•

keep individual records of all transactions related to gaming which involve credit securities;

 

•

keep records of all electronic transactions for amounts equal to or exceeding MOP8,000 (US$1,002) in cases of occasional transactions and MOP120,000 (US$15,027) in cases of transactions that arose in the context of a continuous business relationship;

 

•

notify the Finance Information Bureau if there is any sign of money laundering or financing of terrorism;

 

•

adopt a compliance function and appoint compliance officers; and

 

•

cooperate with the Macau government by providing all required information and documentation requested in relation to anti-money laundering activities.

Under Article 2 of Administrative Regulation no. 7/2006 (as amended pursuant to Administrative Regulation no. 17/2017) and the DICJ Instruction no. 1/2016 (as amended pursuant to DICJ Instruction no. 1/2019), the Gaming Operator is required to track and report transactions and granting of credit that are MOP500,000 (US$62,614) or above. Pursuant to the legal requirements above, if the customer provides all required information, after submitting the reports, the Gaming Operator may continue to deal with those customers that were reported to the DICJ and, in case of suspicious transactions, to the Finance Information Bureau.

The Gaming Operator employs internal controls and procedures designed to help ensure that gaming and other operations are conducted in a professional manner and in compliance with internal control requirements issued by the DICJ set forth in its instruction on anti-money laundering, the applicable laws and regulations in Macau, as well as the requirements set forth in the Subconcession Contract.

The Gaming Operator has developed a comprehensive anti-money laundering policy and related procedures covering its anti-money laundering responsibilities, which have been approved by the DICJ, and have training programs in place to ensure that all relevant employees understand such anti-money laundering policy and procedures. The Gaming Operator also uses an integrated IT system to track and automatically generate significant cash transaction reports and, if permitted by the DICJ and the Finance Information Bureau, to submit those reports electronically.

 

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Responsible Gaming Regulations

On October 18, 2019, the DICJ issued Instruction no. 4/2019, which came into effect on December 27, 2019, setting out measures for the implementation of responsible gaming principles. Under this instruction, concessionaires and subconcessionaires are required to implement certain measures to promote responsible gambling, including: making information available on the risks of gambling, responsible gambling and odds, both inside and outside the casinos and gaming areas and through electronic means; creation of information and counseling kiosks and a hotline; adequate regulation of lighting inside casinos and gaming areas; self-exclusion and exclusion at third party request procedures,

off-duty

gaming related employees entry restriction procedures, physical entry requirements, preventive measures for restricted access by persons under 21 years of age; public exhibition of time; creation and training of teams and a coordinator responsible for promoting responsible gambling.

Control of Cross-border Transportation of Cash Regulations

On June 12, 2017, Law no. 6/2017, with respect to the control of cross-border transportation of cash and other negotiable instruments to the bearer, was enacted. Such law came into effect on November 1, 2017. In accordance with such law, all individuals entering Macau with an amount in cash or negotiable instrument to the bearer equal to or higher than the amount determined by the order of the Chief Executive of Macau at MOP120,000 (US$15,027) will be required to declare such amount to the customs authorities. The customs authorities may also request an individual exiting Macau to declare if such individual is carrying an amount in cash or negotiable instruments to the bearer equal to or higher to such amount. Individuals that fail to duly complete the required declaration may be subject to a fine (ranging from 1% to 5% of the amount that exceeds the amount determined by the order of the Chief Executive of Macau for declaration purposes, such fine being at least MOP1,000 (US$125) and not exceeding MOP500,000 (US$62,614). In the event the relevant customs authorities find that the cash or negotiable instrument to the bearer carried by an individual while entering or exiting Macau may be associated with or result from any criminal activity, such incident shall be notified to the relevant criminal authorities and the relevant amounts shall be seized pending investigation.

Prevention and Suppression of Corruption in External Trade Regulations

In addition to the general criminal laws regarding corrupt practices in the public and private sector that are in force in Macau, on January 1, 2015, Law no. 10/2014, criminalizing corruption acts in external trade and providing for a system for prevention and suppression of such criminal acts, came into effect in Macau. Melco Resorts’ internal policies, which we follow, address this issue.

Asset Freezing Enforcement Regulations

On August 29, 2016, Law no. 6/2016, with respect to the framework for the enforcement of asset freezing orders, which comprised of United Nations Security Council sanctions resolutions for the fight against terrorism and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, was enacted. Under this law, the Chief Executive of Macau is the competent authority to enforce freezing orders and the Asset Freeze Coordination Commission must assist the Chief Executive of Macau in all technical aspects of such enforcement. Among other entities, gaming operators are subject to certain obligations and duties regarding the freezing of assets ordered by the United Nations Security Council sanctions resolutions, including reporting and cooperation obligations.

Foreign Exchange Regulations

Gaming operators in Macau may be authorized to open foreign exchange counters at their casinos and gaming areas subject to compliance with the Foreign Exchange Agencies Constitution and Operation Law

(Decree-Law

no. 38/97/M), the Exchange Rate Regime

(Decree-Law

no. 39/97/M) and the specific requirements determined by the Monetary Authority of Macau. The transaction permitted to be performed in such counters is limited to buying and selling bank bills and coins in foreign currency, and to buying travelers checks.

 

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Intellectual Property Rights Regulations

Our subsidiaries incorporated in Macau are subject to local intellectual property regulations. Intellectual property protection in Macau is supervised by the Intellectual Property Department of the Economic Services Bureau of the Macau government.

The applicable regime in Macau with regard to intellectual property rights is defined by two main laws. The Industrial Property Code

(Decree-Law

no. 97/99/M, as amended pursuant to Law no. 11/2001), covers (i) inventions meeting the patentability requirements; (ii) semiconductor topography products; (iii) trademarks; (iv) designations of origin and geographical indications; and (v) awards. The Regime of Copyright and Related Rights

(Decree-Law

no. 43/99/M, as amended by Law no. 5/2012), protects intellectual works and creations in the literary, scientific and artistic fields, by copyright and related rights.

Personal Data Regulations

Processing of personal data by our subsidiaries in Macau is subject to compliance with the Personal Data Protection Act (Law no. 8/2005) and, in the case of the Gaming Operator, any instructions issued by the DICJ from time to time. The Office for Personal Data Protection, or GPDP, is the regulatory authority in Macau in charge of supervising and enforcing the Personal Data Protection Act. Breaches are subject to civil liability, administrative and criminal sanctions.

The legal framework and the instructions issued by the DICJ require that certain procedures must be adopted before collecting, processing and/or transferring personal data, including obtaining consent from the data subject and/or notifying or requesting authorization from the GPDP and/or DICJ, as applicable, prior to processing personal data.

Cybersecurity Regulations

Law no. 13/2019, the Cybersecurity Law came into effect on December 21, 2019 and is intended to protect networks, systems and data of public and private operators of critical infra-structures, among which operators of games of fortune and chance or other games in casinos are included.

The cybersecurity system is composed of a Cybersecurity Commission, a Cybersecurity Alert and Response Incident Centre, or CARIC, and cybersecurity supervisory entities.

Among other duties, private infra-structures operators are required to appoint a suitable and experienced person to be responsible for handling its cybersecurity and to be permanently reachable by the CARIC, create a cybersecurity department, implement adequate internal cybersecurity procedures, conduct evaluations of its networks’ security and risks, submit annual reports to their supervisory entity and inform the CARIC and the respective supervisory entity of any cybersecurity incidents.

Additional regulations have been enacted to further determine and detail how the above-mentioned obligations are to be fulfilled.

Labor Quotas Regulations

All businesses in Macau must apply to the Labor Affairs Bureau for labor quotas to import

non-resident

unskilled workers from China and other regions or countries.

Non-resident

skilled workers are also subject to the issuance of a work permit by the Macau government, which is given individually on a

case-by-case

basis. Businesses are free to employ Macau residents in any position, as by definition all Macau residents have the right to work in Macau. Melco Resorts has, through its subsidiaries, two main groups of labor quotas in Macau, one to import

non-skilled

workers from China and the other to import

non-skilled

workers from all other countries. Gaming operators (the Gaming Operator included) are not currently allowed to hire

non-Macau

resident dealers and supervisors under the Macau government’s policy.

 

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Pursuant to Macau social security laws, Macau employers must register their employees under a mandatory social security fund and make social security contributions for each of its resident employees and pay a special duty for each of its

non-resident

employees on a quarterly basis. Employers must also buy insurance to cover employment accidents and occupational illnesses for all employees.

Minimum Salary Regulations

On April 27, 2020, Law no. 5/2020, with respect to minimum salary, was enacted. Such law came into effect on November 1, 2020. In accordance with such law, the monthly minimum salary in Macau is MOP6,656 (US$834) per month (excluding overtime, night and shift allowances and regular bonus related payments). The minimum salary requirement applies to all workers in Macau except domestic helpers and special needs workers.

Land Regulations

Land in Macau is legally divided into plots. In most cases, private interests in real property located in Macau are obtained through long-term leases from the Macau government.

We have entered into a land concession contract for the land on which Studio City is located. The contract has a term of 25 years and is renewable for further consecutive periods of ten years, and imposes, among other conditions, a development period, a land premium payment, a nominal annual government land use fee, which may be adjusted every five years, and a guarantee deposit upon acceptance of the land lease terms, which are subject to adjustments from time to time in line with the amounts paid as annual land use fees.

The land is initially granted on a provisional basis and registered as such with the Macau Real Property Registry and only upon completion of the development is the land concession converted into definitive status and so registered with the Macau Real Property Registry.

Restrictions on Distribution of Profits Regulations

All our subsidiaries incorporated in Macau are required to set aside a minimum of 25% of the entity’s profit after tax to the legal reserve until the balance of the legal reserve reaches a level equivalent to 50% of the entity’s share capital in accordance with the provisions of the Macau Commercial Code. The legal reserve sets aside an amount from the subsidiaries’ statements of operations and is not available for distribution to the shareholders of the subsidiaries. The appropriation of legal reserve is recorded in the subsidiaries’ financial statements in the year in which it is approved by the shareholders of the relevant subsidiaries.

FCPA

The FCPA prohibits us and our staff and agents from offering or giving money or any other item of value to win or retain business or to influence any act or decision of any foreign official. The Code includes specific FCPA-related provisions. See “— Our Internal Control Policies.”

The Gaming Operator’s Subconcession

The Concession Regime

The Macau government conducted an international tender process for gaming concessions in Macau in 2001, and granted three gaming concessions to SJM, Galaxy and Wynn Resorts Macau, respectively. Upon authorization by the Macau government, each of SJM, Galaxy and Wynn Resorts Macau subsequently entered into subconcession contracts with their respective subconcessionaires to operate casino games and other games of chance in Macau. No further granting of subconcessions is permitted unless specifically authorized by the Macau government.

 

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Though there are no restrictions on the number of casinos or gaming areas that may be operated under each concession or subconcession, Macau government approval is required for the commencement of operations of any casino or gaming area.

The subconcessionaires that entered into subconcession contracts with SJM, Galaxy and Wynn Resorts Macau, are MGM Grand, Venetian Macau and the Gaming Operator, respectively. The Gaming Operator executed the Subconcession Contract with Wynn Resorts Macau on September 8, 2006. Wynn Resorts Macau will continue to develop and run hotel operations and casino projects independent of the Gaming Operator.

All concessionaires and subconcessionaires must pay a special gaming tax of 35% of gross gaming revenues, defined as all gaming revenues derived from casino or gaming areas, plus an annual gaming premium of:

 

•

MOP30 million (equivalent to approximately US$3.8 million) per annum fixed premium;

 

•

MOP300,000 (equivalent to approximately US$37,569) per annum per VIP gaming table;

 

•

MOP150,000 (equivalent to approximately US$18,784) per annum per mass market gaming table; and

 

•

MOP1,000 (equivalent to approximately US$125) per annum per electric or mechanical gaming.

The Macau government has been considering the extension, renewal or the grant of new concessions and subconcessions. As part of such efforts, in May 2016, the Macau government conducted a

mid-term

review to analyze the impact of the gaming industry on the local economy, business environment of small and medium enterprises, local population and gaming and

non-gaming

business sectors and the current status of the gaming promoters.

The Subconcession Contract

The Subconcession Contract provides for the terms and conditions of the subconcession granted to the Gaming Operator by Wynn Resorts Macau. The Gaming Operator does not have the right to further grant a subconcession or transfer the operation to third parties.

The Gaming Operator paid a consideration of US$900 million to Wynn Resorts Macau. On September 8, 2006, the Gaming Operator was granted the right to operate games of fortune and chance or other games in casinos in Macau until the expiration of the subconcession on June 26, 2022. No further payments need to be made to Wynn Resorts Macau in future operations during the subconcession period.

The Macau government has confirmed that the subconcession is independent of Wynn Resorts Macau’s concession and that the Gaming Operator does not have any obligations to Wynn Resorts Macau pursuant to the Subconcession Contract. It is thus not affected by any modification, suspension, redemption, termination or rescission of Wynn Resorts Macau’s concession. In addition, an early termination of Wynn Resorts Macau’s concession before June 26, 2022, would not result in the termination of the subconcession. The subconcession was authorized and approved by the Macau government. Absent any change to the Gaming Operator’s legal status, rights, duties and obligations towards the Macau government or any change in applicable law, the Gaming Operator will continue to be validly entitled to operate independently under and pursuant to the subconcession, notwithstanding the termination or rescission of Wynn Resorts Macau’s concession, the insolvency of Wynn Resorts Macau and/or the replacement of Wynn Resorts Macau as concessionaire in the Subconcession Contract. The Macau government has a contractual obligation to the effect that, should Wynn Resorts Macau cease to hold the concession prior to June 26, 2022, the Macau government would replace Wynn Resorts Macau with another entity so as to ensure that the Gaming Operator may continue to operate games of chance and other games in casinos in Macau and the subconcession would at all times be under a concession. Both the Macau government and Wynn Resorts Macau have undertaken to cooperate with the Gaming Operator to ensure all the legal and contractual obligations are met.

 

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Summary of the Key Terms of the Subconcession Contract

A summary of the key terms of the Subconcession Contract is as follows:

Development of Gaming Projects/Financial Obligations

The Subconcession Contract requires the Gaming Operator to make a minimum investment in Macau of MOP4.0 billion (US$500.9 million), including investment in fully developing Altira Macau and the City of Dreams, by December 2010. In June 2010, the Gaming Operator obtained confirmation from the Macau government that as of the date of the confirmation, the Gaming Operator had invested over MOP4.0 billion (US$500.9 million) in these projects in Macau.

Payments

Subconcession premiums and taxes, computed in various ways depending upon the type of gaming or activity involved, are payable to the Macau government. The method for computing these fees and taxes may be changed from time to time by the Macau government. Depending upon the particular fee or tax involved, these fees and taxes are payable either monthly or annually and are based upon either a percentage of the gross revenues or the number and type of gaming devices operated. In addition to special gaming taxes of 35% of gross gaming revenues, the Gaming Operator is also required to contribute to the Macau government an amount equivalent to 1.6% of the gross revenues of our gaming business. Such contribution must be delivered to a public foundation designated by the Macau government whose goal is to promote, develop or study culture, society, economy, education and science and engage in academic and charitable activities. Furthermore, the Gaming Operator is also obligated to contribute to Macau an amount equivalent to 2.4% of the gross revenues of the gaming business for urban development, tourism promotion and the social security of Macau. The Gaming Operator is required to collect and pay, through withholding, statutory taxes on commissions or other remunerations paid to gaming promoters.

Termination Rights

The Macau government has the right, after notifying Wynn Resorts Macau, to unilaterally terminate the Gaming Operator’s subconcession in the event of noncompliance by the Gaming Operator with its basic obligations under the subconcession and applicable Macau laws. Upon termination, all of the Gaming Operator’s casino premises and gaming equipment would revert to the Macau government automatically without compensation and the Gaming Operator would cease to generate any revenues from these operations. In many of these instances, the Subconcession Contract does not provide a specific cure period within which any such events may be cured and, instead, the Gaming Operator may be dependent on consultations and negotiations with the Macau government to enable it to remedy any such default. Neither the Gaming Operator nor Wynn Resorts Macau is granted explicit rights of veto, or of prior consultation. The Macau government may be able to unilaterally rescind the Subconcession Contract upon the following termination events:

 

•

the operation of gaming without permission or operation of business which does not fall within the business scope of the subconcession;

 

•

abandonment of approved business or suspension of operations of our gaming business in Macau without reasonable grounds for more than seven consecutive days or more than fourteen non-consecutive days within one calendar year;

 

•

transfer of all or part of the Gaming Operator’s operation in Macau in violation of the relevant laws and administrative regulations governing the operation of games of fortune or chance and other casino games in Macau and without Macau government approval;

 

•

failure to pay taxes, premiums, levies or other amounts payable to the Macau government;

 

•

refusal or failure to resume operations following the temporary assumption of operations by the Macau government;

 

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•

repeated opposition to the supervision and inspection by the Macau government and failure to comply with decisions and recommendations of the Macau government, especially those of the DICJ;

 

•

failure to provide or supplement the guarantee deposit or the guarantees specified in the subconcession within the prescribed period;

 

•

bankruptcy or insolvency of the Gaming Operator;

 

•

fraudulent activity harming public interest;

 

•

serious and repeated violation of the applicable rules for carrying out casino games of chance or games of other forms or damage to the fairness of casino games of chance or games of other forms;

 

•

systematic non-compliance with the Macau Gaming Law’s basic obligations;

 

•

the grant to any other person of any managing power over the gaming business of the Gaming Operator or the grant of a subconcession or entering into any agreement to the same effect; or

 

•

failure by a controlling shareholder in the Gaming Operator to dispose of its interest in the Gaming Operator, within ninety days from the date of the authorization given by the Macau government for such disposal, pursuant to written instructions received from the regulatory authority of a jurisdiction where the said shareholder is licensed to operate, which have had the effect that such controlling shareholder now wishes to dispose of the shares it owns in the Gaming Operator.

Ownership and Capitalization

Set out below are the key terms in relation to ownership and capitalization under the Subconcession Contract:

 

•

any person who directly acquires voting rights in the Gaming Operator will be subject to authorization from the Macau government;

 

•

the Gaming Operator will be required to take the necessary measures to ensure that any person who directly or indirectly acquires 5% or more of the shares in the Gaming Operator would be subject to authorization from the Macau government, except when such acquisition is wholly made through the shares of publicly-listed companies tradable at a stock exchange;

 

•

any person who directly or indirectly acquires 5% or more of the shares in the Gaming Operator will be required to report the acquisition to the Macau government (except when such acquisition is wholly made through shares tradable on a stock exchange as a publicly-listed company);

 

•

the Macau government’s prior approval would be required for any recapitalization plan of the Gaming Operator; and

 

•

the Chief Executive of Macau could require the increase of the Gaming Operator’s share capital, if deemed necessary.

Redemption

Under the Subconcession Contract, from 2017, the Macau government has the right to redeem the Subconcession Contract by providing the Gaming Operator with at least one year’s prior notice. In the event the Macau government exercises this redemption right, the Gaming Operator would be entitled to compensation. The standards for the calculation of the amount of such compensation would be determined based on the gross revenues generated by City of Dreams during the tax year immediately prior to the redemption, multiplied by the remaining years of the term of the subconcession. The Gaming Operator or we would not receive any further compensation (including for consideration paid by the Gaming Operator to Wynn Resorts Macau for the subconcession).

 

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Others

In addition, the Subconcession Contract contains various general covenants and obligations and other provisions, including special duties of cooperation, special duties of information, and execution of our investment obligations.

See “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Operating in the Gaming Industry in Macau — The Subconcession Contract expires in June 2022 and if the Gaming Operator is unable to secure a new concession or subconcession or an extension of the subconcession in 2022, or if the Macau government were to exercise its redemption right, the Gaming Operator would be unable to operate Studio City Casino.”

Services and Right to Use Arrangements Regulatory Requirements

The entry into the Services and Right to Use Arrangements by the Gaming Operator and our subsidiary, Studio City Entertainment, pursuant to which the Studio City Casino is operated, was approved by the Macau government in April 2007, and the supplement and amendments thereto were approved by the Macau government in May 2012. Set out below are the key terms of such approvals which remain in force:

 

•

Studio City Entertainment shall cooperate with the Macau government, making available any documents, information or data requested directly by the Macau government or through the Gaming Operator for the purposes of monitoring its activity, analysis of its accounts and performance of external audits;

 

•

Studio City Entertainment shall have an annual audit conducted by an external entity, independent and previously accepted by the DICJ, for certification of accounting documents and compliance with relevant legal provisions;

 

•

Studio City Entertainment accepts to be subject to the legal and contractual supervision of the Macau government applicable to gaming concessionaires and subconcessionaires, to ensure its own suitability and financial capacity, the suitability of its direct or indirect shareholders holding 5% or more of its share capital (except with respect to those shareholders holding shares tradeable on a stock exchange), and of its directors and key employees of the Studio City Casino;

 

•

the transfer of any rights under the Services and Right to Use Arrangements shall be subject to the prior authorization from the Macau government; and

 

•

the Gaming Operator and Studio City Entertainment are jointly and severally responsible for compliance with applicable laws, regulations and instructions issued by the Macau government, including those regarding anti-money laundering, anti-financing of terrorist acts, anti-corruption, operation of slot machines and minimum internal control requirements.

In addition, as set out in the Macau government authorization letter for the listing of the Company dated March 5, 2018, the listing is subject to the following conditions:

 

•

the Company continues to hold, directly or indirectly, 100% of the equity interest of its subsidiary, Studio City Entertainment;

 

•

Melco Resorts continues to hold, directly or indirectly, at least 50.1% of the equity interest in us;

 

•

Melco International continues to hold, directly or indirectly, the majority of the equity interest in Melco Resorts; and

 

•

Mr. Lawrence Ho, directly or indirectly, continues to hold the majority of the equity interest in Melco International to control such entity.

Under such authorization, the Gaming Operator is required to annually provide the Macau government with evidence with respect to the compliance with the above conditions. In addition, under such authorization, we

 

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and the Gaming Operator are also required to comply with the conditions imposed by the Macau government in connection with its approval of our entry into the Services and Right to Use Arrangements.

The Macau government also has the right to revoke such listing authorization if it deems that the listing is contrary to the public interest or in case of any breach of the mentioned conditions. In case of revocation of the listing authorization by the Macau government, we may be required by the Macau government to delist the ADSs from the New York Stock Exchange. Failure to do so could result in the approval of the Services and Right to Use Arrangements being revoked, preventing us from receiving any amounts thereunder, in a closure order being issued with respect to the Studio City Casino or the suspension or termination of the Gaming Operator’s subconcession and consequently we may be unable to offer any gaming facilities at Studio City.

Taxation

We are domiciled in the Cayman Islands and our primary business operations are conducted through our subsidiaries. Under the current laws of the Cayman Islands, we are not subject to tax on income or capital gains. In addition, dividend payments are not subject to withholding tax in the Cayman Islands.

Hong Kong

Our subsidiaries incorporated in Hong Kong and one of our subsidiaries incorporated in the BVI are subject to Hong Kong profits tax on their taxable income earned in or derived from Hong Kong at a uniform tax rate of 16.5%. No provision for Hong Kong profits tax has been made for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 as there was no taxable income during such periods. Payments of dividends by our subsidiaries to us are not subject to withholding tax in Hong Kong.

Macau

Our subsidiaries incorporated in Macau are subject to Macau complementary tax of 12% on taxable income, as defined in the relevant tax laws. Concessionaires and subconcessionaires are currently subject to a 35% special gaming tax as well as other levies of 4% under the relevant concession or subconcession and may benefit from a corporate tax holiday on profit from their gaming revenues. The Gaming Operator benefits from a corporate tax holiday on gaming generated income which expires at the end of 2021. No provision for Macau complementary tax on profits has been made for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 as there was no taxable income during such periods.

In January 2017, the Macau government granted an extension of the Macau complementary tax exemption for our subsidiary, Studio City Entertainment, for an additional five years from 2017 to 2021, on profits generated from income received from the Gaming Operator, to the extent that such income results from gaming operations within Studio City Casino and has been subject to gaming tax. Dividend distributions by Studio City Entertainment continue to be subject to Macau complementary tax. We remain subject to Macau complementary tax on our

non-gaming

related profits.

In September 2017, the Macau government granted Studio City Hotels the declaration of touristic utility purpose pursuant to which Studio City Hotels is entitled to a property tax holiday for a period of twelve years on the immovable property to which the touristic utility was granted, owned or operated by Studio City Hotels. Under such tax holiday, Studio City Hotels is allowed to double the maximum rates applicable to depreciation and reintegration for the purposes of assessment of the Macau complementary tax. Although the Studio City property is owned by Studio City Developments, we believe Studio City Hotels is entitled to such property tax holiday; however, there is no assurance that the Macau government will extend such benefit to Studio City Hotels.

 

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C. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

We are a holding company for Studio City.

The following diagram illustrates our organizational structure, including the place of formation, ownership interest and affiliation of our significant subsidiaries, as of March 26, 2021:

 

 

Notes:

 

1.	Includes 747,288 Class A ordinary shares held by Melco International. See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions — A. Major Shareholders.”

 

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2.	Reflects 30,774,116 Class A ordinary shares of SCI represented by ADSs. Information regarding beneficial ownership is reported as of December 31, 2020 and is based on the information contained in the Schedule 13G filed by New Cotai, LLC with the SEC on February 16, 2021.

 

3.

New Cotai also has a Participation Interest in MSC Cotai which represents its economic right to receive an amount equal to approximately 20% of the dividends, distributions or other consideration paid to the Company by MSC Cotai, if any, from time to time. New Cotai may exchange all or a portion of its Participation Interest for Class A ordinary shares, subject to certain conditions. See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions — B. Related Party Transactions — Pre-IPO Organizational Transactions.” If New Cotai were to exercise its right to exchange all of the Participation Interest for Class A ordinary shares, New Cotai would receive 72,511,760 Class A ordinary shares and the corresponding number of Class B ordinary shares held by New Cotai would be surrendered and canceled.

 

4.	Reflects 61,570,720 Class A ordinary shares of SCI represented by ADSs. Information regarding beneficial ownership is reported as of December 31, 2020 and is based on the information contained in the Schedule 13G/A filed by Silver Point Capital L.P. with the SEC on February 16, 2021.

 

5.

The remaining 50% of the equity interests of these companies are owned by Studio City Holdings Five Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. The 50% interest held by Studio City Holdings Five Limited in various Studio City companies incorporated in the British Virgin Islands is non-voting.

 

6.	3.96% and 1% of the equity interests are owned by Studio City Holdings Four Limited and Studio City Holdings Five Limited, respectively.

 

7.	3.85% and 3.85% of the equity interests are owned by Studio City Holdings Five Limited and Studio City Holdings Three Limited, respectively.

 

8.	0.02% of the equity interests are owned by Studio City Holdings Five Limited.

See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions — A. Major Shareholders” for more information regarding the beneficial ownership in our Company and “Exhibit 8.1 — Significant Subsidiaries of the Registrant.”

D. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

See “Item 4. Information on the Company — B. Business Overview” and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects — A. Operating Results — Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates — Property and Equipment and Other Long-lived Assets” for information regarding our material tangible property, plant and equipment.

 

ITEM 4A.

UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 5.

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by, the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto in this annual report on Form

20-F.

Certain statements in this “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” are forward-looking statements. See “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” regarding these statements.

Overview

We are a holding company and, through our subsidiaries, operate the

non-gaming

businesses of Studio City. Studio City Casino is operated by the Gaming Operator, one of the subsidiaries of Melco Resorts and a

 

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holder of a gaming subconcession. Our future operating results are subject to significant business, economic, regulatory and competitive uncertainties and risks, many of which are beyond our control. See “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Our Business.” For detailed information regarding our operations and development projects, see “Item 4. Information on the Company — B. Business Overview.”

A. OPERATING RESULTS

Operations

Our principal operating activities are the provision of gaming related services and the hospitality business in Macau. The Company monitors the operations and evaluate earnings by reviewing the assets and operations of Studio City as one operating segment. Accordingly, we do not present separate segment information. As of December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, we operated in one geographical area, Macau, where we generated our revenue and where our long-lived assets were located.

Our operations continue to be impacted by significant travel bans, restrictions and quarantine requirements imposed by the governments in Macau, Hong Kong and certain provinces in China on visitors traveling to and from Macau, and such bans, restrictions and requirements have been, and may continue to be, modified by the relevant authorities from time to time as

COVID-19

developments unfold. In addition, lifted measures may be reintroduced if there are adverse developments in the

COVID-19

situation in Macau and other regions with access to Macau.

Other than during the

15-day

closure mandated by the Macau government in February 2020, the Studio City Casino and our hotel facilities have remained open. The majority of retail outlets in our property are open with reduced operating hours. Operating hours at our dining and entertainment facilities are continuously being adjusted in line with customer visitation and we have closed certain facilities due to low visitation. The timing and manner in which these areas will return to full operation are currently unknown. Furthermore, health-related precautionary measures remain in place at our property, which could continue to impact visitation and customer spending.

The disruptions to our business caused by the

COVID-19

pandemic have had a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and as such disruptions are ongoing, such material and adverse effects will likely continue. We expect that gross gaming revenues in Macau will continue to be negatively impacted by the

COVID-19

pandemic. We have taken various mitigating measures to manage through the

COVID-19

pandemic challenges, such as implementing a cost reduction program to minimize cash outflow of

non-essential

items and rationalizing our capital expenditure program with deferrals and reductions which benefits our balance sheet.

Given the uncertainty around the extent and duration of the

COVID-19

pandemic and around the imposition or relaxation of protective measures, we cannot reasonably estimate the impact to our future results of operations, cash flows and financial condition. Moreover, even if the

COVID-19

pandemic subsides, there is no guarantee that travel and consumer sentiment will rebound quickly or at all. See “Item 3. Key Information. —

D.

 

Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Our Business — The

COVID-19

pandemic has had, and will likely to continue to have, a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

”

Summary of Financial Results

For the year ended December 31, 2020, our total operating revenues were US$49.2 million, a decrease of 92.1% from US$626.7 million of total operating revenues for the year ended December 31, 2019. Net loss attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited for the year ended December 31, 2020 was US$321.6 million, as compared to a net income attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited of

 

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US$33.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The decrease was mainly attributable to the decrease in revenues from the provision of gaming related services and lower

non-gaming

revenues as a result of the

COVID-19

pandemic, which resulted in temporary casino closure and a significant decline in inbound tourism in 2020.

 

		Year Ended December 31,
		2020				2019				2018
		(in thousands of US$)
Total operating revenues		$	49,208			$	626,733			$	571,213
Total operating costs and expenses			(329,136	)			(448,737	)			(433,351	)
Operating (loss) income			(279,928	)			177,996				137,862
Net (loss) income attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited		$	(321,626	)		$	33,564			$	(21,598	)

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

We use the following KPIs to evaluate the operations of Studio City Casino, including table games and gaming machines:

 

•

Rolling chip volume: the amount of non-negotiable chips wagered and lost by the rolling chip market segment.

 

•

Rolling chip win rate: rolling chip table games win (calculated before discounts, commissions, non-discretionary incentives (including the point-loyalty programs) as administered by the Gaming Operator and allocating casino revenues related to goods and services provided to gaming patrons on a complimentary basis) as a percentage of rolling chip volume.

 

•

Mass market table games drop: the amount of table games drop in the mass market table games segment.

 

•

Mass market table games hold percentage: mass market table games win (calculated before discounts, commissions, non-discretionary incentives (including the point-loyalty programs) as administered by the Gaming Operator and allocating casino revenues related to goods and services provided to gaming patrons on a complimentary basis) as a percentage of mass market table games drop.

 

•

Table games win: the amount of wagers won net of wagers lost on gaming tables that is retained and recorded as casino revenues. Table games win is calculated before discounts, commissions, non-discretionary incentives (including the point-loyalty programs) as administered by the Gaming Operator and allocating casino revenues related to goods and services provided to gaming patrons on a complimentary basis.

 

•

Gaming machine handle: the total amount wagered in gaming machines.

 

•

Gaming machine win rate: gaming machine win (calculated before non-discretionary incentives (including the point-loyalty programs) as administered by the Gaming Operator and allocating casino revenues related to goods and services provided to gaming patrons on a complimentary basis) expressed as a percentage of gaming machine handle.

In the rolling chip market segment, customers purchase identifiable chips known as

non-negotiable

chips, or rolling chips, from the casino cage, and there is no deposit into a gaming table’s drop box for rolling chips purchased from the cage. Rolling chip volume and mass market table games drop are not equivalent. Rolling chip volume is a measure of amounts wagered and lost. Mass market table games drop measures buy in. Rolling chip volume is generally substantially higher than mass market table games drop. As these volumes are the denominator used in calculating win rate or hold percentage, with the same use of gaming win as the numerator, the win rate is generally lower in the rolling chip market segment than the hold percentage in the mass market table games segment.

 

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Studio City Casino’s expected rolling chip win rate is 2.85% to 3.15%.

We use the following KPIs to evaluate our hotel operations:

 

•

Average daily rate: calculated by dividing total room revenues including complimentary rooms (less service charges, if any) by total rooms occupied, including complimentary rooms, i.e., average price of occupied rooms per day.

 

•

Occupancy rate: the average percentage of available hotel rooms occupied, including complimentary rooms, during a period.

 

•

Revenue per available room, or REVPAR: calculated by dividing total room revenues including complimentary rooms (less service charges, if any) by total rooms available, thereby representing a combination of hotel average daily room rates and occupancy.

Complimentary rooms are included in the calculation of the above room-related KPIs. The average daily rate of complimentary rooms is typically lower than the average daily rate for cash rooms. The occupancy rate and REVPAR would be lower if complimentary rooms were excluded from the calculation. As not all available rooms are occupied, average daily room rates are normally higher than revenue per available room.

During the year ended December 31, 2020, tables games and gaming machines that were not in operation due to government mandated closures or social distancing measures in relation to the

COVID-19

outbreak have been excluded. Room statistics also excluded rooms that were temporarily closed or provided to staff members due to the

COVID-19

outbreak.

Year Ended December 31, 2020 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2019

Revenues

Our total operating revenues decreased by US$577.5 million, or 92.1%, to US$49.2 million in 2020 from US$626.7 million in 2019. The decrease in total operating revenues was due to the decrease in revenues from the provision of gaming related services and lower

non-gaming

revenues as a result of the

COVID-19

pandemic, which resulted in a significant decline in inbound tourism in 2020.

 

•

Provision of gaming related services. Revenues from the provision of gaming related services are derived from the provision of facilities for the operations of Studio City Casino by the Gaming Operator and services related thereto pursuant to the Services and Right to Use Arrangements. Revenues from the provision of gaming related services was negative US$42.7 million in 2020, compared with revenues from provision of gaming related services of US$393.5 million in 2019. The decrease was primarily due to softer performance in the gaming operations at Studio City Casino as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in temporary casino closure and a significant decline in inbound tourism in 2020.

Studio City Casino generated gross gaming revenues of US$264.4 million and US$1,432.0 million in 2020 and 2019, respectively, before the deduction by the Gaming Operator of gaming taxes and the costs incurred in connection with its operation of Studio City Casino pursuant to the Services and Right to Use Arrangements.

Mass market table games revenue decreased to US$193.8 million in 2020 from US$1,014.2 million in 2019 due to a decrease in both mass market table games drop and mass market table games hold percentage. Mass market table games drop decreased to US$0.73 billion in 2020 from US$3.49 billion in 2019. Mass market table games hold percentage also decreased to 26.6% in 2020 from 29.1% in 2019.

Gaming machine revenue decreased to US$20.2 million in 2020 from US$79.5 million in 2019 due to a decrease in gaming machine win rate to 2.8% in 2020 from 3.1% in 2019 and a decrease in gaming

 

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machine handle to US$0.74 billion in 2020 from US$2.60 billion in 2019. Average net win per gaming machine per day was US$98 and US$230 in 2020 and 2019, respectively.

VIP rolling chip revenue decreased to US$50.4 million in 2020 from US$338.3 million in 2019 due to a decrease in VIP rolling chip volume and VIP rolling chip win rate. Studio City’s VIP rolling chip volume decreased to US$2.21 billion in 2020 from US$10.99 billion in 2019. VIP rolling chip win rate decreased to 2.28% in 2020 from 3.08% in 2019.

In 2020 and 2019, total gaming taxes and costs incurred in connection with the operation of Studio City Casino deducted from gross gaming revenues were US$307.1 million and US$1,038.5 million, respectively, which included (i) gaming taxes imposed on the gross gaming revenue of US$103.1 million and US$558.5 million, respectively; (ii) the complimentary services provided by us to Studio City Casino’s gaming patrons of US$27.1 million and US$87.0 million, respectively; (iii) shared administrative services and shuttle bus transportation services provided by us to Studio City Casino of US$22.5 million and US$37.0 million, respectively and (iv) remaining costs of US$154.4 million and US$356.0 million, respectively, primarily representing gaming-related staff costs and other gaming-related costs, including costs related to table games operations at Studio City Casino.

Revenues from the provision of gaming related services were negative US$42.7 million and US$393.5 million in 2020 and 2019, respectively. Revenues from the provision of gaming related services are net of gaming taxes and the costs incurred in connection with the operation of Studio City Casino deducted by the Gaming Operator pursuant to the Services and Right to Use Arrangements.

 

•

Rooms. We generate room revenues from Studio City hotel consisting of Celebrity Tower and all-suite Star Tower. Our room revenues decreased by US$64.0 million, or 74.4%, to US$22.0 million in 2020 from US$86.0 million in 2019. The decrease was primarily due to a decreased occupancy rate as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in temporary casino closure and a significant decline in inbound tourism during 2020. Studio City’s average daily rate, occupancy rate and REVPAR were US$128, 28% and US$36, respectively, in 2020, as compared to US$135, 100% and US$135, respectively, in 2019.

 

•

Food and beverage, entertainment, mall and retail and other. Our revenues generated from food and beverage, entertainment, mall and retail and other decreased by US$64.0 million, or 59.4%, to US$43.7 million in 2020 from US$107.8 million in 2019. The decrease was primarily due to decrease in business activities as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in temporary casino closure and a significant decline in inbound tourism during 2020.

 

•

Services fee. Our services fee revenues, which primarily consist of certain shared administrative services and shuttle bus transportation services to Studio City Casino, decreased by US$13.3 million, or 33.7%, to US$26.2 million in 2020 from US$39.5 million in 2019.

Operating Costs and Expenses

Our total operating costs and expenses decreased by US$119.6 million, or 26.7%, to US$329.1 million in 2020 from US$448.7 million in 2019.

 

•

Provision of gaming related services. Provision of gaming related services expenses, which mainly represent (1) services fees for shared corporate services provided by the Master Service Providers pursuant to the Management and Shared Services Arrangements and (2) management payroll expenses, are relatively fixed in nature and amounted to US$27.0 million and US$24.2 million in 2020 and 2019, respectively.

 

•

Rooms. Room expenses, which represent the costs of operating the hotel facilities and respective payroll expenses, decreased by US$10.5 million, or 48.4%, to US$11.2 million in 2020 from US$21.8 million in 2019, primarily due to lower operating costs, which was in-line with the decrease in revenues as well as our cost containment efforts.

 

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•

Food and beverage, entertainment, mall and retail and other. Expenses related to food and beverage, entertainment, mall and retail and other, which primarily represent the costs of operating the respective non-gaming services at Studio City and respective payroll expenses, decreased by US$54.3 million, or 59.7% to US$36.6 million in 2020 from US$90.8 million in 2019, primarily due to lower operating costs and food and beverage expenses, which was in-line with the decrease in revenues.

 

•

General and administrative. General and administrative expenses were US$89.0 million and US$128.9 million in 2020 and 2019, respectively. Such expenses primarily consist of payroll expenses, utilities, marketing and advertising costs, repairs and maintenance, legal and professional fees, and fees paid to the Master Service Providers for shared corporate services provided to non-gaming departments. Expenses relating to services fee revenues are also included in the general and administrative expenses. General and administrative expenses decreased by US$39.9 million, or 31.0% to US$89.0 million in 2020 from US$128.9 million in 2019 primarily due to our cost containment efforts.

 

•

Pre-opening costs. Pre-opening costs were US$0.2 million in 2020 as compared to US$2.6 million in 2019. Such costs primarily represent personnel, marketing and other costs incurred prior to the opening of new or start-up operations. The higher pre-opening costs in 2019 were mainly related to the marketing of the stunt show Elēkrŏn.

 

•

Amortization of land use right. Amortization expenses for the land use right continued to be recognized on a straight-line basis at an annual rate of US$3.3 million in both 2020 and 2019.

 

•

Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization expenses decreased by US$11.6 million, or 6.9%, to US$157.0 million in 2020 from US$168.6 million in 2019.

 

•

Property charges and other. Property charges and other expenses of US$4.8 million in 2020 were primarily attributable to impairment of assets as a result of the remodeling of a non-gaming attraction. Property charges and other expenses of US$8.5 million in 2019 were primarily attributable to assets write-offs of US$7.6 million as a result of the remodeling of a non-gaming attraction.

Operating (Loss) Income

As a result of the foregoing, we had an operating loss of US$279.9 million in 2020, compared to an operating income of US$178.0 million in 2019.

Non-operating

Expenses, Net

Net

non-operating

expenses consisted of interest income, interest expenses, net of amounts capitalized, other financing costs, net foreign exchange (losses) gains, loss on extinguishment of debt, costs associated with debt modification and other

non-operating

(expenses) income, net. We incurred total net

non-operating

expenses of US$126.2 million in 2020, compared to US$134.0 million in 2019.

 

•

Interest expenses. Interest expenses were US$104.8 million in 2020 and US$132.3 million in 2019. The decrease was primarily due to lower interest expenses with respect to the repayment in full of the 2019 Studio City Company Notes upon maturity in November 2019 and the redemption in full of 2021 Studio City Company Notes in August 2020 as well as capitalized interest and amortization of deferred financing costs for the remaining project for Studio City in 2020, partially offset by the interest expenses relating to the 2025 Notes and 2028 Notes issued in July 2020.

 

•

Other financing costs. Other financing costs, which were associated with the 2021 Studio City Senior Secured Credit Facility, were US$0.4 million in both 2020 and 2019.

 

•

Loss on extinguishment of debt. Loss on extinguishment of debt was US$18.7 million in 2020 and was associated with the early redemption of all outstanding 2021 Studio City Company Notes which were refinanced by the issuance of the 2025 Notes and 2028 Notes. Loss on extinguishment of debt was

 

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US$3.0 million in 2019 and was associated with the early redemption of all remaining outstanding 2020 Notes which was refinanced by the issuance of the 2024 Notes.

 

•

Costs associated with debt modification. Costs associated with debt modification was US$0.6 million in 2019 and was associated with the early redemption of all remaining outstanding 2020 Notes which were refinanced by the issuance of the 2024 Notes. We incurred US$nil costs associated with debt modification for 2020.

(Loss) Income before Income Tax

As a result of the foregoing, we had a loss before income tax of US$406.1 million in 2020, compared to an income before income tax of US$44.0 million in 2019.

Income Tax Credit (Expense)

Income tax credit were US$1.0 million in 2020 and income tax expenses were US$0.4 million in 2019, respectively, and were primarily attributable to deferred income tax credit/expenses. The effective tax rates in 2020 and 2019 were 0.2% and 0.9%, respectively. Our effective tax rates in 2020 and 2019 differed from the statutory Macau complementary tax rate of 12% primarily due to the effect of expenses for which no income tax benefit is receivable, the effect of expired tax losses and the effect of changes in valuation allowances for the relevant years together with the effect of tax losses that cannot be carried forward for the year ended December 31, 2020 and the effect of profits exempted from Macau Complementary Tax for the year ended December 31, 2019. Our management currently does not expect to realize significant income tax benefits associated with net operating loss carry-forwards and other deferred tax assets generated by our Macau operations. However, to the extent that the financial results of our Macau operations improve and it becomes more likely than not that the deferred tax assets are realizable, we will reduce the valuation allowance related to the net operating losses and other deferred tax assets.

Net Loss (Income) Attributable to Participation Interest

Our net loss attributable to participation interest was US$83.5 million in 2020, compared to a net income attributable to participation interest of US$10.1 million in 2019.

Net (Loss) Income Attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited

As a result of the foregoing, we had a net loss attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited of US$321.6 million in 2020, compared to a net income attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited of US$33.6 million in 2019.

For a discussion of our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared with the year ended December 31, 2018, see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects — A. Operating Results — Year Ended December 31, 2019 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2018” of our annual report on Form

20-F

for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the SEC on March 31, 2020.

Adjusted EBITDA

Our net income/loss before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization,

pre-opening

costs, share-based compensation, property charges and other, other

non-operating

income and expenses, or Adjusted EBITDA, were negative US$113.8 million, US$361.0 million and US$314.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

We believe that Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our operating results. This

non-GAAP

financial measure eliminates the impact of

 

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items that we do not consider indicative of the performance of our business. While we believe that this

non-GAAP

financial measure is useful in evaluating our business, this information should be considered as supplemental in nature and is not meant as a substitute for the related financial information prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. It should not be considered in isolation or construed as an alternative to net income/loss, cash flow or any other measure of financial performance or as an indicator of our operating performance, liquidity, profitability or cash flows generated by operating, investing or financing activities. This

non-GAAP

financial measure, which may differ from similarly titled measures used by other companies should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

The use of Adjusted EBITDA has material limitations as an analytical tool, as Adjusted EBITDA does not include all items that impact our net income/loss. Investors are encouraged to review the reconciliation of the historical

non-GAAP

financial measure to its most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.

Reconciliation of Net (Loss) Income Attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited to Adjusted EBITDA

 

		Year Ended December 31,
		2020  (2)				2019 (3)				2018 (4)
		(in thousands of US$)
Net (loss) income attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited		$	(321,626	)		$	33,564			$	(21,598	)
Net (loss) income attributable to participation interest			(83,466	)			10,065				853
Net (loss) income			(405,092	)			43,629				(20,745	)
Income tax (credit) expense			(1,011	)			402				544
Interest and other non-operating expenses, net			126,175				133,965				158,063
Property charges and other			4,798				8,521				4,464
Depreciation and amortization			160,334				171,943				167,891
Share-based compensation			791				—				—
Pre-opening costs			201				2,567				4,550
Adjusted EBITDA		$	(113,804	)		$	361,027			$	314,767
Adjusted EBITDA margin (1)			(231.3	)%			57.6	%			55.1	%

 

(1)	Adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated by dividing Adjusted EBITDA by total operating revenues.

 

(2)	We adopted ASU 2016-13 on January 1, 2020 under the modified retrospective method. There was no material impact on our results of operations and Adjusted EBITDA in 2020 as a result of the adoption of ASU 2016-13.

 

(3)	We adopted the New Leases Standard on January 1, 2019 under the modified retrospective method. There was no material impact on our results of operations and Adjusted EBITDA in 2019 as a result of the adoption of the New Leases Standard.

 

(4)	We adopted the New Revenue Standard on January 1, 2018 under the modified retrospective method. There was no material impact on our results of operations and Adjusted EBITDA in 2018 as a result of the adoption of the New Revenue Standard.

The Adjusted EBITDA for Studio City in 2020, 2019 and 2018 referred to in Melco Resorts’ 2020 annual report on Form

20-F

were US$34.8 million, US$54.1 million and US$60.5 million more, respectively, than the Adjusted EBITDA of Studio City contained in this report. The Adjusted EBITDA of Studio City contained in this report includes certain intercompany charges that are not included in the Adjusted EBITDA for Studio City contained in such Melco Resorts’ annual report. Such intercompany charges include, among other items, fees and shared service charges billed between the Company and its subsidiaries and certain subsidiaries

 

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of Melco Resorts. Additionally, Adjusted EBITDA of Studio City included in such Melco Resorts’ annual report does not reflect certain intercompany costs related to the table games operations at Studio City Casino.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Management’s discussion and analysis of our results of operations and liquidity and capital resources are based on our consolidated financial statements. We prepare our consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP, which requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect our reporting of, among other things, assets and liabilities, contingent assets and liabilities and revenues and expenses. Certain of our accounting policies require that management apply significant judgment in defining the appropriate assumptions integral to financial estimates. On an ongoing basis, we regularly evaluate these estimates and assumptions based on the most recently available information, our own historical experiences, terms of existing contracts, industry trends and other factors that we believe to be relevant, reasonable and appropriate under the circumstances. Since our financial reporting process inherently relies on the use of estimates and assumptions, our actual results could differ from what we expect. This is especially true with some accounting policies that require higher degrees of judgment than others in their application. We consider the policies discussed below to be critical to an understanding of our consolidated financial statements because they involve the greatest reliance on our management’s judgment.

Allocations and Costs Recognized with the Services and Right to Use Arrangements and the Management and Shared Services Arrangements

Under the Services and Right to Use Arrangements, the Gaming Operator deducts gaming taxes and the costs of operation of Studio City Casino. We receive the residual gross gaming revenues and recognize these amounts as our revenues from provision of gaming related services.

Under the Management and Shared Services Arrangements, certain of our corporate and administrative functions as well as operational activities are administered by staff employed by certain subsidiaries of Melco Resorts, including senior management services, centralized corporate functions and operational and venue support services. Payment arrangements for the services are provided for in the individual work agreements and may vary depending on the services provided. Corporate services are charged at

pre-negotiated

rates, subject to a base fee and cap. Senior management service fees and staff costs on operational services are allocated to us based on percentages of efforts on the services provided to us. Other costs in relation to shared office equipment are allocated based on a percentage of usage.

We believe the costs incurred under the Services and Right to Use Arrangements and the allocation methods under the Management and Shared Services Arrangements are reasonable and the consolidated financial statements reflect our cost of doing business. However, such allocations may not be indicative of the actual expenses we would have incurred had we operated as an independent company for the periods presented. See a detailed discussion of services and related charges in Note 19 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report.

Property and Equipment and Other Long-lived Assets

During the construction and development stage of Studio City, direct and incremental costs related to the design and construction, including costs under the construction contracts, duties and tariffs, equipment installation, shipping costs, payroll and payroll benefit related costs, applicable portions of interest, including amortization of deferred financing costs, are capitalized in property and equipment. The capitalization of such costs begins when the construction and development of a project starts and ceases once the construction is substantially completed or development activity is substantially suspended.

Pre-opening

costs, consisting of marketing and other expenses related to our new or

start-up

operations are expensed as incurred.

 

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We recognize depreciation and amortization expense related to capitalized construction costs and other property and equipment from the time each asset is placed in service. This may occur at different stages as Studio City’s facilities are completed and opened.

Property and equipment are depreciated and amortized on a straight-line basis over the asset’s estimated useful life. The estimated useful lives are based on factors including the nature of the assets, its relationship to other assets, our operating plans and anticipated use and other economic and legal factors that impose limits. We review periodically the remaining estimated useful lives of the property and equipment.

Our land use right in Macau under the land concession contract for Studio City is being amortized over the estimated term of the land use right on a straight-line basis. The estimated term of the land use right under the land concession contract is based on factors including the business and operating environment of the gaming industry in Macau, laws and regulations in Macau, and our development plans. The estimated term of the land use right is periodically reviewed.

We charge costs of repairs and maintenance to expense when incurred. The cost and accumulated depreciation of property and equipment retired or otherwise disposed of are eliminated from the respective accounts and any resulting gain or loss is included in operating income or loss.

We also review our long-lived assets with finite lives to be held and used for impairment whenever indicators of impairment exist. If an indicator of impairment exists, we then compare the estimated future cash flows of the asset, on an undiscounted basis, to the carrying value of the asset. Estimating future cash flows of the assets involves significant assumptions, including future revenue growth rates and gross margin. The undiscounted cash flows of such assets are measured by first grouping our long-lived assets into asset groups and, secondly, estimating the undiscounted future cash flows that are directly associated with and expected to arise from the use of and eventual disposition of such asset group. We define an asset group as the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities and estimate the undiscounted cash flows over the remaining useful life of the primary asset within the asset group. If the undiscounted cash flows exceed the carrying value, no impairment is indicated. If the undiscounted cash flows do not exceed the carrying value, we then record an impairment charge based on the fair value of the asset group, typically measured using a discounted cash flow model. If an asset is still under development, future cash flows include remaining construction costs. We record all recognized impairment losses, whether for assets to be disposed of or assets to be held and used as operating expenses.

During the year ended December 31, 2020, impairment losses of US$3.8 million recognized mainly due to reconfigurations and renovations at Studio City. We did not recognize any impairment loss in 2019 and 2018.

The disruptions to our business caused by the

COVID-19

pandemic had material adverse effects on our financial condition and operations for the year ended December 31, 2020. As a result, we concluded that a triggering event occurred and we evaluated our long-lived assets for recoverability at interim and as of December 31, 2020 and concluded no impairment existed at that date as the estimated undiscounted future cash flows exceeded their carrying values. As discussed above, estimating future cash flows of the assets involves significant assumptions. Future changes to our estimates and assumptions based upon changes in operating results, macro-economic factors or management’s intentions may result in future changes to the future cash flows of our long-lived assets.

Revenue Recognition

On January 1, 2018, we adopted the New Revenue Standard using the modified retrospective method applying to those contracts not yet completed as of January 1, 2018. The accounting policies for revenue recognition as a result of the New Revenue Standard are as follows.

 

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Our revenues from contracts with customers consist of provision of gaming related services, sales of rooms, food and beverage, entertainment, retail and other goods and services.

Revenues from provision of gaming related services represent revenues arising from the provision of facilities for the operations of Studio City Casino and services related thereto pursuant to the Services and Right to Use Arrangements, under which the Gaming Operator operates the Studio City Casino. The Gaming Operator deducts gaming taxes and the costs incurred in connection with the operations of Studio City Casino pursuant to the Services and Right to Use Arrangements, including the standalone selling prices of complimentary services within Studio City provided to the Studio City gaming patrons, from the Studio City Casino gross gaming revenues. We recognize the residual amount as revenues from provision of gaming related services. We have concluded that we are not the controlling entity to the arrangements and recognize the revenues from provision of gaming related services on a net basis.

Non-gaming

revenues include services provided for cash consideration and services provided on a complimentary basis to the gaming patrons at Studio City. The transaction prices for rooms, food and beverage, entertainment, retail and other goods and services are the net amounts collected from customers for such goods and services that are recorded as revenues when the goods are provided, services are performed or events are held. Service taxes and other applicable taxes collected by us are excluded from revenues. We record advance deposits on rooms and advance ticket sales as customer deposits until services are provided to the customers. Revenues from contracts with multiple goods or services provided by us are allocated to each good or service based on its relative standalone selling price.

Minimum operating and right to use fees, representing lease revenues, adjusted for contractual base fees and operating fees escalations, are included in mall revenues and are recognized over the terms of the related agreements on a straight-line basis.

Upon the adoption of the New Revenue Standard, we recognized the cumulative effect of adopting the New Revenue Standard as an adjustment to the opening balance of accumulated losses. Amounts for the periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018 are presented under the New Revenue Standard, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with the previous basis. The major changes as a result of the adoption of the New Revenue Standard are as follows:

 

(1)

Complimentary services provided to Studio City Casino’s gaming patrons are deducted from the gross gaming revenues and are measured based on stand-alone selling prices under the New Revenue Standard, replacing the previously used retail values. The non-gaming revenues associated with the provision of these complimentary services by us are measured on the same basis. This change impacts the amount of revenues from the provision of gaming related services received by us with corresponding changes to the non-gaming revenues.

 

(2)

The New Revenue Standard changes the measurement basis for the non-discretionary incentives (including the loyalty program) provided to Studio City Casino’s gaming patrons, as administered by the Gaming Operator, from previously used estimated costs to standalone selling prices. The non-discretionary incentives are deducted from the gross gaming revenues by the Gaming Operator and impact the amount of revenues from provision of gaming related services received by us. Similarly, the redemption of the non-discretionary incentives for non-gaming services provided by us are measured on the same basis. At the adoption date on January 1, 2018, we recognized an increase in the opening balance of accumulated losses of US$3.3 million with a corresponding decrease in amounts due from affiliated companies.

Income Tax

Deferred income taxes are recognized for all significant temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the consolidated financial statements. Deferred tax assets are

 

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reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Current income taxes are provided for in accordance with the laws of the relevant taxing authorities. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, we recorded valuation allowances of US$75.9 million and US$63.9 million, respectively, as management believes that it is more likely than not that these deferred tax assets will not be realized. Our assessment considers, among other matters, the nature, frequency and severity of current and cumulative losses, forecasts of future profitability, and the duration of statutory carry-forward periods. To the extent that the financial results of our operations improve and it becomes more likely than not that the deferred tax assets are realizable, the valuation allowances will be reduced.

Recent Changes in Accounting Standards

See note 2 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report for a discussion of recent changes in accounting standards.

B. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

We have relied on, and intend to continue to rely on, our cash generated from our operations and our debt and equity financings to meet our financing or refinancing needs.

As of December 31, 2020, we recorded US$575.2 million in cash and cash equivalents. Further, the HK$233.0 million (equivalent to approximately US$30.1 million) revolving credit facility under the 2021 Studio City Senior Secured Credit Facility is available for future drawdown as of December 31, 2020, subject to certain conditions precedent.

As of December 31, 2020, restricted cash of US$0.1 million primarily represented the cash collateral in relation to the 2021 Studio City Senior Secured Credit Facility.

We have been able to meet our working capital needs, and we believe that our current available cash and cash equivalents, bank deposits, funds available for drawdown under the 2028 Studio City Senior Secured Credit Facility and any additional equity or debt financings will be adequate to satisfy our current and anticipated operating, debt and capital commitments, including our development project plans, as described in “— Other Financing and Liquidity Matters” below. For any additional financing requirements, we cannot provide assurance that future borrowings will be available. See “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Our Business — We may not be able to obtain adequate financing on satisfactory terms for our existing business and/or remaining project, or at all” for more information.

We have significant indebtedness and will continue to evaluate our capital structure and opportunities to enhance it in the normal course of our activities. We may from time to time seek to retire or purchase our outstanding debt through cash purchases, in open market purchases, privately-negotiated transactions or otherwise. Such purchases, if any, will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. The amounts involved may be material.

 

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Cash Flows

The following table sets forth a summary of our cash flows for the years presented.

 

		Year Ended December 31,
		2020				2019				2018
		(in thousands of US$)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities		$	(167,425	)		$	228,504			$	139,518
Net cash used in investing activities			(209,789	)			(90,922	)			(147,515	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			623,811				(189,976	)			5,152
Effect of exchange rate on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash			1,530				2,061				(2,519	)
Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash			248,127				(50,333	)			(5,364	)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year			327,232				377,565				382,929
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year		$	575,359			$	327,232			$	377,565

Operating Activities

Operating cash flows are generally affected by changes in operating income and certain operating assets and liabilities, including the receivables related to the provision of gaming related services and hotel operations, as well as the

non-gaming

business, including food and beverage, entertainment, mall, retail and other, which are conducted primarily on a cash basis.

We recorded net cash used in operating activities of US$167.4 million in 2020, as compared to net cash provided by operating activities of US$228.5 million in 2019, primarily due to the softer performance of Studio City’s operations as described in the foregoing section.

We recorded net cash provided by operating activities of US$228.5 million in 2019, as compared to net cash provided by operating activities of US$139.5 million in 2018, due to the higher contribution of cash generated from operations of Studio City and decreased working capital for operations.

Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities was US$209.8 million in 2020, as compared to net cash used in investing activities of US$90.9 million in 2019. Net cash used in investing activities was US$147.5 million in 2018.

Net cash used in investing activities amounted to US$209.8 million in 2020, primarily attributable to payments for acquisition of property and equipment of US$202.7 million and funds to an affiliated company of US$9.6 million.

Net cash used in investing activities amounted to US$90.9 million in 2019, primarily attributable to payments for acquisition of property and equipment of US$78.6 million and funds to an affiliated company of US$13.7 million.

Net cash used in investing activities amounted to US$147.5 million in 2018, attributable to (i) payments for acquisition of property and equipment of US$153.2 million and (ii) funds to an affiliated company of US$13.4 million, partially offset by (iii) net withdrawal of bank deposits with original maturities over three months of US$9.9 million and (iv) proceeds from the sale of property and equipment and other long-term assets of US$9.2 million.

 

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Our capital expenditures on an accrual basis amounted to US$214.0 million, US$74.1 million and US$67.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, primarily for the construction, development and enhancement of Studio City. We will continue to make capital expenditures to meet the expected growth of our business and expect that cash generated from our operating and financing activities will meet our capital expenditure needs in the foreseeable future. We expect to incur significant capital expenditures for the development of the remaining land of Studio City. See “— Other Financing and Liquidity Matters” below for more information.

Financing Activities

Net cash provided by financing activities was US$623.8 million in 2020, as compared to net cash used in financing activities of US$190.0 million in 2019. Net cash provided by financing activities was US$5.2 million in 2018.

Net cash provided by financing activities was US$623.8 million in 2020, attributable to net proceeds from issuance of shares of US$499.2 million, proceeds from the issuance of the 2025 Notes in aggregate principal amount of US$500.0 million and the 2028 Notes in aggregate principal amount of US$500.0 million, partially offset by the full redemption of the 2021 Studio City Company Notes in aggregate principal amount of US$850.0 million and the payment of deferred financing costs arisen from the refinancing of the 2021 Studio City Company Notes with the 2025 Notes and 2028 Notes.

Net cash used in financing activities was US$190.0 million in 2019, attributable to the full repayment of 2019 Studio City Company Notes of US$350.0 million upon maturity, the payment of the 2020 Notes Tender Offer of US$216.5 million in aggregate principal amount and the redemption of the remaining 2020 Notes of US$208.5 million in aggregate principal amount outstanding, partially offset by the proceeds from the issuance of the 2024 Notes of US$600.0 million.

Net cash provided by financing activities was US$5.2 million in 2018, attributable to the net proceeds from our initial public offering of ADSs of US$405.2 million, partially offset by the early partial redemption of the 2020 Notes of US$400.0 million.

Indebtedness

We enter into loan facilities and issue notes through our subsidiaries. The following table sets forth our gross indebtedness, before the reduction of debt issuance costs, as of December 31, 2020:

 

		Issuer				As of December 31, 2020
						(in thousands of US$)
2021 Studio City Senior Secured Credit Facility			Studio City Company			$	129
2024 Notes			Studio City Finance				600,000
2025 Notes			Studio City Finance				500,000
2028 Notes			Studio City Finance				500,000
Total						$	1,600,129

Major changes in our indebtedness during the year ended and subsequent to December 31, 2020 are summarized below.

On July 15, 2020, Studio City Finance issued US$500.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the 2025 Notes and US$500.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the 2028 Notes. On August 14, 2020, Studio

 

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City Company used a portion of the net proceeds to redeem in full the 2021 Studio City Company Notes, together with accrued interest and the applicable redemption premium.

On January 4, 2021, Studio City Finance commenced the 2024 Notes Tender Offer. The 2024 Notes Tender Offer expired on January 11, 2021. The aggregate principal amount of valid tenders received and not validly withdrawn under the 2024 Notes Tender Offer amounted to US$347.1 million. On January 14, 2021, Studio City Finance issued US$750.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the 2029 Notes, the net proceeds of which were used to pay the tendering noteholders from the 2024 Notes Tender Offer and, on February 17, 2021, to redeem, together with accrued interest, all remaining outstanding amounts of the 2024 Notes, which amounted to US$252.9 million in aggregate principal amount.

On March 15, 2021, Studio City Company amended the terms of the 2021 Studio City Senior Secured Credit Facility, including the extension of maturity date for each of the HK$233.0 million (approximately US$30.1 million) revolving credit facility and the HK$1.0 million (approximately US$129,000) term loan facility from November 30, 2021 to January 15, 2028. The revolving credit facility is available up to the date that is one month prior to the new extended maturity date. The amendments also included certain covenants in order to align them with certain financings by Studio City Finance Limited.

For further details of the above indebtedness, see note 10 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report, which includes information regarding the type of debt facilities used, the maturity profile of debt, the currency and interest rate structure, the charge on our assets and the nature and extent of any restrictions on our ability, and the ability of our subsidiaries, to transfer funds as cash dividends, loans or advances. See also “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects — F. Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations” for details of the maturity profile of debt and “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” for further understanding of our hedging of foreign exchange risk exposure.

Other Financing and Liquidity Matters

We may obtain financing in the form of, among other things, equity or debt, including additional bank loans or high yield, mezzanine or other debt, or rely on our operating cash flow to fund the development of our projects. We are a growing company with significant financial needs. We expect to have significant capital expenditures in the future as we continue to develop the remaining land of Studio City.

We have relied, and intend in the future to rely, on our operating cash flow and different forms of financing to meet our funding needs and repay our indebtedness, as the case may be.

The timing of any future debt and equity financing activities will be dependent on our funding needs, our development and construction schedule, the availability of funds on terms acceptable to us and prevailing market conditions. We may carry out activities from time to time to strengthen our financial position and ability to better fund our business expansion plans. Such activities may include refinancing existing debt, monetizing assets,

sale-and-leaseback

transactions or other similar activities.

In October 2018, we completed our initial public offering of 28,750,000 ADSs (equivalent to 115,000,000 Class A ordinary shares). In November 2018, the underwriters exercised their over-allotment option in full to purchase an additional 4,312,500 ADSs from us. After giving effect to the exercise of the over-allotment option, the total number of ADSs sold in our initial public offering was 33,062,500 ADSs and we received net proceeds of approximately US$406.7 million from the ADSs sold in our initial public offering and aggregate gross proceeds of approximately US$2.5 million from the concurrent private placement to Melco International in connection with Melco International’s “assured entitlement” distribution to its shareholders, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and a structuring fee, but before deducting offering expenses payable by us.

 

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In relation to a series of private offers of its Class A ordinary shares announced by the Company on July 7, 2020, or the Private Placements, Studio City International completed a US$500 million private placement of shares. The net proceeds from this private placement was approximately US$499.2 million.

Any other future developments may be subject to further financing and a number of other factors, many of which are beyond our control.

As of December 31, 2020, we had capital commitments contracted for but not incurred for the construction and acquisition of property and equipment mainly for the development of remaining land at Studio City totaling US$498.5 million. In addition, we have contingent liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business. For further details for our commitments and contingencies, see note 18 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report.

Each of Studio City Company and Studio City Finance has a corporate rating of

“BB-”

by Standard & Poor’s and a corporate rating of “B1” by Moody’s Investors Service, respectively. For future borrowings, any decrease in our corporate rating could result in an increase in borrowing costs.

Restrictions on Distributions

The Company is a holding company with no operations of its own. We conduct our operations through our subsidiaries. As a result, our ability to pay dividends depends upon dividends paid by our subsidiaries. Our subsidiaries have incurred debt on their own behalf and any of our newly formed subsidiaries may incur debt on their own behalf in the future and the instruments governing their debt have and may restrict their ability to pay dividends to us. For discussion on the ability of our subsidiaries to transfer funds to our Company in the form of cash dividends, loans or advances and the impact such restrictions have on our ability to meet our cash obligations, see “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Our Business — Certain covenants under our agreements governing our existing indebtedness restrict our ability to engage in certain transactions and may impair our ability to respond to changing business and economic conditions” and “Item 8. Financial Information — A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information — Dividend Policy” and note 17 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report.

In addition, our subsidiaries incorporated in Macau are required to set aside a minimum of 25% of the entity’s profit after taxation to the legal reserve until the balance of the legal reserve reaches a level equivalent to 50% of the entity’s share capital in accordance with the provisions of the Macau Commercial Code. The legal reserve sets aside an amount from the subsidiaries’ statements of operations and is not available for distribution to the shareholders of the subsidiaries.

C. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, PATENTS AND LICENSES, ETC.

We have entered into licensing agreements for the use of certain trade names. For other intellectual property that we owned, see “Item 4. Information on the Company — B. Business Overview — Intellectual Property.”

D. TREND INFORMATION

The following trends and uncertainties may affect our operations and financial conditions:

 

•

The impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, including its severity, magnitude and duration, and any recovery from such disruptions, which will depend on future events, such as the successful production, distribution and widespread acceptance of safe and effective vaccines; the development of effective

 

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treatments for COVID-19; the duration of travel and visa restrictions and customer sentiment and behavior (including the length of time before customers resume travel and participation in entertainment and leisure activities at high-density venues and the impact of potential higher unemployment rates, declines in income levels and loss of personal wealth resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic on consumer behavior related to discretionary spending and traveling), all of which are highly uncertain. The disruptions to our business caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have had a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and as such disruptions are ongoing, such material and adverse effects will likely continue;

 

•

Policies and campaigns implemented by the Chinese government, including restrictions on travel, anti-corruption campaigns, heightened monitoring of cross-border currency movement and adoption of new measures to eliminate perceived channels of illicit cross-border currency movements, restrictions on currency withdrawal, increased scrutiny of marketing activities in China or new measures taken by the Chinese government to deter marketing of gaming activities to mainland Chinese residents by foreign casinos, as well as any slowdown of economic growth in China, may lead to a decline and limit the recovery and growth in the number of patrons visiting our property and the spending amount of such patrons;

 

•

The gaming and leisure market in Macau is developing and the competitive landscape is expected to evolve as more gaming and non-gaming facilities are developed in Macau. More supply of integrated resorts in the Cotai region of Macau will intensify the competition in the businesses that we and the Gaming Operator operate;

 

•

The impact of new policies and legislation implemented by the Macau government, including travel and visa policies, anti-smoking legislation as well as policies relating to gaming table allocations and gaming machine requirements;

 

•

Greater regulatory scrutiny, including increased audits and inspections, in relation to movement of capital and anti-money laundering and other financial crime. Anti-money laundering, anti-bribery and corruption and sanctions and counter-terrorism financing laws and regulations have become increasingly complex and subject to greater regulatory scrutiny and supervision by regulators globally and may increase our compliance costs and any potential non-compliances of such laws and regulations could have an adverse effect on our reputation, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows;

 

•

Enactment of new laws, or amendments to existing laws with more stringent requirements, in relation to personal data, including, among others, collection, use and/or transmission of personal data, and as to which there may be limited precedence on their interpretation and application, may increase operating costs and/or adversely impact our ability to market to our customers and guests. In addition, any non-compliance with such laws may result in damage or reputation and/or subject us to lawsuits, fines and other penalties as well as restrictions on our use or transfer of data; and

 

•

Gaming promoters in Macau are experiencing increased regulatory scrutiny that has resulted in the cessation of business of certain gaming promoters, a trend which may affect Studio City Casino’s operations in a number of ways:

 

–

a concentration of gaming promoters may result in such gaming promoters having significant leverage and bargaining strength in negotiating agreements with gaming operators, which could result in gaming promoters negotiating changes to the Gaming Operator’s agreements with them or the loss of business to a competitor or the loss of certain relationships with gaming promoters, any of which may adversely affect our results of operations;

 

–

if any of Studio City Casino’s gaming promoters ceases business or fails to maintain the required standards of regulatory compliance, probity and integrity, their exposure to patron and other litigation and regulatory enforcement actions may increase, which in turn may expose us and the Gaming Operator to an increased risk for litigation, regulatory enforcement actions and damage to our reputations; and

 

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–

since the Gaming Operator depends on gaming promoters for its VIP gaming revenue, difficulties in their operations may expose the Studio City Casino to higher operational risk to the extent Studio City Casino continues to conduct VIP rolling chip operations.

See also “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors,” “Item 4. Information on the Company — B. Business Overview — Market and Competition,” and other information elsewhere in this annual report for recent trends affecting our revenues and costs since the previous financial year and a discussion of any trends, uncertainties, demands, commitments or events that are reasonably likely to have a material effect on our net revenues, income from continuing operations, profitability, liquidity or capital resources, or that would cause the reported financial information not necessarily to be indicative of future operating results or financial condition.

E.

OFF-BALANCE

SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

We have not entered into any material financial guarantees or other commitments to guarantee the payment obligations of any third parties. We have not entered into any derivative contracts that are indexed to our ordinary shares and classified as shareholder’s equity, or that are not reflected in our consolidated financial statements.

Furthermore, we do not have any retained or contingent interest in assets transferred to an unconsolidated entity that serves as credit, liquidity or market risk support to such entity. We do not have any variable interest in any unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, market risk or credit support to us or engages in leasing, hedging or research and development services with us.

F. TABULAR DISCLOSURE OF CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

Our total long-term indebtedness and other contractual obligations as of December 31, 2020 are summarized below.

 

		Payments Due by Period
		Less than 1 year				1-3 years				3-5 years				More than 5 years				Total
		(in millions of US$)
Long-term debt obligations (1) :
2021 Studio City Senior Secured Credit Facility (2)		$	—			$	—			$	—			$	0.1			$	0.1
2024 Notes (3)			—				—				600.0				—				600.0
2025 Notes			—				—				500.0				—				500.0
2028 Notes			—				—				—				500.0				500.0
Fixed interest payments			106.0				212.0				116.0				66.2				500.2
Operating leases (4)			1.0				2.3				2.3				33.8				39.4
Construction costs and property and equipment retention payables			2.3				8.6				—				—				10.9
Other contractual commitments:
Construction costs and property and equipment acquisition commitments (5)			314.2				184.3				—				—				498.5
Total contractual obligations		$	423.5			$	407.2			$	1,218.3			$	600.1			$	2,649.1

 

(1)	See note 10 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report for further details on these debt facilities.

 

(2)	On March 15, 2021, Studio City Company amended the terms of the 2021 Studio City Senior Secured Credit Facility, including the extension of the maturity date from November 30, 2021 to January 15, 2028.

 

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See note 21 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report for further details on this subsequent event.

 

(3)

On January 14, 2021, Studio City Finance issued US$750.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the 2029 Notes, the net proceeds of which were partly used to pay the tendering noteholders from the 2024 Notes Tender Offer, which amounted to US$347.1 million in aggregate principal amount of the 2024 Notes, and on February 17, 2021, together with accrued interest, redeem the remaining outstanding principal amount of the 2024 Notes, which amounted to US$252.9 million in aggregate principal amount. See note 21 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report for further details on these subsequent events.

 

(4)	See note 11 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report for further details on these lease liabilities.

 

(5)	See note 18(a) to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report for further details on construction costs and property and equipment acquisition commitments.

G. SAFE HARBOR

See “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

 

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ITEM 6.

DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES

A. DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT

Directors and Executive Officers

The following table sets forth information regarding our directors and executive officers as of the date of this annual report on Form

20-F.

 

Directors and Executive Officers		Age				Position/Title
Lawrence Yau Lung Ho			44			Director
Evan Andrew Winkler			46			Director
Clarence Yuk Man Chung			58			Director
Geoffrey Stuart Davis			52			Director and Chief Financial Officer
Stephanie Cheung			58			Director
Akiko Takahashi			67			Director
David Anthony Reganato			41			Director
Timothy Paul Lavelle			36			Director
Dominique Mielle			52			Independent Director
Kevin F. Sullivan			68			Independent Director
Nigel Alan Dean			67			Independent Director
Kevin Richard Benning			38			Property General Manager

Directors

Mr.

 Lawrence Yau Lung Ho

 has been a member of our board of directors since July 2011. Mr. Ho was also appointed as the executive director of Melco Resorts on December 20, 2004, and served as its

co-chairman

and chief executive officer between December 2004 and April 2016 before he was

re-designated

as chairman and chief executive officer in May 2016. Since November 2001, Mr. Ho has served as the managing director of Melco International and its chairman and chief executive officer since March 2006. Mr. Ho has also been appointed as the chairman and director of Maple Peak Investment Inc., a company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange in Canada, since July 2016, and also serves on numerous boards and committees of privately-held companies in Hong Kong, Macau and mainland China.

As a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Mr. Ho serves on the board or participates as a committee member in various organizations in Hong Kong, Macau and mainland China. He is a vice chairman of the

All-China

Federation of Industry and Commerce; a vice patron of The Community Chest of Hong Kong; a member of the All China Youth Federation; a member of the Macau Basic Law Promotion Association; chairman of the Macau International Volunteers Association; a member of the Board of Governors of The Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong; honorary lifetime director of The Chinese General Chamber of Commerce of Hong Kong; honorary patron of The Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Macao; honorary president of the Association of Property Agents and Real Estate Developers of Macau and director executive of the Macao Chamber of Commerce.

In recognition of Mr. Ho’s excellent directorship and entrepreneurial spirit, Institutional Investor honored him as the “Best CEO” in 2005. He was also granted the “5th China Enterprise Award for Creative Businessmen” by the China Marketing Association and China Enterprise News, “Leader of Tomorrow” by Hong Kong Tatler and the “Directors of the Year Award” by the Hong Kong Institute of Directors in 2005. In 2017, Mr. Ho was awarded the Medal of Merit—Tourism by the Macau SAR government for his significant contributions to tourism in the territory.

As a socially responsible young entrepreneur in Hong Kong, Mr. Ho was selected as one of the “Ten Outstanding Young Persons Selection 2006,” organized by Junior Chamber International Hong Kong. In 2007,

 

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he was elected as a finalist in the “Best Chairman” category in the “Stevie International Business Awards” and one of the “100 Most Influential People across Asia Pacific” by Asiamoney magazine. In 2008, he was granted the “China Charity Award” by the Ministry of Civil Affairs of the People’s Republic of China. In 2009, Mr. Ho was selected as one of the “China Top Ten Financial and Intelligent Persons” judged by a panel led by the Beijing Cultural Development Study Institute and Fortune Times and was named “Young Entrepreneur of the Year” at Hong Kong’s first Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards. Mr. Ho was selected by FinanceAsia magazine as one of the “Best CEOs in Hong Kong” for the fifth time in 2014 and was granted the “Leadership Gold Award” in the Business Awards of Macau in 2015. Mr. Ho has been honored as one of the recipients of the “Asian Corporate Director Recognition Awards” by Corporate Governance Asia magazine for eight consecutive years since 2012 and was awarded “Asia’s Best CEO” at the Asian Excellence Awards for the eighth time in 2019.

Mr. Ho graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in commerce from the University of Toronto, Canada, in June 1999 and was awarded the Honorary Doctor of Business Administration degree by Edinburgh Napier University, Scotland, in July 2009 for his contribution to business, education and the community in Hong Kong, Macau and China.

Mr.

 Evan Andrew Winkler

has been a member of our board of directors since August 2016. Mr. Winkler was also appointed as a director of Melco Resorts on August 3, 2016 and the president of Melco Resorts on September 4, 2019. Mr. Winkler has served as the managing director and the president of Melco International since August 2016 and May 2018, respectively, and a director of various subsidiaries of Melco International. Before joining Melco International, Mr. Winkler served as a managing director at Moelis & Company, a global investment bank. Prior to that, he was a managing director and

co-head

of technology, media and telecommunications M&A at UBS Investment Bank. Mr. Winkler has extensive experience in providing senior level advisory services on mergers and acquisitions and other corporate finance initiatives, having spent nearly two decades working on Wall Street. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Chicago.

Mr.

 Clarence Yuk Man Chung

has been a member of our board of directors since October 2018. Mr. Chung was appointed as a

non-executive

director of Melco Resorts on November 21, 2006. Mr. Chung has also been an executive director of Melco International since May 2006, which he joined in December 2003. In addition, Mr. Chung has been the chairman and president of Melco Resorts and Entertainment (Philippines) Corporation, or MRP, since December 2012 and has also been appointed as a director of certain subsidiaries of Melco International and Melco Resorts incorporated in various jurisdictions. Before joining Melco International, Mr. Chung had been in the financial industry in various capacities as a chief financial officer, an investment banker and a merger and acquisition specialist. He was named one of the “Asian Gaming 50” for multiple years (including 2018) by Inside Asian Gaming magazine. Mr. Chung is a member of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and obtained a master’s degree in business administration from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

Mr.

 Geoffrey Stuart Davis

has been a member of our board of directors since October 2018 and has also been our chief financial officer since June 2019. Mr. Davis is the executive vice president and chief financial officer of Melco Resorts and he was appointed to this role in April 2011. Prior to that, he served as the deputy chief financial officer of Melco Resorts from August 2010 to March 2011 and senior vice president, corporate finance of Melco Resorts since 2007, when he joined Melco Resorts. In addition, Mr. Davis has been the chief financial officer of Melco International since December 2017. Prior to joining Melco Resorts, Mr. Davis was a research analyst for Citigroup Investment Research, where he covered the U.S. gaming industry from 2001 to 2007. From 1996 to 2000, he held a number of positions at Hilton Hotels Corporation and Park Place Entertainment. Park Place was spun off from Hilton Hotels Corporation and subsequently renamed Caesars Entertainment. Mr. Davis has been a CFA charter holder since 2000 and obtained a bachelor of arts degree from Brown University.

 

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Ms.

 Stephanie Cheung

has been a member of our board of directors since October 2018. Ms. Cheung is the executive vice president and chief legal officer of Melco Resorts and she was appointed to this role in December 2008. Prior to that, she held the title of general counsel of Melco Resorts from November 2006, when she joined Melco Resorts. She has acted as the secretary to the board of Melco Resorts since she joined Melco Resorts. Prior to joining Melco Resorts, Ms. Cheung practiced law with various international law firms in Hong Kong, Singapore and Toronto. Ms. Cheung graduated with a bachelor of laws degree from Osgoode Hall Law School and a master’s degree in business administration from York University. Ms. Cheung is admitted as a solicitor in Ontario, Canada, England and Wales and Hong Kong and is a member of the Hong Kong Institute of Directors and a fellow of Salzburg Global.

Ms.

 Akiko Takahashi

has been a member of our board of directors since October 2018. Ms. Takahashi is executive vice president and chief of staff to Chairman and CEO of Melco Resorts, and was appointed to this role in June 2019. Prior to her present roles, she was the executive vice president and chief officer, human resources/corporate social responsibility from December 2008 and held the title of group human resources director of Melco Resorts from December 2006, when she joined Melco Resorts. Prior to joining Melco Resorts, Ms. Takahashi worked as a consultant in her own consultancy company from 2003 to 2006 where she conducted

“C-level”

executive searches for clients and assisted with brand/service culture alignment for a luxury hotel in New York City and where her last engagement prior to joining Melco Resorts was to lead the human resources integration for the largest international hospitality joint venture in Japan between InterContinental Hotels Group and ANA Hotels. She was the global group director of human resources for

Shangri-la

Hotels and Resorts, an international luxury hotel group headquartered in Hong Kong, from 1995 to 2003. Between 1993 and 1995, she was the senior vice president of human resources and service quality for Bank of America, Hawaii, FSB. She served as regional human resources manager for Sheraton Hotels Hawaii / Japan from 1985 to 1993. Ms. Takahashi started her hospitality career as a training manager for Halekulani Hotel. She began her career in the fashion luxury retail industry in merchandising, operations, training and human resources. Ms. Takahashi attended the University of Hawaii.

Mr.

 David Anthony Reganato

has been a member of our board of directors since March 2014. Mr. Reganato also serves on the boards of Codere S.A., Granite Broadcasting LLC, Rotech Healthcare, Inc. and Trident Topco LLC. Mr. Reganato is a Partner with Silver Point Capital, L.P., an investment advisor, which he joined in November 2002. Prior to Silver Point Capital, L.P., Mr. Reganato worked in the investment banking division of Morgan Stanley. Mr. Reganato earned his B.S. in Finance and Accounting from the Stern School of Business at New York University.

Mr.

 Timothy Paul Lavelle

has been a member of our board of directors since October 2018. Mr. Lavelle serves on the boards of Codere S.A., Rotech Healthcare Holdings, Inc. and Trident Topco LLC. Mr. Lavelle is a partner at Fairfield Dental Partners, LLC, an emerging dental services organization. Previously, Mr. Lavelle was a senior investment analyst with Silver Point Capital, L.P., an investment advisor, which he joined in August 2008. Prior to Silver Point Capital, L.P., Mr. Lavelle worked in the investment banking division of Credit Suisse. Mr. Lavelle graduated with his B.B.A. in Finance and Psychology from the University of Notre Dame.

Ms.

 Dominique Mielle

has been a member of our board of directors since October 2018. Ms. Mielle was a partner at Canyon Capital Advisors, LLC, or Canyon, from August 1998 to December 2017 where she primarily focused on the transportation, technology, retail and consumer products sectors, specialized in corporate and municipal bond securitizations and was responsible for all aspects of Canyon’s collateralized loan obligations business. Ms. Mielle has over 25 years of experience on Wall Street, investing in fixed income and leading capital structure optimizations and restructurings. She was named one of the “Top 50 Women in Hedge Funds” by Ernst & Young in 2017. Prior to joining Canyon in 1998, Ms. Mielle worked at Libra Investments, Inc. as an associate in the corporate finance department covering middle market companies. Prior to that, she worked at Lehman Brothers as an analyst in the Financial Institutions group, focusing on mergers and acquisitions. Ms. Mielle also serves on the board of directors of Ready Capital Corporation, Tiptree

 

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Inc. and Digicel Group. Ms. Mielle graduated with an M.B.A. (Finance) from Stanford University and a Master in Management degree from Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales in France (HEC Paris).

Mr.

 Kevin

 F. Sullivan

has been a member of our board of directors since October 2018. He is a Managing Director at MidOcean Credit Partners, a private investment firm that specializes in U.S. hedge fund investments. Prior to joining MidOcean Credit Partners, Mr. Sullivan was a Managing Director at Deutsche Bank, and a predecessor bank, Bankers Trust, from 1980 until November 2012. Mr. Sullivan held positions of increasing responsibility over his 32 years at Deutsche Bank and Bankers Trust, including Group Head of the loan sales, trading and capital markets division, Asia Head of the leveraged finance division, Group Head of the Asset Based Lending division, Member of the Capital Commitments Committee and Member of the Equity Investment Committee. Prior to that, he worked at Price Waterhouse & Co. as part of its New York senior audit staff from 1975 to 1979. Mr. Sullivan has also been the lead independent director of Griffon Corporation and has served on its board, audit and head of finance committees since January 2013. Mr. Sullivan graduated with an M.B.A. in Finance from St. John’s University and a B.S. degree in Accounting from Fordham University.

Mr.

 Nigel Alan Dean

has been a member of our board of directors since October 2018. Mr. Dean was Melco’s Executive Vice President and Chief Internal Auditor from December 2008 until September 2012 and held the title of Director, Internal Audit from December 2006, when he joined Melco. Prior to joining Melco, Mr. Dean was the General Manager — Compliance (Finance and Administration) at Coles Myer Limited (now known as Wesfarmers Limited) from 2003 until 2006, where he was responsible for the implementation of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 compliance processes and other corporate governance compliance programs. Other positions Mr. Dean held at Coles Myer Limited included Chief Internal Auditor from 1995 to 2002 and General Manager — Internal Audit Supermarkets Division from 1991 to 1995. Mr. Dean’s previous experience in internal and external audit included positions with Elders IXL Group from 1986 to 1990, CRA Limited (now known as Rio Tinto Limited) from 1982 to 1986, Ford Asia-Pacific from 1976 to 1982, the Australian Federal Government Auditor-Generals Office from 1975 to 1976 and Peat Marwick Mitchell & Co. (now known as KPMG) from 1973 to 1975. Mr. Dean has been a Fellow CPA of the Australian Society of Certified Practising Accountants since 1984 and was a Certified Internal Auditor, as designated by the Institute of Internal Auditors in the United States, from 2005 until 2012. Mr. Dean obtained a Bachelor of Laws degree from Deakin University in 2005, a Masters of Business Administration degree from Monash University in 1993 and a Diploma of Business Studies (Accounting) from Swinburne University of Technology (formerly Swinburne College of Technology) in 1973.

Executive Officer

Mr.

 Kevin Richard Benning

has served as our property general manager since December 2020. Prior to Mr. Benning’s current position, Mr. Benning served as property president / chief operating officer of MRP from January 2018 to December 2020 as well as vice president of casino operations of MRP from March 2016 to January 2018. Prior to joining MRP, Mr. Benning was the vice president of casino marketing for Resorts World Sentosa from April 2015 to March 2016. From January 2013 to April 2015, Mr. Benning was executive director of marketing operations for Sands China Limited as well as director of marketing from June 2012 to January 2013 and director of slot operations from April 2011 to June 2012. Mr. Benning started his career with Harrah’s

Ak-Chin

Resort in Arizona holding a variety of operational roles from July 2004 to April 2011. Mr. Benning graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration.

B. COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

In 2020, we paid an aggregate of US$1.3 million in cash and benefits to our directors and executive officers. We have not set aside or accrued any material amount to provide pension, retirement or other similar benefits to our directors and executive officers. None of the service agreements between us and our directors provide benefits upon termination of services.

 

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Share Incentive Plan

We currently do not have a share incentive plan. However, our directors, employees and consultants are eligible to participate in the 2011 share incentive plan of Melco Resorts, which is open to directors, employees and consultants of Melco Resorts and any parent or subsidiary of Melco Resorts.

The types of awards that may be granted under the 2011 share incentive plan of Melco Resorts include options, incentive share options, restricted shares, share appreciation rights, dividend equivalents, share payments, deferred shares and restricted share units. The compensation committee of Melco Resorts may, from time to time, select from among all eligible individuals, those to whom awards will be granted and determine the nature and amount of each award. The maximum aggregate number of shares which may be issued pursuant to the 2011 share incentive plan is 100,000,000 shares and the 2011 share incentive plan will expire in December 2021.

C. BOARD PRACTICES

Composition of Board of Directors

Our board of directors consists of eleven directors, including three independent directors. Under the Shareholders’ Agreement, subject to maintaining ownership of a certain percentage of the number of shares held immediately prior to our initial public offering, MCO Cotai is entitled to appoint up to three directors and New Cotai is entitled to appoint up to two directors. See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions — B. Related Party Transactions — Shareholders’ Agreement.” Notwithstanding such provisions contained in the Shareholders’ Agreement, the additional members on our board of directors that commenced service on our board of directors immediately following the completion of our initial public offering were appointed by the board of directors, which, immediately prior to the completion of our initial public offering, consisted of Mr. Lawrence Ho, Mr. Evan Winkler and Mr. David Reganato. Mr. Lawrence Ho was appointed as a director by our board of directors in connection with MCO Cotai’s acquisition of a 60% interest in us. Mr. Evan Winkler was appointed by MCO Cotai under its right to appoint up to three directors under the Shareholders’ Agreement and Mr. David Reganato was appointed by New Cotai under its right to appoint up to two directors under the Shareholders’ Agreement. Our articles of association do not require directors to stand for

re-election

at staggered intervals.

NYSE Rule 303A.01 generally requires that a majority of an issuer’s board of directors must consist of independent directors. However, NYSE Rule 303A.00 permits foreign private issuers like us to follow “home country practice” in certain corporate governance matters. We rely on this “home country practice” exception and do not have a majority of independent directors serving on our board. A director is not required to hold any shares in our company to qualify to serve as a director. A director who is in any way, whether directly or indirectly, interested in a contract or proposed contract with our company is required to declare the nature of his/her interest at a meeting of our directors. A general notice given to the directors by any director to the effect that he/she is a member, shareholder, director, partner, officer or employee of any specified company or firm and is to be regarded as interested in any contract or transaction with that company or firm shall be deemed a sufficient declaration of interest for the purposes of voting on a resolution in respect to a contract or transaction in which he/she has an interest, and after such general notice it shall not be necessary to give special notice relating to any particular transaction. A director may vote in respect of any contract or proposed contract or arrangement notwithstanding that he/she may be interested therein and if he/she does so his/her vote shall be counted and he/she may be counted in the quorum at any meeting of the directors at which any such contract or proposed contract or arrangement is considered. Our board of directors may exercise all of the powers of our company to borrow money, to mortgage or charge its undertaking, property and uncalled capital, or any part thereof, and to issue debentures, debenture stock or other securities whenever money is borrowed or as security for any debt, liability or obligation of our company or of any third-party. None of our directors have a service contract with us that provides for benefits upon termination of employment.

 

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Duties of Directors

Under Cayman Islands law, our directors owe fiduciary duties to our company, including a duty of loyalty, a duty to act honestly and a duty to act in what they consider in good faith to be in our best interests. Our directors must also exercise their powers only for a proper purpose. Our directors also owe to our company a duty to act with skill and care. It was previously considered that a director need not exhibit in the performance of his duties a greater degree of skill than may reasonably be expected from a person of his knowledge and experience. However, English and Commonwealth courts have moved towards an objective standard with regard to the required skill and care and these authorities are likely to be followed in the Cayman Islands. In fulfilling their duty of care to us, our directors must ensure compliance with our memorandum and articles of association, as amended and restated from time to time. Our company has the right to seek damages if a duty owed by our directors is breached. In limited exceptional circumstances, a shareholder may have the right to seek damages in our name if a duty owed by our directors is breached.

The functions and powers of our board of directors include, among others:

 

•

convening shareholders’ annual general meetings and reporting its work to shareholders at such meetings;

 

•

declaring dividends and distributions;

 

•

appointing officers and determining the term of office of officers;

 

•

exercising the borrowing powers of our company and mortgaging the property of our company; and

 

•

approving the transfer of shares of our company, including the registering of such shares in our share register.

Terms of Directors and Executive Officers

Our officers are elected by and serve at the discretion of the board. Our directors are not subject to a term of office and hold office until such time as they are removed from office by special resolution or the unanimous written resolution of all shareholders. A director will be removed from office automatically if, among other things, the director (i) becomes bankrupt or makes any arrangement or composition with his creditors or (ii) dies or is found by our company to be or becomes of unsound mind. In addition, the service agreements between us and our directors do not provide benefits upon termination of their services. See also “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions — B. Related Party Transactions — Shareholders’ Agreement.”

Committees of the Board of Directors

Our board established an audit and risk committee, a compensation committee and a nominating and corporate governance committee in October 2018. Each committee has its defined scope of duties and terms of reference within its own charter, which empowers committee members to make decisions on certain matters and which are located on our website. Our audit and risk committee consists entirely of directors whom our board has determined to be independent under the “independence” requirements of the New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual. The current membership of these three committees and summary of its respective charter are provided below.

Audit and Risk Committee

Our audit and risk committee consists of Dominique Mielle, Kevin F. Sullivan and Nigel Alan Dean, and is chaired by Mr. Sullivan. All of our audit and risk committee members satisfy the “independence” requirements of Section 303A of the New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual and meet the

 

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independence standards under

Rule 10A-3 under

the Exchange Act. The audit and risk committee is responsible for assisting our board in overseeing and monitoring:

 

•

the audits of the financial statements of our company;

 

•

the qualifications and independence of our independent auditors;

 

•

the performance of our independent auditors;

 

•

the account and financial reporting processes of our company and the integrity of our systems of internal accounting and financial controls;

 

•

legal and regulatory issues relating to the financial statements of our company, including the oversight of the independent auditors, the review of the financial statements and related material, the internal audit process and the procedure for receiving complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, auditing or other related matters;

 

•

the disclosure, in accordance with our relevant policies, of any material information regarding the quality or integrity of our financial statements;

 

•

the integrity and effectiveness of our internal audit function; and

 

•

the risk management policies, procedures and practices.

The other duties of the audit and risk committee include:

 

•

reviewing and recommending to our board for approval, the appointment, re-appointment or removal of the independent auditor, after considering its annual performance evaluation of the independent auditor;

 

•

approving the remuneration and terms of engagement of the independent auditor and pre-approving all auditing and non-auditing services permitted to be performed by our independent auditors;

 

•

at least annually, obtaining a written report from our independent auditor describing matters relating to its independence and quality control procedures;

 

•

discussing with our independent auditor and our management, among other things, the audits of the financial statements, including whether any material information brought to their attention should be disclosed, issues regarding accounting and auditing principles and practices and the management’s internal control report;

 

•

reviewing and recommending the financial statements for inclusion within our quarterly earnings releases and to our board for inclusion in our annual reports;

 

•

approving all material related party transactions brought to its attention, without further approval of our board;

 

•

establishing and overseeing procedures for the handling of complaints and whistleblowing;

 

•

approving the internal audit charter and annual audit plans, and undertaking an annual performance evaluation of the internal audit function;

 

•

assessing senior management’s policies and procedures to identify, accept, mitigate, allocate or otherwise manage various types of risks presented by management, and making recommendations with respect to our risk management process for the board’s approval;

 

•

reviewing our financial controls, internal control and risk management systems, and discussing with our management the system of internal control and ensuring that our management has discharged its duty to have an effective internal control system including the adequacy of resources, the qualifications and experience of our accounting and financial staff, and their training programs and budget;

 

•

together with our board, evaluating the performance of the audit and risk committee on an annual basis;

 

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•

assessing the adequacy of the charter of the audit and risk committee; and

 

•

co-operating with the other board committees in any areas of overlapping responsibilities.

Compensation Committee

Our compensation committee consists of Dominique Mielle, Kevin F. Sullivan, David Anthony Reganato and Nigel Alan Dean, and is chaired by Mr. Dean. Each of Dominique Mielle, Kevin F. Sullivan and Nigel Alan Dean satisfies the “independence” requirements of Section 303A of the New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual. Our compensation committee assists the board in discharging the responsibilities of the board relating to compensation of our directors and property general manager, including, among others, to design (in consultation with management), evaluate and approve the compensation for the property general manager and evaluate and recommend to our board for approval proposals related to directors’ compensation. Members of this committee are not prohibited from direct involvement in determining their own compensation.

Our property general manager may not be present at any compensation committee meeting during which his compensation is deliberated upon. The compensation committee will be responsible for, among other things:

 

•

overseeing the development and implementation of executive compensation programs in consultation with our management;

 

•

at least annually, making recommendations to our board with respect to the compensation arrangements for our independent directors, and approving compensation arrangements for our property general manager;

 

•

as applicable, reviewing and approving our incentive-compensation plans (if any) and equity grant (if any) under its share incentive plans (if any) and overseeing the administration of these plans and discharging any responsibilities imposed on the compensation committee by any of these plans;

 

•

reviewing and approving the compensation payable to our directors and property general manager in connection with any loss or termination of their office or appointment;

 

•

reviewing and approving any benefits in kind received by any director or property general manager where such benefits are not provided for under the relevant employment terms;

 

•

reviewing executive officer and director indemnification and insurance matters;

 

•

overseeing our regulatory compliance with respect to compensation matters, including our policies and restrictions on compensation plans and loans to officers;

 

•

together with the board, evaluating the performance of the compensation committee on an annual basis;

 

•

assessing the adequacy of the charter of the compensation committee; and

 

•

co-operating with the other board committees in any areas of overlapping responsibilities.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

Our nominating and corporate governance committee consists of Dominique Mielle, Kevin F. Sullivan, Timothy Paul Lavelle and Nigel Alan Dean, and is chaired by Ms. Mielle. Each of Dominique Mielle, Kevin F. Sullivan and Nigel Alan Dean satisfies the “independence” requirements of Section 303A of the New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual. The nominating and corporate governance committee will be responsible for, among other things, assisting our board in discharging its responsibilities regarding:

 

•

the identification of qualified candidates to become members and chairs of the board committees and to fill any such vacancies, and reviewing the appropriateness of the continued service of directors;

 

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•

ensuring that our board meets the criteria for independence under the New York Stock Exchange corporate governance rules and nominating directors who meet such independence criteria;

 

•

oversight of our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, in particular the legal and regulatory requirements of Macau, the Cayman Islands, the SEC and the New York Stock Exchange;

 

•

the development and recommendation to our board of a set of corporate governance principles applicable to our company; and

 

•

the disclosure, in accordance with our relevant policies, of any material information (other than that regarding the quality or integrity of our financial statements).

The other duties of the nominating and corporate governance committee include:

 

•

making recommendations to our board for its approval, the appointment or re-appointment of any members of our board and the chairs and members of its committees, including evaluating any succession planning;

 

•

reviewing on an annual basis the appropriate skills, knowledge and characteristics required of board members and of the committees of our board and making any recommendations to improve the performance of our board and its committees;

 

•

developing and recommending to our board such policies and procedures with respect to nomination or appointment of members of our board and chairs and members of its committees or other corporate governance matters as may be required pursuant to any SEC or New York Stock Exchange rules, or otherwise considered desirable and appropriate;

 

•

developing a set of corporate governance principles and reviewing such principles at least annually;

 

•

deciding whether any material information which is brought to its attention (other than that regarding the quality or integrity of our financial statements) should be disclosed;

 

•

reviewing and monitoring the training and continuous professional development of our directors and senior management;

 

•

developing, reviewing and monitoring the code of conduct and compliance manual applicable to staff and directors;

 

•

together with the board, evaluating the performance of the committee on an annual basis;

 

•

assessing the adequacy of the charter of the nominating and corporate governance committee; and

 

•

co-operating with the other board committees in any areas of overlapping responsibilities.

Employment Agreements

We have, through our subsidiary, entered into an employment agreement with our property general manager. Our property general manager is employed for a continuous term, unless either party gives prior notice to terminate such employment. We may terminate the employment for cause at any time by immediate notice and without remuneration for certain acts, including but not limited to the commitment of any serious breach, continued failure to perform duties and responsibilities, any serious criminal offense or habitual neglect of duties. Our property general manager may terminate his employment at any time with a

six-month

prior written notice.

Our property general manager has agreed to hold, both during and after the employment agreement expires or is earlier terminated, in confidence and not to use or disclose to any person, firm or corporation, any confidential information. Our property general manager has also agreed to disclose to us all intellectual property rights created, generated, made, conceived, authored, developed or acquired during employment with us and to waive all moral rights and rights of a similar nature in which copyright may subsist, created by him during the

 

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period of employment with us. In addition, our property general manager has agreed not to, for a certain period following termination of his employment: (i) be engaged, concerned or interested in any capacity (other than as a passive investor of not more than 5% of the issued ordinary shares of any company listed on a recognized investment exchange) with any business carried on within, among others, Hong Kong, Macau and the Philippines similar to or in competition with any restricted business, (ii) solicit or seek or endeavor to entice away any business orders of customers or (iii) induce, solicit or entice or endeavor to induce, solicit or entice away, or offer employment or engagement to, certain employees.

Our chief financial officer provides services to us pursuant to the Management and Shared Services Arrangements.

D. EMPLOYEES

Staff

There were 3,924, 4,485 and 4,374 dedicated staff members as of December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, performing services solely at Studio City. The Gaming Operator is responsible for the hiring, managing and training of the gaming staff and deducts such costs relating to such gaming staff from Studio City Casino’s gross gaming revenue in accordance with the Services and Right to Use Arrangements. See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions — B. Related Party Transactions — Services and Right to Use Arrangements.” Under the Management and Shared Services Arrangements, the Master Service Providers, recruit, place, allocate, train, manage and supervise the staff who are solely dedicated to our property to perform corporate and administrative functions and carry out

other non-gaming activities,

and the relevant personnel costs are charged back to us. In addition, we receive certain centralized corporate and management services from the senior management and other shared service staff of the Master Service Providers who devote a portion of their time under the arrangements. See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions — B. Related Party Transactions — Management and Shared Services Arrangements.” The property general manager is employed by us. Our property general manager has oversight over all

non-gaming

staff members solely dedicated to Studio City and exercises input over their performance, which enables us to effectively evaluate their performance and manage talent. Our chief financial officer has oversight over our expenses (including shared service related items), receipts and disbursements, record-keeping and financial reporting to management and facilitates in the financial budgeting process. The following table indicates the distribution of these staff by function pursuant to the Management and Shared Services Arrangements as of December 31, 2020:

 

Function		Number of Staff
Management, Administrative and Finance			15
Gaming			1,877
Hotel			556
Food and Beverage			661
Property Operations			191
Entertainment			85
Marketing			182
Others			357
Total			3,924

Through the Management and Shared Services Arrangements, we are able to leverage the resources and platform of the Master Service Providers to have qualified staff dedicated to working on our property. Our success depends on the ability of the Master Service Providers and us to attract, retain, motivate, and inspire qualified personnel. We believe that we maintain a good working relationship with the staff working at Studio City. We have not experienced any significant labor disputes. None of the dedicated staff members performing services solely at Studio City are members of any labor union and neither we nor any of the Master Service Providers are a party to any collective bargaining or similar agreement with such staff.

 

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E. SHARE OWNERSHIP

Share Ownership of Directors and Members of Senior Management

The following table sets forth the beneficial interest of each director and executive officer in our ordinary shares as of March 26, 2021.

 

		Number of Class A ordinary shares				Number of Class B ordinary shares				Approximate percentage of voting power  (1)
Directors and Executive Officers:
Lawrence Yau Lung Ho (2)			243,020,416				—				54.9	%
Evan Andrew Winkler			—				—				—
Clarence Yuk Man Chung			*				—				*
Geoffrey Stuart Davis			—				—				—
Stephanie Cheung			—				—				—
Akiko Takahashi			—				—				—
David Anthony Reganato			—				—				—
Timothy Paul Lavelle			—				—				—
Dominique Mielle			—				—				—
Kevin F. Sullivan			*				—				*
Nigel Alan Dean			—				—				—
Kevin Richard Benning			—				—				—
Directors and executive officers as a group			243,045,348				—				54.9	%

 

*	Represents less than 1% of our total outstanding shares.

 

(1)

Percentage of voting power represents percentage of voting interest of our Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares voting together as a single class. Class B ordinary share have no economic rights. Percentage of voting power of each director and executive officer is calculated by dividing the number of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares beneficially owned by such person or group, including shares that such person or group has the right to acquire within 60 days after March 26, 2021, by the sum of (i) 442,864,460 which is the total number of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares outstanding as of March 26, 2021, and (ii) the number of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares that such person or group has the right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days of March 26, 2021.

 

(2)

Represents 180,953,128 Class A ordinary shares and 15,330,000 ADSs (representing 61,320,000 Class A ordinary shares) held by MCO Cotai and 747,288 Class A ordinary shares held by Melco International, among which include 118 ADSs (representing 472 Class A ordinary shares) held by an agent on its behalf. Mr. Ho holds approximately 58.13% of the total issued shares of Melco International, including beneficial interest, interest of his controlled corporations, interest of his spouse and interest of a trust in which he is one of the beneficiaries and taken to have interest by virtue of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Chapter 571, the Laws of Hong Kong). See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions – A. Major Shareholders.”

None of our directors or executive officers who are shareholders have different voting rights from other shareholders of our Company.

 

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ITEM 7.

MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

A. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS

The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares as of March 26, 2021 by all persons who are known to us to be the beneficial owners of 5% or more of our share capital.

 

Name		Number of Class A ordinary shares beneficially owned				Number of Class B ordinary shares beneficially owned				Percentage Voting Power  (1)
Melco International (2)			243,020,416				—				54.88	%
New Cotai, LLC (3)			30,774,116				72,511,760				23.32	%
The Silver Point Funds (4)			61,570,720				—				13.90	%

 

(1)

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, and includes voting or investment power with respect to the securities. Percentage voting power represents percentage of voting interest of our Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares voting together as a single class. Class B ordinary share have no economic rights.

 

(2)

Represents 180,953,128 Class A ordinary shares and 15,330,000 ADSs (representing 61,320,000 Class A ordinary shares), constituting 65.41% of the outstanding Class A ordinary shares, held by MCO Cotai and 747,288 Class A ordinary shares, constituting 0.2% of the outstanding Class A ordinary shares, held by Melco International, among which include 118 ADSs (representing 472 Class A ordinary shares) held by an agent on its behalf. Mr. Ho is the majority shareholder of Melco International, which is the sole shareholder of Melco Leisure and Entertainment Group Limited, or Melco Leisure, which is the majority shareholder of Melco Resorts, a publicly-traded company whose American depositary shares are listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market. Melco Resorts is the sole shareholder of MCO Holdings Limited, or MCO Holdings, which is the sole shareholder of MCO Cotai. The registered address for each of MCO Cotai and MCO Holdings is Intertrust Corporate Services (Cayman) Limited, One Nexus Way, Camana Bay, Grand Cayman KY1-9005, Cayman Islands. The principal business address for Melco Resorts is 36th Floor, The Centrium, 60 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong. The principal business address for Melco Leisure is c/o 38th Floor, The Centrium, 60 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong. The principal business address for Mr. Lawrence Ho and Melco International is 38th Floor, The Centrium, 60 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong.

 

(3)

Represents 72,511,760 Class B ordinary shares, constituting 100.0% of the outstanding Class B ordinary shares and, as of December 31, 2020, 7,693,529 ADS (representing 30,774,116 Class A ordinary shares), constituting 8.3% of the outstanding Class A ordinary shares, directly held by New Cotai, LLC. Subject to the terms of the exchange arrangements described in “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions — B. Related Party Transactions — Pre-IPO Organizational Transactions,” New Cotai, subject to certain conditions, may exchange its Participation Interest for Class A ordinary shares. In connection with such exchange, the corresponding number of Class B ordinary shares will be canceled for no consideration. See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions — B. Related Party Transactions — Pre-IPO Organizational Transactions — Participation Agreement.” The number of Class A ordinary shares do not reflect the 72,511,760 of Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exchange by New Cotai of its Participation Interest. The business address of New Cotai is 2700 Patriot Boulevard, Suite 250, Glenview, Illinois 60026.

 

(4)

Represents 15,392,680 ADSs (representing 61,570,720 Class A ordinary shares), constituting 16.62% of the outstanding Class A ordinary shares, held by Silver Point Capital Fund, L.P. and Silver Point Capital Offshore Master Fund, L.P. as of December 31, 2020. Silver Point Capital, L.P. is the investment manager of Silver Point Capital Fund, L.P. and Silver Point Capital Offshore Master Fund, L.P. The address of the principal business office of Silver Point Capital, L.P. is Two Greenwich Plaza, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830.

 

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As of December 31, 2020, a total of 442,864,460 Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares were outstanding, of which 188,652,756 Class A ordinary shares were registered in the name of a nominee of Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, the depositary under the deposit agreement. Other than as described in this annual report, we have no further information as to shares held, or beneficially owned, by U.S. persons. Since the completion of our initial public offering in October 2018, all ordinary shares underlying the ADSs have been held in Hong Kong by the custodian, Deutsche Bank AG, Hong Kong Branch, on behalf of the depositary.

None of our shareholders have different voting rights from other shareholders. We are not aware of any arrangement that may, at a subsequent date, result in a change of control of our Company.

Immediately prior to the Organizational Transactions, 60% of the equity interest in us was directly held by MCO Cotai and 40% of the equity interest in us was directly held by New Cotai.

See “Item 4. Information on the Company — C. Organizational Structure” for our current corporate structure.

B. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

For a discussion of significant related party transactions we entered into during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, see note 19 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report.

Pre-IPO

Organizational Transactions

Immediately prior to the Organizational Transactions, 60% of the equity interest in us was directly held by MCO Cotai and 40% of the equity interest in us was directly held by New Cotai. Prior to the completion of our initial public offering, we entered into an implementation agreement, or the Implementation Agreement, with MCO Cotai, Melco Resorts, New Cotai and MSC Cotai to effect and implement the Organizational Transaction, which included the following:

 

•

We amended and restated our memorandum of association and articles of association to, among other things, authorize two classes of ordinary shares.

 

•

MCO Cotai’s 60% equity interest in our company was reclassified into Class A ordinary shares.

 

•

New Cotai’s 40% equity interest in our company was exchanged for Class B ordinary shares.

 

•

In addition, New Cotai was granted a Participation Interest in MSC Cotai, the terms of which are set forth in the Participation Agreement that was entered into by MSC Cotai, New Cotai and us. See “— Participation Agreement.”

 

•

The Participation Agreement provides that New Cotai is entitled to exchange all or a portion of its Participation Interest for a number of Class A ordinary shares subject to adjustments, exceptions and conditions as set out in the Participation Agreement. See “— Participation Agreement.” When New Cotai exchanges all or a portion of the Participation Interest for Class A ordinary shares pursuant to the terms of exchange set forth in the Participation Agreement and described herein, a proportionate number of Class B ordinary shares will be deemed surrendered and automatically canceled for no consideration as set out in the Participation Agreement.

Participation Agreement

As part of the Organizational Transactions, we, MSC Cotai and New Cotai entered into the participation agreement, or the Participation Agreement, pursuant to which MSC Cotai granted a participation

 

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interest, or the Participation Interest, to New Cotai (as the sole initial holder of the Participation Interest). Pursuant to the terms of the Participation Agreement, New Cotai or any permitted transferees to whom all or part of the Participation Interest may be transferred (collectively referred to as the Participants) are entitled to receive from MSC Cotai a ratable proportionate amount of the distributions and dividends paid by MSC Cotai to the Company. The Participation Agreement also provides that the Participants are entitled to exchange all or a portion of its Participation Interest, along with the deemed surrender and automatic cancelation of a corresponding number of Class B ordinary shares, for the ratable number of Class A ordinary shares.

Payments on the Participation Interest.

 Generally, Participants are entitled to receive a ratable proportionate amount of the distributions and dividends paid by MSC Cotai to the Company. Such ratable proportionate amount due to each Participant is generally determined by multiplying the amount of the relevant distribution or dividend paid by MSC Cotai to the Company by the number of percentage points represented by such Participant’s Participation Interest, subject to adjustment from time to time as set forth in the Participation Agreement (the “Participation Percentage”).

Adjustments to Participation Interest and the Number of Class

 B Ordinary Shares Held.

 Generally, the Participation Interest is subject to adjustments in the case of (i) the new issuances of shares of MSC Cotai to the Company in exchange for capital contributions by the Company to MSC Cotai (including as a result of our initial public offering), (ii) repurchases and redemptions by MSC Cotai of shares of MSC Cotai, and (iii) any exchanges of the Participation Interest, as follows. In addition, the number of Class B ordinary shares held by each Participant will be adjusted by the Company from time to time so that the voting interest represented by such Class B ordinary shares is equal to the economic right represented by the Class A ordinary shares that such Participant would receive if such Participant would exchange its entire Participation Interest for Class A ordinary shares at such time.

Capital Contributions.

 Upon any Class A ordinary share issuance by the Company, the Company will contribute all proceeds to MSC Cotai and MSC Cotai will issue the same number of new shares of MSC Cotai to the Company and the Participation Interest will be adjusted to reflect the dilution that would have occurred if the Participants had been holding a corresponding number of Class A ordinary shares instead of the Participation Interest. This

back-to-back

arrangement for share issuances by the Company and MSC Cotai will apply to share issuances (i) to

non-affiliates,

(ii) to affiliates that are approved by the Company directors that are disinterested in the transaction, (iii) for assured entitlement arrangements, and (iv) pursuant to public offerings. Issuances to affiliates, unless they are made through public offerings, will generally be subject to

pre-emption

as further described below.

Share Repurchases and Redemptions.

 In the event that MSC Cotai carries out a share redemption or repurchase of shares of MSC Cotai (the proceeds of which must be used by the Company to redeem Class A ordinary shares in a

back-to-back

arrangement), the Participation Interest will be adjusted to reflect the effect of such share redemption or repurchase if the Participants had been holding a corresponding number of Class A ordinary shares instead of the Participation Interest.

Exchanges of Participation Interest.

 A Participant may elect, from time to time, to exchange its Participation Interest, in whole or in part, for Class A ordinary shares. When electing to exchange, a Participant must deliver an exchange notice to MSC Cotai, which notice must be delivered at least five business days prior to the proposed exchange date; provided, that settlement may not occur later than 90 days from the notice date. The exchanging Participant may withdraw its exchange notice at any time prior to the exchange date. Each party will bear its own expenses in connection with an election to exchange. If an election to exchange request is withdrawn, the Participant will reimburse MSC Cotai for all

out-of-pocket

expenses incurred by MSC Cotai and the Company in connection with such withdrawn exchange. Following any exchange of all or a portion of the Participation Interest for Class A ordinary shares, the Participation Interest will be reduced to reflect the decrease in number of Class A ordinary shares that such Participant would be entitled to receive post-exchange if all of the remaining Participation Interest were to be exchanged.

 

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Mandatory Exchanges.

 In case of certain change of control events relating to the Company, distributions to be made upon MSC Cotai’s liquidation, dissolution or unwinding or when the holders of the Participation Interest hold less than the specified minimum threshold set out in the Participation Agreement in the Company resulting in a termination of the Participation Agreement, and in certain other cases, any outstanding Participation Interest must be surrendered to MSC Cotai (along with the corresponding number of Class B ordinary shares) by the holders for Class A ordinary shares, or, at MSC Cotai’s option, for cash in certain cases.

Preemptive Rights.

 If the Company (1) proposes to offer equity securities solely or primarily to Melco Resorts or one of its affiliates (except in connection with a public offering, equity incentive plan or assured entitlement arrangements) or (2) grants any right, option or warrant (other than in connection with any equity plan) at a price per share less than the current price of average Class A ordinary shares, or that does not expire by the 30th day after such grant, each Participant will have the pro rata right to purchase an increase in its Participation Interest or to receive similar rights, options or warrants, as case may be so as to maintain its then-existing number of percentage points represented by its Participation Interest, subject to certain conditions.

Other Provisions

Capital Contributions.

 The Company is required to contribute to MSC Cotai all net proceeds received by it from sales of equity securities and sales of assets.

Debt Arrangements.

 If the Company enters into any debt financing or other borrowing arrangement, the Company will be required to loan the entire proceeds from such financing or borrowing arrangement to MSC Cotai on the same terms and conditions that the Company borrowed such proceeds.

HoldCo Relationship.

 The Company covenants that it will always own all of the issued and outstanding shares of MSC Cotai, and that it will not own equity interests in any other entity.

Permitted Transferees.

 Holders of the Participation Interests are able to transfer all or part of their Participation Interest and any rights in respect thereof to certain permitted transferees, as provided in the Participation Agreement, subject to certain conditions. The total Participation Interest percentage will not be changed as a result of such transfers. At any given time, the number of participants may not exceed the prescribed number set out in the Participation Agreement and any transfer in violation of such limit or other applicable provisions of the Participation Agreement will be null and void.

Termination, Governing Law and Arbitration.

 The Participation Agreement will terminate when the holders of the Participation Interest hold less than the specified minimum threshold set out in the participation agreement in the Company. The Participation Agreement is governed by New York law, and any disputes, other than certain disputed calculations under the Participation Agreement and any claims seeking injunctive relief, which can be sought in courts in Hong Kong, are intended to be resolved by arbitration sitting in Hong Kong including any disputes under the U.S. federal securities laws and claims not in connection with our initial public offering. We believe arbitration provisions in commercial agreements are generally respected by federal courts and state courts of New York.

Shareholders’ Agreement

In connection with our initial public offering and the Organizational Transactions, we entered into an amended shareholders agreement with Melco Resorts, MCO Cotai and New Cotai which took effect immediately after the completion of our initial public offering (as amended, the “Shareholders’ Agreement”). The Shareholders’ Agreement contains a variety of provisions governing the relationship between MCO Cotai and New Cotai, as our shareholders, including but not limited to the composition of the board of directors, related party transactions, corporate governance, the development and operation of Studio City, restrictions on transfer of certain of our shares and other related matters.

 

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Registration Rights Agreement

In connection with our initial public offering and the Organizational Transactions, we entered into an amended Registration Rights Agreement with New Cotai which took effect on October 16, 2018 (as amended and restated, the “Registration Rights Agreement”). Under the Registration Rights Agreement, New Cotai, holder of our registrable securities, has certain registration rights with respect to: (i) any Class A ordinary shares, (ii) any other stock or securities that the holder of Class A ordinary shares may be entitled to receive, or have received, (iii) any securities issued or issuable directly or indirectly with respect to the securities referred to in the foregoing clause (i) or (ii) by way of conversion, substitution or exchange thereof or share dividend or share split or in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, reclassification, merger, amalgamation, arrangement, consolidation or other reorganization subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

Employment Agreements

See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees — C. Board Practices — Employment Agreements.”

Transaction with the Gaming Operator under Services and Right to Use Arrangements

Under the Services and Right to Use Arrangements, the Gaming Operator is responsible for the operation of Studio City Casino and deducts gaming tax and the costs incurred in connection with its operation of Studio City Casino from the gross gaming revenues. We receive the residual gross gaming revenues and recognize these amounts as revenues from provision of gaming related services. See “— Services and Right to Use Arrangements” for details of the terms of the Services and Right to Use Arrangements.

In 2020, 2019 and 2018, total gaming taxes and costs incurred in connection with the operation of Studio City Casino deducted from gross gaming revenues were US$307.1 million, US$1,038.5 million and US$1,243.9 million, respectively. Revenues from the provision of gaming related services were negative US$42.7 million, US$393.5 million and US$339.9 million in 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Revenues from the provision of gaming related services are net of gaming taxes and the costs incurred in connection with the operation of Studio City Casino deducted by the Gaming Operator pursuant to the Services and Right to Use Arrangements.

Services and Right to Use Arrangements

On May 11, 2007, our subsidiary, Studio City Entertainment, and the Gaming Operator entered into the Services and Right to Use Agreement (as amended on June 15, 2012, together with the reimbursement agreement of the same date and other agreements or arrangements entered into from time to time regarding the operation of Studio City Casino, the “Services and Right to Use Arrangements”) pursuant to which the Gaming Operator operates Studio City Casino. These arrangements remain effective until June 26, 2022, and will be extended if the Gaming Operator obtains a gaming concession, subconcession or other right to legally operate gaming in Macau beyond June 26, 2022 and if the Macau government permits such extension.

The Services and Right to Use Arrangements set forth the terms and conditions for the operation of Studio City Casino by the Gaming Operator and the obligations of Studio City Entertainment in respect thereof.

Under the Services and Right to Use Arrangements, Studio City Entertainment allows the Gaming Operator to use and occupy Studio City Casino for purposes of managing

all day-to-day operations,

and the Gaming Operator provides the necessary security and develops and implements all systems and controls necessary for Studio City Casino. The Gaming Operator also recruits all casino staff, including dealers, cashiers, security and surveillance personnel and managers. The Gaming Operator will deduct gaming taxes and costs incurred in connection with its operation of Studio City Casino. Studio City Entertainment receives the residual gross gaming revenues and recognizes these amounts as our revenues from provision of gaming related services.

 

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Studio City Entertainment has sole responsibility with respect to the design, construction and any refurbishments of Studio City Casino and shall be responsible for all costs. The Gaming Operator shall procure all necessary permits, authorizations and licenses necessary to operate Studio City Casino in accordance with Macau law.

The Services and Right to Use Agreement is subject to customary events of default, including failure of Studio City Entertainment to make any payment required by the agreement or any action by Studio City Entertainment which causes or is likely to cause the Gaming Operator to be in breach of its subconcession. The parties may terminate the Services and Right to Use Agreement in the event of a default under the Services and Right to Use Agreement or, among others, as a result of regulatory review, except that as long as Studio City Entertainment is directly or indirectly under the control of Melco Resorts, the Gaming Operator may not terminate the Services and Right to Use Agreement.

In November 2016, pursuant to a request we made under the Services and Right to Use Agreement, the Gaming Operator commenced the operation of VIP tables at Studio City Casino. The Gaming Operator will continue VIP rolling chip operations at the Studio City Casino until December 31, 2021, subject to early termination with 30 days’ prior notice by either Studio City Entertainment or the Gaming Operator.

Management and Shared Services Arrangements

Master Services Agreement

On December 21, 2015, Studio City Entertainment, Studio City Hotels, Studio City Retail Services Limited, Studio City Developments, Studio City Ventures Limited, Studio City Services Limited and the Company (the “Studio City Entities,” each a “Studio City Entity”) and the Master Service Providers entered into a Master Services Agreement (the “Master Services Agreement”), which sets out the terms and conditions that apply to certain services to be provided under the individual work agreements (the “Work Agreements,” each a “Work Agreement” and together with the Master Services Agreement and other arrangements for

non-gaming

services at the properties in Macau, the “Management and Shared Services Arrangements”) by the Master Service Providers to the Studio City Entities and vice versa.

Under the Management and Shared Services Arrangements, the Master Service Providers recruit, allocate, train, manage and supervise a majority of the staff who are all solely dedicated to our property to perform our corporate and administrative functions and carry out

other non-gaming

activities, including food and beverage management, retail management, hotel management, entertainment projects, mall development and sales and marketing activities. In addition, leveraging the resources and platform of Melco Resorts, we receive services from the Master Service Providers, including operational management services and general corporate services, such as payroll, human resources, information technology, marketing, accounting and legal services.

Each type of service to be provided is to be set out in a separate Work Agreement between the relevant Studio City Entities and the Master Service Providers. As required by the parties, additional Work Agreements (conforming to

the pre-agreed format)

may be entered into. New Master Service Providers or Studio City Entities may also accede to existing Work Agreements as agreed between the parties. The parties to a Work Agreement may also agree to modify or add to the services covered by that Work Agreement.

The Master Services Agreement is effective from December 21, 2015 until June 26, 2022 unless terminated, extended or renewed by mutual agreement of the parties in writing. The Master Services Agreement may be terminated (a) by mutual agreement in writing, (b) automatically if the Services and Right to Use Agreement is terminated, (c) by any party upon

a 30-day prior

written notice if all Work Agreements have been terminated and are no longer in effect, (d) by the Master Service Providers (i) when there is a material breach by a Studio City Entity which remains uncured after 30 days of written notice provided by the Master Service Providers of such breach, or (ii) upon a specified change of control event whereby Melco Resorts does not

 

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directly or indirectly control the Company or any other entity that controls Studio City and the gaming areas in particular, or where relevant actions taken by any lenders lead to the foregoing results, and (e) by the Studio City Entities upon any material breach by a Master Service Provider which remains uncured after 30 days of written notice of such breach. If the Master Services Agreement is terminated, all Work Agreements shall automatically terminate.

Specifically, in case of any breach by either party under the “provision of services” and “standard of care; quality” clauses under the Master Services Agreement, the exclusive remedy of

the non-breaching party,

subject to indemnification for third-party claims and certain limitations on liabilities regarding consequential and other damages as well as caps on a party’s liability equal to the fees paid or charged under the relevant Work Agreement, is for the breaching party to (a) perform

or re-perform the

relevant services if reasonably determined by

the non-breaching party

that the performance of the relevant services is commercially practicable and/or (b) refund any fees paid if reasonably determined by the

non-breaching parties

that performance or

re-performance

is not commercially practicable or would not be sufficient compensation for the breach. Otherwise, parties of the Master Services Agreement may seek through arbitration or in a court of competent jurisdiction for specific performance, temporary, preliminary or permanent injunction relief and other interim measure to prevent breaches or threatened breaches.

In the event the Management and Shared Services Arrangements are terminated, all accrued unpaid fees for relevant services will be due and payable immediately. Between the notice of termination or six months prior to the expiration and the termination or expiration date, the parties to such agreements enter a period of transition. During the transition period, at the request of a service recipient, a service provider will cause its third-party vendors to assist and cooperate and work together with the service recipient to assist in the transition of the performance of such terminated services, including by (a) making available necessary information and materials as requested by the service recipient (excluding intellectual property), (b) complying with the termination or transition provisions of the applicable Work Agreement, (c) making available to the service recipient any personnel to answer questions that the service recipient may have regarding the terminated services or management and operation in relation thereto, and (d) assisting in development and installation of hardware and software systems as necessary to continue to manage and operate its business and properties relating to the terminated services. The transition period can be extended by up to 180 days, but cannot be extended beyond June 26, 2022.

The Master Services Agreement provides for a regular review process to ensure the quality of the services provided and for payments and charges made in accordance with the Work Agreements. Significant contested items and other disputes may, if unable to be resolved amicably, ultimately be referred to arbitral proceedings.

Work Agreements

We entered into eight Work Agreements on December 21, 2015, between certain of the Master Service Providers and the Studio City Entities. The Work Agreements cover: (1) services related to the sale and purchase of certain property, plant and equipment and inventory and supplies; (2) corporate services; (3) certain

pay-as-used

charges; (4) operational and property sharing services; (5) limousine transportation services provided by the Master Service Providers; (6) aviation services; (7) collection and payment services; and (8) limousine transportation services provided by the Studio City Entities. The terms of the Work Agreements run concurrently with the Master Services Agreement.

Certain of the Work Agreements state that only the Master Service Providers can provide certain services to the Studio City Entities, and not vice versa. This is because the Studio City Entities are not in a position to provide many of the services that they receive from the Master Service Providers, such as corporate, provision of personnel, construction, development and aviation services. For other types of services, either the Master Service Providers or the Studio City Entities may be service providers. These include intra-party sales of

 

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inventory and supplies, computer software and hardware services, limousine services and sales services in relation to attraction tickets.

Payment arrangements between the service provider and service recipient are provided for in the individual Work Agreement and may vary depending on the services provided. Corporate services are charged

at pre-negotiated rates,

subject to a base fee and cap. Senior management service fees and staff costs on operational services are allocated to us based on a percentage of efforts on the services provided to us. Other costs in relation to shared office equipment are allocated based on percentages of usage. Each of the Work Agreements also outlines the fees and reasonable documented

out-of-pocket expenses

that will be due from the service recipient to the service provider.

Services and Right to Use Direct Agreement

On November 26, 2013, Studio City Company, the Gaming Operator, Studio City Holdings Five Limited and the security agent under the 2018 Project Facility, among others, entered into the Services and Right to Use Direct Agreement, which sets forth, among other things, certain restrictions on the rights of the Gaming Operator to (subject to the necessary regulatory approvals being obtained) suspend the continued operation of Studio City Casino and/or terminate the Services and Right to Use Arrangements.

Private Placements

In relation to the Private Placements, the Company entered into subscription agreements with certain existing institutional shareholders and holders of its ADSs, including MCO Cotai, New Cotai and Silver Point Capital, L.P. Under such subscription agreements, the Company agreed to file a registration statement covering the respective purchased securities, to use commercially reasonable efforts to have the registration statement declared effective by the SEC promptly after filing and to keep such registration statement continuously effective for a period of the earlier of 180 days after the effectiveness of the registration statement or when the respective purchaser no longer holds any of the purchased securities. The Company filed such registration statement on September 15, 2020 and such registration statement was declared effective by the SEC on September 29, 2020. On March 29, 2021, the Company deregistered all securities registered under such registration statement.

C. INTERESTS OF EXPERTS AND COUNSEL

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 8.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

A. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION

We have appended consolidated financial statements filed as part of this annual report.

Legal and Administrative Proceedings

From time to time, we may become subject to legal and administrative proceedings, investigations and claims incidental to, or arising out of, the ordinary course of our business, including but not limited to, the construction, renovation, licensing or operation of

non-gaming

premises which may, from time to time, involve closure or suspension of operations or construction works while administrative proceedings are pending. We are not currently a party to, nor are we aware of, any material legal or administrative proceeding, investigation or claim which, in the opinion of our management, individually or in the aggregate, is likely to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. We may also from time to time initiate legal proceedings to protect our rights and interests.

 

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Dividend Policy

We have not previously declared or paid cash dividends and do not have any plan to declare or pay any dividends in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to retain most, if not all, of our available funds and any future earnings to operate and expand our business.

Our board of directors has discretion as to whether to distribute dividends, subject to certain requirements of Cayman Islands law and certain restrictions set forth in the instruments in relation to our outstanding borrowings. Under Cayman Islands law, a Cayman Islands company may pay a dividend out of either profit or share premium account, provided that in no circumstances may a dividend be paid if this would result in the company being unable to pay its debts as they fall due in the ordinary course of business. Even if our board of directors decides to pay dividends, the form, frequency and amount will depend upon our future operations and earnings, capital requirements and surplus, general financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors that the board of directors may deem relevant. If we pay any dividends on our Class A ordinary shares, we will pay those dividends which are payable in respect of the Class A ordinary shares underlying our ADSs to the depositary, as the registered holder of such Class A ordinary shares, and the depositary then will pay such amounts to the ADS holders who will receive payment to the same extent as holders of our Class A ordinary shares, subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, including the fees and expenses payable thereunder. Cash dividends on our Class A ordinary shares, if any, will be paid in U.S. Dollars.

We are a holding company incorporated in the Cayman Islands. For our cash requirements, including any payment of dividends to our shareholders, we rely on dividends distributed by our subsidiaries in Macau, Hong Kong and the British Virgin Islands to MSC Cotai and MSC Cotai to us. The Macau regulations may restrict the ability of our Macau subsidiaries to pay dividends to us. For example, our Macau subsidiaries are subject to a Macau complementary tax of up to 12% on taxable income, as defined in the relevant tax laws. However, we were granted a Macau complementary tax exemption through 2021 on profits generated from income received from the Gaming Operator, to the extent that such income results from gaming operations within Studio City Casino and has been subject to gaming tax. We remain subject to Macau complementary tax on

our non-gaming profits.

See “Item 4. Information on the Company — B. Business Overview — Taxation.” Furthermore, regulations in Macau currently require our subsidiaries incorporated in Macau to set aside a minimum of 25% of the relevant entity’s profit after taxation to their legal reserve until the balance of the legal reserve reaches a level equivalent to 50% of its share capital and the legal reserve is not available for distribution to the shareholders of such subsidiaries. See “Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Our Shares and ADSs — Because we do not expect to pay dividends in the foreseeable future, you must rely on price appreciation of our ADSs for return on your investment.”

In addition, the respective indentures governing our existing notes including the agreement for the 2028 Studio City Senior Secured Credit Facility, the 2025 Notes, the 2028 Notes and the 2029 Notes contain certain covenants that, subject to certain exceptions and conditions, restrict the payment of dividends by some of our subsidiaries. See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects — B. Liquidity and Capital Resources — Restrictions on Distributions.”

B. SIGNIFICANT CHANGES

Except as disclosed elsewhere in this annual report, we have not experienced any significant changes since the date of our audited consolidated financial statements included in this annual report.

ITEM 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING

Not applicable, except for Item 9.A.4 and Item 9.C.

 

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Our ADSs, each representing four Class A ordinary shares, have been listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “MSC” from October 18, 2018.

 

ITEM 10.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A. SHARE CAPITAL

Not applicable.

B. MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

Our registered office is located at Walkers Corporate Limited, 190 Elgin Avenue, George Town, Grand Cayman,

KY1-9008,

Cayman Islands. We are registered by way of continuation with the Cayman Islands Registrar of Companies and have been assigned company number 343696.

The following are summaries of material provisions of our memorandum and articles of association and the Companies Act below, insofar as they relate to the material terms of our ordinary shares.

General

All of our outstanding ordinary shares are fully paid

and non-assessable. Some

of the ordinary shares are issued in registered form only with no share certificates. Our shareholders who

are non-residents of

the Cayman Islands may freely hold and vote their ordinary shares. Under Article 4 of our memorandum of association, the objects for which we were established are unrestricted and we have full power and authority to carry out any object not prohibited by any law as provided by Section 7(4) of the Companies Act.

Dividends

The holders of our Class A ordinary shares are entitled to such dividends as may be declared by our board of directors subject to the Companies Act and our articles of association. Holders of the Class B ordinary shares do not have any right to receive dividends or distributions upon our liquidation or winding up.

Our articles of association require notice of any dividend that may have been declared to be given to each holder of our Class A ordinary shares or Class B ordinary shares and, pursuant to our articles of association, all dividends unclaimed for one year after having been declared may be forfeited by resolution of the directors for the benefit of the Company.

Voting Rights

Each of our Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares entitles its holder to one vote on all matters to be voted on by shareholders generally. Holders of our Class A and Class B ordinary shares vote together as a single class on all matters presented to our shareholders for their vote or approval, except as otherwise required by applicable law or our memorandum of association and articles of association. Voting at any meeting of shareholders is by show of hands unless a poll is demanded. A poll may be demanded by our chairman or one or more shareholders present in person or by proxy entitled to vote and who together hold not less than 20% of the paid up voting share capital of our company.

A quorum required for a meeting of shareholders consists of one or more shareholders who hold at least 50 percent of our ordinary shares at the meeting present in person or by proxy or, if a corporation or

 

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other non-natural person,

by its duly authorized representative. Shareholders’ meetings are held at least annually and may be convened by our board on its own initiative or, failing a request by our board, upon a request to the directors by shareholders holding in aggregate at least 20 percent of our ordinary shares. Advance notice of at least seven clear days is required for the convening of our annual general meeting and other shareholders meetings.

An ordinary resolution to be passed by the shareholders requires the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the votes attaching to the ordinary shares cast in a general meeting, while a special resolution requires the affirmative vote of not less

than two-thirds of

the votes cast attaching to the ordinary shares. A special resolution will be required for important matters such as changing our name or making changes to our memorandum and articles of association.

Transfer of Ordinary Shares

Subject to the restrictions in our memorandum and articles of association and the Participation Agreement, as applicable, any of our shareholders may transfer all or any of his or her ordinary shares by an instrument of transfer in the usual or common form or any other form approved by our board.

Our board of directors may, in its absolute discretion, decline to register any transfer of any ordinary share which is not fully paid up or on which we have a lien. Our directors may also decline to register any transfer of any ordinary share unless:

 

•

the instrument of transfer is lodged with us, accompanied by the certificate for the ordinary shares to which it relates and such other evidence as our board of directors may reasonably require to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer;

 

•

the instrument of transfer is in respect of only one class of shares;

 

•

the instrument of transfer is properly stamped, if required; or

 

•

in the case of a transfer to joint holders, the number of joint holders to whom the ordinary share is to be transferred does not exceed four.

Our board of directors is required to refuse to register any purported transfer of Class B ordinary shares made otherwise than in compliance with the Participation Agreement.

If our directors refuse to register a transfer they must, within two months after the date on which the instrument of transfer was lodged, send to each of the transferor and the transferee notice of such refusal.

Exchange Right of New Cotai

Subject to certain conditions, New Cotai and its permitted transferees thereof may exchange their Participation Interest in MSC Cotai for a number of Class A ordinary shares. See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions — B. Related Party Transactions —

Pre-IPO

Organizational Transactions —Participation Agreement.” If New Cotai exchanges all or a portion of the Participation Interest for Class A ordinary shares, it will also be deemed to have surrendered an equal number of Class B ordinary shares, and any Class B ordinary shares so surrendered will be canceled for no consideration. See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions — B. Related Party Transactions —

Pre-IPO

Organizational Transactions — Participation Agreement.”

Liquidation

On a return of capital on winding up or otherwise (other than on conversion, redemption or purchase of ordinary shares), assets available for distribution among the holders of Class A ordinary shares will be distributed

 

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among the holders of the Class A ordinary shares on a pro rata basis. If our assets available for distribution are insufficient to repay all of the

paid-up

capital, the assets will be distributed so that the losses are borne by our shareholders proportionately. Holders of our Class B ordinary shares do not have any right to receive a distribution upon a liquidation or winding up of the Company.

Calls on Ordinary Shares and Forfeiture of Ordinary Shares

Our board may from time to time make calls upon shareholders for any amounts unpaid on their ordinary shares in a notice served to such shareholders at least 14 clear days prior to the specified time and place of payment. The ordinary shares that have been called upon and remain unpaid on the specified time are subject to forfeiture. Shareholders are not liable for any capital calls by the Company except to the extent there is an amount unpaid on their shares.

Redemption of Ordinary Shares

Subject to the provisions of the Companies Act, we may issue shares on terms that are subject to redemption, at our option or at the option of the holders, on such terms and in such manner as the directors may determine.

Prohibitions on the Receipt of Dividends, the Exercise of Voting or Other Rights or the Receipt of Other Remuneration

Our memorandum and articles of association prohibit anyone who is an unsuitable person or an affiliate of an unsuitable person from:

 

•

receiving dividends or interest with regard to our shares;

 

•

exercising voting or other rights conferred by our shares; and

 

•

receiving any remuneration in any form from us or an affiliated company for services rendered or otherwise.

Such unsuitable person or its affiliate must sell all of the shares, or allow us to redeem or repurchase the shares on such terms and manner as the directors may determine and agree with the shareholders, within such period of time as specified by a gaming authority.

These prohibitions commence on the date that a gaming authority serves notice of a determination of unsuitability or our board determines that a person or its affiliate is unsuitable and continue until the securities are owned or controlled by persons found suitable by a gaming authority or our board, as applicable, to own them. An “unsuitable person” is any person who is determined by a gaming authority to be unsuitable to own or control any of our shares or who causes us or any affiliated company to lose or to be threatened with the loss of any gaming license, or who, in the sole discretion of our board, is deemed likely to jeopardize our or any of our affiliates’ application for, receipt of approval for right to the use of, or entitlement to, any gaming license.

The terms “affiliated companies,” “gaming authority” and “person” have the meanings set forth in our articles of association.

Redemption of Securities Owned or Controlled by an Unsuitable Person or an Affiliate

Our memorandum and articles of association provide that shares owned or controlled by an unsuitable person or an affiliate of an unsuitable person are redeemable by us, out of funds legally available for that redemption, by appropriate action of our board to the extent required by the gaming authorities making the determination of unsuitability or to the extent deemed necessary or advisable by our board having regard to

 

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relevant gaming laws. From and after the redemption date, the securities will not be considered outstanding and all rights of the unsuitable person or affiliate will cease, other than the right to receive the redemption price and the right to receive any dividends declared prior to any receipt of any written notice from a gaming authority declaring the suitable person to be an unsuitable person but not yet paid. The redemption price will be the price, if any, required to be paid by the gaming authority making the finding of unsuitability or, if the gaming authority does not require a price to be paid, the sum deemed to be the fair value of the securities by our board. The price for the shares will not exceed the closing price per share of the shares on the principal national securities exchange on which the shares are then listed on the trading date on the day before the redemption notice is given. If the shares are not then listed, the redemption price will not exceed the closing sales price of the shares as quoted on an automated quotation system, or if the closing price is not then reported, the mean between the bid and asked prices, as quoted by any other generally recognized reporting system. Our right of redemption is not exclusive of any other rights that we may have or later acquire under any agreement, its bylaws or otherwise. The redemption price may be paid in cash, by promissory note, or both, as required by the applicable gaming authority and, if not, as we elect.

Our memorandum and articles of association require any unsuitable person and any affiliate of an unsuitable person to indemnify us and our affiliated companies for any and all losses, costs and expenses, including legal fees, incurred by us and our affiliates as a result of, or arising out of, the unsuitable person’s or affiliate’s continuing ownership or control of shares, the neglect, refusal or other failure to comply with the provisions of our memorandum and articles of association relating to unsuitable persons, or failure to promptly divest itself of any shares in us when required by the relevant gaming laws or our memorandum and articles of association.

Variations of Rights of Shares

All or any of the rights attached to any class of shares may, subject to the provisions of our memorandum and articles of association and the Companies Act, be varied or abrogated either with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority of the issued shares of that class or with the approval of the holders of at least a majority of the shares of that class present in person or by proxy at a separate general meeting of the holders of the shares of that class.

Changes in Capital

We may from time to time by ordinary resolution (but subject to other provisions of our memorandum and of articles of association):

 

•

increase the share capital by such sum, to be divided into shares of such classes and amount, as the resolution may prescribe;

 

•

consolidate and divide all or any of our share capital into shares of a larger amount than our existing shares;

 

•

convert all or any of our paid-up shares into stock and reconvert that stock into paid up shares of any denomination;

 

•

sub-divide our existing shares, or any of them, into shares of a smaller amount provided that in the subdivision the proportion between the amount paid and the amount, if any, unpaid on each reduced share will be the same as it was in case of the share from which the reduced share is derived; or

 

•

cancel any shares which, at the date of the passing of the resolution, have not been taken or agreed to be taken by any person and diminish the amount of our share capital by the amount of the shares so canceled.

We may by special resolution (subject to our memorandum and articles) reduce our share capital and any capital redemption reserve in any manner authorized by law.

 

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Accounts and Audit

No shareholder (other than a director) has any right to inspect any of our accounting record or book or document except as conferred by law or authorized by our board or our company by ordinary resolution of the shareholders.

Subject to compliance with all applicable laws, we may send to every person entitled to receive notices of our general meetings under the provisions of the articles of association a summary financial statement derived from our annual accounts and our board’s report.

Auditors shall be appointed and the terms and tenure of such appointment and their duties at all times regulated in accordance with the provisions of the articles of association. The remuneration of the auditors shall be fixed by our board.

Our financial statements shall be audited by the auditor in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. The auditor shall make a written report thereon in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and the report of the auditor shall be submitted to the shareholders in general meeting. The generally accepted auditing standards referred to herein may be those of a country or jurisdiction other than the Cayman Islands. If so, the financial statements and the report of the auditor should disclose this fact and name such country or jurisdiction.

Exempted Company

We are an exempted company incorporated with limited liability under the Companies Act. The Companies Act distinguishes between ordinary resident companies and exempted companies. Any company that is registered in the Cayman Islands but conducts business mainly outside of the Cayman Islands may apply to be registered as an exempted company. The requirements for an exempted company are essentially the same as for an ordinary resident company except for the exemptions and privileges listed below:

 

•

annual reporting requirements are minimal and consist mainly of a statement that the company has conducted its operations mainly outside of the Cayman Islands and has complied with the provisions of the Companies Act;

 

•

an exempted company’s register of members is not open to inspection;

 

•

an exempted company does not have to hold an annual general meeting;

 

•

an exempted company may issue shares with or without par value;

 

•

an exempted company may obtain an undertaking against the imposition of any future taxation (such undertakings are usually given for 20 years in the first instance);

 

•

an exempted company may register by way of continuation in another jurisdiction and be deregistered in the Cayman Islands;

 

•

an exempted company may register as a limited duration company; and

 

•

an exempted company may register as a segregated portfolio company.

Differences in Corporate Law

The Companies Act is modeled after that of England and Wales but does not follow recent statutory enactments in England. In addition, the Companies Act differs from laws applicable to Delaware corporations and their shareholders. Set forth below is a summary of the significant differences between the provisions of the Companies Act applicable to us and the laws applicable to Delaware corporations and their shareholders.

 

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Mergers and Similar Arrangements

The Companies Act permits mergers and consolidations between Cayman Islands companies and between Cayman Islands companies and

non-Cayman

Islands companies. For these purposes:

 

•

a “merger” means the merging of two or more constituent companies and the vesting of their undertaking, property and liabilities in one of such companies as the surviving company; and

 

•

a “consolidation” means the combination of two or more constituent companies into a consolidated company and the vesting of the undertaking, property and liabilities of such companies to the consolidated company.

In order to effect a merger or consolidation, the directors of each constituent company must approve a written plan of merger or consolidation, which must then be authorized by:

 

•

a special resolution of the shareholders of each constituent company; and

 

•

such other authorization, if any, as may be specified in such constituent company’s articles of association.

A merger between a parent company incorporated in the Cayman Islands and its subsidiary or subsidiaries incorporated in the Cayman Islands does not require authorization by a resolution of shareholders of the constituent companies provided a copy of the plan of merger is given to every shareholder of each subsidiary company to be merged unless that shareholder agrees otherwise. For this purpose, a subsidiary is a company of which at least ninety percent (90%) of the issued shares entitled to vote are owned by the parent company.

The plan of merger or consolidation must be filed with the Registrar of Companies in the Cayman Islands together with a declaration as to the solvency of the consolidated or surviving company, a declaration as to the assets and liabilities of each constituent company and an undertaking that a copy of the certificate of merger or consolidation will be given to the members and creditors of each constituent company and that notification of the merger and consolidation will be published in the Cayman Islands Gazette. Dissenting shareholders have the right to be paid the fair value of their shares if they follow the required procedures, subject to certain exceptions. The fair value of the shares will be determined by the Cayman Islands court if it cannot be agreed among the parties. Court approval is not required for a merger or consolidation effected in compliance with these statutory procedures.

In addition, there are statutory provisions that facilitate the reconstruction and amalgamation of companies, provided that the arrangement is approved by a majority in number of each class of shareholders and creditors with whom the arrangement is to be made, and who must in addition represent three-fourths in value of each such class of shareholders or creditors, as the case may be, that are present and voting either in person or by proxy at a meeting, or meetings, convened for that purpose. The convening of the meetings and subsequently the arrangement must be sanctioned by the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands.

While a dissenting shareholder has the right to express to the court the view that the transaction ought not to be approved, the court can be expected to approve the arrangement if it determines that:

 

•

the statutory provisions as to the required majority vote have been met;

 

•

the shareholders have been fairly represented at the meeting in question and the statutory majority are acting bona fide without coercion of the minority to promote interests adverse to those of the class;

 

•

the arrangement is such that may be reasonably approved by an intelligent and honest man of that class acting in respect of his interest; and

 

•

the arrangement is not one that would more properly be sanctioned under some other provision of the Companies Act.

 

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When a take-over offer is made and accepted by holders of not less than 90% of the shares within four months, the offeror may, within a

two-month

period commencing on the expiration of such four month period, require the holders of the remaining shares to transfer such shares on the terms of the offer. An objection can be made to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands but this is unlikely to succeed unless there is evidence of fraud, bad faith or collusion.

If the arrangement and reconstruction is thus approved, the dissenting shareholder would have no rights comparable to appraisal rights, which would otherwise ordinarily be available to dissenting shareholders of Delaware corporations, providing rights to receive payment in cash for the judicially determined value of the shares.

Shareholders’ Suits

Derivative actions have been brought in the Cayman Islands courts. In most cases, the company will be the proper plaintiff in any claim based on a breach of duty owed to it, and a claim against (for example) the company’s officers or directors usually may not be brought by a shareholder. However, based on English authorities, which would in all likelihood be of persuasive authority and be applied by a court in the Cayman Islands, exceptions to the foregoing principle apply in circumstances in which:

 

•

a company is acting, or proposing to act, illegally or beyond the scope of its authority;

 

•

the act complained of, although not beyond the scope of the authority, could be effected if duly authorized by more than the number of votes which have actually been obtained; or

 

•

those who control the company are perpetrating a “fraud on the minority.”

A shareholder may have a direct right of action against the company where the individual rights of that shareholder have been infringed or are about to be infringed.

Directors’ Fiduciary Duties

Under Delaware corporate law, a director of a Delaware corporation has a fiduciary duty to the corporation and its shareholders. This duty has two components, the duty of care and the duty of loyalty. The duty of care requires that a director act in good faith, with the care that an ordinarily prudent person would exercise under similar circumstances. Under this duty, a director must inform himself of, and disclose to shareholders, all material information reasonably available regarding a significant transaction. The duty of loyalty requires that a director must act in a manner he or she reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the corporation. A director must not use his or her corporate position for personal gain or advantage. This duty prohibits self-dealing by a director and mandates that the best interests of the corporation and its shareholders take precedence over any interest possessed by a director, officer or controlling shareholder and not shared by the shareholders generally. In general, actions of a director are presumed to have been made on an informed basis, in good faith and in the honest belief that the action taken was in the best interests of the corporation. However, this presumption may be rebutted by evidence of a breach of one of the fiduciary duties. Should such evidence be presented concerning a transaction by a director, the director must prove the procedural fairness of the transaction and that the transaction was of fair value to the corporation.

As a matter of Cayman Islands law, a director of a Cayman Islands company is in the position of a fiduciary with respect to the company, and therefore it is considered that he or she owes the following duties to the company: a duty to act bona fide in the best interests of the company, a duty not to make a profit out of his or her position as director (unless the company permits him or her to do so), a duty not to put himself or herself in a position where the interests of the company conflict with his or her personal interests or his or her duty to a third party and a duty to exercise powers for the purpose for which such powers were intended. A director of a Cayman Islands company owes to the company a duty to act with skill and care. It was previously considered

 

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that a director need not exhibit in the performance of his or her duties a greater degree of skill than may reasonably be expected from a person of his or her knowledge and experience. However, there are indications that the courts are moving towards an objective standard with regard to the required skill and care.

Under our memorandum and articles of association, directors who are in any way, whether directly or indirectly, interested in a contract or proposed contract with our company must declare the nature of their interest at a meeting of the board of directors. Following such declaration, a director may vote in respect of any contract or proposed contract notwithstanding his or her interest.

Shareholder Action by Written Resolution

Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation’s certificate of incorporation may eliminate the right of shareholders to act by written consent. Our memorandum and articles of association allow shareholders to act by written resolutions.

Cumulative Voting

Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, cumulative voting for elections of directors is not permitted unless the corporation’s certificate of incorporation specifically provides for it. Cumulative voting potentially facilitates the representation of minority shareholders on a board of directors since it permits the minority shareholder to cast all the votes to which the shareholder is entitled for a single director, which increases the shareholder’s voting interest with respect to electing such director.

As permitted under Cayman Islands law, our memorandum and articles of association do not provide for cumulative voting.

Removal of Directors

Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a director of a corporation may be removed with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise.

Under our memorandum and articles of association, subject to the Shareholders’ Agreement, directors can be removed by special resolution of the shareholders.

Transactions with Interested Shareholders

The Delaware General Corporation Law contains a business combination statute applicable to Delaware public corporations whereby, unless the corporation has specifically elected not to be governed by such statute by amendment to its certificate of incorporation, it is prohibited from engaging in certain business combinations with an “interested shareholder” for three years following the date on which such person becomes an interested shareholder. An interested shareholder generally is one which owns or owned 15% or more of the target’s outstanding voting stock within the past three years. This has the effect of limiting the ability of a potential acquirer to make a

two-tiered

bid for the target in which all shareholders would not be treated equally. The statute does not apply if, among other things, prior to the date on which such shareholder becomes an interested shareholder, the board of directors approves either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the person becoming an interested shareholder. This encourages any potential acquirer of a Delaware public corporation to negotiate the terms of any acquisition transaction with the target’s board of directors.

Cayman Islands law has no comparable statute. As a result, we cannot avail ourselves of the types of protections afforded by the Delaware business combination statute. However, although Cayman Islands law does not regulate transactions between a company and its significant shareholders, it does provide that such transactions entered into must be bona fide in the best interests of the company, for a proper corporate purpose and not with the effect of perpetrating a fraud on the minority shareholders.

 

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Dissolution and Winding Up

Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, unless the board of directors approves the proposal to dissolve, dissolution must be approved by shareholders holding 100% of the total voting interest of the corporation. Only if the dissolution is initiated by the board of directors may it be approved by a simple majority of the corporation’s outstanding shares. The Delaware General Corporation Law allows a Delaware corporation to include in its certificate of incorporation a supermajority voting requirement in connection with dissolutions initiated by the board of directors.

Under our memorandum and articles of association, if our company is wound up, the liquidator of our company may distribute the assets with the sanction of an ordinary resolution of the shareholders and any other sanction required by law.

Variation of Rights of Shares

Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation may vary the rights of a class of shares with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares of such class, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise.

Under Cayman Islands law and our memorandum and articles of association, if our share capital is divided into more than one class of shares, we may (subject to qualifications in the memorandum and articles of association) vary the rights attached to any class with the consent in writing of the holders of a majority of the issued shares of the relevant class or with the sanction of a resolution passed at a separate meeting of the holders of the shares of such class by a majority of the votes cast at such a meeting.

Amendment of Governing Documents

Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation’s governing documents may be amended with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise.

Our memorandum and articles of association may be amended by a special resolution of shareholders.

Waiver of Certain Corporate Opportunities

Under our memorandum and articles of association, the Company has renounced any interest or expectancy of the Company in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, certain opportunities where such opportunities come into the possession of one of our directors other than in his or her capacity as a director (as more particularly described in our memorandum and articles of association). This is subject to applicable law and may be waived by the relevant director.

Inspection of Books and Records

Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, any shareholder of a corporation may for any proper purpose inspect or make copies of the corporation’s stock ledger, list of shareholders and other books and records.

Holders of our shares have no general right under Cayman Islands law to inspect or obtain copies of our register of members or our corporate records (other than the memorandum and articles of association). However, we intend to provide our shareholders with annual reports containing audited financial statements.

Anti-takeover Provisions in our Memorandum and Articles of Association

Some provisions of our memorandum and articles of association may discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our company or management that shareholders may consider favorable, including a

 

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provision that authorizes our board of directors to issue preference shares in one or more series and to designate the price, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of such preference shares without any further vote or action by our shareholders.

Such shares could be issued quickly with terms calculated to delay or prevent a change in control of our company or make removal of management more difficult. If our board of directors decides to issue these preference shares, the price of our ordinary shares may fall and the voting and other rights of the holders of our ordinary shares may be materially adversely affected.

However, under Cayman Islands law, our directors may only exercise the rights and powers granted to them under our memorandum and articles of association for a proper purpose and for what they believe in good faith to be in the best interests of our company.

Rights of

Non-resident

or Foreign Shareholders

There are no limitations imposed by our memorandum and articles of association on the rights of

non-resident

or foreign shareholders to hold or exercise voting rights on our shares. In addition, there are no provisions in our memorandum and articles of association governing the ownership threshold above which shareholder ownership must be disclosed.

C. MATERIAL CONTRACTS

We have not entered into any material contracts other than in the ordinary course of business and other than those described in “Item 4. Information on the Company” and “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions” or elsewhere in this annual report on Form

20-F.

D. EXCHANGE CONTROLS

With regard to our operations in Macau, no foreign exchange controls exist in Macau and Hong Kong and there is a free flow of capital into and out of Macau and Hong Kong. There are no restrictions on remittances of H.K. dollar or any other currency from Macau and Hong Kong to persons not resident in Macau and Hong Kong for the purpose of paying dividends or otherwise. No foreign exchange controls exist in the Cayman Islands.

E. TAXATION

Cayman Islands Taxation

The Cayman Islands currently levies no taxes on individuals or corporations based upon profits, income, gains or appreciation and there is no taxation in the nature of inheritance tax or estate duty. There are no other taxes likely to be material to us levied by the government of the Cayman Islands except for stamp duties which may be applicable on instruments executed in, or, after execution, brought within the jurisdiction of the Cayman Islands. The Cayman Islands is not party to any double tax treaties that are applicable to any payments made to or by our company. There are no exchange control regulations or currency restrictions in the Cayman Islands.

Payments of dividends and capital in respect of our ordinary shares will not be subject to taxation in the Cayman Islands and no withholding will be required on the payment of a dividend or capital to any holder of our ordinary shares, nor will gains derived from the disposal of our ordinary shares be subject to Cayman Islands income or corporation tax.

 

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No stamp duty is payable in respect of the issue of our ordinary shares or on an instrument of transfer in respect of our ordinary shares.

United States Federal Income Taxation

The following discussion describes the material United States federal income tax consequences to a United States Holder (as defined below), under current law, of an investment in our ADSs. Such laws are subject to change, which change could apply retroactively and could significantly affect the tax consequences described below. We have not sought any ruling from the IRS with respect to the statements made and the conclusions reached in the following discussion and there can be no assurance that the IRS or a court will agree with our statements and conclusions.

This discussion applies only to a United States Holder (as defined below) that holds ADSs as capital assets for United States federal income tax purposes (generally, property held for investment). The discussion neither addresses the tax consequences to any particular investor nor describes all of the tax consequences applicable to persons in special tax situations, such as:

 

•

banks and certain other financial institutions;

 

•

insurance companies;

 

•

regulated investment companies;

 

•

real estate investment trusts;

 

•

brokers or dealers in stocks and securities, or currencies;

 

•

persons who use or are required to use a mark-to-market method of accounting;

 

•

certain former citizens or residents of the United States subject to Section 877 of the Code;

 

•

entities subject to the United States anti-inversion rules;

 

•

tax-exempt organizations and entities;

 

•

persons whose functional currency is other than the United States dollar;

 

•

persons holding ADSs as part of a straddle, hedging, conversion or integrated transaction;

 

•

persons that actually or constructively own 10% or more of the total combined voting interest of all classes of our voting stock or 10% or more of the total value of shares of all classes of our stock;

 

•

persons who acquired ADSs pursuant to the exercise of an employee stock option or otherwise as compensation;

 

•

partnerships or other pass-through entities, or persons holding ADSs through such entities; or

 

•

a person subject to special tax accounting rules as a result of any item of gross income with respect to ADSs being taken into account in an “applicable financial statement” (as defined in the Code).

Except as described below under “— Information with Respect to Foreign Financial Assets,” this discussion does not address any reporting obligations that may be applicable to persons holding ADSs through a bank, financial institution or other entity, or a branch thereof, located, organized or resident outside the United States.

If a partnership (including an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes) holds the ADSs, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A partnership or partner in a partnership holding ADSs should consult its own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of investing in and holding the ADSs.

 

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THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR CAREFUL TAX PLANNING AND ADVICE. HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE APPLICATION OF THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS TO THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS, AS WELL AS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES ARISING UNDER THE FEDERAL ESTATE OR GIFT TAX LAWS, THE ALTERNATIVE MINIMUM TAX, THE MEDICARE TAX ON NET INVESTMENT INCOME OR THE LAWS OF ANY STATE, LOCAL OR

NON-UNITED

STATES TAXING JURISDICTION OR UNDER ANY APPLICABLE TAX TREATY.

For purposes of the discussion below, a “United States Holder” is a beneficial owner of the ADSs that is, for United States federal income tax purposes:

 

•

an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;

 

•

a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

•

an estate, the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

 

•

a trust, if (i) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary jurisdiction over its administration and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all of its substantial decisions or (ii) in the case of a trust that was treated as a domestic trust under the law in effect before 1997, a valid election is in place under applicable Treasury Regulations to treat such trust as a domestic trust.

The discussion below assumes that the representations contained in the deposit agreement and any related agreement are true and that the obligations in such agreements will be complied with in accordance with their terms.

ADSs

If you own our ADSs, then you should be treated as the owner of the underlying Class A ordinary shares represented by those ADSs for United States federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, deposits or withdrawals of Class A ordinary shares for ADSs should not be subject to United States federal income tax.

The United States Treasury Department and the IRS have expressed concerns that United States holders of American depositary shares may be claiming foreign tax credits in situations where an intermediary in the chain of ownership between the holder of an American depositary share and the issuer of the security underlying the American depositary share has taken actions that are inconsistent with the ownership of the underlying security by the person claiming the credit. Such actions (for example, a

pre-release

of an ADS by a depositary) also may be inconsistent with the claiming of the reduced rate of tax applicable to certain dividends received by

non-corporate

United States holders of ADSs, including individual United States holders. Accordingly, the availability of foreign tax credits or the reduced tax rate for dividends received by

non-corporate

United States Holders, each discussed below, could be affected by actions taken by intermediaries in the chain of ownership between the holder of an ADS and our company.

Dividends and Other Distributions on the ADSs

Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, the gross amount of any distribution that we make to you with respect to the ADSs will be taxable as a dividend, to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under United States federal income tax principles. Such income (including any withheld taxes) will be includable in your gross income on the day actually or constructively received by the

 

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depositary if you own ADSs. Because we do not intend to determine our earnings and profits on the basis of United States federal income tax principles, any distribution paid generally will be reported as a “dividend” for United States federal income tax purposes. Such dividends will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction allowed to qualifying corporations under the Code.

Dividends received by a

non-corporate

United States Holder may qualify for the lower rates of tax applicable to “qualified dividend income,” if the dividends are paid by a “qualified foreign corporation” and other conditions discussed below are met. A

non-United

States corporation is treated as a qualified foreign corporation with respect to dividends paid by that corporation on shares (or American depositary shares backed by such shares) that are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States. However, a

non-United

States corporation will not be treated as a qualified foreign corporation if it is a PFIC in the taxable year in which the dividend is paid or the preceding taxable year.

Under a published IRS Notice, common or ordinary shares, or American depositary shares representing such shares, are considered to be readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States if they are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, as our ADSs are. Subject to the limitations described in the following paragraph, we believe that dividends we pay on our ADSs will be eligible for the reduced rates of taxation.

Even if dividends were treated as paid by a qualified foreign corporation, a

non-corporate

United States Holder would not be eligible for reduced rates of taxation if either (i) it does not hold our ADSs for more than 60 days during

the 121-day

period beginning 60 days before the

ex-dividend

date or (ii) the United States Holder elects to treat the dividend income as “investment income” pursuant to Section 163(d)(4) of the Code. In addition, the rate reduction will not apply to dividends of a qualified foreign corporation if the

non-corporate

United States Holder receiving the dividend is obligated to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property.

You should consult your own tax advisors regarding the availability of the lower tax rates applicable to qualified dividend income for any dividends that we pay with respect to the ADSs, as well as the effect of any change in applicable law after the date of this annual report on

Form 20-F.

For purposes of calculating your foreign tax credit limitation, dividends paid to you with respect to the ADSs will be treated as income from sources outside the United States and generally will constitute passive category income. The rules relating to the determination of the foreign tax credit are complex, and you should consult your tax advisors regarding the availability of a foreign tax credit in your particular circumstances.

Disposition of the ADSs

You will recognize gain or loss on a sale or exchange of the ADSs in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale or exchange and your tax basis in the ADSs. Subject to the discussion under “— Passive Foreign Investment Company” below, such gain or loss generally will be capital gain or loss. Capital gains of a

non-corporate

United States Holder, including an individual, that has held the ADS for more than one year currently are eligible for reduced tax rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

Any gain or loss that you recognize on a disposition of the ADSs generally will be treated as United States-source income or loss for foreign tax credit limitation purposes.

Passive Foreign Investment Company

Based on the value of our assets and the composition of our income and assets, we do not believe we were a PFIC for our taxable year ended December 31, 2020. However, the determination of PFIC status involves

 

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extensive factual investigation, including ascertaining the fair market value of all of our assets on a quarterly basis and the character of each item of income that we earn, and is subject to uncertainty in several respects. Changes in the composition of our income or assets or the value of our assets may cause us to become a PFIC. The determination of the value of our assets may depend in part upon the value of our goodwill not reflected on our balance sheet (which may depend upon the market value of the ADSs from time to time, which may be volatile). Accordingly, we cannot assure you that we will not be a PFIC for our current taxable year ending December 31, 2020, or for any future taxable year. Our United States tax counsel therefore expresses no opinion with respect to our PFIC status for any taxable year or our beliefs and expectations relating to such status set forth in this discussion.

A

non-United

States corporation such as ourselves will be treated as a PFIC for United States federal income tax purposes for any taxable year if, applying applicable look-through rules, either:

 

•

at least 75% of its gross income for such year is passive income; or

 

•

at least 50% of the value of its assets (determined based on a quarterly average) during such year is attributable to assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income.

For this purpose, passive income generally includes dividends, interest, royalties and rents (other than certain royalties and rents derived in the active conduct of a trade or business and not derived from a related person). We will be treated as owning a proportionate share of the assets and earning a proportionate share of the income of any other corporation in which we own, directly or indirectly, more than 25% by value of the stock.

If we were a PFIC for any taxable year during which you hold ADSs, then, unless you make

a “mark-to-market”

election (as discussed below), you generally would be subject to special adverse tax rules with respect to any “excess distribution” that you receive from us and any gain that you recognize from a sale or other disposition, including, in certain circumstances, a pledge, of ADSs. For this purpose, distributions that you receive in a taxable year that are greater than 125% of the average annual distributions that you received during the shorter of the three preceding taxable years or your holding period for the ADSs will be treated as an excess distribution. Under these rules:

 

•

the excess distribution or recognized gain would be allocated ratably over your holding period for the ADSs;

 

•

the amount of the excess distribution or recognized gain allocated to the taxable year of distribution or gain, and to any taxable years in your holding period prior to the first taxable year in which we were treated as a PFIC, would be treated as ordinary income; and

 

•

the amount of the excess distribution or recognized gain allocated to each other taxable year would be subject to the highest tax rate in effect for individuals or corporations, as applicable, for each such year and the resulting tax will be subject to the interest charge generally applicable to underpayments of tax.

If we were a PFIC for any taxable year during which you hold ADSs and any of

our non-United States

subsidiaries or other corporate entities in which we own equity interests is also a PFIC, you would be treated as owning a proportionate amount (by value) of the shares of each such

non-United

States entity classified as a PFIC (each such entity, a lower tier PFIC) for purposes of the application of these rules. You should consult your own tax advisor regarding the application of the PFIC rules to any of our lower tier PFICs.

If we were a PFIC for any taxable year during which you hold ADSs, then in lieu of being subject to the tax and interest-charge rules discussed above, you may make an election to include gain on our ADSs as ordinary income under a

mark-to-market

method, provided that our ADSs constitute “marketable stock.” Marketable stock is stock that is regularly traded on a qualified exchange or other market, as defined in applicable Treasury regulations. Our ADSs, but not our ordinary shares, are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, which is a qualified exchange or other market for these purposes.

 

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Consequently, if the ADSs continue to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange and are regularly traded, and you are a holder of ADSs, we expect that the

mark-to-market

election would be available to you if we were to become a PFIC, but no assurances are given in this regard.

If you make an effective

mark-to-market

election, for each taxable year that we are a PFIC, you will include as ordinary income the excess of the fair market value of your ADSs at the end of the year over your adjusted basis in the ADSs. You will be entitled to deduct as an ordinary loss in each such year the excess of your adjusted basis in the ADSs over their fair market value at the end of the year, but only to the extent of the net amount previously included in income as a result of the

mark-to-market

election.

If you make an effective

mark-to-market

election, any gain you recognize upon the sale or other disposition of your ADSs in a year that we are a PFIC will be treated as ordinary income and any loss will be treated as ordinary loss, but only to the extent of the net amount previously included in income as a result of the

mark-to-market

election.

Because a

mark-to-market

election cannot be made for any lower-tier PFICs that we may own, if we were a PFIC for any taxable year, a United States Holder that makes the

mark-to-market

election may continue to be subject to the tax and interest charges under the general PFIC rules with respect to such United States Holder’s indirect interest in any investments held by us that are treated as an equity interest in a PFIC for United States federal income tax purposes.

In certain circumstances, a shareholder in a PFIC may avoid the adverse tax and interest-charge regime described above by making a “qualified electing fund” election to include in income its share of the corporation’s income on a current basis. However, you may make a qualified electing fund election with respect to the ADSs only if we agree to furnish you annually with a PFIC annual information statement as specified in the applicable Treasury regulations. There is no assurance that we will provide such information that would enable you to make a qualified electing fund election.

A United States Holder that holds the ADSs in any year in which we were a PFIC would be required to file an annual report containing such information as the United States Treasury Department may require.

You should consult your own tax advisor regarding the application of the PFIC rules to your ownership and disposition of the ADSs and the availability, application and consequences of the elections discussed above.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

Information reporting to the IRS and backup withholding generally will apply to dividends in respect of our ADSs, and the proceeds from the sale or exchange of our ADSs, that are paid to you within the United States (and in certain cases, outside the United States), unless you furnish a correct taxpayer identification number and make any other required certification, generally on IRS

Form W-9

or you otherwise establish an exemption from information reporting and backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Amounts withheld as backup withholding generally are allowed as a credit against your United States federal income tax liability, and you may be entitled to obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules if you file an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS and furnish any required information in a timely manner.

United States Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of the information reporting and backup withholding rules.

Information with Respect to Foreign Financial Assets

United States Holders who are individuals (and certain entities closely held by individuals) generally will be required to report our name, address and such information relating to an interest in the ADSs as is

 

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necessary to identify the class or issue of which the ADSs are a part. These requirements are subject to exceptions, including an exception for ADSs held in accounts maintained by certain financial institutions and an exception applicable if the aggregate value of all “specified foreign financial assets” (as defined in the Code) does not exceed US$50,000.

United States Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of these information reporting rules.

F. DIVIDENDS AND PAYING AGENTS

Not applicable.

G. STATEMENT BY EXPERTS

Not applicable.

H. DOCUMENTS ON DISPLAY

We are subject to the periodic reporting and other informational requirements of the Exchange Act. Under the Exchange Act, we are required to file reports and other information with the SEC. Specifically, we are required to file an annual report on

Form 20-F

no later than four months after the close of each fiscal year, which is December 31. As permitted by the SEC, in Item 19 of this annual report, we incorporate by reference certain information we have filed with the SEC. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this annual report.

Copies of reports and other information, when so filed, may be inspected without charge at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information regarding the Washington, D.C. Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at

1-800-SEC-0330.

The SEC also maintains a web site at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding registrants that make electronic filings with the SEC using its EDGAR system.

As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the rules under the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of quarterly reports and proxy statements, and officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

Our financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our annual reports will include a review of operations and annual audited consolidated financial statements prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP.

In accordance with NYSE Rule 203.01, we will post this annual report on our website

www.studiocity-macau.com

. In addition, we will provide hardcopies of our annual report to shareholders, including ADS holders, free of charge upon request.

I. SUBSIDIARY INFORMATION

Not applicable.

 

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ITEM 11.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market risk is the risk of losses arising from adverse changes in market rates and prices, such as interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and commodity prices. We believe our and our subsidiaries’ primary exposure to market risk will be foreign exchange risk associated with our operations.

Foreign Exchange Risk

Our exposure to foreign exchange rate risk is associated with the currency of our operations and the presentation of our consolidated financial statements in U.S. Dollars. The majority of our revenues are denominated in Hong Kong Dollars, since the Hong Kong Dollar is the predominant currency used in Macau and is often used interchangeably with Patacas, while our expenses are denominated predominantly in Patacas and Hong Kong Dollars. A significant portion of our indebtedness as a result of the 2024 Notes, 2025 Notes, 2028 Notes and 2029 Notes and the costs associated with servicing and repaying such debts are denominated in U.S. Dollars. In addition, the 2028 Studio City Senior Secured Credit Facility and the costs associated with servicing and repaying such debt are denominated in Hong Kong Dollars. The Hong Kong Dollar is pegged to the U.S. Dollar within a narrow range and the Pataca is in turn pegged to the Hong Kong Dollar, and the exchange rates between these currencies have remained relatively stable over the past several years. However, we cannot assure you that the current peg or linkages between the U.S. Dollar, Hong Kong Dollar and Pataca will not be

de-pegged,

de-linked

or modified and subjected to fluctuation as such exchange rates may be affected by, among other things, changes in political and economic conditions.

Major currencies in which our cash and bank balances (including restricted cash) were held as of December 31, 2020 included U.S. Dollars, Hong Kong Dollars and Patacas. Based on the cash and bank balances as of December 31, 2020, an assumed 1% change in the exchange rates between currencies other than U.S. Dollars against the U.S. Dollar would cause a maximum foreign transaction gain or loss of approximately US$1.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.

To date, we have not entered into any hedging transactions in an effort to reduce our exposure to foreign currency exchange risk.

Inflation Risk

We generated all of our revenues from our operations in Macau in 2020, 2019 and 2018. Inflation did not have a material impact on our results of operations. According to the Statistics and Census Services of the Macau government, inflation as measured by the consumer price index in Macau was 0.81%, 2.75% and 3.01% in 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Although we have not been materially affected by inflation since our inception, we can provide no assurance that we will not be affected in the future by higher rates of inflation in Macau.

 

ITEM 12.

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES

A. DEBT SECURITIES

Not applicable.

B. WARRANTS AND RIGHTS

Not applicable.

 

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C. OTHER SECURITIES

Not applicable.

D. AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES

As an ADS holder, you will be required to pay the following service fees to the depositary bank and certain taxes and governmental charges (in addition to any applicable fees, expenses, taxes and other governmental charges payable on the deposited securities represented by any of your ADSs):

 

Service		Fees
•  To any person to which ADSs are issued or to any person to which a distribution is made in respect of ADS distributions pursuant to stock dividends or other free distributions of stock, bonus distributions, stock splits or other distributions (except where converted to cash)		Up to US$0.05 per ADS issued
•  Cancelation of ADSs, including the case of termination of the deposit agreement		Up to US$0.05 per ADS canceled
•  Distribution of cash dividends		Up to US$0.05 per ADS held
•  Distribution of cash entitlements (other than cash dividends) and/or cash proceeds from the sale of rights, securities and other entitlements		Up to US$0.05 per ADS held
•  Distribution of ADSs pursuant to exercise of rights		Up to US$0.05 per ADS held
•  Distribution of securities other than ADSs or rights to purchase additional ADSs		Up to US$0.05 per ADS held
•  Depositary services		Up to US$0.05 per ADS held on the applicable record date(s) established by the depositary bank

As an ADS holder, you will also be responsible to pay certain fees and expenses incurred by the depositary bank and certain taxes and governmental charges (in addition to any applicable fees, expenses, taxes and other governmental charges payable on the deposited securities represented by any of your ADSs) such as:

 

•

Fees for the transfer and registration of Class A ordinary shares charged by the registrar and transfer agent for the Class A ordinary shares in the Cayman Islands (i.e., upon deposit and withdrawal of Class A ordinary shares).

 

•

Expenses incurred for converting foreign currency into U.S. dollars.

 

•

Expenses for cable, telex and fax transmissions and for delivery of securities.

 

•

Taxes and duties upon the transfer of securities, including any applicable stamp duties, any stock transfer charges or withholding taxes (i.e., when Class A ordinary shares are deposited or withdrawn from deposit).

 

•

Fees and expenses incurred in connection with the delivery or servicing of Class A ordinary shares on deposit.

 

•

Fees and expenses incurred in connection with complying with exchange control regulations and other regulatory requirements applicable to Class A ordinary shares, deposited securities, ADSs and ADRs.

 

•

Any applicable fees and penalties thereon.

 

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The depositary fees payable upon the issuance and cancelation of ADSs are typically paid to the depositary bank by the brokers (on behalf of their clients) receiving the newly issued ADSs from the depositary bank and by the brokers (on behalf of their clients) delivering the ADSs to the depositary bank for cancelation. The brokers in turn charge these fees to their clients. Depositary fees payable in connection with distributions of cash or securities to ADS holders and the depositary services fee are charged by the depositary bank to the holders of record of ADSs as of the applicable ADS record date.

The depositary fees payable for cash distributions are generally deducted from the cash being distributed or by selling a portion of distributable property to pay the fees. In the case of distributions other than cash (i.e., share dividends, rights), the depositary bank charges the applicable fee to the ADS record date holders concurrent with the distribution. In the case of ADSs registered in the name of the investor (whether certificated or uncertificated in direct registration), the depositary bank sends invoices to the applicable record date ADS holders. In the case of ADSs held in brokerage and custodian accounts (via The Depository Trust Company, or DTC), the depositary bank generally collects its fees through the systems provided by DTC (whose nominee is the registered holder of the ADSs held in DTC) from the brokers and custodians holding ADSs in their DTC accounts. The brokers and custodians who hold their clients’ ADSs in DTC accounts in turn charge their clients’ accounts the amount of the fees paid to the depositary banks.

In the event of refusal to pay the depositary fees, the depositary bank may, under the terms of the deposit agreement, refuse the requested service until payment is received or may set off the amount of the depositary fees from any distribution to be made to the ADS holder.

The depositary may make payments to us or reimburse us for certain costs and expenses, by making available a portion of the ADS fees collected in respect of the ADR program or otherwise, upon such terms and conditions as we and the depositary bank agree from time to time.

Fees and Other Payments Made by the Depositary to Us

In 2020, we did not receive any fees or other payments from the depositary.

PART II

 

ITEM 13.

DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES

None.

 

ITEM 14.

MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS

See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions — B. Related Party Transactions —

Pre-IPO

Organizational Transactions.”

 

ITEM 15.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this annual report, our management, with the participation of our property general manager and chief financial officer, has performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures within the meaning

of Rules 13a-15(e) and

15d-15(e)

of the Exchange Act. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, it should be noted that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can only provide reasonable, but not absolute, assurance of achieving the desired control objectives and management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the

 

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cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Based upon that evaluation, our property general manager and chief financial officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this annual report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time period specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and accumulated and communicated to our management, including our property general manager and chief financial officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined

in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the

Exchange Act.

Our Company’s internal control over financial reporting is designed 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. Our Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:

 

(1)

pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our Company’s assets;

 

(2)

provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and that our Company’s receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of its management and directors; and

 

(3)

provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Our Company’s management assessed the effectiveness of our Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020. In making this assessment, our Company’s management used the framework set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in

 Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013)

.

Based on this assessment, management concluded that, as of December 31, 2020, our Company’s internal control over financial reporting is effective based on the framework set forth by Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in

 Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013)

.

Attestation Report of the Registered Public Accounting Firm

The effectiveness of our Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, has been audited by Ernst & Young, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which appears herein.

Changes in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined

in Rules 13a-15(f)

and

15d-15(f)

under the Exchange Act) during the year ended December 31, 2020 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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ITEM 16A.

AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT

Our board has determined that Mr. Kevin F. Sullivan qualifies as “audit committee financial expert” as defined in Item 16A of

Form 20-F.

Each of the members of our audit and risk committee satisfies the “independence” requirements of Section 303A of the New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual

and Rule 10A-3

under the Exchange Act. See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees.”

 

ITEM 16B.

CODE OF ETHICS

Our board has adopted a code of business conduct and ethics that applies to our directors, officers, employees and agents, including our property general manager, chief financial officer and any other persons who perform similar functions for us. The code of business conduct was last amended on December 8, 2020 to include additional guidelines relating to workplace health and safety. We have posted our current code of business conduct and ethics on our website at

www.studiocity-macau.com

. We hereby undertake to provide to any person without charge, a copy of our code of business conduct and ethics within ten working days after we receive such person’s written request.

 

ITEM 16C.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The following table sets forth the aggregate fees by categories specified below in connection with certain professional services rendered by our principal external auditors, for the years indicated. We did not pay any other fees to our auditor during the years indicated below.

 

		Year Ended December 31,
		2020				2019
		(In thousands of US$)
Audit fees  (1)		$	468			$	591
Audit-related fees  (2)			417				—
Tax fees			—				—
All other fees			—				—

 

(1)	“Audit fees” means the aggregate fees in each of the fiscal years indicated for our calendar year audits.

 

(2)	“Audit-related fees” primarily include the aggregate fees for professional services provided in connection with the issuances of senior notes by the Company.

The policy of our audit and risk committee

is to pre-approve all audit and non-audit services provided

by our independent registered public accounting firm, including audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services, other than those for

 de minimis

 services which are approved by our audit and risk committee prior to the completion of the audit.

For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, none of the total audit-related fees as described above were approved by our audit and risk committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of

Rule 2-01 of

Regulation

S-X.

 

ITEM 16D.

EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 16E.

PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS

No purchase of equity security in the Company was made by or on behalf of the Company or any affiliated purchaser in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.

 

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In connection with the Private Placements, MCO Cotai purchased 72,185,488 Class A shares, New Cotai purchased 30,774,116 Class A shares and funds managed by Silver Point, L.P. purchased 18,345,048 Class A shares, each at the purchase price of US$3.89 per Class A share. See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions — B. Related Party Transactions — Private Placements.”

 

ITEM 16F.

CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 16G.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

NYSE Rule 303A.00 permits foreign private issuers like us to follow “home country practice” in certain corporate governance matters. For example, NYSE Rule 303A.01 generally requires that a majority of an issuer’s board of directors must consist of independent directors. In addition, NYSE Rules 303A.04 and 303A.05, respectively, generally require that an issuer’s nominating and corporate governance committee and compensation committee must consist entirely of independent directors. We rely on this “home country practice” exception and do not have a majority of independent directors serving on our board and also do not have a nominating and corporate governance committee or compensation committee consisting entirely of independent directors. We also rely on this “home country practice” exception in relation to certain responsibilities of the compensation committee set forth in NYSE Rule 303A.05. The New York Stock Exchange rules also permit a foreign private issuer like us to follow the corporate governance practices of its home country with respect to shareholder approval requirements with respect to issuances of equity securities.

 

ITEM 16H.

MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE

Not applicable.

PART III

 

ITEM 17.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

We have elected to provide financial statements pursuant to Item 18.

 

ITEM 18.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The consolidated financial statements of Studio City International Holdings Limited and its subsidiaries are included at the end of this annual report.

 

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ITEM 19.

EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit Number		Description of Document
1.1		Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 from our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 (File No. 001-38699), filed with the SEC on March 29, 2019)
1.2		Memorandum and Articles of Association of MSC Cotai Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.2 from our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 (File No. 001-38699), filed with the SEC on March 29, 2019)
2.1		Form of Registrant’s Specimen American Depositary Receipt (included in Exhibit 2.3)
2.2		Registrant’s Specimen Certificate for Ordinary Shares (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 from our registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-227232), as amended, initially filed with the SEC on September 7, 2018)
2.3†		Form of Deposit Agreement between the Registrant, the depositary and owners and holders of the ADSs
2.4		Indenture relating to 5.875% senior secured notes due 2019 and dated November 30, 2016, among Studio City Company Limited, as issuer, Studio City Investments Limited, as parent guarantor, the subsidiary guarantors parties thereto, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.9 from our registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-227232), as amended, initially filed with the SEC on September 7, 2018)
2.5		Supplemental Indenture relating to 5.875% senior secured notes due 2019 and dated November 30, 2016, among Studio City Company Limited, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Macau) Limited, as the security agent, DB Trustees (Hong Kong) Limited, as the intercreditor agent and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.10 from our registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-227232), as amended, initially filed with the SEC on September 7, 2018)
2.6		Second Supplemental Indenture relating to 5.875% senior secured notes due 2019 and dated July 30, 2018, among Studio City Company Limited, Studio City (HK) Two Limited, as a new guarantor, Studio City Investments Limited, as parent guarantor, the subsidiary guarantors parties thereto and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as the trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.11 from our registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-227232), as amended, initially filed with the SEC on September 7, 2018)
2.7		Indenture relating to 7.250% senior secured notes due 2021 and dated November 30, 2016, among Studio City Company Limited, as issuer, Studio City Investments Limited, as parent guarantor, the subsidiary guarantors parties thereto, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.12 from our registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-227232), as amended, initially filed with the SEC on September 7, 2018)
2.8		Supplemental Indenture relating to 7.250% senior secured notes due 2021 and dated November 30, 2016, among Studio City Company Limited, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Macau) Limited, as the security agent, DB Trustees (Hong Kong) Limited, as the intercreditor agent and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as the trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.13 from our registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-227232), as amended, initially filed with the SEC on September 7, 2018)

 

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Exhibit Number		Description of Document
2.9		Second Supplemental Indenture relating to 7.250% senior secured notes due 2021 and dated July 30, 2018, among Studio City (HK) Two Limited, as a new guarantor, Studio City Company Limited, Studio City Investments Limited, as parent guarantor, the subsidiary guarantors parties thereto and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as the trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.14 from our registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-227232), as amended, initially filed with the SEC on September 7, 2018)
2.10		Amended and Restated Credit Agreement relating to HK$233 million revolving credit facility and HK$1 million term loan facility dated November 23, 2016, among Studio City Company Limited and certain of its subsidiaries and affiliates with Bank of China Limited, Macau Branch, among others (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.15 from our registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-227232), as amended, initially filed with the SEC on September 7, 2018)
2.11		Intercreditor Agreement dated December 1, 2016, among Studio City Company Limited, the guarantors of the 5.875% senior secured notes due 2019 and 7.250% senior secured notes due 2021, the lenders and agent for Studio City Company Limited’s HK$233 million revolving credit facility and HK$1 million term loan facility, the security agent and intercreditor agent named therein, among others (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.16 from our registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-227232), as amended, initially filed with the SEC on September 7, 2018)
2.12		Amended and Restated Shareholders’ Agreement, among MCO Cotai Investments Limited, New Cotai, LLC, Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited and the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.12 from our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 (File No. 001-38699), filed with the SEC on March 29, 2019)
2.13		Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, between New Cotai, LLC and the Registrant (form of which is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 from our registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-227232), as amended, initially filed with the SEC on September 7, 2018)
2.14		Subscription Agreement between Melco International Development Limited and the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.14 from our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 (File No. 001-38699), filed with the SEC on March 29, 2019)
2.15		Indenture relating to 7.250% senior notes due 2024 and dated February 11, 2019, among Studio City Finance Limited, as issuer, the subsidiary guarantors parties thereto, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.15 from our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 (File No. 001-38699), filed with the SEC on March 29, 2019)
2.16*		Indenture relating to 6.000% senior notes due 2025 and dated July 15, 2020, among Studio City Finance Limited, as issuer, the subsidiary guarantors parties thereto, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee
2.17*		Indenture relating to 6.500% senior notes due 2028 and dated July 15, 2020, among Studio City Finance Limited, as issuer, the subsidiary guarantors parties thereto, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee
2.18*		Indenture relating to 5.000% senior notes due 2029 and dated January 14, 2021, among Studio City Finance Limited, as issuer, the subsidiary guarantors parties thereto, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee
2.19*		Description of Registrant’s Securities

 

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Exhibit Number		Description of Document
2.20*		Amended and Restated Credit Agreement relating to HK$233 million revolving credit facility and HK$1 million term loan facility dated March 15, 2021, among Studio City Company Limited and certain of its subsidiaries and affiliates with Bank of China Limited, Macau Branch, among others
4.1		Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Registrant and each of its directors and executive officers (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 from our registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-227232), as amended, initially filed with the SEC on September 7, 2018)
4.2		Form of Employment Agreement with the Executive Officers of the Registrant (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 from our registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-227232), as amended, initially filed with the SEC on September 7, 2018)
4.3		English Translation of subconcession contract for operating casino games of chance or games of other forms in the Macau Special Administrative Region dated September 8, 2006, between Wynn Resorts (Macau) S.A. and Melco Resorts (Macau) Limited, which was formerly known as Melco Crown (Macau) Limited (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 from our registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-227232), as amended, initially filed with the SEC on September 7, 2018)
4.4		Services and Right to Use Agreement dated May 11, 2007, as amended, between Studio City Entertainment Limited and Melco Resorts (Macau) Limited, which was formerly known as Melco Crown (Macau) Limited (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.7 from our registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-227232), as amended, initially filed with the SEC on September 7, 2018)
4.5		Reimbursement Agreement dated June 15, 2012, between Studio City Entertainment Limited and Melco Resorts (Macau) Limited, which was formerly known as Melco Crown (Macau) Limited (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.8 from our registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-227232), as amended, initially filed with the SEC on September 7, 2018)
4.6		Services and Right to Use Direct Agreement dated November 26, 2013, among Studio City Company Limited as borrower, Melco Resorts (Macau) Limited, which was formerly known as Melco Crown (Macau) Limited, Studio City Holdings Five Limited, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Macau) Limited as security agent and POA agent and Deutsche Bank AG, Hong Kong Branch as agent, among others (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.9 from our registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-227232), as amended, initially filed with the SEC on September 7, 2018)
4.7		Master Services Agreement dated December 21, 2015, among Studio City Entertainment Limited, Melco Resorts (Macau) Limited, which was formerly known as Melco Crown (Macau) Limited, and other subsidiaries and affiliates of the Registrant (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.10 from our registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-227232), as amended, initially filed with the SEC on September 7, 2018)
4.8		Work Agreement No. 1 dated December 21, 2015, related to sale and purchase of certain property, plant and equipment and inventory and supplies among Studio City Entertainment Limited and other subsidiaries and affiliates of the Registrant (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.11 from our registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-227232), as amended, initially filed with the SEC on September 7, 2018)
4.9		Work Agreement No. 2 dated December 21, 2015, related to corporate services among Studio City Entertainment Limited and other subsidiaries and affiliates of the Registrant (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.12 from our registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-227232), as amended, initially filed with the SEC on September 7, 2018)

 

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Exhibit Number		Description of Document
4.10		Work Agreement No. 3 dated December 21, 2015, related to certain pay-as-used charges among Studio City Entertainment Limited and other subsidiaries and affiliates of the Registrant (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.13 from our registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-227232), as amended, initially filed with the SEC on September 7, 2018)
4.11		Work Agreement No. 4 dated December 21, 2015, related to operational and property sharing services among Studio City Entertainment Limited and other subsidiaries and affiliates of the Registrant (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.14 from our registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-227232), as amended, initially filed with the SEC on September 7, 2018)
4.12		Work Agreement No. 5 dated December 21, 2015, related to limousine transportation services among Studio City Hotels Limited and other subsidiaries and affiliates of the Registrant (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.15 from our registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-227232), as amended, initially filed with the SEC on September 7, 2018)
4.13		Work Agreement No. 6 dated December 21, 2015, related to aviation services among Studio City Entertainment Limited and other subsidiaries and affiliates of the Registrant (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.16 from our registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-227232), as amended, initially filed with the SEC on September 7, 2018)
4.14		Work Agreement No. 7 dated December 21, 2015, related to collection and payment services among Studio City Entertainment Limited and other subsidiaries and affiliates of the Registrant (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.17 from our registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-227232), as amended, initially filed with the SEC on September 7, 2018)
4.15		Work Agreement No. 8 dated December 21, 2015, related to limousine transportation services among Studio City Hotels Limited and other subsidiaries and affiliates of the Registrant (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.18 from our registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-227232), as amended, initially filed with the SEC on September 7, 2018)
4.16		English Translation of the Order of Secretary for Public Works and Transportation published in Macau Official Gazette No. 100/2001 dated October 9, 2001, in relation to the Studio City Land Concession (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.19 from our registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-227232), as amended, initially filed with the SEC on September 7, 2018)
4.17		English Translation of the amended Order of Secretary for Public Works and Transportation published in Macau Official Gazette No. 31/2012 dated July 19, 2012, in relation to the Studio City Land Concession (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.20 from our registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-227232), as amended, initially filed with the SEC on September 7, 2018)
4.18		English Translation of the amended Order of Secretary for Public Works and Transportation published in Macau Official Gazette No. 92/2015 dated September 10, 2015, in relation to the Studio City Land Concession (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.21 from our registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-227232), as amended, initially filed with the SEC on September 7, 2018)
4.19		Participation Agreement among MSC Cotai Limited, New Cotai, LLC and the Registrant (form of which is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.22 from our registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-227232), as amended, initially filed with the SEC on September 7, 2018)
4.20		Implementation Agreement among MCO Cotai Investments Limited, New Cotai, LLC, Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited and the Registrant (form of which is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.23 from our registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-227232), as amended, initially filed with the SEC on September 7, 2018)

 

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Exhibit Number		Description of Document
4.21		Underwriting Agreement, dated October 17, 2018, among the Registrant, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc as underwriters (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.21 from our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 (File No. 001-38699), filed with the SEC on March 29, 2019)
4.22		Purchase Agreement, dated January 29, 2019, among Studio City Finance Limited, the subsidiary guarantors as specified therein, Deutsche Bank AG, Singapore Branch, Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited, Bank of Communications Co., Ltd. Macau Branch, BOCI Asia Limited, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Asia) Limited, ICBC (Macau) Capital Limited and Mizuho Securities Asia Limited regarding the 7.250% Senior Notes due 2024 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.22 from our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 (File No. 001-38699), filed with the SEC on March 29, 2019)
8.1*		Significant Subsidiaries of the Registrant
12.1*		CEO Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
12.2*		CFO Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
13.1*		CEO Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
13.2*		CFO Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS*		Inline XBRL Instance Document-this instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data file because its XBRL tags are not embedded within the Inline XBRL document
101.SCH*		Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL*		Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF*		Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB*		Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE*		Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
104		Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

 

*	Furnished with this annual report on Form 20-F.

 

†	Previously filed with the Registration Statement on Form F-6 (File No. 333-227759), dated October 9, 2018, and incorporated herein by reference.

 

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SIGNATURES

The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on

Form 20-F

and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.

 

						STUDIO CITY INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED
Date: March 31, 2021						By:		/s/ Kevin Richard Benning
								Name: Kevin Richard Benning
								Title: Property General Manager

 

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STUDIO CITY INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020, 2019 AND 2018

 

		Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm			F-2
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm			F-4
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2020 and 2019			F-6
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018			F-8
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018			F-10
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018			F-11
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018			F-12
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018			F-14
Schedule 1 – Studio City International Holdings Limited Condensed Financial Statements as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 and for the Years Ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018			F-46

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Studio City International Holdings Limited

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Studio City International Holdings Limited (the Company) as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive (loss) income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes and the financial statement schedule included in Schedule 1 (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework), and our report dated March 31, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Adoption of New Accounting Standards

As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its method for accounting for credit losses on financial instruments using the modified retrospective approach in the year ended December 31, 2020 and its method for accounting for leases using the modified retrospective approach in the year ended December 31, 2019.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matter

The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective or complex judgments. The communication of the critical audit matter does not alter in any way our

 

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opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the account or disclosure to which it relates.

 

		Impairment assessment of long-lived assets
D escription of the M atter		At December 31, 2020, the Company’s long-lived asset group to be held and used in the Company’s business, comprising of property and equipment, intangible assets, other long-term assets, land use right and operating lease right-of-use assets, was US$2,344.5 million. As discussed in the Company’s accounting policy in notes 1(b) and 2(l) of the consolidated financial statements, long-lived assets (asset groups) with finite lives to be held and used shall be evaluated for impairment whenever indicators of impairment exist. As the Company generated operating losses due to the severe decline in overall market conditions resulting from the outbreak of coronavirus disease (“COVID-19”) in early 2020, the Company evaluated its long-lived assets for recoverability as of December 31, 2020 and concluded no impairment existed at that date as the estimated undiscounted future cash flows exceeded their carrying values.   Auditing the Company’s impairment assessment involved a high degree of subjectivity due to the significant estimations required to determine the projected future cash flows of the asset group. In particular, the estimate is sensitive to significant assumptions, including future revenue growth rates and gross margin, which can be affected by expectations about future market and economic conditions, including the impact of COVID-19.
H ow W e A ddressed the M atter in O ur A udit		We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of controls over the Company’s impairment assessment process. For example, we tested the controls over management’s identification of impairment indicators. We also tested controls over management’s review of the significant assumptions described above used to develop the undiscounted cash flow projections.   To test the Company’s impairment assessment of the long-lived asset group, our audit procedures included, among others, evaluating the significant assumptions used to develop the projected future cash flow of the asset group and testing the completeness and accuracy of the underlying data used by the Company. We compared the significant assumptions, including future revenue growth rates and gross margin, to current industry and economic trends, including the impact of COVID-19, as well as to changes in the Company’s strategic plans. We assessed the historical accuracy of the Company’s cash flow projections by comparing them with actual operating results. Furthermore, we performed sensitivity analyses of the significant assumptions to evaluate the changes in the future cash flows that could result from changes in the assumptions.

/s/ Ernst & Young

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2017.

Hong Kong

March 31, 2021

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Studio City International Holdings Limited

Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

We have audited Studio City International Holdings Limited’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, Studio City International Holdings Limited (the Company) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive (loss) income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes and the financial statement schedule included in Schedule 1 and our report dated March 31, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Basis for Opinion

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.

Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed 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. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

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Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/ Ernst & Young

Hong Kong

March 31, 2021

 

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STUDIO CITY INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

		December 31,
		2020				2019
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	575,215			$	299,367
Restricted cash			13				27,735
Accounts receivable, net of allowances for credit losses of $976 and $965			157				1,397
Amounts due from affiliated companies			10,672				61,990
Inventories			9,297				9,763
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			12,467				14,188
Total current assets			607,821				414,440
Property and equipment, net			2,180,897				2,107,457
Intangible assets, net			4,005				—
Long-term prepayments, deposits and other assets			117,555				57,087
Restricted cash			131				130
Operating lease right-of-use assets			17,379				14,238
Land use right, net			116,109				118,888
Total assets		$	3,043,897			$	2,712,240
LIABILITIES, SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND PARTICIPATION INTEREST
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		$	206			$	3,337
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities			118,946				82,553
Income tax payable			33				33
Amounts due to affiliated companies			42,966				14,248
Total current liabilities			162,151				100,171
Long-term debt, net			1,584,660				1,435,088
Other long-term liabilities			11,778				3,149
Deferred tax liabilities, net			448				1,453
Operating lease liabilities, non-current			17,137				13,720
Total liabilities		$	1,776,174			$	1,553,581
Commitments and contingencies (Note 18)

 

F-6

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Table of Contents

STUDIO CITY INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 - continued

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

		December 31,
		2020				2019
Shareholders’ equity and participation interest:
Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001; 1,927,488,240 shares authorized; 370,352,700 and 241,818,016 shares issued and outstanding, respectively		$	37			$	24
Class B ordinary shares, par value $0.0001; 72,511,760 shares authorized; 72,511,760 shares issued and outstanding			7				7
Additional paid-in capital			2,134,227				1,655,602
Accumulated other comprehensive income			11,876				269
Accumulated losses			(1,086,160	)			(764,534	)
Total shareholders’ equity			1,059,987				891,368
Participation interest			207,736				267,291
Total shareholders’ equity and participation interest			1,267,723				1,158,659
Total liabilities, shareholders’ equity and participation interest		$	3,043,897			$	2,712,240

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-7

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Table of Contents

STUDIO CITY INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

		Year Ended December 31,
		2020				2019				2018
Operating revenues:
Provision of gaming related services from related parties		$	(42,682	)		$	393,512			$	339,924
Rooms (including revenues from related parties of $15,981, $53,865 and $53,925 for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively)			21,997				85,975				88,317
Food and beverage (including revenues from related parties of $14,487, $38,719 and $35,937 for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively)			22,653				68,706				65,904
Entertainment (including revenues from related parties of $25, $7,685 and $1,191 for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively)			1,389				21,815				12,073
Services fee from related parties			26,151				39,470				39,126
Mall			17,008				14,844				22,298
Retail and other			2,692				2,411				3,571
Total operating revenues			49,208				626,733				571,213
Operating costs and expenses:
Provision of gaming related services (including costs to related parties of $25,576, $21,445 and $17,634 for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively)			(26,993	)			(24,179	)			(20,263	)
Rooms (including costs to related parties of $7,527, $12,491 and $12,572 for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively)			(11,229	)			(21,766	)			(21,855	)
Food and beverage (including costs to related parties of $19,370, $27,797 and $27,089 for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively)			(27,301	)			(57,718	)			(56,342	)
Entertainment (including costs to related parties of $2,273, $4,521 and $4,815 for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively)			(3,409	)			(22,719	)			(11,978	)
Mall (including costs to related parties of $2,025, $2,026 and $2,010 for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively)			(4,661	)			(8,658	)			(10,960	)
Retail and other (including costs to related parties of $1,220, $1,739 and $2,370 for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively)			(1,204	)			(1,735	)			(2,411	)
General and administrative (including expenses to related parties of $52,213, $72,847 and $74,514 for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively)			(89,006	)			(128,931	)			(132,637	)
Pre-opening costs (including expenses to related parties of $240, $32 and $152 for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively)			(201	)			(2,567	)			(4,550	)
Amortization of land use right			(3,333	)			(3,300	)			(3,298	)
Depreciation and amortization			(157,001	)			(168,643	)			(164,593	)
Property charges and other (including expenses to related parties of $1,694 and $630 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively)			(4,798	)			(8,521	)			(4,464	)
Total operating costs and expenses			(329,136	)			(448,737	)			(433,351	)
Operating (loss) income		$	(279,928	)		$	177,996			$	137,862

 

F-8

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Table of Contents

STUDIO CITY INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 - continued

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

		Year Ended December 31,
		2020				2019				2018
Non-operating income (expenses):
Interest income		$	1,276			$	5,861			$	3,578
Interest expenses, net of amounts capitalized			(104,799	)			(132,291	)			(160,508	)
Other financing costs			(421	)			(416	)			(419	)
Foreign exchange (losses) gains, net			(3,434	)			(3,975	)			1,972
Other (expenses) income, net			(81	)			430				(197	)
Loss on extinguishment of debt			(18,716	)			(2,995	)			(2,489	)
Costs associated with debt modification			—				(579	)			—
Total non-operating expenses, net			(126,175	)			(133,965	)			(158,063	)
(Loss) income before income tax			(406,103	)			44,031				(20,201	)
Income tax credit (expense)			1,011				(402	)			(544	)
Net (loss) income			(405,092	)			43,629				(20,745	)
Net loss (income) attributable to participation interest			83,466				(10,065	)			(853	)
Net (loss) income attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited		$	(321,626	)		$	33,564			$	(21,598	)
Net (loss) income attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited per Class A ordinary share:
Basic		$	(1.091	)		$	0.139			$	(0.113	)
Diluted		$	(1.103	)		$	0.139			$	(0.113	)
Weighted average Class A ordinary shares outstanding used in net (loss) income attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited per Class A ordinary share calculation:
Basic			294,837,092				241,818,016				191,533,455
Diluted			367,348,852				241,818,016				191,533,455

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-9

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Table of Contents

STUDIO CITY INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME

(In thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

		Year Ended December 31,
		2020				2019				2018
Net (loss) income		$	(405,092	)		$	43,629			$	(20,745	)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments, before and after tax			15,208				18,629				(18,774	)
Other comprehensive income (loss)			15,208				18,629				(18,774	)
Total comprehensive (loss) income			(389,884	)			62,258				(39,519	)
Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to participation interest			79,865				(14,362	)			3,370
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited		$	(310,019	)		$	47,896			$	(36,149	)

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-10

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Table of Contents

STUDIO CITY INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

		Studio City International Holdings Limited Shareholders’ Equity
		Class A Ordinary Shares								Class B Ordinary Shares								Additional Paid-in Capital				Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)				Accumulated Losses				Participation Interest				Total Equity
		Shares				Amount				Shares				Amount
Balance at January 1, 2018			181,279,400			$	18				—			$	—			$	1,512,705			$	488			$	(773,168	)		$	—			$	740,043
Cumulative-effect adjustment upon adoption of New Revenue Standard (as described in Note 2(p))			—				—				—				—				—				—				(3,332	)			—				(3,332	)
Net loss for the year			—				—				—				—				—				—				(21,598	)			853				(20,745	)
Foreign currency translation adjustments			—				—				—				—				—				(14,551	)			—				(4,223	)			(18,774	)
Exchange of Class A ordinary shares to Class B ordinary shares			(72,511,760	)			(7	)			72,511,760				7				—				—				—				—				—
Shares issued, net of offering expenses			133,050,376				13				—				—				399,196				—				—				—				399,209
Participation Interest resulted from Organizational Transactions and the Offering (as described in Note 1)			—				—				—				—				(256,299	)			—				—				256,299				—
Balance at December 31, 2018			241,818,016				24				72,511,760				7				1,655,602				(14,063	)			(798,098	)			252,929				1,096,401
Net income for the year			—				—				—				—				—				—				33,564				10,065				43,629
Foreign currency translation adjustments			—				—				—				—				—				14,332				—				4,297				18,629
Balance at December 31, 2019			241,818,016				24				72,511,760				7				1,655,602				269				(764,534	)			267,291				1,158,659
Net loss for the year			—				—				—				—				—				—				(321,626	)			(83,466	)			(405,092	)
Foreign currency translation adjustments			—				—				—				—				—				11,607				—				3,601				15,208
Shares issued, net of offering expenses			128,534,684				13				—				—				498,935				—				—				—				498,948
Change in Participation Interest resulted from Private Placements (as described in Note 1)			—				—				—				—				(20,310	)			—				—				20,310				—
Balance at December 31, 2020			370,352,700			$	37				72,511,760			$	7			$	2,134,227			$	11,876			$	(1,086,160	)		$	207,736			$	1,267,723

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-11

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Table of Contents

STUDIO CITY INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

		Year Ended December 31,
		2020				2019				2018
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income		$	(405,092	)		$	43,629			$	(20,745	)
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization			160,334				171,943				167,891
Amortization of deferred financing costs			4,507				7,554				8,189
(Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment and other long-term assets			(272	)			545				905
Impairment loss recognized on property and equipment			3,769				—				—
Write-off of other assets			—				7,556				—
Provision for credit losses			1,277				19				109
Loss on extinguishment of debt			18,716				2,995				2,489
Costs associated with debt modification			—				579				—
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable			1,241				324				241
Amounts due from affiliated companies			54,405				(23,426	)			(9,906	)
Inventories ,  prepaid expenses and other			1,931				3,621				(9,390	)
Long-term prepayments, deposits and other			(54,748	)			6,267				9,869
Accounts payable ,  accrued expenses and other			22,134				9,521				(4,806	)
Amounts due to affiliated companies			24,512				(3,525	)			140
Other long-term liabilities			(139	)			902				(5,468	)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities			(167,425	)			228,504				139,518
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of property and equipment			(202,712	)			(78,588	)			(153,247	)
Funds to an affiliated company			(9,616	)			(13,711	)			(13,355	)
Acquisition of intangible assets			(101	)			—				—
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment and other long-term assets			2,640				1,377				9,235
Placement of bank deposits with original maturities over three months			—				(60,152	)			(24,823	)
Withdrawals of bank deposits with original maturities over three months			—				60,152				34,675
Net cash used in investing activities			(209,789	)			(90,922	)			(147,515	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Principal payments on long-term debt			(850,000	)			(558,466	)			(400,000	)
Payments of deferred financing costs			(25,411	)			(9,913	)			—
Net proceeds from (payments for) issuance of shares			499,222				(5,063	)			405,152
Proceeds from long-term debt			1,000,000				383,466				—
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			623,811				(189,976	)			5,152
Effect of exchange rate on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash			1,530				2,061				(2,519	)
Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash			248,127				(50,333	)			(5,364	)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year			327,232				377,565				382,929
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year		$	575,359			$	327,232			$	377,565

 

F-12

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Table of Contents

STUDIO CITY INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 - continued

(In thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

		Year Ended December 31,
		2020				2019				2018
Supplemental cash flow disclosures:
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized		$	(81,488	)		$	(112,544	)		$	(155,153	)
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities - operating cash flows from operating leases		$	(735	)		$	(1,032	)		$	—
Change in operating lease right-of-use assets and lease liabilities arising from lease modification		$	3,213			$	(187	)		$	—
Change in accrued expenses and other current liabilities and other long-term liabilities related to acquisition of property and equipment		$	61,024			$	20,728			$	10,316
Change in amounts due from/to affiliated companies related to acquisition of property and equipment and other long-term assets		$	9,464			$	18,521			$	19,320
Change in amounts due to affiliated companies related to acquisition of intangible assets		$	3,938			$	—			$	—
Offering expenses capitalized for the issuance of shares included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities		$	445			$	—			$	5,943

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-13

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Table of Contents

STUDIO CITY INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

1.	ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS

 

(a)

Company Information

Studio City International Holdings Limited (“Studio City International”) was redomiciled by way of continuation as an exempted company incorporated with limited liability in the Cayman Islands in connection with the Organizational Transactions as described below. On October 22, 2018, Studio City International completed an initial public offering of 28,750,000 American depositary shares (“ADSs”), representing 115,000,000 Class A ordinary shares with par value of $0.0001 per share, and listed its ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “MSC” in the United States of America (the “Offering”).

Studio City International together with its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the “Company”) currently operates

the non-gaming operations

of Studio City, a cinematically-themed integrated resort in Cotai, Macau Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (“Macau”), and provides gaming related services to Melco Resorts (Macau) Limited (“Melco Resorts Macau”), a subsidiary of Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited (“Melco”), which holds the gaming subconcession in Macau, for the operations of the gaming area at Studio City (“Studio City Casino”). Melco’s ADSs are listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market in the United States of America.

Immediately prior to the Organizational Transactions as described below, Studio City International was 60% held directly by MCO Cotai Investments Limited (“MCO Cotai”), a subsidiary of Melco, and 40% held directly by New Cotai, LLC (“New Cotai”), a private company organized in the United States of America. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, Melco International Development Limited (“Melco International”), a company listed in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (“Hong Kong”), is the single largest shareholder of Melco.

Organizational Transactions

Prior to the completion of the Offering, the Company underwent a series of organizational transactions (the “Organizational Transactions”), all of which were completed in October 2018, pursuant to, among others, an implementation agreement entered into among MCO Cotai, Melco, New Cotai, MSC Cotai Limited (“MSC Cotai”), a subsidiary of Studio City International, and Studio City International. The Organizational Transactions included, among other things, the following: (i) Studio City International contributed substantially all of its assets and liabilities to MSC Cotai in exchange for newly-issued ordinary shares of MSC Cotai; (ii) Studio City International authorized two classes of ordinary shares, the Class A ordinary shares and the Class B ordinary shares, in each case with a par value of $0.0001 each; (iii) the 60% equity interest in Studio City International held directly by MCO Cotai prior to the Organizational Transactions was reclassified into 108,767,640 Class A ordinary shares; (iv) the 40% equity interest in Studio City International held directly by New Cotai prior to the Organizational Transactions was exchanged for 72,511,760 Class B ordinary shares, which have only voting and no economic rights and, through its Class B ordinary shares, New Cotai has voting rights in Studio City International which controls MSC Cotai; (v) New Cotai has a

non-voting,

non-shareholding

economic participation interest (the “Participation Interest”) in MSC Cotai, the terms of which are set forth in a participation agreement (the “Participation Agreement”) that was entered into by MSC Cotai, New Cotai and Studio City International; and (iv) Studio City International was redomiciled by way of continuation as an exempted company incorporated with limited liability in the Cayman Islands.

The Class A ordinary share and Class B ordinary share have the same rights, except that holders of the Class B ordinary shares do not have any right to receive dividends or distributions upon the liquidation

 

F-14

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Table of Contents

STUDIO CITY INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 - continued

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

1.	ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS  - continued

 

(a)

Company Information  - continued

Organizational Transactions

 - continued

 

or winding up of Studio City International or to otherwise share in its profits and surplus assets. Immediately prior to the Offering, the Participation Interest entitled New Cotai to receive from MSC Cotai an amount equal to 66 2/3% of the amount of any distribution, dividend or other consideration paid by MSC Cotai to Studio City International, subject to adjustments, exceptions and conditions as set out in the Participation Agreement (the “MSC Cotai’s Distribution”). The 66 2/3% represented the equivalent of New Cotai’s 40% interest in Studio City International prior to the Organizational Transactions. The Participation Agreement also provides that New Cotai is entitled to exchange all or a portion of its Participation Interest for a number of Class A ordinary shares subject to adjustments, exceptions and conditions as set out in the Participation Agreement and a proportionate number of Class B ordinary shares will be deemed surrendered and automatically canceled for no consideration as set out in the Participation Agreement when New Cotai exchanges all or a portion of the Participation Interest for Class A ordinary shares.

Immediately following the completion of the Offering, with a concurrent private placement of 800,376 Class A ordinary shares issued to Melco International to effect an assured entitlement distribution, 115,800,376 Class A ordinary shares were issued; and pursuant to the full exercise by the underwriters of the over-allotment option, an additional 4,312,500 ADSs, representing 17,250,000 Class A ordinary shares, were issued in November 2018.

As a result of the Organizational Transactions, the Offering including the concurrent private placement, and the full exercise by the underwriters of the over-allotment option as mentioned above, the Company recognized an adjustment to the Participation Interest in accordance with the Participation Agreement with a corresponding decrease in the Company’s additional

paid-in

capital.

Private Placements

During July and August 2020, Studio City International announced and 

completed a series of private offers (the “Private Placements”) of its

72,185,488

Class A ordinary shares and

14,087,299

ADSs 

(

representing

56,349,196

Class A ordinary shares

)

to certain existing shareholders and holders of its ADSs, including Melco, which resulted in an adjustment to the carrying amount of the Participation Interest with a corresponding decrease in the Company’s additional

paid-in

capital.

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Participation Interest entitled New Cotai to receive from MSC Cotai an amount equal to approximately 19.6% and 30.0% of the MSC Cotai’s Distribution, respectively.

 

 

(b)

Recent Developments Related to COVID-19 and Other Business Developments

In connection with the outbreak of the coronavirus

(COVID-19)

in the first quarter of 2020, travel restrictions, temporary business closures and other prohibitions have been imposed by the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”), Macau and other countries or regions throughout the world. Additionally, health-related precautionary measures have been imposed and remain in place at Studio City which have significantly disrupted its casino and resort operations.

On February 5, 2020, the Studio City’s casino operations were suspended for a

15-day

period and resumed operations only on a reduced basis on February 20, 2020 with limited visitations from Hong

 

F-15

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Table of Contents

STUDIO CITY INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 - continued

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

1.	ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS  - continued

 

(b)

Recent Developments Related to COVID-19 and Other Business Developments  - continued

 

Kong, Taiwan and certain regions of the PRC among other countries. In March 2020, the governments in Macau, Hong Kong and certain provinces in the PRC, including

 

Guangdong, imposed further entry bans, restrictions and quarantine requirements on nearly all visitors traveling to and from Macau.

Commencing from July 15, 2020, certain travelers entering Guangdong from Macau were no longer subject to mandatory quarantine, while from August 12, 2020, those entering

 the

PRC from Macau were generally no longer subject to mandatory quarantine

s

. On August 26, 2020, the Chinese authorities resumed the issuance of Individual Visit Scheme (“IVS”) visas for Guangdong residents, while the nationwide resumption of IVS visa issuance

s

commenced on September 23, 2020. On December 21, 2020, the Macau government announced that

,

generally, individuals who have been to countries and regions other than

the

PRC and Taiwan in the p

r

eceding 21 days are required to undergo a mandatory

21-day

quarantine upon entry into Macau from

the

PRC, Taiwan or Hong Kong. Foreigners continue to be unable to enter Macau, except if they have been in

the

PRC in the preceding 21 days and are eligible for an exemption application. Despite these developments, the Company’s operations continue to be impacted by significant travel bans, restrictions, and quarantine requirements imposed by the governments in Macau, Hong Kong and certain provinces in

the PRC

on visitors traveling to and from Macau, and such bans, restrictions and requirements have been, and may continue to be, modified by the relevant authorities from time to time as

COVID-19

developments unfold.

The

COVID-19

outbreak has also impacted

 on

the construction

 sch

edules

 of the remaining

development

project

at

 Studio City. The Company currently expects additional time will be needed to complete the construction of the project.

The

COVID-19

outbreak and the related events have also caused severe disruptions to the Company’s resort tenants and other business partners, which may increase the risk of these entities defaulting on their contractual obligations with the Company.

The disruptions to the Company’s business had material adverse effects on its financial condition and operations for the year ended December 31, 2020. As the disruptions are ongoing, such adverse effects have continued beyond the

2020

year and the Company is unable to reasonably estimate the financial impact to its future results of operations, cash flows and financial condition due to uncertainties surrounding the business recovery from such disruptions, successful development of safe and effective vaccines and treatment of COVID-19, travel restrictions, customer sentiment and other events related to the

COVID-19

outbreak.

As of December 31, 2020, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $575,215 and available borrowing capacity under the 2016 SC Revolving Credit Facility (as described in Note 10) of HK$233,000,000 (equivalent to $30,054), subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions precedent.

The Company has taken various mitigating measures to manage through the current

COVID-19

outbreak challenges, such as implementing cost reduction programs to minimize cash outflow

s

for

non-essential

items, rationalizing the Company’s capital expenditure programs with deferrals and reductions, refinancing existing borrowing

s

and raising additional capital through the Private Placements and new senior note offering

s

.

The Company believes it will be able to support continuing operations and capital expenditures

for

at least twelve months from the date of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-16

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Table of Contents

STUDIO CITY INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 - continued

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

1.	ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS  - continued

 

(b)

Recent Developments Related to COVID-19 and Other Business Developments  - continued

 

In January 2019, Melco Resorts Macau informed the Company that it would cease VIP rolling chip operations at the Studio City Casino on January 15, 2020. In January 2020, Melco Resorts Macau agreed to continue the VIP rolling chip operations at the Studio City Casino until January 15, 2021, and in December 2020, it further agreed to continue VIP rolling chip operations at Studio City Casino until December 31, 2021, subject to early termination with 30 days’ prior notice by either the Company or Melco Resorts Macau.

 

2.	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

(a)

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

On May 11, 2007, one of the Studio City International’s subsidiaries and Melco Resorts Macau entered into a services and right to use agreement, as amended on June 15, 2012, together with related agreements (together, the “Services and Right to Use Arrangements”). Under these arrangements, Melco Resorts Macau deducts gaming taxes and the costs of operation of Studio City Casino. The Company receives the residual gross gaming revenues and recognizes these amounts as revenues from provision of gaming related services.

In December 2015, certain of the Studio City International’s subsidiaries entered into a master services agreement and related work agreements (collectively, the “Management and Shared Services Arrangements”) with certain of Melco’s subsidiaries with respect to services provided to and from Studio City.

Under the Management and Shared Services Arrangements, certain of the corporate and administrative functions as well as operational activities of the Company are administered by staff employed by certain Melco’s subsidiaries, including senior management services, centralized corporate functions and operational and venue support services. Payment arrangements for the services are provided for in the individual work agreements and may vary depending on the services provided. Corporate services are charged at

pre-negotiated

rates, subject to a base fee and cap. Senior management service fees and staff costs on operational services are allocated to the Company based on percentages of efforts on the services provided to the Company. Other costs in relation to shared office equipment are allocated based on a percentage of usage.

The Company believes the costs incurred under the Services and Right to Use Arrangements and the allocation methods under the Management and Shared Services Arrangements are reasonable and the accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect the Company’s cost of doing business. However, such allocations may not be indicative of the actual expenses the Company would have incurred had it operated as an independent company for the periods presented. Details of the services and related charges are disclosed in Note 19.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”).

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Studio City International and its subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation.

 

F-17

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Table of Contents

STUDIO CITY INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 - continued

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

2.	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES  - continued

 

(b)

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect certain reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. These estimates and judgments are based on historical information, information that is currently available to the Company and on various other assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Accordingly, actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

(c)

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e. the “exit price”) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Company estimated the fair values using appropriate valuation methodologies and market information available as of the balance sheet date

.

 

(d)

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.

Cash equivalents are placed with financial institutions with high-credit ratings and quality.

 

(e)

Restricted Cash

The current portion of restricted cash represents cash deposited into bank accounts which are restricted as to withdrawal and use and the Company expects these funds will be released or utilized in accordance with the terms of the respective agreements within the next twelve months, while the

non-current

portion of restricted cash represents funds that will not be released or utilized within the next twelve months. Restricted cash mainly consists of i) bank accounts that are restricted for withdrawals and for payment of project costs or debt servicing associated with borrowings under the respective senior notes and credit facilities; and ii) collateral bank accounts associated with borrowings under the credit facilities.

 

(f)

Accounts Receivable and Credit Risk

Accounts receivable, including hotel and other receivables, are typically

non-interest

bearing and are recorded at

 amortized

cost. Accounts are written off when management deems it is probable the receivables are uncollectible. Recoveries of accounts previously written off are recorded when received. An estimated allowance for credit losses is maintained to reduce the Company’s receivables to their carrying amounts, which reflects the net amount the Company expects to collect. The allowance is estimated based on specific reviews of customer accounts with a balance over a specified dollar amount, based upon the age of the account, the customer’

s

financial condition as well as management’s experience with collection trends

of

 the

customers

, current economic and business conditions, and management’s expectations of future economic and business conditions and forecasts.

Management believes that as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, no significant concentrations of credit risk existed for which an allowance had not already been recorded.

 

F-18

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Table of Contents

STUDIO CITY INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 - continued

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

2.	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES  - continued

 

(g)

Inventories

Inventories consist of retail merchandise, food and beverage items and certain operating supplies, which are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is calculated using the

first-in,

first-out,

weighted average and specific identification methods.

 

(h)

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization, and impairment losses, if any. Gains or losses on dispositions of property and equipment are included in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Major additions, renewals and betterments are capitalized, while maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred.

During the construction and development stage of Studio City, direct and incremental costs related to the design and construction, including costs under the construction contracts, duties and tariffs, equipment installation, shipping costs, payroll and payroll-benefit related costs, applicable portions of interest, including amortization of deferred financing costs, are capitalized in property and equipment. The capitalization of such costs begins when the construction and development of a project starts and ceases once the construction is substantially completed or development activity is substantially suspended.

Depreciation and amortization expense related to capitalized construction costs and other property and equipment is recognized from the time each asset is placed in service. This may occur at different stages as Studio City’s facilities are completed and opened.

Property and equipment are depreciated and amortized over the following estimated useful lives on a straight-line basis:

 

Buildings		4 to 40 years
Furniture, fixtures and equipment		2 to 15 years
Leasehold improvements		4 to 10 years or over the lease term, whichever is shorter
Motor vehicles		5 years

 

(i)

Other Long-term Assets

Other long-term assets, represent the payments for the future economic benefits of certain plant and equipment for the operations of the Studio City Casino transferred from Melco Resorts Macau to the Company pursuant to the Services and Right to Use Arrangements (the “Studio City Gaming Assets”), are stated at cost, net of accumulated amortization, and impairment losses, if any. The legal ownerships of the Studio City Gaming Assets are retained by Melco Resorts Macau. An item of the Studio City Gaming Assets is derecognized upon disposal or when no future economic benefits are expected to arise from the continued use of an item of the Studio City Gaming Assets. Any gain or loss arising on the disposal or retirement of an item of the Studio City Gaming Assets is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying amount of an item of the Studio City Gaming Assets and is recognized in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

Amortization is recognized so as to write off the cost of the Studio City Gaming Assets using straight-line method over the respective estimated useful lives of the Studio City Gaming Assets, ranging from 2 to 10 years.

 

 

F-19

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Table of Contents

STUDIO CITY INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 - continued

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

2.	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES  - continued

 

(j)

Capitalized Interest

Interest, including amortization of deferred financing costs, associated with major development and construction projects is capitalized and included in the cost of the projects. The capitalization of interest ceases when the project is substantially completed or the development activity is substantially suspended

. The amount to be capitalized is determined by applying the weighted average

 

interest rate of the Company’s outstanding borrowings to the average amount of accumulated qualifying capital expenditures for assets under construction during the year. Total interest expenses incurred amounted to $

115,697

, $

132,291

and $

160,508

, of which $

10,898

,

nil

and

nil

were capitalized during the years ended December 

31

,

2020

,

2019

and

2018

, respectively.

 

(k)

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets are amortized over their useful lives unless their lives are determined to be indefinite in which case they are not amortized. Intangible assets are carried at cost, less accumulated amortization. The Company’s intangible assets consist of internal-use software, a finite-lived intangible asset. Finite-lived intangible assets are amortized over the shorter of their contractual terms or estimated useful lives.

Costs incurred to develop software for internal use are capitalized and amortized over the estimated useful lives of the software of 3 years on a straight-line basis. The capitalization of such costs begins during the application development stage of the software project and ceases once the software project is substantially complete and ready for its intended use. Costs of specified upgrades and enhancements to the internal-use software are capitalized, while costs associated with preliminary project stage activities, training, maintenance and all other post-implementation stage activities are expensed as incurred.

 

(l)

Impairment of Long-lived Assets

The Company evaluates the long-lived assets with finite lives to be held and used for impairment whenever indicators of impairment exist. The Company then compares the estimated future cash flows of the assets, on an undiscounted basis, to the carrying values of the assets.

 Estimating future cash flows of the assets involves significant assumptions, including future revenue growth rates and gross margin.

If the undiscounted cash flows exceed the carrying values, no impairments are indicated. If the undiscounted cash flows do not exceed the carrying values, then an impairment charge is recorded based on the fair values of the assets, typically measured using a discounted cash flow model. If an asset is still under development, future cash flows include remaining construction costs.

During the year ended December 31, 2020,

 an

impairment loss of $3,769

was recognized, mainly due to reconfigurations and renovations at Studio City, and included in property charges and other in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic as disclosed in Note 1(b), the Company evaluated its long-lived assets for recoverability as of December 31, 2020 and concluded no impairment existed at that date as the estimated undiscounted future cash flows exceeded their carrying values

. No impairment loss

e

s were

 recognized during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

(m)

Deferred Financing Costs

Direct and incremental costs incurred in obtaining loans or in connection with the issuance of

long-term

debt are capitalized and amortized to interest expenses over the terms of the related debt

 

F-20

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Table of Contents

STUDIO CITY INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 - continued

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

2.	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES  - continued

 

(m)

Deferred Financing Costs  - continued

 

agreements using the effective interest method. Deferred financing costs incurred in connection with the issuance of revolving credit facilities are included in other assets either current or non-current in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, based on the maturity of each revolving credit facility. All other deferred financing costs are presented as a reduction of long-term debt in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

 

(n)

Land Use Right

Land use right represents the upfront land premium paid for the use of land held under operating lease, which is recorded at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization is provided over the estimated term of the land use right of 40 years on a straight-line basis.

 

(o)

Leases

On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted the guidance on leases under the accounting standards update (as subsequently amended) issued in February 2016 by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”), which amends various aspects of existing accounting guidance for leases, using the modified retrospective method without restating comparative information.

The Company elected the package of practical expedients, which allows the Company not to reassess (1) whether any expired or existing contracts as of the adoption date are or contain a lease, (2) lease classification for any expired or existing leases as of the adoption date; and (3) initial direct costs for any existing leases as of the adoption date. As a result of adoption, the Company recognized $14,745 of operating lease

right-of-use

assets and $14,745 of operating lease liabilities as of January 1, 2019. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on net income or cash flows.

At the inception of the contract or upon modification, the Company will perform an assessment as to whether the contract is a lease or contains a lease. A contract is or contains a lease if the contract conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period in exchange for consideration. A lessee has control of an identified asset if it has both the right to direct the use of the asset and the right to receive substantially all of the economic benefits from the use of the asset.

Operating lease

right-of-use

assets and liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term at commencement date. The initial measurement of the

right-of-use

assets also includes any prepaid lease payments and any initial direct costs incurred, and is reduced by any lease incentive received. For leases where the rate implicit in the lease is not readily determinable, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The expected lease terms include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise such option. Lease expense for minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the expected lease term. Leases with an expected term of 12 months or less are not accounted for on the balance sheet and the related lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the expected lease term.

The Company’s lease contracts have lease and

non-lease

components. For contracts in which the Company is a lessee, the Company accounts for the lease components and

non-lease

components as a single lease component for all classes of underlying assets, except for real estate. For contracts in which the Company is a lessor, all are accounted for as operating leases, and the lease components and

non-lease

components are accounted for separately.

 

 

F-21

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Table of Contents

STUDIO CITY INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 - continued

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

2.	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES  - continued

 

(p)

Revenue Recognition

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted the guidance under the accounting standards update (as subsequently amended) issued in May 2014 by the FASB, which outlined a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenues arising from contracts with customers and

 

superseded most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance (“New Revenue Standard”), using the modified retrospective method. The cumulative effect of the adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the accumulated losses as of January 1, 2018. In addition, the adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on net loss, comprehensive loss, basic and diluted net loss attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited per Class A ordinary share amounts for the year ended December 31, 2018 and net assets as of December 31, 2018.

The Company’s revenues from contracts with customers consist of provision of gaming related services, sales of rooms, food and beverage, entertainment, retail and other goods and services.

Revenues from provision of gaming related services represent revenues arising from the provision of facilities for the operations of Studio City Casino and services related thereto pursuant to the Services and Right to Use Arrangements, under which Melco Resorts Macau operates the Studio City Casino. Melco Resorts Macau deducts gaming taxes and the costs incurred in connection with the operations of Studio City Casino pursuant to the Services and Right to Use Arrangements, including the standalone selling prices of complimentary services within Studio City provided to the Studio City gaming patrons, from the Studio City Casino gross gaming revenues. The Company recognizes the residual amount as revenues from provision of gaming related services. The Company has concluded that it is not the controlling entity to the arrangements and recognizes the revenues from provision of gaming related services on a net basis.

Non-gaming

revenues include services provided for cash consideration and services provided on a complimentary basis to the gaming patrons at Studio City. The transaction prices for rooms, food and beverage, entertainment, retail and other goods and services are the net amounts collected from customers for such goods and services that are recorded as revenues when the goods are provided, services are performed or events are held. Service taxes and other applicable taxes collected by the Company are excluded from revenues. Advance deposits on rooms and advance ticket sales are recorded as customer deposits until services are provided to the customers. Revenues from contracts with multiple goods or services provided by the Company are allocated to each good or service based on its relative standalone selling price.

Minimum operating and right to use fees representing lease revenues, adjusted for contractual base fees and operating fee escalations, are included in mall revenues and are recognized over the terms of the related agreements on a straight-line basis.

Contract and Contract-Related Liabilities

In providing goods and services to its customers, there may be a timing difference between cash receipts from customers and recognition of revenues, resulting in a contract or contract-related liability. The Company’s primary type of liabilities related to contracts with customers is advance deposits on rooms and advance ticket sales which represent cash received in advance for goods or services yet to be provided. These amounts are included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and will be recognized as revenues when the goods or services are provided or the events are held. Decreases in this balance generally represent

 the

 

F-22

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Table of Contents

STUDIO CITY INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 - continued

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

2.	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES  - continued

 

(p)

Revenue Recognition  - continued

Contract and Contract-Related Liabilities

 - continued

 

recognition of revenues and increases in the balance represent additional deposits made by customers. The deposits are expected to primarily be recognized as revenues within one year. Advance customer deposits and ticket sales of $2,403 as of December 31, 2020 decreased by $1,543 from the balance of $3,946 as of December 31, 2019. Advance customer deposits and ticket sales of $3,946 as of December 31, 2019 decreased by $434 from the balance of $4,380 as of December 31, 2018.

 

(q)

Pre-opening Costs

Pre-opening

costs represent personnel, marketing and other costs incurred prior to the opening of new or

start-up

operations and are expensed as incurred. During the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company incurred

pre-opening

costs in connection with the development and other

one-off

activities related to the marketing of new facilities and operations of Studio City.

 

(r)

Advertising and Promotional Costs

The Company expenses advertising and promotional costs the first time the advertising takes place or as incurred. Advertising and promotional costs included in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations were $4,607, $22,177 and $28,009 for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

 

(s)

Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations

All transactions in currencies other than functional currencies of Studio City International and its subsidiaries during the year are remeasured at the exchange rates prevailing on the respective transaction dates. Monetary assets and liabilities existing at the balance sheet date denominated in currencies other than functional currencies are remeasured at the exchange rates existing on that date. Exchange differences are recorded in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

The functional currency of Studio City International is the United States dollar (“$” or “US$”) and the functional currency of most of Studio City International’s foreign subsidiaries is the local currency in which the subsidiary operates. All assets and liabilities are translated at the rates of exchange prevailing at the balance sheet date and all income and expense items are translated at the average rates of exchange over the year. All exchange differences arising from the translation of foreign subsidiaries’ financial statements are recorded as a component of other comprehensive income (loss).

 

(t)

Comprehensive (Loss) Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income

Comprehensive (loss) income includes net (loss) income and other

non-shareholder

changes in equity, or other comprehensive (loss) income and is reported in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income.

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company’s accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income consisted solely of foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax and participation interest.

 

(u)

Income Tax

The Company is subject to income taxes in Macau and Hong Kong where it operates.

 

F-23

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Table of Contents

STUDIO CITY INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 - continued

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

2.	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES  - continued

 

(u)

Income Tax  - continued

 

Deferred income taxes are recognized for all significant temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Current income taxes are provided for in accordance with the laws of the relevant taxing authorities.

The Company’s income tax returns are subject to examination by tax authorities in the jurisdictions where it operates. The Company assesses potentially unfavorable outcomes of such examinations based on accounting standards for uncertain income taxes. These accounting standards utilize a

two-step

approach to recognizing and measuring uncertain tax positions. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates it is more likely than not that the position, based on the technical merits of position, will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount which is more than 50% likely, based on cumulative probability.

 

(v)

Net (L oss ) Income Attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited Per Class  A Ordinary Share

Basic net (loss) income attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited per Class A ordinary share is calculated by dividing the net (loss) income attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited by the weighted average number of Class A ordinary shares outstanding during the year.

Diluted net (loss) income attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited per Class A ordinary share is calculated by dividing the net (loss) income attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited by the weighted average number of Class A ordinary shares outstanding during the year adjusted to include the number of additional Class A ordinary shares that would have been outstanding if potential dilutive securities had been issued and the

if-converted

method is applied for the potential dilutive effect of the exchange of Class B ordinary share for the proportionate number of Class A ordinary share. During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, there were no potentially dilutive securities issued or outstanding.

Basic and diluted net (loss) income attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited per Class A ordinary share does not include Class B ordinary share as such share do not participate in the (loss) income of Studio City International. As a result, Class B ordinary shares are not considered participating securities and are not included in the weighted average number of shares outstanding for purposes of computing net (loss) income attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited per share. For the calculation of net loss attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited per Class A ordinary share for the year ended December 31, 2018 for which a portion of the period preceded the Offering, Studio City International has retrospectively presented net loss attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited per Class A ordinary share and the share capital as if the Organizational Transactions had occurred at the beginning

of

2018

. Such retrospective presentation reflects the redesignation of the then issued 18,127.94 ordinary shares of $1 par value each into 181,279,400 Class A ordinary shares of $0.0001 par value each.

The

retrospective presentation does not include the exchange of 72,511,760 Class A ordinary shares into 72,511,760 Class B ordinary shares of $0.0001 par value each and the issuance of 115,000,000 Class A ordinary shares in the Offering.

 

F-24

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Table of Contents

STUDIO CITY INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 - continued

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

2.	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES  - continued

(v)

Net (Loss)   Income Attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited Per Class A Ordinary Share  - continued

 

The weighted average number of Class A ordinary shares used in the calculation of basic and diluted net (loss) income attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited per Class A ordinary share consisted of the following:

 

		Year Ended December 31,
		2020				2019				2018
Weighted average number of Class A ordinary shares outstanding used in the calculation of basic net (loss) income attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited per Class A ordinary share			294,837,092				241,818,016				191,533,455
Incremental weighted average number of Class A ordinary shares from assumed exchange of Class B ordinary shares to Class A ordinary shares under the if-converted method			72,511,760				—				—
Weighted average number of Class A ordinary shares outstanding used in the calculation of diluted net (loss) income attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited per Class A ordinary share			367,348,852				241,818,016				191,533,455
Anti-dilutive Class A ordinary shares under the if-converted method excluded from the calculation of diluted net (loss) income attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited per Class A ordinary share			—				72,511,760				14,303,690

 

(w)

Recent Changes in Accounting Standards

Newly Adopted Accounting Pronouncement

s

In June 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standards update which replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology in current U.S. GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. The guidance is applied using a modified retrospective approach through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the effective date. The Company adopted this new guidance on January 1, 2020 and this adoption did not have a material impact on

it

s consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued an accounting standards update which aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain

internal-use

software (and hosting arrangements that include an

internal-use

software license). The accounting for the service element of a hosting arrangement that is a service contract is not affected by this new guidance. The guidance is applied prospectively. The Company adopted this new guidance on January 1, 2020 and this adoption did not have a material impact

 on

it

s consolidated financial statements.

 

F-25

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Table of Contents

STUDIO CITY INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 - continued

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

2.	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES  - continued

 

(w)

Recent Changes in Accounting Standards  - continued

Recent Accounting Pronouncement Not Yet Adopted

In December 2019, the FASB issued an accounting standards update which simplifies the accounting for income taxes by eliminating certain exceptions to the guidance in Accounting Standards Codification 740,

Income Taxes

, in order to reduce cost and complexity of its application. This guidance is effective for interim and fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

 

3.	CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows consisted of the following:

 

		December 31,
		2020				2019
Cash and cash equivalents		$	575,215			$	299,367
Current portion of restricted cash			13				27,735
Non-current portion of restricted cash			131				130
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash		$	575,359			$	327,232

 

4.	ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET

Components of accounts receivable, net are as follows:

 

		December 31,
		2020				2019
Hotel		$	106			$	1,104
Other			1,027				1,258
Sub-total			1,133				2,362
Less: allowances for credit losses			(976	)			(965	)
		$	157			$	1,397

The Company’s allowances for credit losses as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 were primarily related to receivables for entertainment business.

 

F-26

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Table of Contents

STUDIO CITY INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 - continued

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

4.	ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET  - continued

 

Movement in the allowances for credit losses are as follows:

 

		Year Ended December 31,
		2020				2019				2018
Balance at beginning of year		$	965			$	960			$	588
Provision for credit losses			6				—				376
Effect of exchange rate			5				5				(4	)
Balance at end of year		$	976			$	965			$	960

 

5.	PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET

 

		December 31,
		2020				2019
Cost
Buildings		$	2,328,832			$	2,320,265
Furniture, fixtures and equipment			196,428				199,098
Leasehold improvements			126,538				109,834
Motor vehicles			2,615				2,602
Construction in progress			256,225				80,732
Sub-total			2,910,638				2,712,531
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization			(729,741	)			(605,074	)
Property and equipment, net		$	2,180,897			$	2,107,457

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, construction in progress

,

in relation to Studio City

,

included interest capitalized in accordance with applicable accounting standards and other direct incidental costs capitalized which, in the aggregate, amounted to $32,497 and $11,676, respectively.

 

6.	INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET

As of December 31, 2020, intangible assets comprised the carrying amounts of

internal-use

software, finite-lived intangible asset

s

, of $4,005.

The cost and the accumulated amortization of

internal-use

software amounted to $4,038 and $33 as of December 31, 2020. The amortization expense

s

of

internal-use

software recognized for the year ended December 31, 2020 were $33.

As of December 31, 2020, the estimated future amortization expenses of

internal-use

software are as follows:

 

Year ending December 31,
2021		$	1,346
2022			1,346
2023			1,313
		$	4,005

 

F-27

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Table of Contents

STUDIO CITY INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 - continued

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

7.	LONG-TERM PREPAYMENTS, DEPOSITS AND OTHER ASSETS

Long-term prepayments, deposits and other assets consisted of the following:

 

		December 31,
		2020				2019
Other long-term assets		$	106,268			$	103,699
Less: accumulated amortization			(80,170	)			(67,845	)
Other long-term assets, net			26,098				35,854
Long-term prepayments			48,469				—
Advance payments and deposits for acquisition of property and equipment			30,928				14,217
Other deposits and other			11,620				4,517
Deferred financing costs, net			440				885
Other long-term receivables			—				1,614
Long-term prepayments, deposits and other assets		$	117,555			$	57,087

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company has made additional provision for credit losses, primarily related to other long-term receivables for mall operations, of $903 which was written off during the year ended December 31, 2020.

 

8.	LAND USE RIGHT, NET

 

		December 31,
		2020				2019
Cost		$	179,091			$	178,258
Less: accumulated amortization			(62,982	)			(59,370	)
Land use right, net		$	116,109			$	118,888

 

9.	ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

		December 31,
		2020				2019
Property and equipment payables		$	49,161			$	25,386
Interest expenses payable			45,737				22,053
Operating expense and other accruals and liabilities			20,650				30,273
Advance customer deposits and ticket sales			2,403				3,946
Operating lease liabilities			995				895
		$	118,946			$	82,553

 

F-28

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Table of Contents

STUDIO CITY INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 - continued

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

10.	LONG-TERM DEBT, NET

Long-term debt, net consisted of the following:

 

		December 31,
		2020				2019
Senior Notes (a)
2019 7.250% Studio City Notes, due 2024 (net of unamortized deferred financing costs of $6,165 and $7,829, respectively)		$	593,835			$	592,171
2020 6.000% SC Notes, due 2025 (net of unamortized deferred financing costs of $4,566)			495,434				—
2020 6.500% SC Notes, due 2028 (net of unamortized deferred financing costs of $4,738)			495,262				—
2016 7.250% SC Secured Notes, due 2021 (net of unamortized deferred financing costs of $7,211)			—				842,789
Credit Facilities (b)
2016 Studio City Credit Facilities (1)			129				128
		$	1,584,660			$	1,435,088

Note

(1)

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the unamortized deferred financing costs related to the 2016 SC Revolving Credit Facility of the 2016 Studio City Credit Facilities of $440 and $885 are included in long-term prepayments, deposits and other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, respectively.

 

(a)

Senior Notes

2019 7.250% Studio City Notes

On February 11, 2019, Studio City Finance Limited (“Studio City Finance”), a subsidiary of Studio City International, issued $600,000 in aggregate principal amount of 7.250% senior notes

which would have been

due

 on

February 11, 2024 at

 

an issue price of

 

100

%

 

of the principal amount

 

(

the “2019 7.250% Studio City Notes”). The interest on the 2019 7.250% Studio City Notes

was

accrued at a rate of

7.250

% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on February 11 and August 11 of each year,

and

commenced on August 11, 2019. The 2019 7.250% Studio City Notes

we

re general obligations of Studio City Finance, rank

ed

equally in right of payment to all existing and future senior indebtedness of Studio City Finance, rank

ed

senior in right of payment to any existing and future subordinated indebtedness of Studio City Finance and

we

re effectively subordinated to all of Studio City Finance’s existing and future secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the property and assets securing such indebtedness.

The net proceeds from the offering of the 2019 7.250% Studio City Notes were used to partially fund the conditional tender offer and the remaining outstanding balance

with accrued interest 

of the previous senior notes of Studio City Finance

in March

 2019

 

and with the remaining amount used for general corporate purposes.

 

 

F-29

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Table of Contents

STUDIO CITY INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 - continued

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

10.	LONG-TERM DEBT, NET  - continued

 

(a)

Senior Notes  - continued

2019 7.250% Studio City Notes

 - continued

 

As of February 17, 2021, no amount of the 2019 7.250% Studio City Notes remained outstanding following the conditional tender offer in January 2021 as disclosed in Note 21(b) and the redemption of the remaining outstanding amount in February 2021 as disclosed in Note 21(c).

All of the existing subsidiaries of Studio City Finance and any other future restricted subsidiaries that provide

d

guarantees of certain specified indebtedness (including the 2016 Studio City Credit Facilities

 as described below

) (the “2019 7.250% Studio City Notes Guarantors”) jointly, severally and unconditionally guarantee

d

the 2019 7.250% Studio City Notes on a senior basis (the “2019 7.250% Studio City Notes Guarantees”). The 2019 7.250% Studio City Notes Guarantees

 were

general obligations of the 2019 7.250% Studio City Notes Guarantors, rank

ed

equally in right of payment to all existing and future senior indebtedness of the 2019 7.250% Studio City Notes Guarantors and rank

ed

senior in right of payment to any existing and future subordinated indebtedness of the 2019 7.250% Studio City Notes Guarantors. The 2019 7.250% Studio City Notes Guarantees

we

re effectively subordinated to the 2019 7.250% Studio City Notes Guarantors’ obligations under all existing and any future secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of such property and assets securing such indebtedness.

At any time prior to February 11, 2021, Studio City Finance ha

d

 the options i) to redeem all or a portion of the 2019 7.250% Studio City Notes at a “make-whole” redemption price; and ii) to redeem up to 35% of the 2019 7.250% Studio City Notes with the net cash proceeds of certain equity offerings at a fixed redemption price. Thereafter, Studio City Finance ha

d

 the option to redeem all or a portion of the 2019 7.250% Studio City Notes at any time at fixed redemption prices that decline ratably over time. Further, under certain circumstances and subject to certain exceptions as more fully described in the indenture governing the 2019 7.250% Studio City Notes, Studio City Finance also ha

d

 the option to redeem in whole, but not in part the 2019 7.250% Studio City Notes at fixed redemption prices. In certain events that relate

d

to the gaming subconcession of Melco Resorts Macau and subject to certain exceptions as more fully described in the indenture governing the 2019 7.250% Studio City Notes, each holder of the 2019 7.250% Studio City Notes w

ould

 have the right to require Studio City Finance to repurchase all or any part of such holder’s 2019 7.250% Studio City Notes at a fixed redemption price.

The indenture governing the 2019 7.250% Studio City Notes contain

ed

 certain covenants that, subject to certain exceptions and conditions, limit

ed

 the ability of Studio City Finance and its restricted subsidiaries to, among other things: (i) incur or guarantee additional indebtedness; (ii) make specified restricted payments; (iii) issue or sell capital stock; (iv) sell assets; (v) create liens; (vi) enter into agreements that restrict the restricted subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends, transfer assets or make intercompany loans; (vii) enter into transactions with shareholders or affiliates; and (viii) effect a consolidation or merger. The indenture governing the 2019 7.250% Studio City Notes also

contain

ed

 conditions and events of default customary for such financings.

There

we

re provisions under the indenture governing the 2019 7.250% Studio City Notes that limit

ed

or prohibit

ed

certain payments of dividends and other distributions by Studio City Finance and its restricted subsidiaries to companies or persons who

we

re not Studio City Finance or restricted subsidiaries of Studio City Finance, subject to certain exceptions and conditions. As of December 31, 2020, the net assets of Studio City Finance and its restricted subsidiaries of approximately $1,288,000 were restricted from being distributed under the terms of the 2019 7.250% Studio City Notes.

 

F-30

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Table of Contents

STUDIO CITY INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 - continued

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

10.	LONG-TERM DEBT, NET  - continued

 

(a)

Senior Notes  - continued

 

2020 Studio City Notes

On July 15, 2020, Studio City Finance issued $500,000 in aggregate principal amount of 6.000% senior notes due July 15, 2025 at

 an issue price of

100%

 of the

principal amount

 (the “2020 6.000% SC Notes”) and $500,000 in aggregate principal amount of 6.500% senior notes due January 15, 2028

 

at an issue price of

 

100

%

of the principal amount 

(t

he “2020 6.500% SC Notes” and together with 2020 6.000% SC Notes, the “2020 Studio City Notes”). The interest on the 2020 6.000% SC Notes and 2020 6.500% SC Notes is accrued at a rate of

6.000

% and

6.500

% per annum, respectively, payable semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year,

and

commenced

on January 15, 2021. The 2020 Studio City Notes are general obligations of Studio City Finance, rank equally in right of payment to all existing and future senior indebtedness of Studio City Finance, rank senior in right of payment to any existing and future subordinated indebtedness of Studio City Finance and are effectively subordinated to all of Studio City Finance’s existing and future secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the property and assets securing such indebtedness.

The net proceeds from the offering of the 2020 Studio City Notes were partially used to redeem in full the 2016 7.250% SC Secured Notes (as described below) with accrued interest and redemption premium in August 2020 and with the remaining amount used for the capital expenditures of the remaining

developmen

t

project

at

Studio City.

All of the existing subsidiaries of Studio City Finance and any other future restricted subsidiaries that provide guarantees of certain specified indebtedness (including the 2016 Studio City Credit Facilities) (the “2020 Studio City Notes Guarantors”) jointly, severally and unconditionally guarantee the 2020 Studio City Notes on a senior basis (the “2020 Studio City Notes Guarantees”). The 2020 Studio City Notes Guarantees are general obligations of the 2020 Studio City Notes Guarantors, rank equally in right of payment to all existing and future senior indebtedness of the 2020 Studio City Notes Guarantors and rank senior in right of payment to any existing and future subordinated indebtedness of the 2020 Studio City Notes Guarantors. The 2020 Studio City Notes Guarantees are effectively subordinated to the 2020 Studio City Notes Guarantors’ obligations under all existing and any future secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of such property and assets securing such indebtedness.

At any time prior to July 15, 2022, Studio City Finance has the options i) to redeem all or a portion of the 2020 6.000% SC Notes at a “make-whole” redemption price; and ii) to redeem up to 35% of the 2020 6.000% SC Notes with the net cash proceeds of certain equity offerings at a fixed redemption price. Thereafter, Studio City Finance has the option to redeem all or a portion of the 2020 6.000% SC Notes at any time at fixed redemption prices that decline ratably over time. At any time prior to July 15, 2023, Studio City Finance has the options i) to redeem all or a portion of the 2020 6.500% SC Notes at a “make-whole” redemption price; and ii) to redeem up to 35% of the 2020 6.500% SC Notes with the net cash proceeds of certain equity offerings at a fixed redemption price. Thereafter, Studio City Finance has the option to redeem all or a portion of the 2020 6.500% SC Notes at any time at fixed redemption prices that decline ratably over time. Further, under certain circumstances and subject to certain exceptions as more fully described in the indenture governing the 2020 Studio City Notes, Studio City Finance also has the option to redeem in whole, but not in part the 2020 Studio City Notes at fixed redemption prices. In certain events that relate to the gaming subconcession of Melco Resorts Macau and subject to certain exceptions as more fully described in the indenture governing the 2020 Studio City Notes, each holder of the 2020 Studio City Notes

 

 

F-31

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Table of Contents

STUDIO CITY INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 - continued

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

10.	LONG-TERM DEBT, NET  - continued

 

(a)

Senior Notes  - continued

2020 Studio City Notes

 - continued

 

will have the right to require Studio City Finance to repurchase all or any part of such holder’s 2020 Studio City Notes at a fixed redemption price.

The indenture governing the 2020 Studio City Notes contains certain covenants that, subject to certain exceptions and conditions, limit the ability of Studio City Finance and its restricted subsidiaries to, among other things: (i) incur or guarantee additional indebtedness; (ii) make specified restricted payments; (iii) issue or sell capital stock; (iv) sell assets; (v) create liens; (vi) enter into agreements that restrict the restricted subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends, transfer assets or make intercompany loans; (vii) enter into transactions with shareholders or affiliates; and (viii) effect a consolidation or merger. The indenture governing the 2020 Studio City Notes also contains conditions and events of default customary for such financings.

There are provisions under t

h

e indenture governing the 2020 Studio City Notes that limit or prohibit certain payments of dividends and other distributions by Studio City Finance and its restricted subsidiaries to companies or persons who are not Studio City Finance or restricted subsidiaries of Studio City Finance, subject to certain exceptions and conditions. As of December 31, 2020, the net assets of Studio City Finance and its restricted subsidiaries of approximately $1,288,000 were

 

restricted from being distributed under the terms of the 2020 Studio City Notes.

2016 7.250% SC Secured Notes

On November 30, 2016, Studio City Company Limited (“Studio City Company”), a subsidiary of Studio City International, issued $

850,000

in aggregate principal amount of 7.250% senior secured notes due

November 30, 2021

 at

 a

n issue price of

 

100

%

of the principal amount

(the “2016 7.250% SC Secured Notes”). The net proceeds from the offering of the 2016 7.250% SC Secured Notes were used to partially repay the Studio City Borrower’s prior senior secured credit facilities (as described below).

The interest on the 2016 7.250% SC Secured Notes was accrued at a rate of 7.250% per annum

 a

nd was

 payable semi-annually in arrears. On August 14, 2020, Studio City Company used a portion of the net proceeds from the offering of the 2020 Studio City Notes to redeem in full the 2016 7.250% SC Secured Notes, together with accrued interest and redemption premium. In connection with the redemption of the 2016 7.250% SC Secured Notes, the Company recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of $18,716 during the year ended December 31, 2020.

 

(b)

Credit Facilities

2016 Studio City Credit Facilities

On November 30, 2016, Studio City Company (the “Studio City Borrower”) amended and restated the Studio City Borrower’s prior senior secured credit facilities agreement from 10,855,880,000 Hong Kong dollars (“HK$”) (equivalent to $1,395,357) to a HK$234,000,000 (equivalent to $30,077) senior secured credit facilities agreement (the “2016 Studio City Credit Facilities”), comprising a HK$1,000,000 (equivalent to $129) term loan facility (the “2016 SC Term Loan Facility”) and a HK$233,000,000 (equivalent to $29,948) revolving credit facility (the “2016 SC Revolving Credit Facility”). As of December 31, 2020, the outstanding principal amount of the

2016

SC Term Loan Facility and the 2016 SC Revolving Credit Facility were HK$1,000,000 (equivalent to $129) and nil, respectively, and the available borrowing capacity under the 2016 SC Revolving Credit Facility was HK$233,000,000 (equivalent to $30,054).

 

F-32

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Table of Contents

STUDIO CITY INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 - continued

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

10.	LONG-TERM DEBT, NET  - continued

 

(b)

Credit Facilities  - continued

2016 Studio City Credit Facilities

 - continued

 

The 2016 SC Term Loan Facility and the 2016 SC Revolving Credit Facility

which would have

matured

 on November 30, 2021

 were extended to January 15, 2028 as dis

closed in Note 21

(d)

. The 2016 SC Term Loan Facility has to be repaid at maturity with no interim amortization payments. The 2016 SC Revolving Credit Facility is available up to the date that is one month prior to the 2016 SC Revolving Credit Facility’s maturity date. The 2016 SC Term Loan Facility is collateralized by cash of HK$1,012,500 (equivalent to $131). The Studio City Borrower is subject to mandatory prepayment requirements in respect of various amounts of the 2016 SC Revolving Credit Facility as specified in the 2016 Studio City Credit Facilities; in the event of the disposal of all or substantially all of the business and assets of the Studio City borrowing group which includes the Studio City Borrower and certain of its subsidiaries as defined under the 2016 Studio City Credit Facilities (the “2016 Studio City Borrowing Group”), the 2016 Studio City Credit Facilities are required to be repaid in full. In the event of a change of control, the Studio City Borrower may be required, at the election of any lender under the 2016 Studio City Credit Facilities, to repay such lender in full (other than the principal amount of the 2016 SC Term Loan Facility).

The indebtedness under the 2016 Studio City Credit Facilities is guaranteed by Studio City Investments Limited (“Studio City Investments”), the shareholder of Studio City Company, and its subsidiaries (other than the Studio City Borrower). Security for the 2016 Studio City Credit Facilities includes a first-priority mortgage over any rights under the land concession contract of Studio City and an assignment of certain leases or rights to use agreements; as well as other customary security. The 2016 Studio City Credit Facilities contain certain affirmative and negative covenants customary for such financings. Certain specified bank accounts of Melco Resorts Macau are pledged under 2016 Studio City Credit Facilities and related finance documents. The 2016 Studio City Credit Facilities are secured by substantially all of the material assets of Studio City Investments and its subsidiaries.

The 2016 Studio City Credit Facilities contain certain covenants that, subject to certain exceptions and conditions, limit the ability of Studio City Company, Studio City Investments and their respective restricted subsidiaries to, among other things: (i) incur or guarantee additional indebtedness and issue certain preferred stock; (ii) make specified restricted payments and investments; (iii) prepay or redeem subordinated debt or equity; (iv) issue or sell capital stock; (v) transfer, lease or sell assets; (vi) create or incur certain liens; (vii) impair the security interests in the collateral; (viii) enter into agreements that restrict the restricted subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends, transfer assets or make intercompany loans; (ix) change the nature of the business of the relevant group; (x) enter into transactions with shareholders or affiliates; and (xi) effect a consolidation or merger. The 2016 Studio City Credit Facilities also contain conditions and events of default customary for such financings.

There are provisions that limit certain payments of dividends and other distributions by the 2016 Studio City Borrowing Group to companies or persons who are not members of the 2016 Studio City Borrowing Group. As of December 31, 2020, the net assets of Studio City Investments and its restricted subsidiaries of approximately $1,192,000 were restricted from being distributed under the terms of the 2016 Studio City Credit Facilities.

Borrowings under the 2016 Studio City Credit Facilities bear interest at HIBOR plus a margin of 4% per annum. The Studio City Borrower may select an interest period for borrowings under the 2016 Studio City

 

Credit Facilities ranging from one to six months or any other agreed period. The Studio City Borrower is

 

F-33

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Table of Contents

STUDIO CITY INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 - continued

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

10.	LONG-TERM DEBT, NET  - continued

 

(b)

Credit Facilities  - continued

2016 Studio City Credit Facilities

 - continued

 

obligated to pay a commitment fee on the undrawn amount of the 2016 SC Revolving Credit Facility and recognized loan commitment fees of $421, $416 and $419 during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

(c)

Borrowing Rates and Scheduled Maturities of Long-term Debt

During the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company’s average borrowing rates were approximately 6.98%, 7.05% and 7.50% per annum, respectively.

Scheduled maturities of the long-term debt (excluding unamortized deferred financing costs) as of December 31, 2020 are as follows:

 

Year end i n g  December 31,
2021		$	—
2022			—
2023			—
2024			600,000
2025			500,000
Over 2025			500,129
		$	1,600,129

 

11.

LEASES

Lessee Arrangements

The Company is the lessee under operating leases for equipment and real estate, including the land in Macau on which Studio City is located. Certain leases include options to extend the lease term and options to terminate the lease term. The land concession contract of Studio City has a term of 25 years, which is renewable for further consecutive periods of 10 years, subject to applicable legislation in Macau. The estimated term related to the land concession contract of Studio City is 40 years.

The components of operating lease cost

s

are as follows:

 

		Year Ended December 31,
		2020				2019
Amortization of land use right		$	3,333			$	3,300
Operating lease cost s			1,108				1,409
Short-term lease cost s			405				1,049
Total operating lease cost s		$	4,846			$	5,758

 

F-34

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Table of Contents

STUDIO CITY INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 - continued

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

11.	LEASES  - continued

Lessee Arrangements

 - continued

 

Other information related to lease term and discount rate of operating leases is as follows:

 

		December 31,
		2020				2019
Weighted average remaining lease term			34.9 years				35.9 years
Weighted average discount rate			5.25%				7.01%

Maturities of operating lease liabilities as of December 31, 2020 are as fo

l

lows:

 

Year ending December 31,
2021		$	1,017
2022			1,135
2023			1,135
2024			1,135
2025			1,135
Over 2025			33,820
Total future minimum lease payments			39,377
Less: amount representing interest			(21,245)
Present value of future minimum lease payments			18,132
Current portion			(995)
Non-current portion		$	17,137

Lessor Arrangements

The Company is the lessor under

non-cancellable

operating leases mainly for mall spaces in Studio City with various retailers that expire at various dates through August 2028. Certain of the operating leases include minimum base fees with contingent fee clauses based on percentage

s

of turnover.

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company earned minimum operating lease income of $12,064 and contingent operating lease income of $(1,254). Total lease income was reduced by $3,913 as a result of the rent concessions and uncollectible lease

income

related to the effects of the

COVID-19

pandemic. During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company earned minimum operating lease income of $150 and $7,428 and contingent operating lease income of $8,077 and $9,301, respectively.

 

 

F-35

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Table of Contents

STUDIO CITY INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 - continued

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

11.	LEASES  - continued

Lessor Arrangements

 - continued

 

Future minimum fees, excluding the contingent fees to be received under

non-cance

l

lable

operating leases as of December 31, 2020 were as follows:

 

Year ending December 31,
2021		$	8,579
2022			7,090
2023			2,407
2024			1,882
2025			1,408
Over 2025			2,532
		$	23,898

 

12.	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Authoritative literature provides a fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the input to valuation techniques used to measure fair value

s

into three broad levels. The level in the hierarchy within which the fair value measurement

s

in its entirety is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement as follows:

 

•

Level 1 – inputs are based upon unadjusted quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active markets.

 

•

Level 2 – inputs are based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

 

•

Level 3 – inputs are generally unobservable and typically reflect management’s estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. The fair values are therefore determined using model-based techniques that include option pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques.

The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash approximated fair value and were classified as level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. The carrying values of long-term deposits

, other

long-term

 

rece

ivables

 and other long-term liabilities approximated fair value and were classified as level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

The estimated fair value of long-term debt as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 were approximately $1,693,260 and $1,505,673, respectively, as compared to its carrying value, excluding unamortized deferred financing costs, of $1,600,129 and $1,450,128, respectively. Fair values were estimated using quoted market prices and were classified as level 1 in the fair value hierarchy for the 2019 7.250% Studio City Notes, the 2020 Studio City Notes and the 2016 7.250% SC Secured Notes. Fair value for the 2016 Studio City Credit Facilities approximated the carrying value as the instrument carried variable interest rates that approximated the market rates and was classified as level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

 

F-36

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Table of Contents

STUDIO CITY INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 - continued

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

12.	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS  - continued

 

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company did not have any

non-financial

assets or liabilities that were recognized or disclosed at fair value in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

 

13.	CAPITAL STRUCTURE

Immediately prior to the Organizational Transactions, Studio City International’s authorized share ca

p

ital was 200,000 shares of $1 par value per share and 18,127.94 ordinary shares were issued and fully paid.

In October 2018, in connection with the Organizational Transactions, Studio City International amended and restated the memorandum and articles of association to, among other things, authorized two classes of ordinary shares, the Class A ordinary shares and the Class B ordinary shares, in each case with a par value of $0.0001 each. Studio City International’s authorized share capital of $200 was divided into 2,000,000,000 shares comprising of 1,927,488,240 Class A ordinary shares and 72,511,760 Class B ordinary shares of a par value of $0.0001 each. The 60

% equity interest in Studio City International held directly by MCO Cotai prior to the Organizational Transactions was reclassified

into 108,767,640 Class A ordinary shares while the 40%

 

equity interest in Studio City International held directly by New Cotai prior to the Organizational Transactions was exchanged

for 72,511,760 Class B ordinary shares.

Each Class A ordinary share and each Class B ordinary share entitles its holder to one vote on all matters to be voted on by shareholders generally and holders of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares will vote together as a single class on all matters presented to the shareholders for their vote or approval, except as otherwise required by applicable law or the memorandum of association and articles of association. The Class A ordinary shares and the Class B ordinary shares have the same rights, except that holders of the Class B ordinary shares only have voting and no economic rights to receive dividends or distribution upon the liquidation or winding up of Studio City International. In addition, pursuant to the terms of the Participation Agreement, New Cotai has a

non-voting,

non-shareholding

economic Participation Interest in MSC Cotai, which entitles New Cotai to receive from MSC Cotai an amount equal to a certain percentage of the MSC Cotai’s Distribution, subject to adjustments, exceptions and conditions as set out in the Participation Agreement. The Participation Agreement also provides that New Cotai is entitled to exchange all or a portion of its Participation Interest for a number of Class A ordinary shares subject to adjustments, exceptions and conditions as set out in the Participation Agreement and a proportionate number of Class B ordinary shares will be deemed surrendered and automatically canceled for no consideration as set out in the Participation Agreement when New Cotai exchanges all or a portion of the Participation Interest for Class A ordinary shares.

On October 22, 2018, Studio City International completed the Offering of 28,750,000 ADSs

,

 representing 115,000,000 Class A ordinary shares, and together with the concurrent private placement of 800,376 Class A ordinary shares to Melco International to effect an assured entitlement distribution, a total of 115,800,376 Class A ordinary shares were issued with gross proceeds amounting to $361,876 and offering expenses of $16,573.

On November 19, 2018, pursuant to the full exercise by the underwriters of the over-allotment option, Studio City International issued an additional 4,312,500 ADSs, representing 17,250,000 Class A ordinary shares with gross proceeds amounting to $53,906.

 

During July

 and

 

August 2020

, Studio City International

announced and 

completed the Private Placements of

72,185,488

Class A ordinary shares and

14,087,299

ADSs

 (

representing

56,349,196

Class A ordinary shares

)

to certain existing shareholders and holders of its ADSs, including Melco, with gross proceeds amounting to $

500,000

and offering expenses of $

1,052

.

 

F-37

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Table of Contents

STUDIO CITY INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 - continued

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

13.	CAPITAL STRUCTURE  - continued

 

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, Studio City International had 370,352,700 and 241,818,016 Class A ordinary shares and 72,511,760 and 72,511,760 Class B ordinary shares issued and outstanding, respectively.

For the preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements, Studio City International has retrospectively presented the share capital as if the Organizational Transactions had occurred at the beginning of

2018

. Such retrospective presentation reflects the redesignation of the then issued 18,127.94 ordinary shares of $1 par value each into 181,279,400 Class A ordinary shares of $0.0001 par value each. Further information is included in Note 2(v).

 

 

14.	INCOME TAXES

(Loss) income before income tax consisted of:

 

		Year Ended December 31,
		2020				2019				2018
Macau operations		$	(278,388	)		$	181,579			$	137,918
Hong Kong and other jurisdictions operations			(127,715	)			(137,548	)			(158,119	)
(Loss) income before income tax		$	(406,103	)		$	44,031			$	(20,201	)

The income tax (credit) expense consisted of:

 

		Year Ended December 31,
		2020				2019				2018
Under provision of income taxes in prior years:
Macau Complementary Tax		$	—			$	—			$	86
Income tax (credit) expense - deferred:
Macau Complementary Tax			(1,011	)			402				458
Total income tax (credit) expense		$	(1,011	)		$	402			$	544

 

F-38

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Table of Contents

STUDIO CITY INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 - continued

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

14.	INCOME TAXES  - continued

 

A reconciliation of the income tax (credit) expense from (loss) income before income tax per the accompanying consolidated statements of operations is as follows:

 

		Year Ended December 31,
		2020				2019				2018
(Loss) income before income tax		$	(406,103	)		$	44,031			$	(20,201	)
Macau Complementary Tax rate			12	%			12	%			12	%
Income tax (credit) expense at Macau Complementary Tax rate			(48,732	)			5,284				(2,424	)
Effect of different tax rates of subsidiaries operating in other jurisdictions			(2,995	)			—				—
Under provision in prior years			—				—				86
Effect of income for which no income tax expense is payable			(295	)			—				(177	)
Effect of expenses for which no income tax benefit is receivable			19,724				17,438				20,001
Effect of profits exempted from Macau Complementary Tax			—				(42,203	)			(35,698	)
Effect of tax losses that cannot be carried forward			10,768				—				—
Changes in valuation allowances			7,361				5,017				(1,456	)
Expired tax losses			13,158				14,866				20,212
Income tax (credit) expense		$	(1,011	)		$	402			$	544

Studio City International and certain of its subsidiaries are exempt from tax in the Cayman Islands or British Virgin Islands (“BVI”), where they are incorporated,

while

 one of these subsidiaries incorporated in BVI

is

subject to Hong Kong Profits Tax on income derived from Hong Kong during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. The remaining subsidiaries of Studio City International incorporated in Macau and Hong Kong are subject to Macau Complementary Tax and Hong Kong Profits Tax, respectively, during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.

Macau Complementary Tax and Hong Kong Profits Tax have been provided at

 

12

% and

16.5

% on the estimated taxable income earned in or

 

derived from Macau and Hong Kong, respectively, during the years ended December 

31

,

2020

,

2019

and

2018

, if applicable.

Pursuant to the approval notice issued by the Macau government in January 2017, one of Studio City International’s subsidiaries in Macau was granted an extension of the Macau Complementary Tax exemption on profits generated from income received from Melco Resorts Macau under the Services and Right to Use Arrangements for an additional five years from 2017 to 2021, to the extent that such income is derived from Studio City gaming operations and has been subject to gaming tax. The

non-gaming

profits and dividend distributions of such subsidiary to its shareholders continue to be subject to Macau Complementary Tax.

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the

subsidiary of Studio City International

did not have any profits generated from income received from Melco Resorts Macau under the Services and Right to Use Arrangements

.

During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, had the

subsidiary of

Studio City International

 not received the income tax exemption on profits generated from income received from Melco Resorts Macau under the Services and Right to Use Arrangements, the Company’s

 

consolidated net

 

incom

e

 

attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited for the year ended December 31, 2019 would have been decreased by $32,467 and diluted net income attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited per Class A ordinary share would have been decreased by $0.134 per share, and the Company’s

 

 

F-39

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Table of Contents

STUDIO CITY INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 - continued

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

14.	INCOME TAXES  - continued

 

consolidated net loss attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited for the year ended December 31, 2018 would have been increased by $33,835 and diluted net loss attributable to Studio City International Holdings Limited per Class A ordinary share would have been increased by $0.177 per share.

The effective tax rates for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 were 0.2%, 0.9% and (2.7)%, respectively. Such rates differ from the statutory Macau Complementary Tax rate of 12% primarily due to the effect of 

expenses for which no income tax benefit is receivable, the effect of expired tax losses and the effect of changes in valuation allowances for the relevant years together with the effect of tax losses that cannot be carried forward for the year ended December 31, 2020 and the effect of profits exempted from Macau Complementary Tax for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

The net deferred tax liabilities as of Dec

e

mber 31, 2020 and 2019 consisted of the following:

 

		December 31,
		2020				2019
Deferred tax assets
Net operating losses carried forward		$	49,448			$	45,658
Depreciation and amortization			27,004				18,166
Lease liabilities			2,176				1,754
Others			207				—
Sub-total			78,835				65,578
Valuation allowances			(75,867	)			(63,869	)
Total deferred tax assets			2,968				1,709
Deferred tax liabilities
Right-of-use assets			(2,086	)			(1,709	)
Unrealized capital allowances			(1,330	)			(1,453	)
Total deferred tax liabilities			(3,416	)			(3,162	)
Deferred tax liabilities, net		$	(448	)		$	(1,453	)

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, valuation allowances of $75,867 and $63,869 were provided, respectively, as management believes it is more likely than not that these deferred tax assets will not be realized. As of December 31, 2020, adjusted operating tax losses carr

ied

 forward, amounting to $135,869, $131,364 and $144,836 will expire in 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively. Adjusted operating tax losses carried forward of $109,654 expired during the year ended December 31, 2020.

Deferred tax, where applicable, is provided under the asset and liability method at the enacted statutory income tax rate of the respective tax jurisdictions, applicable to the respective financial years, on the difference between the consolidated financial statements carrying amounts and income tax base of assets and liabilities.

Undistributed earnings of a foreign subsidiary of Studio City International available for distribution to Studio City International of approximately $892,924 and $982,864 as at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, are considered to be indefinitely reinvested. Accordingly, no provision has been made for the dividend withholding taxes that would be payable upon the distribution of those amounts to Studio City International. If those earnings were to be distributed or they were determined to be no longer permanently

 

F-40

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Table of Contents

STUDIO CITY INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 - continued

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

14.	INCOME TAXES  - continued

 

reinvested, Studio City International would have to record a deferred income tax liability in respect of those undistributed earnings of approximately $107,151 and $117,944 as at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

The Company concluded that there were no significant uncertain tax positions requiring recognition in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 and there are no material unrecognized tax benefits which would favorably affect the effective income tax rates in future periods. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, there were no interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions recognized in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The Company does not anticipate any significant increases or decreases in unrecognized tax benefits within the next twelve months.

Income tax returns of Studio City International’s subsidiaries remain open and subject to examination by the tax authorities of Macau and Hong Kong until the statute of limitations expire in each corresponding jurisdiction. The statute of limitations in Macau and Hong Kong are five years and six years, respectively.

 

15.	SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

In January 2021, Melco approved the grant of restricted shares under a share incentive plan adopted by Melco in 2011 (“Melco Share Incentive Plan”) to the eligible management personnel of Melco in lieu of the 2020 bonus for their services performed during 2020. The grant vested immediately on the grant date on March 31, 2021 and the grant date fair value was determined with reference to the closing price of Melco’s ADS trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on the date of grant.

In accordance with the applicable accounting standards, the share-based compensation expenses related to this grant of restricted shares under Melco Share Incentive Plan to the eligible management personnel of Melco, to the extent of services received by the Company, were recognized in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations with a corresponding increase in amounts due to affiliated companies as the amounts were charged to the Company by Melco’s subsidiaries under the Management and Shared Services Arrangements.

The share-based compensation expenses for the Company were recognized as follows:

 

		Year Ended
		December 31, 2020
Share-based compensation expenses		$	1,200
Less: share-based compensation expenses capitalized in construction in progress			(409	)
Share-based compensation expenses recognized in general and administrative expenses		$	791

 

16.	EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

The Company provides defined contribution plans for its employees in Macau. Certain executive officers of the Company are members of defined contribution plan in Hong Kong operated by Melco. During the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company’s contributions into these plans were $28, $(20) and $(324), respectively.

 

F-41

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Table of Contents

STUDIO CITY INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 - continued

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

17.	DISTRIBUTION OF PROFITS

All subsidiaries of Studio City International incorporated in Macau are required to set aside a minimum of 25% of the entity’s profit after tax to the legal reserve until the balance of the legal reserve reaches a level equivalent to 50% of the entity’s share capital in accordance with the provisions of the Macau Commercial Code. The legal reserve sets aside an amount from the subsidiaries’ statements of operations and is not available for distribution to the shareholders of the subsidiaries. The appropriation of the legal reserve is recorded in the subsidiaries’ financial statements in the year in which it is approved by the board of directors of the relevant subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the balance of the reserve amounted to $6 and $6, respectively.

The Company’s borrowings, subject to certain exceptions and conditions, contain certain restrictions on paying dividends and other distributions, as defined in the respective indentures governing the relevant senior notes and the credit facility agreement, details of which are disclosed in Note 10 under each of the respective borrowings.

During the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, Studio City International did not declare or pay any cash dividends on the ordinary shares. No dividends have been proposed since the end of the reporting period.

 

 

18.	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

(a)

Capital and Other Commitments

As of December 31, 2020, the Company had capital commitments contracted for but not incurred for the construction and acquisition of property and equipment for Studio City totaling $498,490.

 

In accordance with the Studio City land concession and the extension granted by the Macau government in November 2019, the land on which Studio City is located must be fully developed by May 31, 2022. 

 

(b)

Guarantee

Except as disclosed in Note 10, the Company has made the following significant guarantee as of December 31, 2020:

Trade Credit Facility

In October 2013, one of the Studio City International’s subsidiaries entered into a trade credit facility agreement for HK$200,000,000 (equivalent to $25,797) (“Trade Credit Facility”) with a bank to meet certain payment obligations of the Studio City project. The Trade Credit Facility which matured on August 31, 2019 was further extended to August 31, 2021, and is guaranteed by Studio City Company. As of December 31, 2020, approximately $645 of the Trade Credit Facility had been utilized.

 

(c)

Litigation

As of December 31, 2020, the Company was a party to certain legal proceedings which relate to matters arising out of the ordinary course of its business. Management believes that the outcome of such proceedings have no material impacts on the Company’s consolidated financial statements as a whole.

 

F-42

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Table of Contents

STUDIO CITY INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 - continued

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

19.	RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

During the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the C

o

mpany entered into the following significant related party transactions:

 

				Year Ended December 31,
Related companies		Nature of transactions		2020				2019				2018
Transactions with affiliated companies
Melco and its subsidiaries		Revenues (services provided by the Company):
		Provision of gaming related services		$	(42,682	)		$	393,512			$	339,924
		Rooms and food and beverage (1)			30,468				92,584				89,862
		Services fee (2)			26,151				39,470				39,126
		Entertainment (1)			25				7,685				1,191
		Costs and expenses (services provided to the Company):
		Staff costs recharges (3)(4)			65,515				89,273				92,214
		Corporate services (5)			32,354				34,519				33,256
		Other services			14,118				16,117				12,498
		Staff costs capitalized in construction in progress (4)			10,949				7,864				3,617
		Purchases of goods and services			151				523				310
		Sale and purchase of assets:
		Sale of property and equipment and other long-term assets			2,692				1,323				9,112
		Transfer-in of other long-term assets			7,206				17,516				15,246
		Purchases of intangible assets			3,938				—				—
A joint venture and a subsidiary of MECOM Power and Construction Limited (“MECOM”) (6)		Costs and expenses (services provided to the Company):
		Consultancy fee			—				3,096				2,878
		Purchase of assets:
		Construction and renovation work performed and recognized as property and equipment			—				4,328				3,741

Notes

(1)

These revenues primarily represented the standalone selling prices (upon the adoption of the New Revenue Standard) of the complimentary services (including rooms, food and beverage and entertainment services) provided to Studio City Casino’s gaming patrons and charged to Melco Resorts Macau. For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the related party rooms and food and beverage revenues and entertainment revenues aggregated to $30,493, $100,269 and $91,053, respectively, of which $27,090, $87,005 and $81,267 related to Studio City Casino’s gaming patrons and $3,403, $13,264 and $9,786 related to non-Studio City Casino’s gaming patrons, respectively.

(2)

Services provided by the Company to Melco and its subsidiaries mainly include, but are not limited to, certain shared administrative services and shuttle bus transportation services provided to Studio City Casino.

F-43

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Table of Contents

STUDIO CITY INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 - continued

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

19.	RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS  - continued

 

(3)

Staff costs are recharged by Melco and its subsidiaries for staff who are solely dedicated to Studio City to carry out activities, including food and beverage management, retail management, hotel management, entertainment projects, mall development and sales and marketing activities and staff costs for certain shared administrative services.

(4)

These staff costs included share-based compensation expenses.

(5)

Corporate services are provided to the Company by Melco and its subsidiaries. These services include, but are not limited to, general corporate services and senior executive management services for operational purposes.

(6)

A company in which Mr. Lawrence Yau Lung Ho, Studio City International’s director, had beneficial interest of approximately 20% until December 10, 2019, the date on which Mr. Lawrence Yau Lung Ho disposed his entire beneficial interest in MECOM. The amount in 2019 represents the transactions with a joint venture and a subsidiary of MECOM during the period from January 1, 2019 to December 10, 2019.

 

(a)

Amounts Due from Affiliated Companies

The outstanding balances as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 are receivables from Melco’s subsidiaries mainly arising from operating income or prepayment of operating expenses, and are unsecured,

non-interest

bearing and repayable on demand.

 

(b)

Amounts Due to Affiliated Companies

The outstanding balances as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 are payables to Melco and its subsidiaries mainly arising from operating expenses, and are unsecured,

non-interest

bearing and repayable on demand.

 

20.	SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company’s principal operating activities are engaged in the hospitality business and provision of gaming related services in Macau. The Company monitors its operations and evaluates its earnings by reviewing the assets and operations of Studio City as one operating segment. Accordingly, the Company does not present separate segment information. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company operated in one geographical area, Macau, where it derives its revenues and its long-lived assets are located.

 

21.	SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

(a)

In December 2020, Melco Resorts Macau further agreed to continue VIP rolling chip operations at the Studio City Casino until December 2021, subject to early termination with 30 day’s prior notice by either the Company or Melco Resorts Macau.

 

(b)

On January 4, 2021, Studio City Finance initiated a conditional tender offer (the “Conditional Tender Offer”) to purchase for cash any and all of the outstanding 2019 7.250% Studio City Notes with accrued interest. The Conditional Tender Offer was conditional upon, among other things, Studio City Finance raising sufficient funding from the completion of one or more financing transactions, together with cash on hand, to fund the purchase of validly tendered notes. The Conditional Tender Offer expired on January 11, 2021 with $347,056 aggregate principal amount of the 2019 7.250% Studio City Notes tendered.

 

(c)

On January 14, 2021, Studio City Finance issued $750,000 in aggregate principal amount of 5.000% senior notes due   January 15, 2029  at   an issue price of  100 %   of the principal amount  (the “ 2021 5.000 % Studio City Notes”). The net proceeds from the offering of the 2021 5.000 % Studio City Notes were used to fund the Conditional Tender Offer and, on February 17, 2021 , redeem the 2019 7.250 % Studio

 

F-44

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Table of Contents

STUDIO CITY INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 - continued

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

21.	SUBSEQUENT EVENTS  - continued

 

		City Notes in aggregate principal amount of $252,944 which remained outstanding following the completion of the Conditional Tender Offer, together with accrued interest.   The remaining proceeds will be used to partially fund the capital expenditures of the remaining development project at Studio City and for general corporate purposes.  All of the existing subsidiaries of Studio City Finance and any other future restricted subsidiaries as defined in the 2021 5.000 % Studio City Notes are guarantors to guarantee the indebtedness under the 2021 5.000 % Studio City Notes .
	(d)	On March 15, 2021, Studio City Company amended the terms of the 2016 Studio City Credit Facilities, including the extension of the maturity date for the 2016 SC Term Loan Facility and the 2016 SC Revolving Credit Facility from November 30, 2021 to January 15, 2028 (the “Extended Maturity Date”). The 2016 SC Term Loan Facility shall be repaid at the Extended Maturity Date with no interim amortization payments. The 2016 SC Revolving Credit Facility is available up to the date that is one month prior to the 2016 SC Revolving Credit Facility’s Extended Maturity Date. Changes have also been made to the covenants in order to align them with those of certain other financings at Studio City Finance, including amending the threshold sizes and measurement dates of the covenants. Accordingly, the outstanding principal amount of the 2016 SC Term Loan Facility, and the related deferred financing costs and restricted cash as of December 31, 2020 were classified as non-current liabilities or assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

 

F-45

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Table of Contents

STUDIO CITY INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE 1

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF PARENT COMPANY

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

		December 31,
		2020				2019
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	11			$	908
Amount due from a subsidiary			—				5
Total current assets			11				913
Investments in subsidiaries			1,061,037				891,367
Total assets		$	1,061,048			$	892,280
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		$	445			$	880
Amounts due to subsidiaries			616				32
Total current liabilities			1,061				912
Total liabilities			1,061				912
Shareholders’ equity:
Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001; 1,927,488,240 shares authorized; 370,352,700 a nd 241,818,016 shares issued and outstanding, respectively			37				24
Class B ordinary shares, par value $0.0001; 72,511,760 shares authorized; 72,511,760 shares issued and outstanding			7				7
Additional paid-in capital			2,134,227				1,655,602
Accumulated other comprehensive income			11,876				269
Accumulated losses			(1,086,160	)			(764,534	)
Total shareholders’ equity			1,059,987				891,368
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity		$	1,061,048			$	892,280

 

F-46

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Table of Contents

STUDIO CITY INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE 1

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF PARENT COMPANY

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

		Year Ended December 31,
		2020				2019				2018
Operating revenue		$	—			$	—			$	—
Operating costs and expenses:
General and administrative			—				—				(133	)
Total operating costs and expenses			—				—				(133	)
Operating loss			—				—				(133	)
Non-operating income (expenses):
Interest income			—				—				102
Foreign exchange gains, net			1				1				616
Share of results of subsidiaries			(321,627	)			33,563				(22,183	)
Total non-operating income (expenses), net			(321,626	)			33,564				(21,465	)
(Loss) income before income tax			(321,626	)			33,564				(21,598	)
Income tax expense			—				—				—
Net (loss) income		$	(321,626	)		$	33,564			$	(21,598	)

 

F-47

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Table of Contents

STUDIO CITY INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE 1

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF PARENT COMPANY

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME

(In thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

		Year Ended December 31,
		2020				2019				2018
Net (loss) income		$	(321,626	)		$	33,564			$	(21,598	)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments, before and after tax			11,607				14,332				(14,551	)
Other comprehensive income (loss)			11,607				14,332				(14,551	)
Total comprehensive (loss) income		$	(310,019	)		$	47,896			$	(36,149	)

 

F-48

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Table of Contents

STUDIO CITY INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE 1

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF PARENT COMPANY

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

		Year Ended December 31,
		2020				2019				2018
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities		$	(119	)		$	1			$	(2,346	)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Advances to subsidiaries			(500,000	)			—				(423,553	)
Withdrawal of a bank deposit with an original maturity over three months			—				—				5,000
Net cash used in investing activities			(500,000	)			—				(418,553	)
Cash flow from a financing activity:
Net proceeds from (payments for) issuance of shares			499,222				(5,063	)			405,152
Cash provided by (used in) a financing activity			499,222				(5,063	)			405,152
Decrease in cash, cash equivalent and restricted cash			(897	)			(5,062	)			(15,747	)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year			908				5,970				21,717
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year		$	11			$	908			$	5,970
Supplemental cash flow disclosure:
Offering expenses capitalized for the issuance of shares included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities		$	445			$	—			$	5,943

 

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Table of Contents

STUDIO CITY INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE 1

FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF PARENT COMPANY

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE 1

(In thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

1.

Schedule 1 has been provided pursuant to the requirements of Rule 12-04(a) and 4-08(e)(3) of Regulation S-X, which require condensed financial information as to financial position, cash flows and results and operations of a parent company as of the same dates and for the same periods for which audited consolidated financial statements have been presented when the restricted net assets of the consolidated and unconsolidated subsidiaries together exceed 25 percent of consolidated net assets as of the end of the most recently completed fiscal year. As of December 31, 2020, approximately $1,288,000 of the restricted net assets were not available for distribution and , as such, the condensed financial information of Studio City International has been presented for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018. Studio City International did not receive any cash dividend from its subsidiary during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.

 

2.	Basis of Presentation

The accompanying condensed financial information has been prepared using the same accounting policies as set out in Studio City International’s consolidated financial statements except that the parent company has used

 the

equity method to account for its investments in subsidiaries.

 

F-50

Exhibit 2.16

Execution Version

STUDIO CITY FINANCE LIMITED,

as Company

THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS PARTIES HERETO,

6.000% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2025

 

 

INDENTURE

July 15, 2020

 

 

DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS,

as Trustee, Paying Agent, Registrar and Transfer Agent

and

THE OTHER PERSONS FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY HERETO

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Table of Contents

 

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ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.01		Definitions			1
Section 1.02		Other Definitions			26
Section 1.03		Rules of Construction			26
ARTICLE 2
THE NOTES
Section 2.01		Form and Dating			27
Section 2.02		Execution and Authentication			27
Section 2.03		Registrar, Paying Agent and Transfer Agent			28
Section 2.04		Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust			28
Section 2.05		Holder Lists			28
Section 2.06		Transfer and Exchange			29
Section 2.07		Replacement Notes			38
Section 2.08		Outstanding Notes			39
Section 2.09		Treasury Notes			39
Section 2.10		Temporary Notes			39
Section 2.11		Cancellation			39
Section 2.12		Defaulted Interest			40
Section 2.13		Additional Amounts			40
Section 2.14		Forced Sale or Redemption for Non-QIBs			42
ARTICLE 3
REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT
Section 3.01		Notices to Trustee			43
Section 3.02		Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed or Purchased			43
Section 3.03		Notice of Redemption			43
Section 3.04		Effect of Notice of Redemption			44
Section 3.05		Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price			44
Section 3.06		Notes Redeemed or Purchased in Part			45
Section 3.07		Optional Redemption			45
Section 3.08		Mandatory Redemption			46
Section 3.09		Offer to Purchase by Application of Excess Proceeds			46
Section 3.10		Redemption for Taxation Reasons			47
Section 3.11		Gaming Redemption			48
ARTICLE 4
COVENANTS
Section 4.01		Payment of Notes			50
Section 4.02		Maintenance of Office or Agency			50
Section 4.03		Reports			50
Section 4.04		Compliance Certificate			52
Section 4.05		Taxes			52
Section 4.06		Stay, Extension and Usury Laws			52
Section 4.07		Limitation on Restricted Payments			53
Section 4.08		Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries			56
Section 4.09		Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock			58
Section 4.10		Asset Sales			62
Section 4.11		Transactions with Affiliates			63

 

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Section 4.12		Liens			66
Section 4.13		Business Activities			66
Section 4.14		Corporate Existence			66
Section 4.15		Offer to Repurchase upon Change of Control			66
Section 4.16		Payments for Consents			68
Section 4.17		Future Subsidiary Guarantors			68
Section 4.18		Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries			69
Section 4.19		Listing			70
Section 4.20		Limitations on Use of Proceeds			70
Section 4.21		Special Put Option			70
Section 4.22		Intercompany Note Proceeds Loans			71
Section 4.23		Suspension of Covenants			72
ARTICLE 5
SUCCESSORS
Section 5.01		Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets			72
Section 5.02		Successor Corporation Substituted			74
ARTICLE 6
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
Section 6.01		Events of Default			74
Section 6.02		Acceleration			75
Section 6.03		Other Remedies			76
Section 6.04		Waiver of Past Defaults			76
Section 6.05		Control by Majority			76
Section 6.06		Limitation on Suits			76
Section 6.07		Rights of Holders to Receive Payment			77
Section 6.08		Collection Suit by Trustee			77
Section 6.09		Trustee May File Proofs of Claim			77
Section 6.10		Priorities			78
Section 6.11		Undertaking for Costs			78
ARTICLE 7
TRUSTEE
Section 7.01		Duties of Trustee			78
Section 7.02		Rights of Trustee			79
Section 7.03		[Intentionally Omitted.]			81
Section 7.04		Individual Rights of Trustee			81
Section 7.05		Trustee’s Disclaimer			82
Section 7.06		Notice of Defaults			82
Section 7.07		[Intentionally Omitted.]			82
Section 7.08		Compensation and Indemnity			82
Section 7.09		Replacement of Trustee			83
Section 7.10		Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.			84
Section 7.11		Eligibility; Disqualification			84
Section 7.12		Appointment of Co-Trustee			84
Section 7.13		Resignation of Agents			85
Section 7.14		Agents General Provisions			85
Section 7.15		Rights of Trustee in Other Roles			85
ARTICLE 8
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
Section 8.01		Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance			86
Section 8.02		Legal Defeasance and Discharge			86
Section 8.03		Covenant Defeasance			86

 

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Section 8.04		Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance			87
Section 8.05		Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions		88
Section 8.06		Repayment to Company			88
Section 8.07		Reinstatement			88
ARTICLE 9
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER
Section 9.01		Without Consent of Holders of Notes			89
Section 9.02		With Consent of Holders of Notes			90
Section 9.03		Supplemental Indenture			91
Section 9.04		Revocation and Effect of Consents			91
Section 9.05		Notation on or Exchange of Notes			91
Section 9.06		Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.			91
ARTICLE 10
[Intentionally omitted]
ARTICLE 11
NOTE GUARANTEES
Section 11.01		Guarantee			92
Section 11.02		Limitation on Liability			93
Section 11.03		Successors and Assigns			93
Section 11.04		No Waiver			94
Section 11.05		Modification			94
Section 11.06		Execution of Supplemental Indenture for Future Subsidiary Guarantors			94
Section 11.07		Non-Impairment			94
Section 11.08		Release of Guarantees			94
ARTICLE 12
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
Section 12.01		Satisfaction and Discharge			95
Section 12.02		Application of Trust Money			96
ARTICLE 13
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 13.01		[Intentionally Omitted]			96
Section 13.02		Notices			96
Section 13.03		Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes			98
Section 13.04		Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent			98
Section 13.05		Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion			98
Section 13.06		Rules by Trustee and Agents			98
Section 13.07		No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders			99
Section 13.08		Governing Law			99
Section 13.09		No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements			99
Section 13.10		Successors			99
Section 13.11		Severability			99
Section 13.12		Counterpart Originals			99
Section 13.13		Table of Contents, Headings, etc.			100
Section 13.14		Patriot Act			100
Section 13.15		Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial			100

 

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EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit A		FORM OF NOTE			A-1
Exhibit B		FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER			B-1
Exhibit C		FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE			C-1
Exhibit D		FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE			D-1

 

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INDENTURE dated as of July 15, 2020 among Studio City Finance Limited, a BVI business company with limited liability incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands with company number 1673307 (the “Company”), the Subsidiary Guarantors named herein (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”) and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, a New York banking corporation as Trustee, Paying Agent, Registrar and Transfer Agent.

Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of each other and for the other parties hereto and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders (as defined herein) of the 6.000% Senior Notes due 2025 (the “Notes”):

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.01    Definitions.

“144A Global Note” means a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee, that will be issued in a denomination equal (subject to a maximum denomination of US$500 million) to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold in reliance on Rule 144A.

“Acquired Indebtedness” means, with respect to any specified Person:

(1)    Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is merged with or into or became a Subsidiary of such specified Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is Incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person merging with or into, or becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of, such specified Person; and

(2)    Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified Person.

“Additional Notes” means additional Notes (other than the Initial Notes) issued under this Indenture in accordance with Section 2.02 and Section 4.09 hereof, as part of the same series as the Initial Notes; provided that any Additional Notes that are not fungible with the Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes shall have a separate CUSIP, ISIN or other identifying number than any previously issued Notes, but shall otherwise be treated as a single class with all other Notes issued under this Indenture.

“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control,” as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise; provided that beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the Voting Stock of a Person will be deemed to be control. For purposes of this definition, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with” have correlative meanings.

“Agent” means any Registrar, co-registrar, Paying Agent, Transfer Agent or additional paying agents or transfer agents.

“Applicable Premium” means, with respect to any Note on any redemption date, the greater of:

 

1.

1.0% of the principal amount of the Note; or

 

2.

the excess of:

 

(a)

the present value at such redemption date of (i) the redemption price of the Note at July 15, 2022, plus (ii) all required interest payments due on the Note through July 15, 2022 (such redemption price being set forth in the table appearing in Section 3.07 hereof) plus (ii) all required interest payments due on the Note through July 15, 2022 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to but excluding the redemption date), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such redemption date plus 50 basis points; over

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(b)

the principal amount of the Note, if greater,

as calculated by the Company or on behalf of the Company by such Person as the Company may engage. For the avoidance of doubt, calculation of the Applicable Premium shall not be a duty or obligation of the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Transfer Agent, or the Registrar.

“Applicable Procedures” means, with respect to any transfer or exchange of or for beneficial interests in any Global Note, the rules and procedures of the Depositary, Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg that apply to such transfer or exchange.

“Asset Sale” means:

(1)    the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of any assets or rights; provided that the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole will be governed by the provisions of this Indenture described in Section 4.15 hereof and/or the provisions described in Section 5.01 hereof and not by the provisions of Section 4.10hereof;

(2)    the issuance of Equity Interests in any of the Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company or the sale of Equity Interests in any of the Company’s Subsidiaries; and

(3)    any Event of Loss.

Notwithstanding the preceding, none of the following items will be deemed to be an Asset Sale:

(1)    any single transaction or series of related transactions that involves assets having a Fair Market Value of less than US$5.0 million;

(2)    a transfer of assets between or among the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(3)    an issuance of Equity Interests by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

(4)    the sale, license, transfer, lease (including the right to use) or other disposal of products, services, rights, accounts receivable, undertakings, establishments or other current assets or cessation of any undertaking or establishment in the ordinary course of business (including pursuant to any shared services agreements (including the MSA), Revenue Sharing Agreement or any construction and development activities) and any sale or other disposition of damaged, worn-out, surplus or obsolete assets (or the dissolution of any Dormant Subsidiary) in the ordinary course of business;

(5)    the sale or other disposition of cash or Cash Equivalents;

(6)    any transfer, termination or unwinding or other disposition of Hedging Obligations in the ordinary course of business;

(7)    a transaction covered under Section 5.01 or Section 4.15;

(8)    the lease of, right to use or equivalent interest under Macau law on that portion of real property granted to Studio City Developments Limited pursuant to the applicable land concession granted by the government of the Macau SAR in connection with the development of the Phase II Project in accordance with such applicable land concession;

 

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(9)    a Restricted Payment that does not violate the provisions of Section 4.07 hereof or a Permitted Investment, and any other payment under the Services and Right to Use Agreement, the Reinvestment Agreement or the MSA and any transactions or arrangements involving contractual rights under, pursuant to or in connection with the Services and Right to Use Agreement, the Reinvestment Agreement or the MSA, including any amendments, modifications, supplements, extensions, replacements, terminations or renewals thereof;

(10)    the (i) lease, sublease, license or right to use of any portion of the Property to persons who, either directly or through Affiliates of such persons, intend to develop, operate or manage gaming, hotel, nightclubs, bars, restaurants, malls, amusements, attractions, recreation, spa, pool, exercise or gym facilities, or entertainment facilities or venues or retail shops or venues or similar or related establishments or facilities within the Property and (ii) the grant of declarations of covenants, conditions and restrictions and/or easements or other rights to use with respect to common area spaces and similar instruments benefiting such tenants of such lease, subleases licenses and rights to use generally and/or entered into connection with the Property (collectively, the “Venue Easements”); provided that no Venue Easements or operations conducted pursuant thereto would reasonably be expected to materially interfere with, or materially impair or detract from, the operation of the Property;

(11)    the dedication of space or other dispositions of property in connection with and in furtherance of constructing structures or improvements reasonably related to the development, construction and operation of the Property; provided, that in each case such dedication or other disposition is in furtherance of, and does not materially impair or interfere with the use or operations (or intended use or operations) of, the Property;

(12)    the granting of easements, rights of way, rights of access and/or similar rights to any governmental authority, utility providers, cable or other communication providers and/or other parties providing services or benefits to the Property, the real property held by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or the public at large that would not reasonably be expected to interfere in any material respect with the construction, development or operation of the Property;

(13)    the granting of a lease, right to use or equivalent interest to Melco Resorts Macau or Melco Resorts or any of its Affiliates for purposes of operating a gaming facility at Studio City, including under the Services and Right to Use Agreement and any related agreements, or any transactions or arrangements contemplated thereby;

(14)    the grant of licenses to intellectual property rights to third Persons (other than Affiliates of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company) on an arm’s length basis in the ordinary course of business or to Melco Resorts Macau, Melco Resorts and its Affiliates in the ordinary course of business;

(15)    transfers, assignments or dispositions constituting an Incurrence of a Permitted Lien (but not the actual sale or other disposition of the property subject to such Lien); and

(16)    any surrender or waiver of contractual rights or settlement, release, recovery on or surrender of contract, tort or other claims in the ordinary course of business.

“Bankruptcy Law” means (i) the United States Bankruptcy Code of 1978 or any similar U.S. federal or state law for the relief of debtors, (ii) the provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure of Macau that deal with the placement of a debtor into liquidation, the administration and disposal of its assets, the distribution of the proceeds thereof and the alternatives to such liquidation, or any laws of similar effect, and (iii) those laws included, principally within (but not limited to) the BVI Business Companies Act, 2004 (as amended) and the Insolvency Act, 2007 (as amended) concerning the solvency and insolvency of BVI companies.

 

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“Beneficial Owner” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), such “person” will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such “person” has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only after the passage of time. The terms “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” have a corresponding meaning.

“Board of Directors” means:

(1)    with respect to a corporation, the board of directors of the corporation or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such board;

(2)    with respect to a partnership, the Board of Directors of the general partner of the partnership;

(3)    with respect to a limited liability company, the managing member or members or any controlling committee of managing members thereof; and

(4)    with respect to any other Person, the board or committee of such Person serving a similar function.

“Business Day” means any day other than a Legal Holiday.

“Capital Lease Obligation” means, at the time any determination is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a finance or capital lease that would at that time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and the Stated Maturity thereof shall be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date upon which such lease may be prepaid by the lessee without payment of a penalty.

“Capital Stock” means:

(1)    in the case of a corporation, corporate stock or shares;

(2)    in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;

(3)    in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited); and

(4)    any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person, but excluding from all of the foregoing any debt securities convertible into Capital Stock, whether or not such debt securities include any right of participation with Capital Stock.

“Cash Equivalents” means:

(1)    securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality of the United States government (provided that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support of those securities) having maturities of not more than six months from the date of acquisition;

(2)    demand deposits, certificates of deposit, time deposits and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of 12 months or less from the date of acquisition, bankers’ acceptances with maturities not exceeding six months and overnight bank deposits, in each case, with any commercial bank organized under the laws of Macau, Hong Kong, a member state of the European Union or of the United States of America or any state thereof having capital and surplus in excess of US$500.0 million (or the foreign currency equivalent thereof as of the date of such investment) and whose long-term debt is rated “A-3” or higher by Moody’s or “A-” or higher by S&P or the equivalent rating category or another internationally recognized rating agency;

 

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(3)    repurchase obligations with a term of not more than seven days for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (1) and (2) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (2) above;

(4)    commercial paper having one of the two highest ratings obtainable from Moody’s or S&P and, in each case, maturing within 12 months after the date of acquisition; and

(5)    money market funds at least 95% of the assets of which constitute Cash Equivalents of the kinds described in clauses (1) through (4) of this definition.

“Casualty” means any casualty, loss, damage, destruction or other similar loss with respect to real or personal property or improvements.

“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:

(1)    the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole to any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) (other than Melco Resorts or a Related Party of Melco Resorts);

(2)    the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or

(3)    the first day on which:

 

(A)

Melco Resorts ceases to own, directly or indirectly, (i) a majority, or (ii) if Melco Resorts is authorized by the relevant Gaming Authority or is otherwise permitted to hold less than 50.1% of Equity Interest in Studio City International, the greater of (x) such lesser percentage and (y) 35%, of the outstanding Equity Interests and/or Voting Stock of each of the Company and Studio City Holdings Five Limited (or any Person which becomes a “Golden Shareholder” and/or a “Preference Holder” under the Direct Agreement pursuant to the terms thereof, if any);

 

(B)

Melco Resorts ceases to own, directly or indirectly, less than 50.1% of Equity Interest in Melco Resorts Macau (or another operator of the Studio City Casino); or

 

(C)

Melco Resorts ceases to have, directly or indirectly (through a Subsidiary), the power to nominate a number of directors on the Board of Directors of the Company who are entitled to cast a majority of the votes which may be cast at a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Company.

“Clearstream, Luxembourg” means Clearstream Banking S.A.

“Company” means Studio City Finance Limited, and any and all successors thereto.

“Condemnation” means any taking by a Governmental Authority of assets or property, or any part thereof or interest therein, for public or quasi-public use under the power of eminent domain, by reason of any public improvement or condemnation or in any other manner.

 

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“Consolidated Net Income” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis, determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP; provided that:

(1)    the Net Income (or loss) of any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting will be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or similar distributions actually paid in cash to, or the amount of loss actually funded in cash by, the specified Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Person;

(2)    the Net Income of any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor will be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of that Net Income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (that has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders provided, however, that Consolidated Net Income of the specified Person will be increased by the amount of dividends or similar contributions actually paid in cash (or to the extent converted into cash) to the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Subsidiary Guarantor, to the extent not already included therein;

(3)    the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles will be excluded; and

(4)    charges or expenses related to deferred financing fees and Indebtedness issuance costs, including related commissions, fees and expenses, premiums paid or other expenses incurred directly in connection with any early extinguishment of Indebtedness and any net gain (loss) from any write-off, extinguishment, repurchase, cancellation or forgiveness of Indebtedness will be excluded.

“Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee” means the address of the Trustee specified in Section 13.02 hereof or such other address as to which the Trustee may give notice to the Company.

“Credit Facilities” means one or more debt facilities, indentures or commercial paper facilities, in each case, with banks or other lenders providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders against such receivables), letters of credit or other forms of Indebtedness, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced (whether upon or after termination or otherwise) or refinanced (including by means of sales of debt securities to investors) in whole or in part from time to time.

“Credit Facilities Documents” means the collective reference to any Credit Facilities, any notes issued pursuant thereto and the guarantees thereof, and the collateral or other documents relating thereto, as amended, supplemented, restated, renewed, refunded, replaced, restructured, repaid, refinanced or otherwise modified, in whole or in part, from time to time.

“Custodian” means Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as custodian with respect to the Notes in global form, or any successor entity thereto.

“Default” means any event that is, or with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would be, an Event of Default.

“Definitive Note” means a certificated Note registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 2.06 hereof, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, except that such Note shall not bear the Global Note Legend and shall not have the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto.

“Depositary” means, with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.03 hereof as the Depositary with respect to the Notes, and any and all successors thereto appointed as depositary hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provision of this Indenture.

 

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“Direct Agreement” means the direct agreement dated November 26, 2013, in relation to (a) the Services and Right to Use Agreement and (b) the Reinvestment Agreement.

“Disqualified Stock ” means any Capital Stock that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible, or for which it is exchangeable, in each case, at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or redeemable at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the date on which the Notes mature. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any Capital Stock that would constitute Disqualified Stock solely because the holders of the Capital Stock have the right to require the Company to repurchase such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a change of control or an asset sale will not constitute Disqualified Stock if the terms of such Capital Stock provide that the Company may not repurchase or redeem any such Capital Stock pursuant to such provisions unless such repurchase or redemption complies with Section 4.07 hereof. The amount of Disqualified Stock deemed to be outstanding at any time for purposes of this Indenture will be the maximum amount that the Company may become obligated to pay upon the maturity of, or pursuant to any mandatory redemption provisions of, such Disqualified Stock, exclusive of accrued dividends.

“Dormant Subsidiary” means a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company which does not trade (for itself or as agent for any other person) and does not own, legally or beneficially, assets (including, without limitation, Indebtedness owed to it) which in aggregate have a book value greater than US$100,000 and has no third-party recourse Indebtedness or intercompany Indebtedness with the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary.

“EBITDA” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period plus, without duplication:

(1)    an amount equal to any extraordinary loss plus any net loss realized by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with an Asset Sale, to the extent such losses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(2)    provision for taxes based on income or profits of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent that such provision for taxes was deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(3)    the Fixed Charges of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent that such Fixed Charges were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(4)    depreciation, amortization (including amortization of intangibles but excluding amortization of prepaid cash expenses that were paid in a prior period) and other non-cash expenses (excluding any such non-cash expense to the extent that it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash expenses in any future period or amortization of a prepaid cash expense that was paid in a prior period), of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period to the extent that such depreciation, amortization and other non-cash expenses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(5)    any non-cash compensation charge arising from any grant of stock, stock options or other equity based awards; plus

(6)    Pre-Opening Expenses, to the extent such expense were deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income; plus

(7)    any goodwill or other intangible asset impairment charge; plus

 

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(8)    non-cash items increasing such Consolidated Net Income for such period, other than the accrual of revenue in the ordinary course of business,

in each case, on a consolidated basis and determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Notwithstanding the preceding, the provision for taxes based on the income or profits of, and the depreciation and amortization and other non-cash expenses of, a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company will be added to Consolidated Net Income to compute EBITDA of the Company only to the extent that a corresponding amount was included in the calculation of Consolidated Net Income.

“Equity Interests” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).

“Equity Offering” means any public sale or private issuance of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of (1) the Company or (2) a direct or indirect parent of the Company to the extent the net proceeds from such issuance are contributed in cash to the common equity capital of the Company (in each case other than pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-8 or otherwise relating to equity securities issuable under any employee benefit plan of the Company).

“Euroclear” means Euroclear Bank SA/NV.

“Event of Loss” means, with respect to the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Restricted Subsidiary    of the Company that is a Significant Subsidiary, any (1) Casualty, (2) Condemnation or seizure (other than pursuant to foreclosure) or (3) settlement in lieu of clause (2) above, in each case having a fair market value in excess of US$20.0 million.

“Exchange Act” means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

“Excluded Contributions” means the net cash proceeds received by the Company subsequent to the Issue Date from:

(1)    contributions to its common equity capital; and

(2)    the issuance or sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company or to any Company or Subsidiary management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement) by the Company of shares of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) or a share capital increase;

in each case, designated as Excluded Contributions on the date on which such Excluded Contributions were received pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate, and excluded from the calculation set forth in Section 4.07(a)(4)(C)(ii) hereof.

“Excluded Subsidiary” means a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company which (a) is incorporated solely for the purpose of complying with the requirements of the government of Macau in connection with the conduct of the Permitted Business by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, and (b) does not own, legally or beneficially, assets (including, without limitation, Indebtedness owed to it) which in aggregate have a book value greater than US$100,000 and has no third-party recourse Indebtedness or intercompany Indebtedness with the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary.

“Existing Studio City Company Notes” means the US$850,000,000 7.250% Senior Secured Notes due 2021 of Studio City Company Limited outstanding on the Issue Date.

“Fair Market Value” means the value that would be paid by a willing buyer to an unaffiliated willing seller in a transaction not involving distress or necessity of either party, determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company (unless otherwise provided in this Indenture).

 

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“Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means with respect to any specified Person for any period, the ratio of EBITDA of such Person for such period to the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period. In the event that the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries incurs, assumes, guarantees, repays, repurchases, redeems, defeases or otherwise discharges any Indebtedness (other than ordinary working capital borrowings) or issues, repurchases or redeems Preferred Stock subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated and on or prior to the date on which the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the “Calculation Date”), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio will be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, assumption, Guarantee, repayment, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other discharge of Indebtedness, or such issuance, repurchase or redemption of Preferred Stock, and the use of the proceeds therefrom, as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter reference period.

In addition, for purposes of calculating the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio:

(1)    acquisitions that have been made by the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including through mergers or consolidations, or any Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries acquired by the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, and including any related financing transactions and including increases in ownership of Restricted Subsidiaries, during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to the Calculation Date will be given pro forma effect (in accordance with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act) as if they had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period;

(2)    the EBITDA attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and operations or businesses (and ownership interests therein) disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, will be excluded;

(3)    the Fixed Charges attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and operations or businesses (and ownership interests therein) disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, will be excluded, but only to the extent that the Obligations giving rise to such Fixed Charges will not be Obligations of the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries following the Calculation Date;

(4)    any Person that is a Restricted Subsidiary on the Calculation Date will be deemed to have been a Restricted Subsidiary at all times during such four-quarter period;

(5)    any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary on the Calculation Date will be deemed not to have been a Restricted Subsidiary at any time during such four-quarter period; and

(6)    if any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest, the interest expense on such Indebtedness will be calculated as if the rate in effect on the Calculation Date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Hedging Obligation applicable to such Indebtedness if such Hedging Obligation has a remaining term as at the Calculation Date in excess of 12 months).

“Fixed Charges” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of:

(1)    the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued, including, without limitation, amortization of debt discount (but not (i) debt issuance costs, commissions, fees and expenses or (ii) amortization of discount on the Intercompany Note Proceeds Loans), non-cash interest payments, the interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges Incurred in respect of letter of credit or bankers’ acceptance financings, and net of the effect of all payments made or received pursuant to Hedging Obligations in respect of interest rates; plus

 

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(2)    the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such period; plus

(3)    any interest on Indebtedness of another Person that is guaranteed by such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Indebtedness secured by a Lien of the type specified in clause (22) of the definition of “Permitted Liens”), whether or not such Guarantee or Lien is called upon; plus

(4)    the product of (a) all dividends, whether paid or accrued and whether or not in cash, on any series of Preferred Stock of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than dividends on Equity Interests payable solely in Equity Interests of such Person (other than Disqualified Stock) or to such Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person, times (b) a fraction, the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is one minus the then current combined federal, state and local statutory tax rate of such Person, expressed as a decimal, in each case, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

“Gaming Authorities” means the applicable gaming board, commission, or other governmental gaming regulatory body or agency which (a) has, or may at any time after issuance of the Notes have, jurisdiction over the gaming activities (i) at the Studio City Casino, (ii) of Melco Resorts Macau (or any other operator of the Studio City Casino including Melco Resorts or any of its Affiliates), or (iii) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any successor to such authority or (b) is, or may at any time after the issuance of the Notes be, responsible for interpreting, administering and enforcing the Gaming Laws.

“Gaming Laws” means all applicable constitutions, treatises, resolutions, laws, regulations, instructions and statutes pursuant to which any Gaming Authority possesses regulatory, licensing or permit authority over gaming, gambling or casino activities, and all rules, rulings, orders, ordinances, regulations of any Gaming Authority applicable to the gambling, casino, gaming businesses or activities (i) at Studio City Casino, (ii) of Melco Resorts Macau (or any other operator of the Studio City Casino including Melco Resorts or any of its Affiliates), or (iii) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in any jurisdiction, as in effect from time to time, including the policies, interpretations and administration thereof by the Gaming Authorities.

“Gaming Licenses” means any concession, subconcession, license, permit, franchise or other authorization at any time required under any Gaming Laws to own, lease, operate or otherwise conduct the gaming business (i) at Studio City Casino or (ii) of Melco Resorts Macau.

“Global Note Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(f)(2) hereof, which is required to be placed on all Global Notes issued under this Indenture.

“Global Notes” means, individually and collectively, each of the Restricted Global Notes and the Unrestricted Global Notes deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depository or its nominee, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto and that bears the Global Note Legend and that has the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto, issued in accordance with Section 2.01, 2.06(b)(3), 2.06(b)(4), and with Section 2.06(d)(2) or 2.06(f) hereof.

“Governmental Authority” means the government of the Macau SAR or any other territory, nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

 

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“Guarantee” means a guarantee other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business, direct or indirect, in any manner including, without limitation, by way of a pledge of assets or through letters of credit or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof, of all or any part of any Indebtedness (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreements to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take or pay or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise).

“Hedging Obligations” means, with respect to any specified Person, the obligations of such Person under:

(1)    interest rate swap agreements (whether from fixed to floating or from floating to fixed), interest rate cap agreements and interest rate collar agreements;

(2)    other agreements or arrangements designed to manage interest rates or interest rate risk; and

(3)    other agreements or arrangements designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in currency exchange rates or commodity prices.

“Holder” means a Person in whose name a Note is registered.

“Incur” means, with respect to any Indebtedness, Capital Stock or other Obligation of any Person, to create, issue, assume, guarantee, incur (by conversion, exchange, or otherwise) or otherwise become liable in respect of such Indebtedness, Capital Stock or other Obligation or the recording, as required pursuant to U.S. GAAP or otherwise, of any such Indebtedness or other Obligation on the balance sheet of such Person. Indebtedness or Capital Stock otherwise Incurred by a Person before it becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company shall be deemed to be Incurred at the time at which such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company. The accretion of original issue discount, the accrual of interest, the accrual of dividends, the payment of interest in the form of additional Indebtedness and the payment of dividends on Preferred Stock in the form of additional shares of Preferred Stock shall not be considered an Incurrence of Indebtedness.

“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any specified Person, any indebtedness of such Person (excluding accrued expenses and trade payables), whether or not contingent:

(1)    in respect of borrowed money;

(2)    evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit (or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof);

(3)    in respect of banker’s acceptances;

(4)    representing Capital Lease Obligations;

(5)    representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property or services due more than one year after such property is acquired or such services are completed; or

(6)    representing any Hedging Obligations,

if and to the extent any of the preceding items (other than letters of credit and Hedging Obligations) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of the specified Person prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In addition, the term “Indebtedness” includes all Indebtedness of others secured by a Lien on any asset of the specified Person (whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by the specified Person) and, to the extent not otherwise included, the Guarantee by the specified Person of any Indebtedness of any other Person.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Indebtedness” will not include (i) any capital commitments, deposits or advances from customers or any contingent obligations to refund payments (including deposits) to customers (or any guarantee thereof), (ii) obligations of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to pay the deferred and unpaid purchase price of property or services due to suppliers of equipment or other assets (including parts thereof) not more than one year after such property is acquired or such services are completed and the amount of unpaid purchase price retained by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business in connection with an acquisition of equipment or other assets (including parts thereof) pending full operation or contingent on certain conditions during a warranty period of such equipment or assets in accordance with the terms of the acquisition; provided that, in each case of clause (i) and (ii), such Indebtedness is not reflected as borrowings on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company (contingent obligations and commitments referred to in a footnote to financial statements and not otherwise reflected as borrowings on the balance sheet will not be deemed to be reflected on such balance sheet), or (iii) any lease of property which would be considered an operating lease under U.S. GAAP and any guarantee given by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business solely in connection with, or in respect of, the obligations of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary under any operating lease.

The amount of Indebtedness of any Person at any time shall be the outstanding balance at such time of all unconditional obligations as described above and, with respect to contingent obligations, the maximum liability upon the occurrence of the contingency giving rise to the obligation; provided that:

 

(A)

the amount outstanding at any time of any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount is the face amount of such Indebtedness less the remaining unamortized portion of the original issue discount of such Indebtedness at such time as determined in conformity with U.S. GAAP;

 

(B)

money borrowed and set aside at the time of the Incurrence of any Indebtedness in order to prefund the payment of the interest on such Indebtedness shall not be deemed to be “Indebtedness” so long as such money is held to secure the payment of such interest; and

 

(C)

that the amount of or the principal amount of Indebtedness with respect to any Hedging Obligation shall be equal to the net amount payable if such Hedging Obligation terminated at or prior to that time due to a default by such Person.

“Indenture” means this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time.

“Independent Financial Advisor” means accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of international standing.

“Indirect Participant” means a Person who holds a beneficial interest in a Global Note through a Participant.

“Initial Notes” means the first US$500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under this Indenture on the date hereof.

“Initial Purchasers” means Deutsche Bank AG, Singapore Branch or Australia, New Zealand Banking Group Limited, Bank of Communications Co., Ltd. Macau Branch, BOC Asia Limited, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Asia) Limited, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Macau) Limited and Mizuho Securities USA LLC.

“Intercompany Note Proceeds Loans” means the one or more intercompany loans between the Company and its Subsidiaries pursuant to which the Company on-lends to its Subsidiaries the net proceeds from the issuance of the Notes in accordance with the terms of the definitive documents with respect to the Notes, as amended from time to time, including in connection with any extension, additional issuance or refinancing thereof.

 

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“Investment Grade Status” shall apply at any time the Notes receive (i) a rating equal to or higher than BBB- (or the equivalent) from S&P and (ii) a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) from Moody’s.

“Investments” means, with respect to any Person, all direct or indirect investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the forms of loans (including Guarantees or other obligations), advances or capital contributions (excluding commission, travel and similar advances to officers and employees and consultants made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities, together with all items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. If the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company sells or otherwise disposes of any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company such that, after giving effect to any such sale or disposition, such Person is no longer a Subsidiary of the Company, the Company will be deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or disposition equal to the Fair Market Value of the Company’s Investments in such Subsidiary that were not sold or disposed of in an amount determined as provided in the final paragraph of Section 4.07 hereof. The acquisition by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company of a Person that holds an Investment in a third Person will be deemed to be an Investment by the Company or such Subsidiary in such third Person in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the Investments held by the acquired Person in such third Person in an amount determined as provided in the final paragraph of Section 4.07 hereof. Except as otherwise provided in this Indenture, the amount of an Investment will be determined at the time the Investment is made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value.

“Issue Date” means the date on which the Notes (other than any Additional Notes) are originally issued.

“Land Concession” means the land concession by way of lease, for a period of 25 years, subject to renewal as of October 17, 2001 for a plot of land situated in Cotai, Macau, described with the Macau Immovable Property Registry under No. 23059 and registered in Studio City Developments Limited’s name under inscription no. 26642 of Book F, titled by Dispatch of the Secretary for Public Works and Transportation no. 100/2001 of October 9, 2001, published in the Macau Official Gazette no. 42 of October 17, 2001, as amended by Dispatch of the Secretary for Public Works and Transportation no. 31/2012 of July 19, 2012, published in the Macau Official Gazette no. 30 of July 25, 2012, and by Dispatch of Secretary for Public Works and Transportation no. 92/2015 of September 10, 2015, published in the Macau Official Gazette no. 38 of September 23, 2015 and including any other amendments from time to time to such land concession.

“Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the City of New York, New York, Hong Kong, Macau, the British Virgin Islands or at a place of payment are authorized by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue on such payment for the intervening period.

“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction).

“Measurement Date” means February 11, 2019.

“Melco Resorts” means Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited, an exempted company incorporated with limited liability under the laws of the Cayman Islands.

“Melco Resorts Macau” means Melco Resorts (Macau) Limited, a Macau company.

 

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“Melco Resorts Parties” means COD Resorts Limited, Altira Resorts Limited, Melco Resorts (Macau) Limited, MPEL Services Limited, Golden Future (Management Services) Limited, MPEL Properties (Macau) Limited, Melco Resorts Security Services Limited, Melco Resorts Travel Limited, MCE Transportation Limited, MCE Transportation Two Limited and any other Person which accedes to the MSA as a “Melco Crown Party” pursuant to terms thereof; and a “Melco Resorts Party” means any of them.

“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

“MSA” means the master services agreement dated December 21, 2015, including any work agreements entered into pursuant to the master services agreement, entered into between the Studio City Parties on the one part and the Melco Resorts Parties on the other part, as amended, modified, supplemented, extended, replaced or renewed from time to time, and any other master services agreement or equivalent agreement or contract, including any work agreements entered into pursuant to any such master services agreement, in each case entered into in connection with the conduct of Permitted Business and on terms that are no less favorable to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in an arm’s length commercial transaction, as amended, modified, supplemented, extended, replaced or renewed from time to time.

“Net Income” means, with respect to any Person, the net income (loss) of such Person, determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP and before any reduction in respect of Preferred Stock dividends, excluding, however:

(1)    any gain (or loss), together with any related provision for taxes on such gain (or loss), realized in connection with: (a) any Asset Sale; or (b) the disposition of any securities by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or the extinguishment, repurchase or cancellation of any Indebtedness of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; and

(2)    any extraordinary gain (or loss), together with any related provision for taxes on such extraordinary gain (or loss).

“Net Proceeds” means the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale (including, without limitation, any cash received upon the sale or other disposition of any non-cash consideration received in any Asset Sale), net of the costs relating to such Asset Sale, including, without limitation, legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and sales commissions, and any relocation expenses incurred as a result of the Asset Sale, taxes paid or payable as a result of the Asset Sale, in each case, after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements and any reserve for adjustment in respect of the sale price of such asset or assets established in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

“Non-Recourse Debt” means Indebtedness:

(1)    as to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (a) provides credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness), (b) is directly or indirectly liable as a guarantor or otherwise, or (c) constitutes the lender, other than, in the case of (a) and (b), Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(b)(15) hereof; and

(2)    as to which the lenders have been notified in writing that they will not have any recourse to the stock or assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than to the Equity Interests of any Unrestricted Subsidiary).

“Non-U.S. Person” means a Person who is not a U.S. Person.

“Note Guarantee” means the Guarantee by each Subsidiary Guarantor of the Company’s Obligations under this Indenture and the Notes.

 

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“Notes” has the meaning assigned to it in the preamble to this Indenture. The Initial Notes and the Additional Notes shall be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture, and unless the context otherwise requires, all references to the Notes shall include the Initial Notes and any Additional Notes.

“Obligations” means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.

“Offering Memorandum” means the offering memorandum dated July 8, 2020 in respect of the Notes.

“Officer” means the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Property Chief Financial Officer, President, any Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President or Vice President, Treasurer or Secretary of the Company or any Directors of the Board or any Person acting in that capacity.

“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed on behalf of the Company by an Officer of the Company which meets the requirements of Section 13.05 hereof.

“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee that meets the requirements of Section 13.05 hereof. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company.

“Participant” means, with respect to the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg, a Person who has an account with the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg, respectively (and, with respect to DTC, shall include Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg).

“Permitted Business” means (1) any businesses, services or activities engaged in by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries on the Issue Date, including, without limitation, the construction, development and operation of the Property, (2) any gaming, hotel, accommodation, hospitality, transport, tourism, resort, food and beverage, retail, entertainment, cinema / cinematic venue, audio-visual production (including provision of sound stage, recording studio and similar facilities), performance, cultural or related business, development, project, undertaking or venture of any kind in the Macau SAR, and (3) any other businesses, services, activities or undertaking that are necessary for, supportive of, or connected, related, complementary, incidental, ancillary or similar to, any of the foregoing or are extensions or developments of any thereof (including in support of the businesses, services, activities and undertakings of the Melco Resorts group as a whole or any member thereof including through participation in shared and centralized services and activities).

“Permitted Investments” means:

(1)    any Investment in the Company or in a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

(2)    any Investment in cash or Cash Equivalents;

(3)    any Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in a Person, if as a result of such Investment:

 

(A)

such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; or

 

(B)

such Person is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

(4)    any Investment made as a result of the receipt of non-cash consideration from an Asset Sale that was made pursuant to and in compliance with Section 4.10 hereof;

(5)    any acquisition of assets or Capital Stock in exchange for the issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company;

 

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(6)    any Investments received in compromise or resolution of (A) obligations of trade creditors or customers that were incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of any trade creditor or customer; or (B) litigation, arbitration or other disputes with Persons who are not Affiliates;

(7)    Investments represented by Hedging Obligations;

(8)    loans or advances to employees, officers, or directors made in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed US$2.0 million at any one time outstanding;

(9)    repurchases of the Notes;

(10)    any Investments consisting of gaming credit extended to customers and junket operators in the ordinary course of business and consistent with applicable law and any Investments made or deemed to be made in connection with or through any transactions or arrangements involving contractual rights under, pursuant to or in connection with (i) the Services and Right to Use Agreement, the Reinvestment Agreement or the MSA and (ii) any transaction or arrangements made pursuant to clause (10) of the definition of “Asset Sale”, including any amendments, modifications, supplements, extensions, replacements, terminations or renewals;

(11)    advances to contractors and suppliers and accounts, trade and notes receivables created or acquired in the ordinary course of business;

(12)    receivables owing to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries if created or acquired in the ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary trade terms;

(13)    any Investment existing on the Issue Date or made pursuant to binding commitments in effect on the Issue Date or an Investment consisting of any extension, modification or renewal of any Investment existing on the Issue Date; provided that the amount of any such Investment may be increased (x) as required by the terms of such Investment as in existence on the Issue Date or (y) as otherwise permitted under this Indenture;

(14)    Investments in prepaid expenses, negotiable instruments held for collection, deposits made in connection with self-insurance, and performance and other similar deposits and prepayments made in connection with an acquisition of assets or property in the ordinary course of business by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

(15)    deposits made by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in the ordinary course of business to comply with statutory or regulatory obligations (including land grants) to maintain deposits for the purposes specified by the applicable statute or regulation (including land grants) from time to time;

(16)    any Investment consisting of a Guarantee permitted by Section 4.09 hereof and performance guarantees that do not constitute Indebtedness entered into by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in the ordinary course of business;

(17)    to the extent constituting an Investment, licenses of intellectual property rights granted by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in the ordinary course of business; provided, that such grant does not interfere in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of the business of such Person;

(18)    Investments consisting of purchases and acquisitions of inventory, supplies, materials, services or equipment or purchases of contract rights or licenses or leases of intellectual property, in each case, in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(19)    Investments held by a Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; provided, however, that such Investments were not acquired in contemplation of the acquisition of such Person;

(20)    an Investment in an Unrestricted Subsidiary consisting solely of an Investment in another Unrestricted Subsidiary;

(21)    pledges or deposits (x) with respect to leases or utilities provided to third parties in the ordinary course of business or (y) otherwise described in the definition of “Permitted Liens”;

(22)    Investments (other than Permitted Investments) made with Excluded Contributions; provided, however, that any amount of Excluded Contributions made will not be included in the calculation of Section 4.07(a)(4)(C)(ii) hereof;

(23)    Investments consisting of the licensing or contribution of intellectual property pursuant to joint marketing arrangements with other Persons; and

(24)    other Investments in any Person having an aggregate Fair Market Value (measured on the date each such Investment was made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (24) under the Indenture that are at the time outstanding not to exceed US$5.0 million.

“Permitted Liens” means:

(1)    Liens to secure Indebtedness permitted by Section 4.09(b)(1)(i)(x) and Section 4.09(b)(3)(a) hereof;

(2)    Liens created for the benefit of (or to secure) the Notes (including any Additional Notes) or the Note Guarantees;

(3)    Liens in favor of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors;

(4)    Liens on property of a Person existing at the time such Person is merged with or into or consolidated with the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such Liens were not created in connection with, or in contemplation of, such merger or consolidation and do not extend to any assets other than those of the Person merged into or consolidated with the Company or the Subsidiary;

(5)    Liens on property (including Capital Stock) existing at the time of acquisition of the property by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such Liens were in existence prior to, such acquisition, and not incurred in contemplation of, such acquisition;

(6)    Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of business in connection with workmen’s compensation or employment obligations or other obligations of a like nature, including any Lien securing letters of credit issued in the ordinary course of business in connection therewith, or to secure the performance of tenders, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, bids, leases, government contracts, performance and return-of-money bonds and other similar obligations (exclusive of obligations for the payment of borrowed money);

(7)    Liens to secure Indebtedness (including Capital Lease Obligations) permitted by Section 4.09(b)(4) covering only the assets acquired with or financed by such Indebtedness and directly related assets such as proceeds (including insurance proceeds), improvements, replacements and substitutions thereto;

(8)    Liens existing on the Issue Date;

 

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(9)    Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims that are not yet delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently concluded; provided that any reserve or other appropriate provision as is required in conformity with U.S. GAAP has been made therefor;

(10)    Liens imposed by law, such as carriers, warehousemen’s, landlord’s, suppliers’ and mechanics’ Liens, in each case, incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(11)    survey exceptions, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights-of-way, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar purposes, or zoning or other restrictions as to the use of real property that were not incurred in connection with Indebtedness and that do not in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of said properties or materially impair their use in the operation of the business of such Person;

(12)    Liens to secure any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness permitted to be Incurred under this Indenture; provided, however, that:

 

(A)

the new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same property and assets that secured or, under the written agreements pursuant to which the original Lien arose, could secure the original Lien (plus improvements and accessions to, such property or proceeds or distributions thereof); and

 

(B)

the Indebtedness secured by the new Lien is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of (x) the outstanding principal amount, or, if greater, committed amount, of the Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness and (y) an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums, related to such renewal, refunding, refinancing, replacement, defeasance or discharge;

(13)    Liens securing Hedging Obligations so long as the related Indebtedness is, and is permitted to be under this Indenture, secured by a Lien on the same assets or property securing such Hedging Obligations;

(14)    Liens that are contractual rights of set- off (i) relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks not given in connection with the money borrowed, (ii) relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries or (iii) relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

(15)    Liens arising out of judgments against such Person not giving rise to an Event of Default, with respect to which such Person shall then be proceeding with an appeal or other proceedings for review, provided that any reserve or other appropriate provision as shall be required in conformity with U.S. GAAP shall have been made therefor;

(16)    Liens granted to the Trustee for its compensation and indemnities pursuant to this Indenture;

(17)    Liens arising out of or in connection with licenses, sublicenses, leases (other than capital leases) and subleases (including rights to use) of assets (including, without limitation, intellectual property) entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(18)    Liens upon specific items of inventory or other goods and proceeds of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries securing obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances issued or created to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(19)    Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, hire purchase, consignment or similar arrangement for the sale of goods in the ordinary course of business;

(20)    Liens arising under customary provisions limiting the disposition or distribution of assets or property or any related restrictions thereon in operating agreements, joint venture agreements, partnership agreements, contracts for sale and other agreements arising in the ordinary course of business; provided, that such Liens do not extend to any assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries other than the assets subject to such agreements or contracts;

(21)    Liens on deposits made in the ordinary course of business to secure liability to insurance carriers;

(22)    Liens on the Equity Interests of Unrestricted Subsidiaries;

(23)    Liens created or Incurred under, pursuant to or in connection with the Services and Right to Use Agreement or the Reinvestment Agreement, including Liens on any revenues or receipts thereunder or any accounts created or maintained thereunder;

(24)    limited recourse Liens in respect of the ownership interests in, or assets owned by, any joint ventures which are not Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company securing obligations of such joint ventures;

(25)     Liens securing Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(b)(17) hereof;

(26)    Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company with respect to Obligations that do not exceed US$5.0 million at any one time outstanding; and

(27)    Liens securing obligations under a debt service reserve account or interest reserve account (including all dividends, instruments, cash and Cash Equivalents and other property, as applicable, on deposit in such account) established for the benefit of creditors securing Indebtedness to the extent such debt service reserve account or interest reserve account is established in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice.

“Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge other Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than intercompany Indebtedness); provided that:

(1)    the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged (plus all accrued interest on the Indebtedness and the amount of all fees and expenses, including premiums, Incurred in connection therewith);

(2)    such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date later than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged;

(3)    if the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the Note Guarantees, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date later than the final maturity date of, and is subordinated in right of payment to, the Notes and the Note Guarantees on terms at least as favorable to the Holders as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged; and

 

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(4)    such Indebtedness is Incurred either by the Company or by the Restricted Subsidiary who is the obligor on the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged.

“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.

“Phase I” means the approximately 477,110 gross square-meter complex on the Site which contains retail, hotel, gaming, entertainment, food and beverage outlets and entertainment studios and other facilities.

“Phase II Project” means the development of the remainder of the Site, which is expected to include one or more types of Permitted Business and will be developed in accordance with the applicable governmental requirements regarding the Site.

“Preferred Stock” means any Equity Interest with preferential right of payment of dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding up.

“Pre-Opening Expenses” means, with respect to any fiscal period, the amount of expenses (other than interest expense) incurred with respect to capital projects that are classified as “pre-opening expenses” on the applicable financial statements of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

“Private Placement Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(f)(1) hereof to be placed on all Notes issued under this Indenture except where otherwise permitted by the provisions of this Indenture.

“Property” means Phase I and the Phase II Project.

“QIB” means a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A.

“Regulation S” means Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.

“Regulation S Global Note” means a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, issued in a denomination equal (subject to a maximum denomination of US$500 million) to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold in reliance on Rule 903 of Regulation S.

“Reinvestment Agreement” means the reimbursement agreement dated June 15, 2012, between Melco Resorts Macau and Studio City Entertainment Limited, as amended, restated, modified, supplemented, extended, replaced (whether upon or after termination or otherwise or whether with the original or other relevant parties) or renewed, in whole or in part from time to time, including pursuant to the Direct Agreement.

“Related Party” means:

(1)    any controlling stockholder or majority-owned Subsidiary of Melco Resorts; or

(2)    any trust, corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity, the beneficiaries, stockholders, partners, members, owners or Persons beneficially holding at least 50.1% interest of which consist of Melco Resorts and/or such other Persons referred to in the immediately preceding clause (1).

 

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“Responsible Officer,” when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee (or any successor group of the Trustee) with direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

“Restricted Definitive Note” means a Definitive Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.

“Restricted Global Note” means a Global Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.

“Restricted Investment” means an Investment other than a Permitted Investment.

“Restricted Period” means the 40-day distribution compliance period as defined in Regulation S.

“Restricted Subsidiary” of a Person means any Subsidiary of the referent Person that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

“Revenue Sharing Agreement” means any joint venture, development, management, operating or similar agreement or arrangement for the sharing of revenues, profits, losses, costs or expenses entered into in connection with developments or services complementary or ancillary to the Property in the ordinary course of business (including, for the avoidance of doubt, such agreements or arrangements reasonably necessary to conduct a Permitted Business) and on arms’ length terms.

“Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.

“Rule 144A” means Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.

“Rule 903” means Rule 903 promulgated under the Securities Act.

“Rule 904” means Rule 904 promulgated under the Securities Act.

“S&P” means S&P Global Ratings or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

“SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Securities Act” means the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

“Senior Secured Credit Facilities” means the amended and restated senior secured credit facilities dated November 30, 2016 among Studio City Company Limited, the guarantors named therein, the financial institutions named as lenders therein and the agent for such lenders, including any related notes, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, as such facilities may be amended, restated, modified, renewed, supplemented, replaced or refinanced from time to time.

“Services and Right to Use Agreement” means the services and right to use agreement originally dated May 11, 2007 and as amended and restated on June 15, 2012, executed with Studio City Entertainment Limited (formerly named MSC Diversões, Limitada and New Cotai Entertainment (Macau) Limited), a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of the Company, as amended, restated, modified, supplemented, extended, replaced (whether upon or after termination or otherwise or whether with the original or other relevant parties) or renewed, in whole or in part from time to time, including pursuant to the Direct Agreement.

“SGX-ST” means the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited or its successor.

 

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“Shareholder Subordinated Debt” means, collectively, any debt provided to the Company by any direct or indirect parent holding company of the Company (or Melco Resorts), in exchange for or pursuant to any security, instrument or agreement other than Capital Stock, together with any such security, instrument or agreement and any other security or instrument other than Capital Stock issued in payment of any obligation under any Shareholder Subordinated Debt; provided that such Shareholder Subordinated Debt:

(1)    does not (including upon the happening of any event) mature or require any amortization or other payment of principal prior to the first anniversary of the maturity of the Notes (other than through conversion or exchange of any such security or instrument for Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or for any other security or instrument meeting the requirements of the definition);

(2)    does not (including upon the happening of any event) require the payment of cash interest prior to the first anniversary of the maturity of the Notes;

(3)    does not (including upon the happening of any event) provide for the acceleration of its maturity nor confer on its shareholders any right (including upon the happening of any event) to declare a default or event of default or take any enforcement action, in each case, prior to the first anniversary of the maturity of the Notes;

(4)    is not secured by a Lien on any assets of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and is not guaranteed by any Subsidiary of the Company;

(5)    is subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full in cash of the Notes in the event of any default, bankruptcy, reorganization, liquidation, winding up or other disposition of assets of the Company;

(6)    does not (including upon the happening of any event) restrict the payment of amounts due in respect of the Notes or compliance by the Company with its obligations under the Notes, the Note Guarantees, and this Indenture;

(7)    does not (including upon the happening of an event) constitute Voting Stock; and

(8)    is not (including upon the happening of any event) mandatorily convertible or exchangeable, or convertible or exchangeable at the option of the holder, in whole or in part, prior to the date on which the Notes mature other than into or for Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company.

“Significant Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such regulation is in effect on the Issue Date.

“Site” means an approximately 130,789 square meter parcel of land in the reclaimed area between Taipa and Coloane Island (Cotai), Lotes G300, G310 and G400, registered with the Macau Real Estate Registry under no. 23059.

“Special Put Option Triggering Event” means:

(1)    any event after which the Gaming License or other permits or authorizations as are necessary for the operation of the Studio City Casino in substantially the same manner and scope as operations are conducted at the Issue Date cease to be in full force and effect, for a period of ten consecutive days or more, and such event has a material adverse effect on the financial condition, business, properties, or results of operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; or

(2)    the termination, rescission, revocation or modification of any Gaming License which has had a material adverse effect on the financial condition, business, properties, or results of operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, excluding any termination or rescission resulting from or in connection with any renewal, tender or other process conducted by the government of Macau in connection with the granting or renewal of any Gaming License; provided that such renewal, tender or other process results in the granting or renewal of the relevant Gaming License.

 

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“Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any installment of interest or principal on any series of Indebtedness, the date on which the payment of interest or principal was scheduled to be paid in the documentation governing such Indebtedness as of the Issue Date, and will not include any contingent obligations to repay, redeem or repurchase any such interest or principal prior to the date originally scheduled for the payment thereof.

“Studio City Casino” means any casino, gaming business or activities conducted at the Site.

“Studio City International” means Studio City International Holdings Limited, an exempted company incorporated with limited liability under the laws of the Cayman Islands.

“Studio City Parties” means Studio City International, Studio City Entertainment Limited, Studio City Hotels Limited, Studio City Retail Services Limited, Studio City Developments Limited, Studio City Ventures Limited, Studio City Services Limited and any other Person which accedes to the MSA as a “Studio City Party” pursuant to terms thereof.

“Subordinated Indebtedness” means (a) with respect to the Company, any Indebtedness of the Company which is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to the Notes, and (b) with respect to any Subsidiary Guarantor, any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor which is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to such Subsidiary Guarantor’s Obligations in respect of its Note Guarantee.

“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any specified Person:

(1)    any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees of the corporation, association or other business entity is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and

(2)    any partnership (a) the sole general partner or the managing general partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person or (b) the only general partners of which are that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person (or any combination thereof).

“Subsidiary Guarantor” means each of (1) Studio City Investments Limited, Studio City Company Limited, Studio City Holdings Two Limited, Studio City Holdings Three Limited, Studio City Holdings Four Limited, Studio City Entertainment Limited, Studio City Services Limited, Studio City Hotels Limited, SCP Holdings Limited, Studio City Hospitality and Services Limited, SCIP Holdings Limited, SCP One Limited, SCP Two Limited, Studio City Developments Limited, Studio City Retail Services Limited and Studio City (HK) Two Limited and (2) any other Subsidiary of the Company that provides a Note Guarantee in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, and their respective successors and assigns, in each case, until the Note Guarantee of such Person has been released in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

“Total Assets” means, as of any date, the consolidated total assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with U.S. GAAP as shown on the most recent balance sheet of such Person.

“Transactions” means the offering of the Notes and the offer to purchase and/or redemption, as the case may be, of the Existing Studio City Company Notes as described in the Offering Memorandum.

 

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“Treasury Rate” means, as of any redemption date, the yield to maturity as of such redemption date of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H. 15 (519) that has become publicly available at least two business days prior to the redemption date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from the redemption date to July 15, 2022; provided, however, that if the period from the redemption date to July 15, 2022 is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year will be used.

“Trustee” means Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor serving hereunder.

“Unrestricted Definitive Note” means a Definitive Note that does not bear and is not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.

“Unrestricted Global Note” means a Global Note that does not bear and is not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.

“Unrestricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company that is designated by the Board of Directors of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors, but only to the extent that such Subsidiary:

(1)    has no Indebtedness other than Non-Recourse Debt;

(2)    except as permitted by Section 4.11 hereof, is not party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company unless the terms of any such agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding are no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons who are not Affiliates of the Company;

(3)    is a Person with respect to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has any direct or indirect obligation (a) to subscribe for additional Equity Interests or (b) to maintain or preserve such Person’s financial condition or to cause such Person to achieve any specified levels of operating results; and

(4)    has not guaranteed or otherwise directly or indirectly provided credit support for any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

“U.S. GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are in effect from time to time.

“U.S. Government Obligations” means securities that are:

(1)    direct obligations of the United States of America for the timely payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged, or

(2)    obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America, the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America,

which, in each case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act) as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligations or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such U.S. Government Obligations held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligations or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the U.S. Government Obligations evidenced by such depository receipt.

 

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“U.S. Person” means a U.S. Person as defined in Rule 902(k) promulgated under the Securities Act.

“Voting Stock” of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.

“Weighted Average Life to Maturity” means, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing:

(1)    the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect of the Indebtedness, by (b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment; by

(2)    the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.

“Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary” is any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary.

“Wholly-Owned Subsidiary” of any Person means a Subsidiary of such Person 100% of the outstanding Capital Stock or other ownership interests of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares) shall at the time be owned by such Person or by one or more Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

 

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Section 1.02    Other Definitions.

 

Term		Defined in Section
“Additional Amounts”		2.13
“Affiliate Transaction”		4.11
“Asset Sale Offer”		3.09
“Authentication Order”		2.02
“Change of Control Offer”		4.15
“Change of Control Payment”		4.15
“Change of Control Payment Date”		4.15
“Covenant Defeasance”		8.03
“Designated Subsidiary Guarantor Enforcement Sale”		11.08
“direct parent companies”		4.20
“DTC”		2.03
“Event of Default”		6.01
“Excess Proceeds”		4.10
“Guaranteed Obligations”		11.01
“Legal Defeasance”		8.02
“Offer Amount”		3.09
“Offer Period”		3.09
“Paying Agent”		2.03
“Permitted Debt”		4.09
“Payment Default”		6.01
“Purchase Date”		3.09
“Redemption Date”		3.07
“Registrar”		2.03
“Relevant Jurisdiction”		2.13
“Restricted Payments”		4.07
“Reversion Date”		4.21
“Special Put Option Offer”		4.21
“Special Put Option Payment”		4.21
“Suspended Covenants”		4.21
“Suspension Period”		4.21
“Taxes”		2.13

Section 1.03    Rules of Construction.

Unless the context otherwise requires:

(1)    a term has the meaning assigned to it;

(2)    an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with U.S. GAAP;

(3)    “or” is not exclusive;

(4)    words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;

(5)    “will” shall be interpreted to express a command;

(6)    provisions apply to successive events and transactions; and

(7)    references to sections of or rules under the Securities Act will be deemed to include substitute, replacement of successor sections or rules adopted by the SEC from time to time.

 

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ARTICLE 2

THE NOTES

Section 2.01    Form and Dating.

(a)    General. The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication will be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or usage. Each Note will be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes shall be in denominations of US$200,000 and integral multiples of US$1,000 in excess thereof.

The terms and provisions contained in the Notes will constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. However, to the extent any provision of any Note conflicts with the express provisions of this Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

(b)    Global Notes. Notes issued in global form will be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (including the Global Note Legend thereon and the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Notes issued in definitive form will be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (but without the Global Note Legend thereon and without the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Each Global Note will represent such of the outstanding Notes as will be specified therein and each shall provide that it represents the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges and redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby will be made by the Paying Agent, Trustee or the Registrar, at the direction of the Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.06 hereof.

(c)    Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg Procedures Applicable. The provisions of the “Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System” and “Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear” and the “General Terms and Conditions—Clearstream Banking, Luxembourg” and “Customer Handbook” of Clearstream, Luxembourg will be applicable to transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Note that are held by Participants through Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg.

Section 2.02    Execution and Authentication.

At least one Officer must sign the Notes for the Company by manual or facsimile signature.

If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time a Note is authenticated, the Note will nevertheless be valid.

A Note will not be valid until authenticated by the manual or electronic signature of the Trustee. The signature will be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this Indenture.

The Company may issue additional notes under the Indenture from time to time after the Issue Date. Any issuance of Additional Notes shall be subject to all of the covenants described under Article 4 of this Indenture, including Section 4.09 hereof. The Notes and any Additional Notes subsequently issued under this Indenture will be treated as a single class for all purposes under the Indenture, including, without limitation, waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase; provided, however if the Additional Notes are not fungible with the Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such Additional Notes will have a separate CUSIP, ISIN or other identifying number.

The Trustee will, upon receipt of a written order of the Company signed by an Officer (an “Authentication Order”), authenticate Notes for original issue that may be validly issued under this Indenture, including any Additional Notes. The aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding at any time may not exceed the aggregate principal amount of Notes authorized for issuance by the Company pursuant to one or more Authentication Orders, except as provided in Section 2.07 hereof.

 

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The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Company to authenticate Notes. An authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with Holders or an Affiliate of the Company.

Section 2.03    Registrar, Paying Agent and Transfer Agent.

The Company will maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“Registrar”) and an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”). The Company will also maintain a transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”). The Registrar will keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange. The Transfer Agent shall perform the functions of a transfer agent. The Company may appoint one or more co-registrars, one or more additional transfer agents and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent. The Company may change any Paying Agent, the Transfer Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder and shall so notify the Trustee and each Paying Agent thereof in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. If the Company fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar, Transfer Agent or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

The Company initially appoints The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Notes.

The Company initially appoints Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas to act as the Registrar, Transfer Agent and Paying Agent and to act as Custodian, with respect to the Global Notes.

Section 2.04    Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.

The Company will require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal, premium or Additional Amounts, if any, or interest on the Notes, and will notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a Subsidiary) will have no further liability for the money. If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it will segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to the Company, the Trustee will serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.

Section 2.05    Holder Lists.

The Registrar will preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of all Holders. If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company will furnish to the Trustee at least seven Business Days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders of Notes.

 

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Section 2.06    Transfer and Exchange.

(a)    Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. A Global Note may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary, by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or to another nominee of the Depositary, or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary. All Global Notes will be exchanged by the Company for Definitive Notes if:

(1)    the Company delivers to the Trustee notice from the Depositary that it is unwilling or unable to continue to act as Depositary or that it is no longer a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 120 days after the date of such notice from the Depositary;

(2)    the Company in its sole discretion determines that the Global Notes (in whole but not in part) should be exchanged for Definitive Notes and delivers a written notice to such effect to the Trustee; or

(3)    there has occurred and is continuing a Default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes.

Upon the occurrence of either of the preceding events in (1) or (2) above, Definitive Notes shall be issued in such names as the Depositary shall instruct the Trustee. Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Sections 2.07 and 2.10 hereof. Every Note authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Note or any portion thereof, pursuant to this Section 2.06 or Section 2.07 or 2.10 hereof, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Note. A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as provided in this Section 2.06(a), however, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.06(b), (c) or (f) hereof.

(b)    Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global Notes. The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the Applicable Procedures. Beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes will be subject to restrictions on transfer comparable to those set forth herein to the extent required by the Securities Act. Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes also will require compliance with either subparagraph (1) or (2) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following subparagraphs, as applicable:

(1)    Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note. Beneficial interests in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Restricted Global Note in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Private Placement Legend; provided, however, that prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Note may not be made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Beneficial interests in any Unrestricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. No written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers described in this Section 2.06(b)(1).

(2)    All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes. In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests that are not subject to Section 2.06(b)(1) above, the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar either:

 

(A)

both:

(i)    a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in another Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged; and

(ii)    instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the Participant account to be credited with such increase; or

 

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(B)

both:

(i)    a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to cause to be issued a Definitive Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged; and

(ii)    instructions given by the Depositary to the Registrar containing information regarding the Person in whose name such Definitive Note shall be registered to effect the transfer or exchange referred to in (1) above.

Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes contained in this Indenture and the Notes or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act, the Trustee shall adjust the principal amount of the relevant Global Note(s) pursuant to Section 2.06(g) hereof.

(3)    Transfer of Beneficial Interests to Another Restricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Restricted Global Note if the transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(2) above and the Registrar receives the following:

(A)    if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof; and

(B)    if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof.

(4)    Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be exchanged by any Holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(2) above and the Registrar receives the following:

(i)    if the Holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(a) thereof; or

(ii)    if the Holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case set forth, if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

 

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If any such transfer is effected pursuant to the paragraph above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of beneficial interests transferred pursuant to the paragraph above.

Beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of, a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note.

(c)    Transfer or Exchange of Beneficial Interests for Definitive Notes.

(1)    Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. If any Holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

(A)    if the Holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(a) thereof;

(B)    if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(C)    if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

(D)    if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;

(E)    if such beneficial interest is being transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

(F)    if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,

the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(g) hereof, and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the Holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(1) shall bear the Private Placement Legend and shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer contained therein.

 

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(2)    Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A Holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note may exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or may transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note only if the Registrar receives the following:

(i)    if the Holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(b) thereof; or

(ii)    if the Holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in such case set forth in this paragraph, if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

(3)    Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. If any Holder of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note, then, upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.06(b)(2) hereof, the Trustee will cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(g) hereof, and the Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(3) will be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the Holder of such beneficial interest requests through instructions to the Registrar from or through the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee will deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(3) will not bear the Private Placement Legend.

(d)    Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Beneficial Interests.

(1)    Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes. If any Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note or to transfer such Restricted Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

(A)    if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(b) thereof;

(B)    if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(C)    if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

 

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(D)    if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;

(E)    if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

(F)    if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,

the Trustee will cancel the Restricted Definitive Note, increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the appropriate Restricted Global Note.

(2)    Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note only if the Registrar receives the following:

(i)    if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(c) thereof; or

(ii)    if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in such case set forth in this paragraph, if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

Upon satisfaction of the conditions in this Section 2.06(d)(2), the Trustee will cancel the Definitive Notes and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note.

(3)    Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of an Unrestricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note at any time. Upon receipt of a request for such an exchange or transfer, the Trustee will cancel the applicable Unrestricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of one of the Unrestricted Global Notes.

If any such exchange or transfer from a Definitive Note to a beneficial interest is effected pursuant to subparagraphs (1)(B), (1)(D) or (3) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company will issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee will authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of Definitive Notes so transferred.

 

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(e)    Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes. Upon request by a Holder of Definitive Notes and such Holder’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.06(e), the Registrar will register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder must present or surrender to the Registrar the Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing. In addition, the requesting Holder must provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 2.06(e).

(1)    Restricted Definitive Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be transferred to and registered in the name of Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following:

(A)    if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 144A, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(B)    if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 903 or Rule 904, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof; and

(C)    if the transfer will be made pursuant to any other exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications and certificates required by item (3) thereof, if applicable.

(2)    Restricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be exchanged by the Holder thereof for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or transferred to a Person or Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following:

(i)    if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(d) thereof; or

(ii)    if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in such case set forth in this paragraph, if the Registrar so requests, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

(3)    Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A Holder of Unrestricted Definitive Notes may transfer such Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note. Upon receipt of a request to register such a transfer, the Registrar shall register the Unrestricted Definitive Notes pursuant to the instructions from the Holder thereof.

 

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(f)    Legends. The following legends will appear on the face of all Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued under this Indenture unless specifically stated otherwise in the applicable provisions of this Indenture.

(1)    Private Placement Legend.

(A)    Except as permitted by subparagraph (C) below, each 144A Global Note and each Definitive Note (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear the legend in substantially the following form:

“THE NOTES MAY BE PURCHASED AND TRANSFERRED ONLY IN MINIMUM PRINCIPAL AMOUNTS OF US$200,000 AND INTEGRAL MULTIPLES OF US$1,000 IN EXCESS THEREOF.

IF AT ANY TIME THE COMPANY DETERMINES IN GOOD FAITH THAT A HOLDER OR BENEFICIAL OWNER OF THIS SECURITY OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS HEREIN IS IN BREACH, AT THE TIME GIVEN, OF ANY OF THE TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH HEREIN AND IN THE INDENTURE, THE COMPANY SHALL REQUIRE SUCH HOLDER TO TRANSFER THIS SECURITY (OR INTEREST HEREIN) TO A TRANSFEREE ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMPANY WHO IS ABLE TO AND WHO DOES SATISFY ALL OF THE REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH HEREIN AND IN THE INDENTURE. PENDING SUCH TRANSFER, SUCH HOLDER WILL BE DEEMED NOT TO BE THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY (OR INTEREST HEREIN) FOR ANY PURPOSE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO RECEIPT OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST PAYMENTS ON THE SECURITY, AND SUCH HOLDER WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE NO INTEREST WHATSOEVER IN THE SECURITY EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE REQUIRED TO SELL ITS INTEREST THEREIN AS DESCRIBED HEREIN.

THE NOTES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.

THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH NOTE, PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE “RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE”) WHICH IS ONE YEAR AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE COMPANY OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE COMPANY WAS THE OWNER OF THIS NOTE (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF THIS NOTE) ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY, THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE SECURITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (“RULE 144A”), TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (E) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT IN EACH OF THE FOREGOING CASES TO ANY REQUIREMENT OF LAW THAT THE DISPOSITION OF ITS PROPERTY OR THE PROPERTY OF SUCH INVESTOR ACCOUNT OR ACCOUNTS BE AT ALL TIMES WITHIN ITS OR THEIR CONTROL AND TO COMPLIANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND ANY APPLICABLE LOCAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS AND FURTHER SUBJECT TO THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE’S RIGHTS PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER (I) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (E) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM, (II) IN EACH OF THE FOREGOING CASES, TO REQUIRE THAT A CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER IN THE FORM APPEARING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS NOTE IS COMPLETED AND DELIVERED BY THE TRANSFEROR TO THE TRUSTEE AND (III) AGREES THAT IT WILL GIVE TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS NOTE IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND. THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED UPON THE REQUEST OF THE HOLDER AFTER THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE.”

 

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(B)    Except as permitted by subparagraph (C) below, each Regulation S Global Note and each Definitive Note (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear the legend in substantially the following form:

“THE NOTES MAY BE PURCHASED AND TRANSFERRED ONLY IN MINIMUM PRINCIPAL AMOUNTS OF US$200,000 AND INTEGRAL MULTIPLES OF US$1,000 IN EXCESS THEREOF.

THE NOTES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.

THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH NOTE, PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE “RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE”) WHICH IS 40 DAYS AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE COMPANY OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE COMPANY WAS THE OWNER OF THIS NOTE (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF THIS NOTE) ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY, THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE SECURITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (“RULE 144A”), TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (E) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT IN EACH OF THE FOREGOING CASES TO ANY REQUIREMENT OF LAW THAT THE DISPOSITION OF ITS PROPERTY OR THE PROPERTY OF SUCH INVESTOR ACCOUNT OR ACCOUNTS BE AT ALL TIMES WITHIN ITS OR THEIR CONTROL AND TO COMPLIANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND ANY APPLICABLE LOCAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS AND FURTHER SUBJECT TO THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE’S RIGHTS PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER (I) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (E) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM, (II) IN EACH OF THE FOREGOING CASES, TO REQUIRE THAT A CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER IN THE FORM APPEARING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS NOTE IS COMPLETED AND DELIVERED BY THE TRANSFEROR TO THE TRUSTEE AND (III) AGREES THAT IT WILL GIVE TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS NOTE IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND. THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED UPON THE REQUEST OF THE HOLDER AFTER THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE.”

 

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(C)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Global Note or Definitive Note issued pursuant to subparagraphs (b)(4), (c)(2), (d)(2), (d)(3), (e)(2) or (e)(3) of this Section 2.06 (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) will not bear the Private Placement Legend.

(2)    Global Note Legend. Each Global Note will bear a legend in substantially the following form:

“THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (1) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06 OF THE INDENTURE, (2) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (3) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE INDENTURE AND (4) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE COMPANY.

UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) (“DTC”), TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.”

(g)    Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes. At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Definitive Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note will be returned to or retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.11 hereof. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive Notes, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note will be reduced accordingly and an endorsement will be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Registrar at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note will be increased accordingly and an endorsement will be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Registrar at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.

 

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(h)    General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges.

(1)    To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof or at the Registrar’s request.

(2)    No service charge will be made to a Holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note or to a Holder of a Definitive Note for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.06, 3.06, 3.09, 4.10, 4.15 and 9.05 hereof).

(3)    The Registrar will not be required to register the transfer of or exchange of any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part.

(4)    All Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Global Notes or Definitive Notes will be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Global Notes or Definitive Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

(5)    Neither the Registrar nor the Company will be required:

(A)    to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange any Notes during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of any selection of Notes for redemption under Section 3.02 hereof and ending at the close of business on the day of selection;

(B)    to register the transfer of or to exchange any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part; or

(C)    to register the transfer of or to exchange a Note between a record date and the next succeeding interest payment date.

(6)    Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any Note, the Trustee, any Agent and the Company may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest on such Notes and for all other purposes, and none of the Trustee, any Agent or the Company shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

(7)    The Trustee will authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.02 hereof.

(8)    All certifications, certificates and Opinions of Counsel required to be submitted to the Registrar pursuant to this Section 2.06 to effect a registration of transfer or exchange may be submitted by facsimile or electronic mail (in pdf format).

Section 2.07    Replacement Notes.

If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee or the Company and the Trustee receives evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Note, the Company will issue and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, will authenticate a replacement Note if the Trustee’s requirements are met. If required by the Trustee or the Company, an indemnity bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Company to protect the Company, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Company and the Trustee may charge the Holder for their expenses in replacing a Note, including but not limited to the reasonable expenses of counsel and any tax that may be imposed with respect to replacement of such Note.

 

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Every replacement Note is an additional obligation of the Company and will be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Notes duly issued hereunder.

Section 2.08    Outstanding Notes.

The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof, and those described in this Section 2.08 as not outstanding. Except as set forth in Section 2.09 hereof, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Note; however, Notes held by the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company shall not be deemed to be outstanding for purposes of Section 3.07(a) hereof.

If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a protected purchaser.

If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section 4.01 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.

If the Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of any thereof) holds, in accordance with this Indenture, on a redemption date or maturity date, money sufficient to pay Notes payable on that date, then on and after that date such Notes will be deemed to be no longer outstanding and will cease to accrue interest.

Section 2.09    Treasury Notes.

In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, will be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee will be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes that the Trustee actually knows are so owned will be so disregarded.

Section 2.10    Temporary Notes.

Until certificates representing Notes are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, will authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes will be substantially in the form of certificated Notes but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Notes and as may be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Without unreasonable delay, the Company will prepare and the Trustee will authenticate definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes.

Holders of temporary Notes will be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture.

Section 2.11    Cancellation.

The Company at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent will forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee, in accordance with its customary procedures, and no one else will cancel (subject to the Trustee’s retention policy) all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and will dispose of such cancelled Notes in its customary manner (subject to the record retention requirement of the Exchange Act). At the request of the company, the Trustee will confirm the cancellation of the Notes delivered to it. The Company may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that it has paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

 

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Section 2.12    Defaulted Interest.

If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, it will pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof. The Company will notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the proposed payment. The Company will fix or cause to be fixed each such special record date and payment date; provided that no such special record date may be less than ten (10) days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted interest. At least fifteen (15) days before the special record date, the Company (or, upon the written request of the Company, the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company) will mail or cause to be mailed to Holders a notice that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.

Section 2.13    Additional Amounts.

(a)    All payments of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes and all payments under the Note Guarantees will be made without withholding or deduction for, or on account of, any present or future taxes, duties, assessments or governmental charges of whatever (“Taxes”) nature imposed or levied by or within any jurisdiction in which the Company or any applicable Subsidiary Guarantor is organized or resident for tax purposes (or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein) or any jurisdiction from or through which payment is made by or on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor (including the jurisdiction of any Paying Agent) (or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein) (each, as applicable, a “Relevant Jurisdiction”), unless such withholding or deduction is required by law or by regulation or governmental policy having the force of law. In such event, the Company or the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, will make such deduction or withholding, make payment of the amount so withheld to the appropriate governmental authority and will pay such additional amounts (“Additional Amounts”) as will result in receipt by the Holder of such amounts as would have been received by such holder had no such withholding or deduction been required, provided that no Additional Amounts will be payable for or on account of:

(1)    any tax, duty, assessment or other governmental charge that would not have been imposed but for:

(A)    the existence of any present or former connection between the Holder or beneficial owner of such Note or Note Guarantee, as the case may be, and the Relevant Jurisdiction including, without limitation, such holder or beneficial owner being or having been a citizen or resident of such Relevant Jurisdiction or treated as a resident thereof or being or having been physically present or engaged in a trade or business therein or having or having had a permanent establishment therein, other than merely holding such Note or the receipt of payments thereunder or under the Note Guarantee;

(B)    the presentation of such Note (where presentation is required) more than thirty (30) days after the later of the date on which the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, such Note became due and payable pursuant to the terms thereof or was made or duly provided for, except to the extent that the holder thereof would have been entitled to such Additional Amounts if it had presented such Note for payment on any date within such 30-day period;

 

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(C)    the failure of the holder or beneficial owner to comply with a timely request of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor addressed to the holder or beneficial owner, as the case may be, to provide information concerning such holder’s or beneficial owner’s nationality, residence, identity or connection with any Relevant Jurisdiction, if and to the extent that due and timely compliance with such request would have reduced or eliminated any withholding or deduction as to which Additional Amounts would have otherwise been payable to such holder; or

(D)    the presentation of such Note (where presentation is required) for payment in the Relevant Jurisdiction, unless such Note could not have been presented for payment elsewhere;

(2)    any estate, inheritance, gift, sale, transfer, excise or personal property or similar tax, assessment or other governmental charge;

(3)    any tax, duty, assessment or other governmental charge which is payable other than (i) by deduction or withholding from payments of principal of or interest on the Note or payments under the Note Guarantees, or (ii) by direct payment by the Company or applicable Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of claims made against the Company or the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor;

(4)    any tax arising pursuant to Sections 1471 - 1474 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any successor or amended version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with, any official interpretations thereof, current or future regulations or agreements entered pursuant thereto, any agreement entered pursuant thereto, any U.S. or non-U.S. law enacted in connection with an intergovernmental agreement related thereto, or any rules, regulations, or administrative guidance of any kind relating to any of the foregoing; or

(5)    any combination of taxes, duties, assessments or other governmental charges referred to in the preceding clauses (1), (2), (3) and (4); or

(b)    with respect to any payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, such Note or any payment under any Note Guarantee to such holder, if the holder is a fiduciary, partnership or person other than the sole beneficial owner of any payment to the extent that such payment would be required to be included in the income under the laws of a Relevant Jurisdiction, for tax purposes, of a beneficiary or settlor with respect to the fiduciary, or a member of that partnership or a beneficial owner who would not have been entitled to such Additional Amounts had that beneficiary, settlor, partner, or beneficial owner been the holder thereof.

In addition to the foregoing, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors will also pay and indemnify the holder of a Note for any present or future stamp, issue, registration, court or documentary taxes, or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies (including penalties, interest and other reasonable expenses related thereto) which are levied by any Relevant Jurisdiction on the execution, delivery, issuance, or registration of any of the Notes, the Indenture, any Note Guarantee or any other document or instrument referred to therein, or the receipt of any payments with respect thereto, or enforcement of, any of the Notes or any Note Guarantee. The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors will use all reasonable efforts to obtain certified copies of tax receipts evidencing the payment of any taxes so deducted or withheld from each Relevant Jurisdiction imposing such taxes, in such form as provided in the ordinary course by the Relevant Jurisdiction and as is reasonably available to the Company, and will provide such certified copies to the Trustees and the Paying Agent. Such copies shall be made available to the Holders upon request and will be made available at the offices of the Paying Agent. The Company or the Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, will attach to each certified copy a certificate stating (x) that the amount of withholding taxes evidenced by the certified copy was paid in connection with payments in respect of the principal amount of Notes then outstanding and (y) the amount of such withholding taxes paid per $1,000 principal amount of the Notes.

(c)    Whenever there is mentioned in any context the payment of principal of, and any premium or interest, on any Note or under any Note Guarantee, such mention will be deemed to include payment of Additional Amounts provided for in this Indenture to the extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof.

 

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Section 2.14    Forced Sale or Redemption for Non-QIBs.

(a)    The Company has the right to require any Holder of a Note (or beneficial interest therein) that is a U.S. Person and is determined not to have been a QIB at the time of acquisition of such Note or is otherwise determined to be in breach, at the time given, of any of the representations and agreements required to be made pursuant to the transfer restrictions set forth herein, to transfer such Security (or beneficial interest therein) to a transferee acceptable to the Company who is able to and who does make all of the representations and agreements required to be made pursuant to the transfer restrictions set forth herein, or to redeem such Note (or beneficial interest therein) within 30 days of receipt of notice of the Company’s election to so redeem such Holder’s Notes on the terms set forth in paragraph (b) below. Pending such transfer or redemption, such Holder will be deemed not to be the Holder of such Note for any purpose, including but not limited to receipt of interest and principal payments on such Note, and such Holder will be deemed to have no interest whatsoever in such Note except as otherwise required to sell or redeem its interest therein.

(b)    Any such redemption occurring pursuant to paragraph (a) above shall be at a redemption price equal to the lesser of (i) the Person’s cost, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date and (ii) 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of any such redemption as soon as practicable.

 

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ARTICLE 3

REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT

Section 3.01    Notices to Trustee.

If the Company elects to redeem Notes pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of Section 3.07 hereof, it must furnish to the Trustee, the Registrar and the Paying Agent, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, an Officer’s Certificate setting forth:

(1)    the clause of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur;

(2)    the redemption date;

(3)    the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed; and

(4)    the redemption price.

Section 3.02    Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed or Purchased.

If fewer than all of the Notes are to be redeemed or purchased at any time, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar will select Notes for redemption or purchase (i) in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which Notes are listed and any applicable Depositary procedures, (ii) by lot or such other similar method in accordance with the applicable procedures of the Depositary or any other applicable clearing system (if the Notes are Global Notes), or (iii) if there are no such requirements of such exchange or the Notes are not then listed on a national securities exchange or cleared through the Depositary or any other applicable clearing system, on a pro rata basis. No Notes of a principal amount of US$200,000 or less may be redeemed or purchased in part, and if Notes are redeemed or purchased in part, the remaining outstanding amount must be at least equal to US$200,000 and integral multiples of US$1,000 in excess thereof. None of the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar will be liable for any selections made under this paragraph.

In the event of partial redemption or purchase by lot, the particular Notes to be redeemed or purchased will be selected, unless otherwise provided herein, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption or purchase date by the Registrar from the outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption or purchase.

The Registrar will promptly notify the Company in writing of any Definitive Notes selected for redemption or purchase and, in the case of any such Note selected for partial redemption or purchase, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed or purchased. Notes and portions of Notes selected will be in amounts of US$200,000 or integral multiples of US$1,000 in excess thereof; except that if all of the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed or purchased, the entire outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder, even if not a multiple of US$1,000, shall be redeemed or purchased. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption or purchase also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption or purchase.

Section 3.03    Notice of Redemption.

Subject to the provisions of Section 3.09 hereof, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Company will mail or cause to be mailed, by first class mail, a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date (with prior notice to the Trustee) if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture pursuant to Article 8 or 11 hereof.

The notice will identify the Notes to be redeemed and will state:

(1)     the redemption date;

 

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(2)    the redemption price;

(3)    if any Note is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Note to be redeemed and that, after the redemption date upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion will be issued upon cancellation of the original Note, provided that the unredeemed portion has a minimum denomination of US$200,000;

(4)    the name and address of the Paying Agent;

(5)    that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;

(6)    that, unless the Company defaults in making such redemption payment, interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;

(7)    the paragraph of the Notes and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed;

(8)    that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes;

(9)    if applicable, any condition to such redemption; and

(10)    if applicable, that payment of the redemption price and performance of the Company’s obligations with respect to such redemption is to be performed by another Person and the identity of such other Person.

At the Company’s request, the Trustee will give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at its expense; provided, however, that the Company has delivered to the Trustee, at least three Business Days prior to the date that the notice of redemption is to be delivered to Holders, an Officer’s Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in the preceding paragraph.

Section 3.04    Effect of Notice of Redemption.

Once notice of redemption is mailed in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof, Notes called for redemption become due and payable on the redemption date at the redemption price stated in such notice, provided, that any redemption pursuant to Paragraph 5 of the Notes may, at the Company’s discretion, be subject to the satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent.

Section 3.05    Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price.

No later than 10 a.m. New York time one Business Days prior to the redemption or purchase date, the Company will deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption or purchase price of and accrued interest and Additional Amounts, if any, on all Notes to be redeemed or purchased on that date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent will promptly return to the Company any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Company in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption or purchase price of, and accrued interest and Additional Amounts, if any, on all Notes to be redeemed or purchased.

If the Company complies with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, on and after the redemption or purchase date, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes called for redemption or purchase. If a Note is redeemed or purchased on or after an interest record date but on or prior to the related interest payment date, then any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note was registered at the close of business on such record date. If any Note called for redemption or purchase is not so paid upon surrender for redemption or purchase because of the failure of the Company to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal, from the redemption or purchase date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof.

 

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Section 3.06    Notes Redeemed or Purchased in Part.

In the case of Definitive Notes, upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed or purchased in part, the Company will issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, the Trustee will authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Company a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed or unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered.

Section 3.07    Optional Redemption.

(a)    At any time prior to July 15, 2022, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes at a redemption price of 106.000% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the rights of the Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date), with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings; provided that:

(1)    at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes originally issued under this Indenture (excluding Notes held by the Company and its Subsidiaries) remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption; and

(2)    the redemption occurs within 45 days of the date of the closing of such Equity Offering.

Any redemption notice given in respect of the redemption referred to in the preceding paragraph may be given prior to completion of the related Equity Offering, and any such redemption or notice may, at the discretion of the Company, be subject to the satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, including the completion of the Equity Offering.

(b)    At any time prior to July 15, 2022, the Company may redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest to, the date of redemption, subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date. Any such redemption and notice may, at the discretion of the Company, be subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent.

(c)    Except pursuant to the two preceding paragraphs and the provisions under Section 3.10 and Section 3.11 hereof, the Notes will not be redeemable at the Company’s option prior to July 15, 2022.

(d)    On or after July 15, 2022, the Company may redeem all or a part of the Notes upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount) set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes redeemed, to the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the periods indicated below, subject to the rights of holders of the Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date:

 

Period		Redemption Price
Twelve-month period on or after July15, 2022			103.000	%
Twelve-month period on or after July 15, 2023			101.500	%
On or after July 15, 2024			100.000	%

Unless the Company defaults in the payment of the redemption price, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption on the applicable redemption date.

 

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(e)    Any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01 through Section 3.06 hereof and may, at the discretion of the Company, be subject to the satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent. If such redemption is so subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, such notice shall describe each such condition, and if applicable, shall state that, at the Company’s discretion, the redemption date may be delayed until such time (provided, however, that any delayed redemption date shall not be more than 60 days after the date the relevant notice of redemption was sent) as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied, or such redemption may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied by the redemption date or by the redemption date as delayed. In addition, the Company may provide in such notice that payment of the redemption price and performance of the Company’s obligations with respect to such redemption may be performed by another Person.

Section 3.08    Mandatory Redemption.

The Company is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes. However, under certain circumstances, the Company may be required to offer to purchase Notes as described in Section 4.15 and Section 4.10 hereof. The Company may at any time and from time to time purchase Notes in the open market or otherwise.

Section 3.09    Offer to Purchase by Application of Excess Proceeds.

In the event that, pursuant to Section 4.10 hereof, the Company is required to commence an offer to all Holders to purchase Notes (an “Asset Sale Offer”), it will follow the procedures specified below.

The Asset Sale Offer shall be made to all Holders and all holders of other Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes containing provisions similar to those set forth in this Indenture with respect to offers to purchase or redeem with the proceeds of sales of assets. The Asset Sale Offer will remain open for a period of at least 20 Business Days following its commencement and not more than 30 Business Days, except to the extent that a longer period is required by applicable law (the “Offer Period”). No later than five Business Days after the termination of the Offer Period (the “Purchase Date”), the Company will apply all Excess Proceeds (the “Offer Amount”) to the purchase of Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness (on a pro rata basis, if applicable) or, if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes and other Indebtedness tendered in response to the Asset Sale Offer. Payment for any Notes so purchased will be made in the same manner as interest payments are made.

If the Purchase Date is on or after an interest record date and on or before the related interest payment date, any accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Amounts, if any, will be paid to the Person in whose name a Note is registered at the close of business on such record date, and no additional interest will be payable to Holders who tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer.

Upon the commencement of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company will send, by first class mail, a notice to the Trustee and each of the Holders, with a copy to the Trustee. The notice will contain all instructions and materials necessary to enable such Holders to tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer. The notice, which will govern the terms of the Asset Sale Offer, will state:

(1)    that the Asset Sale Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 3.09 and Section 4.10 hereof and the length of time the Asset Sale Offer will remain open;

(2)    the Offer Amount, the purchase price and the Purchase Date;

(3)    that any Note not tendered or accepted for payment will continue to accrue interest;

(4)    that, unless the Company defaults in making such payment, any Note accepted for payment pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer will cease to accrue interest after the Purchase Date;

 

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(5)    that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer may elect to have Notes purchased in integral multiples of US$200,000 and integral multiples of US$1,000 in excess thereof only;

(6)    that Holders electing to have Notes purchased pursuant to any Asset Sale Offer will be required to surrender the Note, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” attached to the Notes completed, or transfer by book-entry transfer, to the Company, a Depositary, if appointed by the Company, or a Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice at least three days before the Purchase Date;

(7)    that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the Company, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, receives, not later than the expiration of the Offer Period, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Note the Holder delivered for purchase and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Note purchased;

(8)    that, if the aggregate principal amount of Notes and other pari passu Indebtedness surrendered by holders thereof exceeds the Offer Amount, the Company will select the Notes and other pari passu Indebtedness to be purchased in accordance with Section 3.02 based on the principal amount of Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness surrendered (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Company so that only Notes in denominations of US$200,000, or integral multiples of US$1,000 in excess thereof, will be purchased); and

(9)    that Holders whose Notes were purchased only in part will be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered (or transferred by book-entry transfer), provided that the unpurchased portion has a minimum denomination of US$200,000.

On or before the Purchase Date, the Company will, to the extent lawful, accept for payment, on a pro rata basis to the extent necessary (but subject to Section 3.02), the Offer Amount of Notes or portions thereof tendered pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer, or if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered, and will deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes properly accepted together with an Officer’s Certificate stating that such Notes or portions thereof were accepted for payment by the Company in accordance with the terms of this Section 3.09. The Company, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, will promptly (but in any case not later than five days after the Purchase Date) mail or deliver to each tendering Holder an amount equal to the purchase price of the Notes tendered by such Holder and accepted by the Company for purchase, and the Company will promptly issue a new Note, and the Trustee, upon written request from the Company, will authenticate and mail or deliver (or cause to be transferred by book entry) such new Note to such Holder, in a principal amount equal to any unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered, provided that the unpurchased portion has a minimum denomination of US$200,000. Any Note not so accepted shall be promptly mailed or delivered by the Company to the Holder thereof. The Company will publicly announce the results of the Asset Sale Offer on the Purchase Date.

Other than as specifically provided in this Section 3.09, any purchase pursuant to this Section 3.09 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01 through Section 3.06 hereof.

Section 3.10    Redemption for Taxation Reasons.

The Notes may be redeemed, at the option of the Company, as a whole but not in part, upon giving not less than 30 days’ nor more than 60 days’ notice to Holders (which notice will be irrevocable), at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest (including any Additional Amounts), if any, to the date fixed by the Company for redemption (the “Tax Redemption Date”) if, as a result of:

(1)    any change in, or amendment to, the laws (or any regulations or rulings promulgated thereunder) of a Relevant Jurisdiction affecting taxation; or

 

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(2)    any change in, or amendment to, an official position regarding the application or interpretation of such laws, regulations or rulings (including a holding, judgment or order by a court of competent jurisdiction),

which change or amendment becomes effective on or after the date of this Indenture with respect to any payment due or to become due under the Notes, this Indenture or a Note Guarantee, the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, is, or on the next Interest Payment Date would be, required to pay Additional Amounts, and such requirement cannot be avoided by the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, taking reasonable measures available to it; provided that for the avoidance of doubt, changing the jurisdiction of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor is not a reasonable measure for the purposes of this Section 3.10; provided, further, that no such notice of redemption will be given earlier than 90 days prior to the earliest date on which the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, would be obligated to pay such Additional Amounts if a payment in respect of the Notes were then due.

Prior to the mailing of any notice of redemption of the Notes pursuant to the foregoing, the Company will deliver to the Trustee:

(1)    an Officer’s Certificate stating that such change or amendment referred to in the prior paragraph has occurred, and describing the facts related thereto and stating that such requirement cannot be avoided by the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, taking reasonable measures available to it; and

(2)    an Opinion of Counsel or an opinion of a tax consultant of recognized international standing stating that the requirement to pay such Additional Amounts results from such change or amendment referred to in the prior paragraph.

The Trustee will accept and shall be entitled to rely on such Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel or opinion of tax consultant as sufficient evidence of the satisfaction of the conditions precedent described above, in which event it will be conclusive and binding on the Holders.

Any Notes that are redeemed pursuant to this Section 3.10 will be cancelled.

Section 3.11    Gaming Redemption.

Each Holder, by accepting a Note, shall be deemed to have agreed that if the Gaming Authority of any jurisdiction in which the Company or any of its Affiliates (including Melco Resorts Macau) conducts or proposes to conduct gaming requires that a person who is a holder or the beneficial owner of Notes be licensed, qualified or found suitable under applicable Gaming Laws, such holder or beneficial owner, as the case may be, shall apply for a license, qualification or a finding of suitability within the required time period. If such Person fails to apply or become licensed or qualified or is found unsuitable, the Company shall have the right, at its option:

(1)    to require such Person to dispose of its Notes or beneficial interest therein within 30 days of receipt of notice of the Company’s election or such earlier date as may be requested or prescribed by such Gaming Authority; or

(2)    to redeem such Notes, which redemption may be less than 30 days following the notice of redemption if so requested or prescribed by the applicable gaming authority, at a redemption price equal to:

 

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(A)    the lesser of:

 

(1)

the Person’s cost, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the earlier of the redemption date or the date of the finding of unsuitability or failure to comply; and

 

(2)

100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the earlier of the redemption date or the date of the finding of unsuitability or failure to comply; or

(B)    such other amount as may be required by applicable law or order of the applicable Gaming Authority.

The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of any such redemption as soon as practicable. Neither the Company nor the Trustee shall be responsible for any costs or expenses any Holder may incur in connection with such Holder’s application for a license, qualification or a finding of suitability.

 

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ARTICLE 4

COVENANTS

Section 4.01    Payment of Notes.

The Company will pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, and interest and Additional Amounts, if any, on, the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes. Principal, premium, if any, and interest and Additional Amounts, if any, will be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Company or a Subsidiary thereof, holds as of 10:00 a.m. New York Time two Business Days prior to the due date money deposited by the Company in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, interest and Additional Amounts, if any, then due. All the funds provided to the Paying Agent must be in U.S. Dollars.

The Company will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, at the rate equal to 1% per annum in excess of the then applicable interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; it will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and Additional Amounts (without regard to any applicable grace period) at the same rate to the extent lawful.

Section 4.02    Maintenance of Office or Agency.

The Company will maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York, an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee, Registrar or co-registrar) where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company fails to maintain any such required office or agency or fails to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission will in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

The Company hereby designates Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas as one such office or agency of the Company in accordance with Section 2.03 hereof.

Section 4.03    Reports.

(a)    The Company will provide to the Trustee and the Holders and make available to potential investors:

(1)    within 120 days after the end of the Company’s fiscal year, annual reports of the Company containing: (a) information with a level of detail that is substantially comparable to the sections in the Offering Memorandum entitled “Selected Consolidated Financial and Operational Data,” “Business,” “Management,” “Related Party Transactions” and “Description of Other Material Indebtedness;” (b) the Company’s audited consolidated (i) balance sheet as of the end of the two most recent fiscal years and (ii) income statement and statement of cash flow for the two most recent fiscal years, in each case prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and including complete footnotes to such financial statements and the report of the independent auditors on the financial statements; (c) an operating and financial review of the two most recent fiscal years for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, including a discussion of (i) the financial condition and results of operations of the Company on a consolidated basis and any material changes between such two fiscal years and (ii) any material developments in the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; and (d) pro forma income statement and balance sheet information of the Company, together with explanatory footnotes, for any Change of Control or material acquisitions, dispositions or recapitalizations that have occurred since the beginning of the most recently completed fiscal year, unless pro forma information has been provided in a previous report pursuant to paragraph (2)(c) below; provided that no pro forma information shall be required to be provided for any material acquisitions or dispositions relating solely to the Phase II Project;

 

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(2)    within 60 days after the end of each day of the first three fiscal quarters in each fiscal year of the Company, quarterly reports containing: (a) the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated (i) balance sheet as of the end of such quarter and (ii) statement of income and cash flow for the quarterly and year to date periods ending on the most recent balance sheet date, and the comparable prior year periods, in each case prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP; (b) an operating and financial review of such periods for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries including a discussion of (i) the financial condition and results of operations of the Company on a consolidated basis and material changes between the current period and the period of the prior year and (ii) any material developments in the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; (c) pro forma income statement and balance sheet information of the Company, together with explanatory footnotes, for any Change of Control or material acquisitions, dispositions or recapitalizations that have occurred since the beginning of the most recently completed fiscal quarter, provided that no pro forma information shall be required to be provided for any material acquisitions or dispositions relating solely to the Phase II Project, and provided further that the Company may provide any such pro forma information relating to a material acquisition within 75 days following such quarterly report in the form of a report provided pursuant to clause (3) below; and

(3)    promptly from time to time after the occurrence of any of the events listed in (a)to (d) of this clause (3) information with respect to (a) any change in the independent accountants of the Company or any of the Significant Subsidiaries of the Company, (b) any material acquisition or disposition, (c) any material event that the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company announces publicly and (d) any information that the Company is required to make publicly available under the requirements of the SGX-ST or such other exchanges on which the securities of the Company or its Subsidiaries are then listed.

(b)    If the Company has designated any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries and any such Unrestricted Subsidiary or group of Unrestricted Subsidiaries constitute Significant Subsidiaries of the Company, then the annual and quarterly information required by the paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) hereof shall include a reasonably detailed presentation of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of such Unrestricted Subsidiaries of the Company.

(c)    In addition, so long as the Notes are “restricted securities” within the meaning of Rule 144(a)(3) of the Securities Act and in any period during which the Company is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act nor exempt therefrom pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b), the Company shall furnish to the holders of the Notes, securities analysts and prospective investors, upon their request, any information that Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act would require the Company to provide to such parties.

(d)    The Company may elect to satisfy its obligations under this Section 4.03 with respect to all such financial information relating to the Company by furnishing, or making available on the SEC’s website, provided that the Trustee shall have no responsibility whatsoever to determine whether such filing has occurred, such financial information relating to Studio City International, or by furnishing or making available on the SGX’s website such financial information relating to Studio City Company Limited; provided that the same is accompanied by consolidating information that explains in reasonable detail the differences between the information relating to Studio City International or Studio City Company Limited (as the case may be), on the one hand, and the information relating to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a stand-alone basis, on the other hand; provided further that the Company shall make no more than two such elections.

 

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(e)    All financial statement information required under this covenant shall be prepared on a consistent basis in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In addition, all financial statement information and all reports required under this covenant shall be presented in the English language.

(f)    [Intentionally Omitted].

(g)    Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee shall be for informational purposes only as regards the Trustee and the Trustee’s receipt of such reports, information and documents shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on the Officer’s Certificates).

Section 4.04    Compliance Certificate.

(a)    The Company shall deliver to the Trustee within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, an Officer’s Certificate stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default or Event of Default has occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto) and that to the best of his or her knowledge no event has occurred and remains in existence by reason of which payments on account of the principal of or interest, if any, on the Notes is prohibited or if such event has occurred, a description of the event and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

(b)    [Intentionally Omitted].

(c)    So long as any of the Notes are outstanding, the Company will deliver to the Trustee, as soon as possible and in any event within five (5) Business Days after the Company becomes aware of any Default or Event of Default, an Officer’s Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto. The Trustee shall not be deemed to have a duty to monitor compliance by the Company, nor to have knowledge of a Default or an Event of Default (other than a payment default on a scheduled interest payment date) unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee receives written notice thereof, stating that it is a notice of default and referencing the applicable section of this Indenture.

Section 4.05    Taxes.

The Company will pay, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay, prior to delinquency, all material taxes, assessments, and governmental levies required to be paid by the Company or such Subsidiaries except such as are contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings or where the failure to effect such payment is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders.

Section 4.06    Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.

The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.

 

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Section 4.07    Limitation on Restricted Payments.

(a)    The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:

(1)    declare or pay any dividend or make any other payment or distribution on account of the Company’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests (including, without limitation, any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) or to the direct or indirect holders of the Company’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests in their capacity as such (other than dividends or distributions payable in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company and other than dividends or distributions payable to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company);

(2)    purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value (including, without limitation, in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company) any Equity Interests of the Company or any of its direct or indirect parents;

(3)    make any payment on or with respect to, or purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor (excluding any intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), except a payment of interest or principal at the Stated Maturity thereof; or

(4)    make any Restricted Investment,

(all such payments and other actions set forth in clauses (1) through (4) above being collectively referred to as “Restricted Payments”),

unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment:

(A)    no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof;

(B)    the Company would, at the time of such Restricted Payment and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Restricted Payment had been made at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, have been permitted to Incur at least US$1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.09(a) hereof; and

(C)    such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries since the Measurement Date (excluding Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (2) through (12) of Section 4.07(b)) pursuant to this Indenture, is less than the sum of:

(i)    75% of the EBITDA of the Company less 2.00 times Fixed Charges for the period (taken as one accounting period) from January 1, 2019 to the end of the Company’s most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment (or, if such EBITDA for such period is a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit); plus

(ii)    100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds received by the Company since the Measurement Date as a contribution to its common equity capital or from the issue or sale of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company (in each case, other than in connection with any Excluded Contribution) or from the issue or sale of convertible or exchangeable Disqualified Stock or convertible or exchangeable debt securities of the Company that have been converted into or exchanged for such Equity Interests (other than Equity Interests (or Disqualified Stock or debt securities) sold to a Subsidiary of the Company); plus

 

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(iii)    to the extent that any Restricted Investment that was made after the Measurement Date (x) is reduced as a result of payments of dividends to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or (y) is sold for cash or otherwise liquidated or repaid for cash, (in the case of sub-clauses

(x)    and (y)) the lesser of (i) the cash return of capital with respect to such Restricted Investment (less the cost of disposition, if any) and (ii) the initial amount of such Restricted Investment or (z) is reduced upon the release of a Note Guarantee granted by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that constituted a Restricted Investment, to the extent that the initial granting of such Note Guarantee reduced the restricted payments capacity under Section 4.07(a)(4)(C); plus

(iv)    to the extent that any Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company designated as such after the Measurement Date is re- designated as a Restricted Subsidiary after the Measurement Date, the lesser of (i) the Fair Market Value of the Company’s Restricted Investment in such Subsidiary as of the date of such re-designation or (ii) the Fair Market Value of the net aggregate Investments made by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in such Unrestricted Subsidiary from the date such entity was originally designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary through the date of such re-designation; plus

(v)    100% of the aggregate amount received from the sale of the stock of any Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company after the Measurement Date or 100% of any dividends received by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company after the Measurement Date from an Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company.

(b)    The provisions of Section 4.07(a) hereof will not prohibit:

(1)    the payment of any dividend or the consummation of any irrevocable redemption within 60 days after the date of declaration of the dividend or giving of the redemption notice, as the case may be, if at the date of declaration or notice, the dividend or redemption payment would have complied with the provisions of this Indenture;

(2)    the making of any Restricted Payment in exchange for, or out of the net cash proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company) of, Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or from the substantially concurrent contribution of common equity capital to the Company (in each case, other than in connection with any Excluded Contribution); provided that the amount of any such net cash proceeds that are utilized for any such Restricted Payment will be excluded from Section 4.07(a)(4)(C)(ii) hereof;

(3)    the repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor with the net cash proceeds from a substantially concurrent Incurrence of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness;

(4)    the payment of any dividend (or, in the case of any partnership or limited liability company, any similar distribution) by a Restricted Subsidiary to the holders of its Equity Interests on a pro rata basis;

 

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(5)    the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Equity Interests of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company held by any current or former officer, director or employee of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to any equity subscription agreement, stock option agreement, shareholders’ agreement or similar agreement; provided that the aggregate price paid for all such repurchased, redeemed, acquired or retired Equity Interests may not exceed US$1.0 million in any twelve-month period;

(6)    the repurchase of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon the exercise of stock options to the extent such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of those stock options;

(7)    the declaration and payment of regularly scheduled or accrued dividends to holders of any class or series of Disqualified Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company issued on or after the Issue Date in accordance with the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test described in Section 4.09(a) hereof;

(8)    any Restricted Payment made or deemed to be made by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company under, pursuant to or in connection with the Services and Right to Use Agreement, the Reinvestment Agreement or the MSA;

(9)    [RESERVED];

(10)    Restricted Payments that are made with Excluded Contributions;

(11)    payments to any parent entity in respect of directors’ fees, remuneration and expenses (including director and officer insurance (including premiums therefore)) to the extent relating to the Company and its Subsidiaries, in an aggregate amount not to exceed US$2.0 million per annum;

(12)    the making of Restricted Payments, if applicable:

(A)    in amounts required for any direct or indirect parent of the Company to pay fees and expenses (including franchise or similar taxes) required to maintain its corporate existence, customary salary, bonus and other benefits payable to, and indemnities provided on behalf of, officers and employees of any direct or indirect parent of the Company and general corporate operating and overhead expenses of any direct or indirect parent of the Company in each case to the extent such fees and expenses are attributable to the ownership or operation of the Company, if applicable, and its Subsidiaries, in an aggregate amount not to exceed US$2.0 million per annum;

(B)    in amounts required for any direct or indirect parent of the Company, if applicable, to pay interest and/or principal on Indebtedness the proceeds of which have been contributed to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries prior to the Issue Date and that has been guaranteed by, or is otherwise considered Indebtedness of, the Company Incurred in accordance with Section 4.09; provided that the amount of any such proceeds will be excluded from Section 4.07(a)(4)(C)(ii);

(C)    in amounts required for any direct or indirect parent of the Company to pay fees and expenses, other than to Affiliates of the Company, related to any unsuccessful equity or debt offering of such parent; and

(D)    payments for services under any Revenue Sharing Agreement that would constitute or be deemed to constitute a Restricted Payment;

 

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(13)    any Restricted Payment used to fund the Transactions and the payment of fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Transactions or owed by the Company or any direct or indirect parent of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries to Affiliates, and any other payments made, including any such payments made to any direct or indirect parent of the Company to enable it to make payments, in connection with the consummation of the Transactions, whether payable on the Issue Date or thereafter, in each case on terms described in the Offering Memorandum under “Use of Proceeds” and to the extent permitted by Section 4.11;

(14)    any Restricted Payments, to the extent required to be made by any Gaming Authority having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or Melco Resorts Macau (or any other operator of the Studio City Casino);

(15)    cash payments in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares in connection with the exercise of warrants, options or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that any such cash payment shall not be for the purpose of evading the limitation of this Section 4.07;

(16)    the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to provisions similar to those described under Section 4.15, provided that all Notes tendered by holders of the Notes in connection with a Change of Control Offer have been repurchased, redeemed or acquired for value;

(17)    payments or distributions to dissenting stockholders of Capital Stock of the Company pursuant to applicable law in connection with a consolidation, merger or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, that complies with Section 5.01; provided that as a result of such consolidation, merger or transfer of assets, the Company shall have made a Change of Control Offer (if required by this Indenture) and that all Notes tendered by holders in connection with such Change of Control Offer have been repurchased, redeemed or acquired for value; and

(18)    other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed US$15.0 million since the Issue Date,

provided, however, that at the time of, and after giving effect to, any Restricted Payment permitted under clauses (12), (13) and (18) of this Section 4.07(b), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof.

The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) will be the Fair Market Value on the date of the Restricted Payment of the asset(s) or securities proposed to be transferred or issued by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to the Restricted Payment. The Fair Market Value of any assets or securities that are required to be valued by this Section 4.07 will be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company whose resolution with respect thereto will be delivered to the Trustee as set forth in an Officer’s Certificate of the Company. The Company’s Board of Directors’ determination must be based upon an opinion or appraisal issued by an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of international standing (an “Independent Financial Advisor”) if the Fair Market Value exceeds US$45.0 million.

Section 4.08    Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries.

(a)    The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause, permit or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to:

(1)    pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits, or pay any Indebtedness owed to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

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(2)    make loans or advances to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; or

(3)    sell, lease or transfer any of its properties or assets to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

(b)    The restrictions in Section 4.08(a) hereof will not apply to encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:

(1)    agreements governing Indebtedness or any other agreements in existence on the Issue Date as in effect on the Issue Date and any amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of those agreements; provided that the amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such dividend and other restrictions than those contained in those agreements on the Issue Date;

(2)    the Credit Facilities Documents (other than the Senior Secured Credit Facilities), and any amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of those agreements; provided that such Credit Facilities Documents and the amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings thereof are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such dividend and the other restrictions than those contained in the Senior Secured Credit Facilities;

(3)    the Indenture, the Notes and the Note Guarantees;

(4)    applicable law, rule, regulation or order, or governmental license, permit or concession;

(5)    any agreement or instrument governing Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person or assets acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as in effect at the time of such acquisition (except to the extent such Indebtedness or Capital Stock was Incurred in connection with or in contemplation of such acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person, or the property or assets of the Person, so acquired (and any amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of those agreements or instruments; provided that the amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such dividend and other restrictions than those contained in those agreements or instruments at the time of such acquisition); provided further, that, in the case of Indebtedness, such Indebtedness was permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be Incurred;

(6)    customary non-assignment provisions in contracts and licenses including, without limitation, with respect to any intellectual property, entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(7)    purchase money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary course of business and Capital Lease Obligations that impose restrictions on the property purchased or leased of the nature described in Section 4.08(a)(3);

(8)    any agreement for the sale or other disposition of Equity Interests or property or assets of a Restricted Subsidiary that restricts distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary pending the sale or other disposition;

(9)    Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness; provided that the restrictions contained in the agreements governing such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those contained in the agreements governing the Indebtedness being refinanced;

 

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(10)    Liens permitted to be incurred under the provisions of Section 4.12 hereof that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets subject to such Liens;

(11)    provisions limiting dividends or the disposition or distribution of assets, property or Equity Interests in joint venture or operating agreements, asset sale agreements, sale-leaseback agreements, stock sale agreements, merger agreements and other similar agreements entered into with the approval of the Company’s Board of Directors, which limitation is applicable only to the assets, property or Equity Interests that are the subject of such agreements;

(12)    restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers or suppliers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business; and

(13)    any agreement or instrument with respect to any Unrestricted Subsidiary or the property or assets of such Unrestricted Subsidiary that is designated as a Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Indenture at the time of such designation and not incurred in contemplation of such designation, which encumbrances or restrictions are not applicable to any Person or the property or assets of any Person other than such Subsidiary or its subsidiaries or the property or assets of such Subsidiary or its subsidiaries, and any extensions, refinancing, renewals, supplements or amendments or replacements thereof; provided that the encumbrances and restrictions in any such extension, refinancing, renewal, supplement, amendment or replacement, taken as a whole, are no more restrictive in any material respect than those encumbrances or restrictions that are then in effect and that are being extended, refinanced, renewed, supplemented, amended or replaced.

Section 4.09    Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock.

(a)    The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, Incur any Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) and the Company will not issue any shares of Disqualified Stock and the Company will not, and the Company will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, to issue any shares of Preferred Stock; provided, however, that the Company may Incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) or issue Disqualified Stock, and the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor may Incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) or issue Preferred Stock, if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is Incurred or such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is issued, as the case may be, would have been at least 2.00 to 1.00 determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been Incurred, or the Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock had been issued, as the case may be, and the application of proceeds therefrom had occurred at the beginning of such four-quarter period.

(b)    The provisions of Section 4.09(a) hereof do not apply to the following (collectively, “Permitted Debt”):

(1)    the Incurrence by the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors of Indebtedness under Credit Facilities; provided that on the date of the Incurrence of any such Indebtedness and after giving effect thereto, the aggregate principal amount outstanding of all such Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (1) (together with any refinancing thereof) does not exceed the sum of: (i)(x) US$35.0 million; plus (y) US$100.0 million Incurred in respect of the Phase II Project; less (ii), in the case of clause (i)(y), the aggregate amount of all Net Proceeds of Asset Sales applied since the Issue Date to repay any term Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (1)(i)(y) or to repay any revolving credit indebtedness Incurred under this clause (1)(i)(y) and effect a corresponding commitment reduction thereunder pursuant to Section 4.10 hereof;

 

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(2)    the Incurrence of Indebtedness represented by the Notes (other than Additional Notes) and the Note Guarantees (other than Note Guarantees for Additional Notes) and the Intercompany Note Proceeds Loans;

(3)    (a) the Incurrence by the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors of Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (3)(a), not to exceed the greater of (x) an amount equal to 3.5 times the EBITDA of the Company for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the relevant time of determination and (y) US$1,200,000,000, and (b) Indebtedness existing on the Issue Date (other than the Existing Studio City Company Notes and Indebtedness described in clauses (1) and (2));

(4)    the Incurrence of Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries represented by Capital Lease Obligations, mortgage financings or purchase money obligations, in each case, Incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or cost of design, construction, installation or improvement of property, plant or other assets (including through the acquisition of Capital Stock of any person that owns property, plant or other assets which will, upon acquisition, become a Restricted Subsidiary) used in the business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, in an aggregate principal amount, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (4), not to exceed the greater of (x) US$50.0 million and (y) 2.0% of Total Assets at any time outstanding;

(5)    the Incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge Indebtedness (other than intercompany Indebtedness) that was permitted by this Indenture to be Incurred under Section 4.09(a) or clauses (2), (3)(b), (4), (5) or (15) of this Section 4.09(b);

(6)    (a) Obligations in respect of workers’ compensation claims, self-insurance obligations, bankers’ acceptances, performance, bid, appeal and surety bonds and completion or performance guarantees (including the guarantee of any land grant) provided by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with the Property or in the ordinary course of business and (b) Indebtedness constituting reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit or trade or bank guarantees (including for land grants) issued in the ordinary course of business to the extent that such letters of credit, trade or bank guarantees (including for land grants) are not drawn upon or, if drawn upon, to the extent such drawing is reimbursed no later than thirty (30) days following receipt of a demand for reimbursement;

(7)    the Incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, however, that:

(A)    if the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor is the obligor on such Indebtedness and the payee is not the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor, such Indebtedness must be expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all Obligations then due with respect to the Notes, in the case of the Company, or the Note Guarantee, in the case of a Subsidiary Guarantor; and

(B)    (i) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such Indebtedness being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and (ii) any sale or other transfer of any such Indebtedness to a Person that is not the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, will be deemed, in each case, to constitute an Incurrence of such Indebtedness by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, that was not permitted by this clause (7);

 

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(8)    shares of Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary issued to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; provided that

(A)    any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such Preferred Stock being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; and

(B)    any sale or other transfer of any such Preferred Stock to a Person that is not the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, will be deemed, in each case, to constitute an issuance of such Preferred Stock by such Restricted Subsidiary that was not permitted by this clause (8).

(9)    the Incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Hedging Obligations in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes;

(10)    the guarantee by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that was permitted to be Incurred by another provision of this Section 4.09; provided that if the Indebtedness being guaranteed is subordinated to or pari passu with the Notes, then the guarantee shall be subordinated or pari passu, as applicable, to the same extent as the Indebtedness guaranteed;

(11)    Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument inadvertently drawn against insufficient funds, so long as such Indebtedness is extinguished within five (5) Business Days of its Incurrence;

(12)    to the extent constituting Indebtedness, agreements to pay service fees to professionals (including architects, engineers, contractors and designers) in furtherance of and/or in connection with the Property or agreements to pay fees and expenses or other amounts pursuant to the Services and Right to Use Agreement or the MSA or otherwise arising under the Services and Right to Use Agreement or the MSA in the ordinary course of business (provided, that no such agreements shall give rise to Indebtedness for borrowed money);

(13)    Indebtedness arising from agreements providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations, or from guarantees or letters of credit, surety bonds, or performance bonds securing any obligation of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company pursuant to such agreements, in each case, incurred or assumed in connection with the acquisition or disposition of any business, assets or Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary, other than guarantees of Indebtedness incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or Subsidiary for the purpose of financing such acquisition; provided, that the maximum aggregate liability in respect of all such Indebtedness shall at no time exceed the gross proceeds actually received in connection with such disposition;

(14)    Obligations in respect of Shareholder Subordinated Debt;

(15)    any guarantees made solely in connection with (and limited in scope to) the giving of a Lien of the type specified in clause (22) of “Permitted Liens” to secure Indebtedness of an Unrestricted Subsidiary, the only recourse of which to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries is to the Equity Interests subject to the Liens;

(16)    the Incurrence by the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors of additional Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, as applicable) at any time outstanding, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (16), not to exceed US$50.0 million; and

 

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(17)    the Incurrence by the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors of additional Indebtedness in respect of the Phase II Project in an aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, as applicable) at any time outstanding, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (17), not to exceed the greater of (x) 75% of the EBITDA of the Company for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available (which figure shall be based on audited financial information, if for an annual period) and (y) US$350.0 million.

The Company will not Incur, and will not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to Incur, any Indebtedness (including Permitted Debt) that is contractually subordinated in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor unless such Indebtedness is also contractually subordinated in right of payment to the Notes and the applicable Note Guarantee on substantially identical terms; provided, however, that no Indebtedness will be deemed to be contractually subordinated in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor solely by virtue of being unsecured or by virtue of being secured on a first or junior Lien basis.

For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.09, in the event that an item of proposed Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Debt described in clauses (1) through (17) above, or is entitled to be Incurred pursuant to the first paragraph of this covenant, the Company will be permitted to classify such item of Indebtedness on the date of its Incurrence, or later reclassify all or a portion of such item of Indebtedness, in any manner that complies with this Section 4.09. Indebtedness incurred under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities will be deemed to have been incurred in reliance on the exception provided by clause (1)(x) of the definition of Permitted Debt and may not be reclassified and Indebtedness incurred under the Existing Studio City Company Notes will be deemed to have been incurred in reliance on the exception provided by clause (3)(a) of the definition of Permitted Debt and may not be reclassified. The accrual of interest, the accretion or amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest on any Indebtedness in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms, the reclassification of Preferred Stock as Indebtedness due to a change in accounting principles, and the payment of dividends on Disqualified Stock in the form of additional shares of the same class of Disqualified Stock will not be deemed to be an Incurrence of Indebtedness or an issuance of Disqualified Stock for purposes of this Section 4.09; provided, in each such case, that the amount of any such accrual, accretion or payment is included in Fixed Charges of the Company as accrued. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 4.09, the maximum amount of Indebtedness that the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company may Incur pursuant to this Section 4.09 shall not be deemed to be exceeded solely as a result of fluctuations in exchange rates or currency values.

Further, for purposes of determining compliance with this covenant, to the extent the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries guarantees Indebtedness of a direct or indirect parent entity to the extent otherwise permitted by this covenant, the on-loan by such direct or indirect parent entity to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of all or a portion of the principal amount of such Indebtedness will not be double counted.

The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date will be:

(1)    the accreted value of the Indebtedness, in the case of any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount;

(2)    the principal amount of the Indebtedness, in the case of any other Indebtedness; and

 

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(3)    in respect of Indebtedness of another Person secured by a Lien on the assets of the specified Person, the lesser of:

(A)    the Fair Market Value of such assets at the date of determination; and

(B)    the face amount of the Indebtedness of the other Person.

Section 4.10    Asset Sales.

(a)    The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, consummate an Asset Sale (other than an Event of Loss), unless:

(1)    the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, receives consideration at the time of such Asset Sale at least equal to the Fair Market Value of the assets or Equity Interests issued or sold or otherwise disposed of; and

(2)    at least 75% of the consideration received in the Asset Sale by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is in the form of cash. For purposes of this provision, each of the following will be deemed to be cash:

(A)    any liabilities, as shown on the Company’s most recent consolidated balance sheet, of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than contingent liabilities and liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes or any Note Guarantee) that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets pursuant to a customary novation agreement that releases the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from further liability;

(B)    any securities, notes or other Obligations received by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are, within 30 days of the receipt thereof, converted by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash, to the extent of the cash received in that conversion; and

(C)    any stock or assets of the kind referred to in Section 4.10(b)(2) or Section 4.10(b)(4).

(b)     Within 360 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale (including an Event of Loss), the Company or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be may apply such Net Proceeds:

(1)    to repay (a) Indebtedness Incurred under Section 4.09(b)(1) and Section 4.09(b)(17), (b) other Indebtedness of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor secured by property and assets that are the subject of such Asset Sale, and, in each case, if the Indebtedness repaid is revolving credit Indebtedness, to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto, (c) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor or (d) the Notes pursuant to the redemption provisions of this Indenture;

(2)    to acquire all or substantially all of the assets of another Permitted Business, or any Capital Stock of, a Person undertaking another Permitted Business, if, after giving effect to any such acquisition of Capital Stock, the Permitted Business is or becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (provided that (a) such acquisition funded with any proceeds from an Event of Loss occurs within the date that is 545 days after receipt of the Net Proceeds from the relevant Event of Loss to the extent that a binding agreement to acquire such assets or Capital Stock is entered into on or prior to the date that is 360 days after receipt of the Net Proceeds from the relevant Event of Loss, and (b) if such acquisition is not consummated within the period set forth in clause (a), the Net Proceeds not so applied will be deemed to be Excess Proceeds);

 

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(3)    to make a capital expenditure (provided that any such capital expenditure funded with any proceeds from an Event of Loss occurs within the date that is 545 days after receipt of the Net Proceeds from the relevant Event of Loss to the extent that a binding agreement to make such capital expenditure is entered into on or prior to the date that is 360 days after receipt of the Net Proceeds from the relevant Event of Loss); or

(4)    to acquire other assets that are not classified as current assets under U.S. GAAP and that are used or useful in a Permitted Business (provided that (a) such acquisition funded from an Event of Loss occurs within the date that is 545 days after receipt of the Net Proceeds from the relevant Event of Loss to the extent that a binding agreement to acquire such assets is entered into on or prior to the date that is 360 days after receipt of the Net Proceeds from the relevant Event of Loss, and (b) if such acquisition is not consummated within the period set forth in clause (a), the Net Proceeds not so applied will be deemed to be Excess Proceeds); or

(5)    enter into a binding commitment regarding clauses (2), (3) or (4) above (in addition to the binding commitments expressly referenced in those clauses); provided that such binding commitment shall be treated as a permitted application of Net Proceeds from the date of such commitment until the earlier of (x) the date on which such acquisition or expenditure is consummated and (y) the 180th day following the expiration of the aforementioned 360-day period. To the extent such acquisition or expenditure is not consummated on or before such 180th day and the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary shall not have applied such Net Proceeds pursuant to clauses (2), (3) or (4) above on or before such 180th day, such commitment shall be deemed not to have been a permitted application of Net Proceeds, and such Net Proceeds will constitute Excess Proceeds.

(c)    Pending the final application of any Net Proceeds, the Company may temporarily reduce revolving credit borrowings or otherwise invest the Net Proceeds in any manner that is not prohibited by this Indenture.

(d)    Any Net Proceeds from Asset Sales that are not applied or invested as provided in the second paragraph of this Section 4.10 will constitute “Excess Proceeds.” When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds US$5.0 million, within ten (10) days thereof, the Company shall make an Asset Sale Offer to all Holders with respect to offers to purchase or redeem with the proceeds of sales of assets to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes. The offer price in any Asset Sale Offer will be equal to 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase, and will be payable in cash. If any Excess Proceeds remain after consummation of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company may use those Excess Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes tendered into such Asset Sale Offer exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Company will purchase all tendered Notes on a pro rata basis. Upon completion of each Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds will be reset at zero.

(e)    The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations to the extent such laws or regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of Section 3.09 hereof or this Section 4.10, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under Section 3.09 hereof or this Section 4.10 by virtue thereof.

 

 

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Section 4.11    Transactions with Affiliates.

(a)    The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of the Company (each, an “Affiliate Transaction”), unless:

(1)    the Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are no less favorable to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary with a Person that is not an Affiliate of the Company; and

(2)    the Company delivers to the Trustee:

(A)    with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of US$45.0 million, a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company set forth in an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with this Section 4.11(a) and that such Affiliate Transaction has been approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors of the Company or, if the Board of Directors of the Company has no disinterested directors, approved in good faith by a majority of the members (or in the case of a single member, the sole member) of the Board of Directors of the Company; and

(B)    with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of US$60.0 million, an opinion as to the fairness to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary of such Affiliate Transaction from a financial point of view issued by an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of international standing, or other recognized independent expert of national standing with experience appraising the terms and conditions of the type of transaction or series of related transactions.

(b)    The following items will not be deemed to be Affiliate Transactions and, therefore, will not be subject to the provisions of Section 4.11(a) hereof:

(1)    any employment agreement, employee benefit plan (including compensation, retirement, disability, severance and other similar plan), officer or director indemnification, stock option or incentive plan or agreement, employee equity subscription agreement or any similar arrangement entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and payments pursuant thereto;

(2)    transactions between or among the Company and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(3)    transactions with a Person (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary) that is an Affiliate of the Company solely because the Company owns directly or through a Restricted Subsidiary, an Equity Interest in, or controls, such Person;

(4)    payment of reasonable officers’ and directors’ fees and reimbursement of expenses (including the provision of indemnity to officers and directors) to Persons who are not otherwise Affiliates of the Company;

(5)    any issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company to Affiliates of the Company or contribution to the common equity capital of the Company;

(6)    Restricted Payments (including any payments made under, pursuant to or in connection with the Services and Right to Use Agreement, the Reinvestment Agreement or the MSA) that do not violate Section 4.07 hereof;

 

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(7)    any agreement or arrangement existing on the Issue Date, including any amendments, modifications, supplements, extensions, replacements, terminations or renewals (so long as any such agreement or arrangement together with all such amendments, modifications, supplements, extensions, replacements, terminations and renewals, taken as a whole, is not materially more disadvantageous to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, than the original agreement or arrangement as in effect on the Issue Date, unless any such amendments, modifications, supplements, extensions, replacements, terminations or renewals are imposed by any Gaming Authority or any other public authority, in each case having jurisdiction over the Studio City Casino, Melco Resorts Macau (or any other operator of the Studio City Casino), the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including, but not limited to, the government of the Macau SAR);

(8)    loans or advances to employees (including personnel who provide services to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to the MSA) in the ordinary course of business not to exceed US$2.0 million in the aggregate at any one time outstanding;

(9)    [RESERVED];

(10)    (a) transactions or arrangements under, pursuant to or in connection with the Services and Right to Use Agreement, the Reinvestment Agreement or the MSA, including any amendments, modifications, supplements, extensions, replacements, terminations or renewals thereof (so long as the Services and Right to Use Agreement and the Reinvestment Agreement, taken as a whole, or the MSA, respectively, together with all such amendments, modifications, supplements, extensions, replacements, terminations and renewals, taken as a whole, is not materially more disadvantageous to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, than the Services and Right to Use Agreement and the Reinvestment Agreement, taken as a whole, or the MSA, respectively, as in effect on the Issue Date or, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, would not materially and adversely affect the Company’s ability to make payments of principal of and interest on the Notes) and (b) other than with respect to transactions or arrangements subject to clause (a) above, transactions or arrangements with customers, clients, suppliers or sellers of goods or services in the ordinary course of business, on terms that are fair to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as applicable, or are no less favorable than those that might reasonably have been obtained in a comparable transaction at such time on an arms-length basis from a Person that is not an Affiliate of the Company, in the case of each of (a) and (b), unless any such amendments, modifications, supplements, extensions, replacements, terminations or renewals are imposed by any Gaming Authority or any other public authority having jurisdiction over Melco Resorts Macau (or any other operator of the Studio City Casino), the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including, but not limited to, the government of the Macau SAR;

(11)    the execution of the Transactions, and the payment of all fees and expenses relating to the Transactions described in the Offering Memorandum;

(12)    transactions or arrangements to be entered into in connection with the Property in the ordinary course of business (including, for the avoidance of doubt, transactions or arrangements necessary to conduct a Permitted Business) including any amendments, modifications, supplements, extensions, replacements, terminations or renewals thereof; provided that such transactions or arrangements must comply with clauses 4.11(a)(1) and (a)(2)(A) hereof;

(13)    transactions or arrangements duly approved by the Audit and Risk Committee of Studio City International so long as Studio City International is listed on the New York Stock Exchange or another internationally recognized stock exchange and the Company delivers to the Trustee a copy of the resolution of the Audit and Risk Committee of Studio City International annexed to an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with this clause (13) and that such Affiliate Transaction has been duly approved by the Audit and Risk Committee of Studio City International;

 

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(14)    execution, delivery and performance of any tax sharing agreement or the formation and maintenance of any consolidated group for tax, accounting or cash pooling or management purposes; and

(15)    provision by, between, among, to or from Persons who may be deemed Affiliates of group administrative, treasury, legal, accounting and similar services.

Section 4.12    Liens.

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any Lien of any kind securing Indebtedness on any asset now owned or hereafter acquired or any proceeds, income or profits therefrom or assign or convey any right to receive income therefrom, except Permitted Liens, or, if such Lien is not a Permitted Lien, unless the Notes and the Note Guarantees are secured on a pari passu basis with the obligations so secured until such time as such obligations are no longer secured by a Lien.

Section 4.13    Business Activities.

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, engage in any business other than Permitted Business, except to such extent as would not be material to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (taken as a whole).

Section 4.14    Corporate Existence.

Subject to Article 5 hereof, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect:

(1)    its corporate existence, and the corporate, partnership or other existence of each of its Subsidiaries, in accordance with the respective organizational documents (as the same may be amended from time to time) of the Company or any such Subsidiary; and

(2)    the rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises of the Company and its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right, license or franchise, or the corporate, partnership or other existence of any of its Subsidiaries, if the Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and that the loss thereof is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders.

Section 4.15    Offer to Repurchase upon Change of Control.

(a)    Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each Holder will have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part of such Holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Amounts, if any, to the date of repurchase (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date), except to the extent the Company has previously or concurrently elected to redeem the Notes in full pursuant to Section 3.07 hereof. Within ten (10) days following any Change of Control, except to the extent that the Company has exercised its right to redeem the Notes by delivery of a notice of redemption pursuant to Section 3.03 hereof, the Company shall mail a notice (a “Change of Control Offer”) to each Holder with a copy to the Trustee stating:

(1)    that a Change of Control has occurred and that such Holder has the right to require the Company to repurchase such Holder’s Notes at a repurchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of repurchase (subject to the right of holders of record on a record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date (the “Change of Control Payment”));

 

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(2)    the circumstances and relevant facts and financial information regarding such Change of Control;

(3)    the repurchase date (which shall be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed) (the ”Change of Control Payment Date”);

(4)    that any Note not tendered will continue to accrue interest;

(5)    that, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Change of Control Payment, all Notes accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer will cease to accrue interest after the Change of Control Payment Date;

(6)    the Holders electing to have any Notes purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will be required to surrender the Notes, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” attached to the Notes completed, or transfer by book-entry transfer, to the Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date;

(7)    the Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the Paying Agent receives, not later than the close of business on the second Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Notes delivered for purchase, and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have the Notes purchased, and

(8)    that Holders whose Notes are being purchased only in part will be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, provided that the unpurchased portion has a minimum denomination of US$200,000.

(b)    On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company will, to the extent lawful:

(1)    accept for payment all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;

(2)    deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered; and

(3)    deliver or cause to be delivered to the Paying Agent the Notes properly accepted together with an Officer’s Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered and being purchased by the Company.

The Paying Agent will promptly mail (but in any case not later than five (5) days after the Change of Control Payment Date) to each Holder properly tendered the Change of Control Payment for such Notes, and the Trustee will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, if any, provided that the unpurchased portion has a minimum denomination of US$200,000. The Company will publicly announce the results of the Change of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Change of Control Payment Date.

(c)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4.15, the Company will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if (1) a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Section 4.15 hereof and purchases all Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under the Change of Control Offer, or (2) notice of redemption has been given pursuant to Section 3.03 hereof, unless and until there is a default in payment of the applicable redemption price.

(d)    A Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, and conditioned upon such Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time of making of the Change of Control Offer.

 

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(e)    Notes repurchased by the Company pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will be retired and cancelled at the option of the Company. Notes purchased by a third party pursuant to the preceding paragraph will have the status of Notes issued and outstanding.

(f)    The Company will comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of the Notes pursuant to this Section 4.15. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Section 4.15, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 4.15 by virtue of such compliance.

Section 4.16    Payments for Consents.

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration to or for the benefit of any Holder for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees unless such consideration is (1) offered to be paid; and (2) is paid to all Holders that consent, waive or agree to amend within the time frame and on the terms set forth in the solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in any offer or payment of consideration for, or as an inducement to, any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture or the Notes in connection with an exchange offer, the Company and any of the Restricted Subsidiaries may exclude (a) in connection with an exchange offer, holders or beneficial owners of the Notes that are not “qualified institutional buyers” as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act, and (b) in connection with any consent, waiver or amendment, holders or beneficial owners of the Notes in any jurisdiction where the inclusion of such holders or beneficial owners would require the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to (i) file a registration statement, prospectus or similar document or subject the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to ongoing periodic reporting or similar requirements under any securities laws (including but not limited to, the United States federal securities laws and the laws of the European Union or its member states), (ii) qualify as a foreign corporation or other entity as a dealer in securities in such jurisdiction if it is not otherwise required to so qualify, (iii) generally consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction or (iv) subject the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to taxation in any such jurisdiction if it is not otherwise so subject, or the solicitation of such consent, waiver or amendment from, or the granting of such consent or waiver, or the approval of such amendment by, holders or beneficial owners in such jurisdiction would be unlawful, in each case as determined by the Company in its sole discretion.

Section 4.17    Future Subsidiary Guarantors.

(a)    If the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries acquires or creates another Subsidiary after the Issue Date, then the Company shall cause such newly acquired or created Subsidiary to become a Subsidiary Guarantor (in the event that such Subsidiary provides a guarantee of any other Indebtedness of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor of the type specified under clauses (1) or (2) of the definition of “Indebtedness”), at which time such Subsidiary shall:

(1)    execute a supplemental indenture in the form attached as Exhibit D hereto pursuant to which such Subsidiary shall unconditionally guarantee, on a senior basis, all of the Company’s Obligations under this Indenture and the Notes on the terms set forth in this Indenture;

(2)    take such further action and execute and deliver such other documents as otherwise may be reasonably requested by the Trustee to give effect to the foregoing; and

(3)    deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel that (i) such supplemental indenture and any other documents required to be delivered have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Subsidiary and constitute legal, valid, binding and enforceable Obligations of such Subsidiary.

 

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(b)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Guarantee of the Notes created pursuant to the provisions described in paragraph (a) above may provide by its terms that it will be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon:

(1)    (with respect to any Guarantee created after the date of this Indenture) the release by the holders of the Company’s or the Subsidiary Guarantor’s Indebtedness described in paragraph (a) above, of their guarantee by such Restricted Subsidiary (including any deemed release upon payment in full of all obligations under such Indebtedness other than as a result of payment under such guarantee), at a time when:

(A)    no other Indebtedness of either the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor has been guaranteed by such Restricted Subsidiary; or

(B)    the holders of all such other Indebtedness that is guaranteed by such Restricted Subsidiary also release their guarantee by such Restricted Subsidiary (including any deemed release upon payment in full of all obligations under such Indebtedness other than as a result of payment under such guarantee); or

(2)    the release of the Note Guarantees on the terms and conditions and in the circumstances described in Section 11.08 hereof.

(c)    Each additional Note Guarantee will be limited as necessary to recognize certain defences generally available to guarantors (including those that relate to fraudulent conveyance or transfer, voidable preference, financial assistance, corporate purpose, capital maintenance or similar laws, regulations or defences affecting the rights of creditors generally) or other considerations under applicable law. Notwithstanding Section 4.17(a) hereof, the Company shall not be obligated to cause such Restricted Subsidiary to Guarantee the Notes to the extent that such Guarantee by such Restricted Subsidiary would reasonably be expected to give rise to or result in (i) any liability for the officers, directors or shareholders of such Restricted Subsidiary or (ii) any significant cost, expense, liability or obligation (including with respect of any Taxes, but excluding any reasonable guarantee or similar fee payable to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company) other than reasonable out of pocket expenses.

Section 4.18    Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

The Board of Directors of the Company may designate any Restricted Subsidiary to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary if that designation would not cause a Default; provided that in no event will the business currently operated by the Company, Studio City Developments Limited, Studio City Entertainment Limited or Studio City Hotels Limited be transferred to or held by an Unrestricted Subsidiary. If a Restricted Subsidiary is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, the aggregate Fair Market Value of all outstanding Investments owned by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the Subsidiary designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be deemed to be an Investment made as of the time of the designation and will reduce the amount available for Restricted Payments under Section 4.07 hereof or under one or more clauses of the definition of Permitted Investments, as determined by the Company. That designation will only be permitted if the Investment would be permitted at that time and if the Restricted Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. The Board of Directors of the Company may re-designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary if that re-designation would not cause a Default.

 

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Any designation of a Subsidiary of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a certified copy of a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company giving effect to such designation and an Officer’s Certificate of the Company certifying that such designation complied with the preceding conditions and was permitted by Section 4.07 hereof. If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the preceding requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it will thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of this Indenture and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary will be deemed to be Incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as of such date and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be Incurred as of such date under Section 4.09 hereof, the Company will be in Default of such covenant. The Board of Directors of the Company may at any time designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such designation will be deemed to be an Incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of any outstanding Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary, and such designation will only be permitted if (1) such Indebtedness is permitted under Section 4.09 hereof, calculated on a pro forma basis as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the reference period; and (2) no Default or Event of Default would be in existence following such designation. On such designation, the Company shall deliver an Officer’s Certificate of the Company to the Trustee regarding such designation and certifying that such designation complies with the preceding conditions and the relevant covenants under this Indenture.

Section 4.19    Listing.

The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to list and maintain the listing and quotation of the Notes on the Official List of the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited or another comparable exchange.

Section 4.20    Limitations on Use of Proceeds

The Company will not, and will not cause or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, use the net proceeds from the sale of the Notes, in any amount, for any purpose other than as set forth under the caption “Use of Proceeds” in the Offering Memorandum.

Section 4.21    Special Put Option.

(a)    Upon a Special Put Option Triggering Event, each Holder will have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part of such Holder’s Notes pursuant to a Special Put Option Offer (as defined below) on the terms set forth in this Section 4.21. In the Special Put Option Offer, the Company will offer to purchase the Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, and Additional Amounts, if any, to but excluding the date of repurchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date), except to the extent the Company has previously or concurrently elected to redeem the Notes in full as described under Section 3.07 hereof.

(b)    Within ten days following the occurrence of a Special Put Option Triggering Event, except to the extent that the Company has exercised its right to redeem the Notes in full by delivery of a notice of redemption as described under Section 3.07 hereof the Company shall mail a notice (a “Special Put Option Offer”) to each Holder with a copy to the Trustee and the Paying Agent stating:

(1)    that a Special Put Option Triggering Event has occurred and that such holder has the right to require the Company to repurchase such Holder’s Notes at a repurchase price in cash equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, and Additional Amounts, if any, to but excluding the date of repurchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on a record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date);

(2)    the repurchase date (which shall be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed); and

(3)    the instructions determined by the Company, consistent with this Section 4.21, that a Holder must follow in order to have its Notes repurchased.

 

 

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(c)    On the date of repurchase pursuant to a Special Put Option Offer, the Company will, to the extent lawful:

(1)    accept for payment all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered pursuant to the Special Put Option Offer;

(2)    deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the repurchase price, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, and Additional Amounts, if any, to but excluding the date of repurchase (the “Special Put Option Payment”), in respect of all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered; and

(3)    deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee, the Notes properly accepted together with an Officers’ Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered and being purchased by the Company.

(d)    The Paying Agent will promptly mail to each Holder properly tendered the Special Put Option Payment for such Notes, and the Trustee, or its authenticating agent, will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, if any.

(e)    The provisions described in this Section 4.21 that require the Company to make a Special Put Option Offer following a Special Put Option Triggering Event will be applicable whether or not any other provisions of the Indenture are applicable. Except as described this Section 4.21 with respect to a Special Put Option Triggering Event, this Indenture does not contain provisions that permit the Holders to require that the Company repurchase or redeem the Notes in the event of a termination, rescission or expiration of any Gaming License.

(f)    The Company will not be required to make a Special Put Option Offer upon a Special Put Option Triggering Event if (1) a third party makes the Special Put Option Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in the Indenture applicable to a Special Put Option Offer made by the Company and purchases all Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under the Special Put Option Offer, or (2) notice of redemption has been given in accordance with Section 3.07 and Section 3.10 hereof pursuant to which the Company has exercised its right to redeem the Notes in full, unless and until there is a default in payment of the applicable redemption price.

(g)    Notes repurchased by the Company pursuant to a Special Put Option Offer will have the status of Notes issued but not outstanding or will be retired and cancelled at the option of the Company. Notes purchased by a third party pursuant to sub-clause (b)(3) of this Section 4.21 will have the status of Notes issued and outstanding.

(h)    The Company will comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of Notes pursuant to this provision. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with provisions of this provision, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this covenant by virtue thereof.

Section 4.22    Intercompany Note Proceeds Loans

The Company shall, and shall cause its Restricted Subsidiaries to, ensure that:

(1)    the Intercompany Note Proceeds Loans are subordinated in right of payment to the Guarantees provided by the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries party thereto;

(2)    the Company will receive interest payments under such Intercompany Note Proceeds Loans in amounts sufficient for the Company to make interest payments under the Notes as they become due; and

(3)    the maturity date of such Intercompany Note Proceeds Loans will be same as the maturity date of the Notes.

 

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Section 4.23    Suspension of Covenants

(a)    The following covenants (the “Suspended Covenants”) will not apply during any period during which the Notes have an Investment Grade Status (a “Suspension Period”): Section 4.07, Section 4.08, Section 4.09, Section 4.10, Section 4.11, Section 5.01(a)(3) and Section 4.17. Additionally, during any Suspension Period, the Company will not be permitted to designate any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

(b)    In the event that the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries are not subject to the Suspended Covenants for any period of time as a result of the foregoing, and on any subsequent date (the “Reversion Date”) the Notes cease to have Investment Grade Status, then the Suspended Covenants will apply with respect to events occurring following the Reversion Date (unless and until the Notes subsequently attain an Investment Grade Status, in which case the Suspended Covenants will again be suspended for such time that the Notes maintain an Investment Grade Status); provided, however, that no Default or Event of Default will be deemed to exist under the Indenture with respect to the Suspended Covenants, and none of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries will bear any liability for any actions taken or events occurring during a Suspension Period and before any related Reversion Date, or any actions taken at any time pursuant to any contractual obligation or binding commitment arising prior to such Reversion Date, regardless of whether those actions or events would have been permitted if the applicable Suspended Covenant had remained in effect during such period. The Company shall notify the Trustee should the Notes achieve Investment Grade Status; provided that such notification shall not be a condition for the suspension of the covenants set forth above to be effective. The Trustee shall be under no obligation to notify the holders of the Notes that the Notes have achieved Investment Grade Status.

(c)    On each Reversion Date, all Indebtedness Incurred during the Suspension Period prior to such Reversion Date will be deemed to be Indebtedness existing on the Issue Date. For purposes of calculating the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under Section 4.07(a)(4)(C) hereof on or after the Reversion Date, calculations under such covenant shall be made as though such covenant had been in effect during the entire period of time after the Issue Date (including the Suspension Period). Restricted Payments made during the Suspension Period not otherwise permitted pursuant to any of clauses (2) through (6) or (18) under Section 4.07(b) hereof will reduce the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under Section 4.07(a)(4)(C) hereof; provided, that the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments on the Reversion Date shall not be reduced to below zero solely as a result of such Restricted Payments. In addition, for purposes of the other Suspended Covenants, all agreements entered into and all actions taken during the Suspension Period, including, without limitation, the Incurrence of Indebtedness shall be deemed to have been taken or to have existed prior to the Issue Date.

ARTICLE 5

SUCCESSORS

Section 5.01    Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets.

(a)    The Company. The Company will not, directly or indirectly: (1) consolidate or merge with or into another Person (whether or not the Company survives); or (2) sell, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole, in one or more related transactions, to another Person unless:

(1)    either:

(A)    if the transaction or series of transactions is a consolidation of the Company with or a merger of the Company with or into any other Person, the Company shall be the surviving entity of such merger or consolidation; or

 

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(B)    the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia, and such Person shall expressly assume all the Obligations of the Company under the Notes and this Indenture, pursuant to supplemental indentures or other documents or agreements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee;

(2)    immediately after such transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists; and

(3)    the Company, or if applicable, the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company), or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made, would, on the date of such transaction after giving pro forma effect thereto and any related financing transactions as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, be permitted to Incur at least US$1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.09(a) hereof.

(b)    The Subsidiary Guarantors. Subject to the Section 11.08(c) hereof, no Subsidiary Guarantor will, and the Company will not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to, directly or indirectly: (1) consolidate or merge with or into another Person (whether or not such Subsidiary Guarantor survives); or (2) sell, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of such Subsidiary Guarantor in one or more related transactions, to another Person, unless:

(1)    either:

(A)    if the transaction or series of transactions is a consolidation of such Subsidiary Guarantor with or a merger of such Subsidiary Guarantor with or into any other Person, such Subsidiary Guarantor shall be the surviving entity of such consolidation or merger; or

(B)    the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than such Subsidiary Guarantor) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia, and such Person shall expressly assume all the Obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under its Note Guarantee and this Indenture, pursuant to a supplemental indenture; and

(2)    immediately after such transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists.

(c)    This Section 5.01 will not apply to:

(1)    a merger of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, with an Affiliate solely for the purpose of reincorporating the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, in another jurisdiction; or

(2)    any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, or other disposition of assets between or among the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors or between or among the Subsidiary Guarantors.

Upon consummation of any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, or other disposition of assets by a Subsidiary Guarantor with or into the Company or another Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with this Section 5.01 which results in a Subsidiary Guarantor distributing all of its assets (other than de minimis assets required by law to maintain its corporate existence) to the Company or another Subsidiary Guarantor, such transferring Subsidiary Guarantor may be wound up pursuant to a solvent liquidation or solvent reorganization, provided it shall have no third party recourse Indebtedness or be the obligor under any intercompany Indebtedness.

 

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Section 5.02    Successor Corporation Substituted.

Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company in a transaction that is subject to, and that complies with the provisions of, Section 5.01 hereof, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Company is merged or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition, the provisions of this Indenture referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the successor Person and not to the Company), and may exercise every right and power of the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein; provided, however, that the predecessor Company shall not be relieved from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes except in the case of a sale of all of the Company’s assets in a transaction that is subject to, and that complies with the provisions of, Section 5.01 hereof.

ARTICLE 6

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

Section 6.01    Events of Default.

(a)    Each of the following is an event of default (an “Event of Default”):

(1)    default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest or Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to the Notes;

(2)    default in the payment when due (at maturity, upon redemption, upon required repurchase, or otherwise) of the principal of, or premium, if any, on the Notes;

(3)    failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to comply with its obligations under the provisions of Section 3.09, 4.10, 4.15, 4.21 or 5.01 hereof;

(4)    failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for 60 days after notice to the Company by the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding voting as a single class to comply with any of the other agreements in this Indenture,;

(5)    default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), whether such Indebtedness or Guarantee now exists, or is created after the date of this Indenture, if that default:

(A)    is caused by a failure to pay principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, such Indebtedness prior to the expiration of the grace period provided in such Indebtedness on the date of such default (a “Payment Default”); or

(B)    results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its express maturity,

and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates US$20.0 million or more at any time outstanding;

 

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(6)    failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay final judgments entered by a court or courts of competent jurisdiction (other than any judgment as to which a reputable third party insurer has accepted full responsibility and coverage) aggregating in excess of US$20.0 million, which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period of 60 days;

(7)    the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of Bankruptcy Law:

(A)    commences a voluntary case or is the subject of a petition by a creditor to have it declared bankrupt,

(B)    consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,

(C)    consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property,

(D)    makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or

(E)    generally is not paying its debts as they become due;

(8)    a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

(A)    is for relief against the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case;

(B)    appoints a custodian of the Company or of any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary; or

(C)    orders the liquidation of the Company or of any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary;

(9)    except as permitted by this Indenture, (a) any Note Guarantee being held in any judicial proceeding in a competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable or invalid or ceases for any reason to be in full force and effect, or (b) any Person acting on behalf of any Subsidiary Guarantor, denying or disaffirming its Obligations under its Note Guarantee; and

(10)    the termination or rescission of any Gaming License or the Macau government takes any formal measure to do so (excluding any termination or rescission resulting from or in connection with any renewal, tender or other process conducted by the government of Macau in connection with the granting or renewal of any Gaming License; provided that such renewal, tender or other process results in the granting or renewal of the relevant Gaming License).

Section 6.02    Acceleration.

In the case of an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a)(7) or 6.01(a)(8) hereof, with respect to the Company, any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare all the Notes to be due and payable immediately. Upon any such declaration, the Notes shall become due and payable immediately.

 

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The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by written notice to the Trustee may, on behalf of all of the Holders, rescind an acceleration (including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration) and its consequences, if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default (except non-payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes).

Section 6.03    Other Remedies.

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal, premium and Additional Amounts, if any, and interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

Section 6.04    Waiver of Past Defaults.

Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by written notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive an existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences hereunder, except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, the Notes (including in connection with an offer to purchase); provided, however, that the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration. Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 6.05    Control by Majority.

Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct, in writing, the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders or that may involve the Trustee in personal liability.

Section 6.06    Limitation on Suits.

(a)    Subject to the provisions of this Indenture relating to the duties of the Trustee, in case an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under this Indenture at the request or direction of any Holders unless such Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity and/or security to its satisfaction against any loss, liability or expense. Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest or Additional Amounts, if any, when due, no Holder may pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes unless:

(1)    such Holder has previously given the Trustee written notice that an Event of Default is continuing;

(2)    Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes have made a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

 

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(3)    such Holders have offered the Trustee security and/or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

(4)    the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt of the request and the offer of security and/or indemnity to its satisfaction; and

(5)    during such 60-day period, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes have not given the Trustee a written direction inconsistent with such request.

(b)    A Holder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder.

Section 6.07    Rights of Holders to Receive Payment.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal, premium, Additional Amounts, if any, and interest on the Notes, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Note (including in connection with an offer to purchase), or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder; provided that a Holder shall not have the right to institute any such suit for the enforcement of payment if and to the extent that the institution or prosecution thereof or the entry of judgment therein would, under applicable law, result in the surrender, impairment, waiver or loss of the Lien of this Indenture upon any property subject to such Lien.

Section 6.08    Collection Suit by Trustee.

If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a)(1) or (a)(2) hereof occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company for the whole amount of principal of, premium, Additional Amounts, if any, and interest remaining unpaid on, the Notes and interest on overdue principal and premium, if any and, to the extent lawful, interest and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

Section 6.09    Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company (or any other obligor upon the Notes), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.08 hereof. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.08 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

 

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Section 6.10    Priorities.

If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article 6, it shall pay out the money in the following order:

First: to the Trustee, the Agents, and their respective agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 7.08 hereof, including payment of all compensation, expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee or any Agent, and the costs and expenses of collection;

Second: to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium, Additional Amounts, if any, and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal, premium, Additional Amounts, if any, and interest, respectively; and

Third: to the Company or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct.

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 6.10.

Section 6.11    Undertaking for Costs.

In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.11 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.07 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.

ARTICLE 7

TRUSTEE

Section 7.01    Duties of Trustee.

(a)    If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee will exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

(b)    Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

(1)    the duties of the Trustee will be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

(2)    in the absence of willful misconduct on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, the Trustee will examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture.

(3)    other than with respect to a payment default, the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any Default or Event of Default unless written notice has been delivered to a Responsible Officer at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee referencing the applicable provision of this Indenture.

 

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(c)    The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own grossly negligent action, its own grossly negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(1)    this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section 7.01;

(2)    the Trustee will not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer; and

(3)    the Trustee will not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05 hereof.

(d)    Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this Section 7.01.

(e)    No provision of this Indenture will require the Trustee, to expend or risk its own funds or incur any liability.

(f)    The Trustee will not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

Section 7.02    Rights of Trustee.

(a)    The Trustee may conclusively rely upon any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

(b)    Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may engage and consult with professional advisors and counsel selected by it at the reasonable expense of the Company, and the Trustee may rely conclusively upon advice of such professional advisors and counsel or any Opinion of Counsel will be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon by the Trustee and any of its directors, officers, employees or agents duly appointed.

(c)    The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and will not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care. The Trustee shall have no duty to monitor the performance of such agents.

(d)    The Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture. The Trustee shall not be required to take action at the direction of the Company or Holders which conflicts with the requirements of this Indenture or for which it is not indemnified to its satisfaction, or which involves undue risk or would be contrary to applicable law or regulation.

(e)    Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Company will be sufficient if signed by an Officer or a director of the Company.

(f)    The Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless such Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity and/or security satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against the losses, liabilities and expenses that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

 

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(g)    In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, epidemic, pandemic (or any government restrictions imposed in response to an epidemic or pandemic) work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services and the unavailability of the Federal Reserve Bank wire or facsimile or other communication facility; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

(h)    The recitals contained herein and in the Notes are made by the Company and not by the Trustee, and the Trustee, does not assume any responsibility for the correctness thereof. The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or the Notes.

(i)    The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records, and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney at the sole cost of the Company and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.

(j)    In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

(k)    The rights, privileges, indemnity, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder provided, however any such agent or custodian shall not be deemed to be a fiduciary;

(l)    The Trustee may request that the Company deliver a certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture;

(m)    In the event that the Trustee and Agents shall be uncertain as to their respective duties or rights hereunder or shall receive instructions, claims or demands from the Company, which in their opinion, conflict with any of the provisions of this Indenture, they shall be entitled to refrain from taking action until directed in writing by a final order or judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction;

(n)    So long as any of the Notes remains outstanding, the Company shall provide the Agents with a sufficient number of copies of this Indenture and each of the documents sent to the Trustee or which are required to be made available by stock exchange regulations or stated in the Offering Memorandum relating to the Notes, to be available and, subject to being provided with such copies, each of the Agents will procure that such copies shall be available at its specified office during normal office hours for examination by the Holders and that copies thereof will be furnished to the Holders upon written request at their own expense;

(o)    Whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officer’s Certificate and/or an Opinion of Counsel;

(p)    In the event the Trustee receives inconsistent or conflicting requests and indemnity from two or more groups of Holders, each representing less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee, in its sole discretion, may determine what action, if any, will be taken and shall not incur any liability for its failure to act until such inconsistency or conflict is, in its reasonable opinion, resolved;

 

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(q)    The Trustee may, before commencing (or at any time during the continuance of) any act, action or proceeding, require the Holders at whose instance it is acting to deposit with the Trustee the Notes held by them, for which Notes the Trustee to which such Notes are deposited shall issue receipts to such Holders;

(r)    Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the Trustee and the Paying Agent shall be entitled to make a deduction or withholding from any payment which they make under this Indenture for or on account of any present or future taxes, duties or charges if and to the extent so required by applicable law, in which event the Trustee or the Paying Agent, as applicable, shall make such payment after such withholding or deduction has been made and shall account to the relevant authorities for the amount so withheld or deducted;

(s)    The Trustee shall (except as expressly otherwise provided herein) as regards all the trusts, powers, authorities and discretions vested in it by this Indenture or by applicable law, have absolute and uncontrolled discretion as to the exercise or non-exercise thereof and, absent any wilful misconduct, gross negligence or fraud on the part of the Trustee the Trustee shall not be responsible for any loss, damage, cost, claim or any other liability or inconvenience that may result from the exercise or non-exercise thereof;

(t)    Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced if in writing and signed by an Officer of the Company and any resolution of the Board of Directors shall be sufficiently evidenced by a board resolution;

(u)    The Trustee shall have no duty to inquire as to the performance of the covenants of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries. Delivery of reports, information and documents to the Trustee under Section 4.03 hereof shall be for informational purposes only as regards the Trustee and the Trustee’s receipt of such reports, information and documents shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates);

(v)    The Trustee shall not have any obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance, and shall not be responsible or liable for compliance with restrictions on transfer, exchange, redemption, purchase or repurchase, as applicable, of minimum denominations imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law or regulation with respect to any transfer, exchange, redemption, purchase or repurchase, as applicable, of any interest in any Notes;

(w)    The Trustee is not required to give any bond or surety with respect to the performance of its duty or the exercise of its power under this Indenture or the Notes;

(x)    No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to do anything which, in its opinion, may be illegal or contrary to applicable law or regulation;

(y)    The Trustee may assume without inquiry in the absence of actual knowledge that the Company is duly complying with its obligations contained in this Indenture required to be performed and observed by them, and that no Default or Event of Default or other event which would require repayment of the Notes has occurred; and

(z)    The permissive right of the Trustee to take the actions permitted by this Indenture shall not be construed as an obligation or duty to do so.

Section 7.03    [Intentionally Omitted.]

Section 7.04    Individual Rights of Trustee.

(a)    The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Company or any Affiliate of the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. The Trustee is also subject to Section 7.11 hereof.

 

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(b)    If the Trustee becomes a creditor of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor, this Indenture limits its right to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The Trustee will be permitted to engage in other transactions; however, if it acquires actual knowledge that it has any conflicting interest it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days or resign.

Section 7.05    Trustee’s Disclaimer.

The Trustee will not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to the Company or upon the Company’s direction under any provision of this Indenture, it will not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it will not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this Indenture other than the certificate of authentication. The Trustee shall not be deemed to be required to calculate any Fixed Charges, Treasury Rates, Additional Amounts, any make-whole amount, any Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio or other coverage ratio, or otherwise.

Section 7.06    Notice of Defaults.

If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing and if it is known to the Trustee, the Trustee will mail to Holders a notice of the Default or Event of Default within ninety (90) days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of, premium, Additional Amounts, if any, or interest on, any Note, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have such actual knowledge and may withhold the notice if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the Holders.

Section 7.07    [Intentionally Omitted.]

Section 7.08    Compensation and Indemnity.

(a)    The Company will pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder pursuant to a written fee agreement executed or as otherwise agreed by the Trustee and the Company. The Trustee’s compensation will not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company will reimburse the Trustee promptly upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses properly incurred or made by it in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses will include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

(b)    The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors will indemnify the Trustee and its officers, directors, employees and agents against any and all losses, liabilities or expenses (including the fees and expenses of counsel) incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties under this Indenture, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors (including this Section 7.08) and defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors, any Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent any such loss, liability or expense may be attributable solely to its gross negligence, willful misconduct or fraud as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final non-appealable order. The Trustee will notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company will not relieve the Company or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors of their obligations hereunder. The Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor will defend the claim and the Trustee will cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company will pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary Guarantor need to pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld.

 

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(c)    The obligations of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors under this Section 7.08 will survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, and the resignation or removal of the Trustee and/or any Agent.

(d)    To secure the Company’s and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ payment obligations in this Section 7.08, the Trustee will have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, in its capacity as Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal and interest on particular Notes. Such Lien will survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

(e)    When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a)(7) or Section 6.01(a)(8) hereof occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

Section 7.09    Replacement of Trustee.

(a)    A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee will become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.09.

(b)    The Trustee may resign in writing at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Company. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Company in writing. The Company may remove the Trustee if:

(1)    the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.11 hereof;

(2)    the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

(3)    a custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

(4)    the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

(c)    If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Company will promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one (1) year after the successor Trustee takes office, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.

(d)    If a successor Trustee does not take office within sixty (60) days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company, or the Holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee at the sole expense of the Company.

(e)    If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder who has been a Holder for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.11 hereof, such Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

(f)    A successor Trustee will deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee will become effective, and the successor Trustee will have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee will mail a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee will promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee; provided all sums owing to the Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.08 hereof. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.09, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.08 hereof will continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

 

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Section 7.10    Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.

If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act will be the successor Trustee.

Section 7.11    Eligibility; Disqualification.

There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is entitled to carry out the activities of a trustee under the laws of England and Wales, or Hong Kong or the State of New York or is a corporation organized or doing business under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power and that is a corporation which is generally recognized as a corporation which customarily performs such corporate trustee roles and provides such corporate trustee services in transactions similar in nature to the offering of the Notes. No obligor under the Notes or Person directly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with such obligor shall serve as trustee under the Notes.

Section 7.12    Appointment of Co-Trustee.

(a)    Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, at any time, for the purpose of meeting any legal requirement of any jurisdiction or otherwise, the Trustee shall have the power and may execute and deliver all instruments necessary to appoint one or more Persons to act as a co-trustee or co-trustees, or separate trustees, of all or any part of this Indenture, and to vest in such Person or Persons, in such capacity and for the benefit of the Holders, such powers, duties, obligations, rights and trusts as the Trustee may consider necessary or desirable. No co-trustee or separate trustee hereunder shall be required to meet the terms of eligibility as a successor trustee under Section 7.09 hereof and no notice to the Holders of the appointment of any co-trustee or separate trustee shall be required.

(b)    Every separate trustee and co- trustee shall, to the extent permitted by law, be appointed and act subject to the following provisions and conditions:

(1)    All rights, powers, duties and obligations conferred or imposed upon the Trustee shall be conferred or imposed upon and exercised or performed by the Trustee and such separate trustee or co-trustee jointly (it being understood that such separate trustee or co- trustee is not authorized to act separately without the Trustee joining in such act), except to the extent that under any law of any jurisdiction in which any particular act or acts are to be performed the Trustee shall be incompetent or unqualified to perform such act or acts, in which event such rights, powers, duties and obligations shall be exercised and performed singly by such separate trustee or co-trustee, but solely at the direction of the Trustee.

(2)    No trustee hereunder shall be personally liable by reason of any act or omission of any other trustee hereunder; and

(3)    The Trustee may at any time accept the resignation of or remove any separate trustee or co-trustee.

(c)    Any notice, request or other writing given to the Trustee shall be deemed to have been given to each of the then separate trustees and co-trustees, as effectively as if given to each of them. Every instrument appointing any separate trustee or co-trustee shall refer to this Indenture and the conditions of this Section 7.12. Each separate trustee and co-trustee, upon its acceptance of the trusts conferred, shall be vested with the estates or property specified in its instrument of appointment, either jointly with the Trustee or separately, as may be provided therein, subject to all the provisions of this Indenture, specifically including every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct of, affecting the liability of, or affording protection or rights (including the rights to compensation, reimbursement and indemnification hereunder) to, the Trustee. Every such instrument shall be filed with the Trustee.

 

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(d)    Any separate trustee or co-trustee may at any time constitute the Trustee its agent or attorney-in-fact with full power and authority, to the extent not prohibited by law, to do any lawful act under or in respect of this Indenture on its behalf and in its name. If any separate trustee or co-trustee shall die, become incapable of acting, resign or be removed, all of its estates, properties, rights, remedies, and trusts shall vest in and be exercised by the Trustee, to the extent permitted by law, without the appointment of a new or successor trustee.

Section 7.13    Resignation of Agents.

Any Agent may resign and be discharged from its duties under this Indenture at any time by giving thirty (30) days’ prior written notice of such resignation to the Trustee and the Company. The Trustee or the Company may remove any Agent at any time by giving thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to such Agent. Upon such notice, a successor Agent shall be appointed by the Company, who shall provide written notice of such to the Trustee. Such successor Agent shall become the Agent hereunder upon the resignation or removal date specified in such notice. If the Company is unable to replace the resigning Agent within thirty (30) days after such notice, the Agent shall deliver any funds then held hereunder in its possession to the Trustee or (i) such Agent may appoint as its successor Agent, any reputable and experienced financial institution acceptable to the Trustee and the Company or (ii) apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Agent or for other appropriate relief. The reasonable costs and expenses (including its counsels’ fees and expenses) incurred by the Agent in connection with such proceeding shall be paid by the Company. Upon receipt of the identity of the successor Agent, the Agent shall deliver any funds then held hereunder to the successor Agent, less the Agent’s fees, costs and expenses or other obligations owed to the Agent. Upon its resignation and delivery of any funds, the Agent shall be discharged of and from any and all further obligations arising in connection with this Indenture, but shall continue to enjoy the benefit of Section 7.08 hereof.

Section 7.14    Agents General Provisions.

(a)    The rights, powers, duties and obligations and actions of each Agent under this Indenture are several and not joint or joint and several.

(b)    The Company and the Agents acknowledge and agree that in the event of a Default or Event of Default, the Trustee may, by notice in writing to the Company and the Agents, require that the Agents act as agents of, and take instructions exclusively from, the Trustee. Until they have received such written notice from the Trustee, the Agents shall act solely as agents of the Company and need have no concern for the interests of the Holders.

(c)    In the event that instructions given to any Agent are not reasonably clear, then such Agent shall be entitled to seek clarification from the Company or other party entitled to give the Agents instructions under this Indenture. If an Agent has sought clarification in accordance with this Section 7.14(c), then such Agent shall be entitled to take no action until such clarification is provided, and shall not incur any liability for not taking any action pending receipt of such clarification.

(d)    The Agents shall only have such duties as expressly set out in this Indenture.

(e)    The Company shall provide the Agents with a certified list of authorized signatories.

Section 7.15    Rights of Trustee in Other Roles.

All rights, powers and indemnities contained in this Article 7 shall apply to the Trustee in its other roles hereunder and to the Agents.

 

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ARTICLE 8

LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

Section 8.01    Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

The Company may at any time, at the option of its Board of Directors evidenced by a resolution set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, elect to have either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof be applied to all outstanding Notes upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article 8.

Section 8.02    Legal Defeasance and Discharge.

Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.02, the Company and each of the Subsidiary Guarantors will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from their Obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes (including the Note Guarantees) on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors will be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes (including the Note Guarantees), which will thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.05 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (1) and (2) below, and to have satisfied all their other obligations under such Notes, the Note Guarantees and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which will survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:

(1)    the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes to receive payments in respect of the principal of, or interest or premium and Additional Amounts, if any, on, such Notes when such payments are due from the trust referred to in Section 8.04 hereof;

(2)    the Company’s Obligations with respect to the Notes under Article 2 and Section 4.02 hereof;

(3)    the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee, the Paying Agent and Transfer Agent and the Registrar, and the Company’s and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ Obligations in connection therewith; and

(4)    this Article 8.

Subject to compliance with this Article 8, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 8.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.03 hereof.

Section 8.03    Covenant Defeasance.

Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, the Company and each of the Subsidiary Guarantors will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be released from each of their obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13, 4.15, 4.16, 4.17, 4.18, 4.19 and 4.21 hereof and Section 5.01(a)(3) hereof with respect to the outstanding Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and the Notes will thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but will continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes will not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes and Note Guarantees, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors may omit to comply with and will have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply will not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes and Note Guarantees will be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof and Section 6.01(a)(3) through 6.01(a)(5) hereof will not constitute Events of Default.

 

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Section 8.04    Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance.

In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance under either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof:

(1)     the Company must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable U.S. Government Obligations, or a combination of cash in U.S. dollars and non-callable U.S. Government Obligations, in amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of an internationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm or firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, or interest and premium, if any, on, the outstanding Notes on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and the Company must specify whether the Notes are being defeased to such stated date for payment or to a particular redemption date;

(2)    in the case of an election under Section 8.02 hereof, the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that:

(A)    the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service a ruling; or

(B)    since the date of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law,

in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

(3)    in the case of an election under Section 8.03 hereof, the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that the holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

(4)    no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit) and the deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other instrument to which the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor is a party or by which the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor is bound;

(5)    such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound;

(6)    the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate of the Company stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders over the other creditors of the Company with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any creditors of the Company or others; and

 

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(7)    the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.

(8)    The Trustee shall be entitled to its usual fees and, in addition, any fees and expenses incurred or charged by the Trustee and its counsel in connection with defeasance, satisfaction and discharge, and investment or custody services provided hereunder.

Section 8.05    Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

Subject to Section 8.06 hereof, all money and non-callable U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.05, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes will be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, and Additional Amounts, if any, and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

The Company will pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the holders of the outstanding Notes.

Notwithstanding anything in this Article 8 to the contrary, the Trustee will deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon the request of the Company any money or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 8.04 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.04(1) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

Section 8.06    Repayment to Company.

Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any Note and remaining unclaimed for two (2) years after such principal, premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on its request or (if then held by the Company) will be discharged from such trust; and the holder of such Note will thereafter be permitted to look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, will thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which will not be less than thirty (30) days from the date of such notification or publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.

Section 8.07    Reinstatement.

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any U.S. dollars or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company’s and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ obligations under this Indenture and the Notes and the Note Guarantees will be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be; provided, however, that, if the Company makes any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company will be subrogated to the rights of the holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent. permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be; provided, however, that, if the Company makes any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company will be subrogated to the rights of the holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

 

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ARTICLE 9

AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

Section 9.01    Without Consent of Holders of Notes.

Notwithstanding Section 9.02 of this Indenture, the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee (as applicable and to the extent each is a party to the relevant document) may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Notes, and/or the Note Guarantees without the consent of any Holder:

(1)    to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

(2)    to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes;

(3)    to provide for the assumption of the Company’s or a Subsidiary Guarantor’s Obligations under the Notes or the Note Guarantees in the case of a merger or consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s or such Subsidiary Guarantor’s assets, as applicable;

(4)    to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under this Indenture of any such Holder;

(5)    to conform the text of the Notes, this Indenture or the Note Guarantees to any provision of the “Description of Notes” section of the Offering Memorandum, to the extent that such provision in that “Description of Notes” section of the Offering Memorandum was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of the Notes, this Indenture or the Note Guarantees, which intent shall be evidenced by an Officer’s Certificate of the Company to that effect;

(6)    to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the limitations set forth in this Indenture as of the date of this Indenture; or

(7)    to allow any Subsidiary Guarantor to execute a supplemental indenture and/or a Note Guarantee with respect to the Notes or to release any Subsidiary Guarantor from its Note Guarantee in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.

Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02 hereof, the Trustee, will join with the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors in the execution of any amended or supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but neither the Trustee nor any Agent will be obligated to (although they may at their discretion) enter into such amended or supplemental indenture that affects their own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

 

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Section 9.02    With Consent of Holders of Notes.

Except as provided below in this Section 9.02, the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture (including, without limitation, Section 3.09, 4.10 and 4.15 hereof) and the Notes, and the Company, the Trustee and the Subsidiary Guarantors, may amend or supplement the Note Guarantees with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including Additional Notes, if any) voting as a single class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, the Notes), and, subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, any existing Default or Event of Default (other than a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium or Additional Amounts, if any, or interest on, the Notes, except a payment default resulting from an acceleration that has been rescinded) or compliance with any provision of this Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including Additional Notes, if any) voting as a single class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, the Notes).

Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02, 9.06, 13.04 and 13.05 hereof, the Trustee, will join with the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors in the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture unless such amended or supplemental indenture directly affects the Trustee’s or any Agent’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee and/or each Agent may in their discretion, but will not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental indenture.

It is not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it is sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Company will mail to the Holders affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, will not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amended or supplemental indenture or waiver. Subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding voting as a single class may waive compliance in a particular instance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture or the Notes. However, without the consent of each Holder (including the Additional Notes) affected, an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not (with respect to any Notes (including the Additional Notes) held by a non-consenting Holder):

(1)    reduce the principal amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

(2)    reduce the principal of, premium, if any, or change the fixed maturity of any Note or alter the provisions with respect to the redemption of the Notes (except as provided above with respect to Sections 3.09, 4.10, 4.21 and 4.15 hereof);

(3)    reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest, including default interest, on any Note;

(4)    waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, the Notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

(5)    make any Note payable in money other than that stated in the Notes;

(6)    make any change in the provisions of this Indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults or the rights of Holders to receive payments of principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, the Notes;

 

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(7)    waive a redemption payment with respect to any Note (other than a payment required by Section 3.09, 4.10, 4.21 or 4.15 hereof);

(8)    release any Subsidiary Guarantor from any of its Obligations under its Note Guarantee or this Indenture, except in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; or

(9)    make any change in the preceding amendment and waiver provisions.

For the avoidance of doubt, no amendment to or deletion of, or actions taken in compliance with, the covenants described under Article 4 shall be deemed to impair or affect any rights of Holders to receive payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, the Notes.

Section 9.03    Supplemental Indenture.

Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Notes will be set forth in an amended or supplemental indenture.

Section 9.04    Revocation and Effect of Consents.

Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder is a continuing consent by such Holder and every subsequent holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note. However, any such Holder or subsequent holder of a Note may revoke the consent as to its Note if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.

Section 9.05    Notation on or Exchange of Notes.

The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any Note thereafter authenticated. The Company in exchange for all Notes may issue and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate new Notes that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver.

Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note will not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

Section 9.06    Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.

The Trustee will sign any amended or supplemental indenture authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. The Company may not sign an amended or supplemental indenture until the Board of Directors of the Company approves it. In executing any amended or supplemental indenture, the Trustee will be entitled to receive security and/or indemnity to its reasonable satisfaction. The Trustee (subject to Section 7.01 hereof) will be fully protected in relying upon, in addition to the documents required by Section 13.04 hereof, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture, that the supplemental indenture is legal, valid, binding and enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms and such other matters as the Trustee may request. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

 

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ARTICLE 10

[INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]

ARTICLE 11

NOTE GUARANTEES

Section 11.01     Guarantee.

(a)    Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby jointly and severally, irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees to each Holder and to the Trustee, successors and assigns (1) the full and punctual payment when due, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, of all obligations of the Company under this Indenture (including obligations to the Trustee) and the Notes, whether for payment of principal of, interest, premium or Additional Amounts, if any, on the Notes and all other monetary obligations of the Company under this Indenture and the Notes and (2) the full and punctual performance within applicable grace periods of all other obligations of the Company whether for fees, expenses, indemnification or otherwise under this Indenture and the Notes (all the foregoing being hereinafter collectively called the “Guaranteed Obligations”). Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that the Guaranteed Obligations may be extended or renewed, in whole or in part, without notice or further assent from each such Subsidiary Guarantor, and that each such Subsidiary Guarantor shall remain bound under this Article 11 notwithstanding any extension or renewal of any Guaranteed Obligation.

(b)    Each Subsidiary Guarantor waives presentation to, demand of payment from and protest to the Company of any of the Guaranteed Obligations and also waives notice of protest for non-payment. Each Subsidiary Guarantor waives notice of any default under the Notes or the Guaranteed Obligations. The obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder shall not be affected by (1) the failure of any Holder or the Trustee to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any right or remedy against the Company or any other Person under this Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement or otherwise; (2) any extension or renewal of any thereof; (3) any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement; (4) the release of any security held by any Holder or the Trustee for the Guaranteed Obligations or any of them; (5) the failure of any Holder or the Trustee to exercise any right or remedy against any other guarantor of the Guaranteed Obligations; or (6) any change in the ownership of such Subsidiary.

(c)    Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby waives any right to which it may be entitled to have its obligations hereunder divided among the Subsidiary Guarantors, such that such Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations would be less than the full amount claimed. Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby waives any right to which it may be entitled to have the assets of the Company first be used and depleted as payment of the Company’s or such Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations hereunder prior to any amounts being claimed from or paid by such Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder. Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby waives any right to which it may be entitled to require that the Company be sued prior to an action being initiated against such Subsidiary Guarantor.

(d)    Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that its Note Guarantee herein constitutes a guarantee of payment, performance and compliance when due (and not a guarantee of collection) and waives any right to require that any resort be had by any Holder or the Trustee to any security held for payment of the Guaranteed Obligations.

(e)    Except as expressly set forth in Sections 8.02, 11.02 and 11.08, the obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason, including any claim of waiver, release, surrender, alteration or compromise, and shall not be subject to any defense of setoff, counterclaim, recoupment or termination whatsoever or by reason of the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of the Guaranteed Obligations or otherwise. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor herein shall not be discharged or impaired or otherwise affected by the failure of any Holder or the Trustee to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any remedy under this Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement, by any waiver or modification of any thereof, by any default, failure or delay, willful or otherwise, in the performance of the obligations, or by any other act or thing or omission or delay to do any other act or thing which may or might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of any Subsidiary Guarantor or would otherwise operate as a discharge of any Subsidiary Guarantor as a matter of law or equity.

 

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(f)    Except as expressly set forth in Sections 8.02, 11.02 and 11.08, each Subsidiary Guarantor agrees that its Note Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect until payment in full of all the Guaranteed Obligations. Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that its Note Guarantee herein shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of principal of or interest on any Guaranteed Obligation is rescinded or must otherwise be restored by any Holder or the Trustee upon the bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company or otherwise.

(g)    In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other right which any Holder or the Trustee has at law or in equity against any Subsidiary Guarantor by virtue hereof, upon the failure of the Company to pay the principal of or interest on any Guaranteed Obligation when and as the same shall become due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, or to perform or comply with any other Guaranteed Obligation, each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby promises to and shall, upon receipt of written demand by the Trustee, forthwith pay, or cause to be paid, in cash, to the Holders or the Trustee an amount equal to the sum of (1) the unpaid principal amount of such Guaranteed Obligations, (2) accrued and unpaid interest on such Guaranteed Obligations (but only to the extent not prohibited by law) and (3) all other monetary obligations of the Company to the Holders and the Trustee.

(h)    Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that, as between it, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (1) the maturity of the Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 for the purposes of any Note Guarantee herein, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereby, and (2) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such Guaranteed Obligations as provided in Article 6, such Guaranteed Obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by such Subsidiary Guarantor for the purposes of Section 11.01.

(i)    Each Subsidiary Guarantor also agrees to pay any and all costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by the Trustee in enforcing any rights under Section 11.01.

(j)    Upon request of the Trustee, each Subsidiary Guarantor shall execute and deliver such further instruments and do such further acts as may be reasonably necessary or proper to carry out more effectively the purpose of this Indenture.

Section 11.02    Limitation on Liability.

Any term or provision of this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, the maximum aggregate amount of the Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereunder by any Subsidiary Guarantor shall not exceed the maximum amount that can be hereby guaranteed by the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor without rendering the Note Guarantee, as it relates to such Subsidiary Guarantor, voidable under applicable law relating to ultra vires, fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer, corporate benefit, financial assistance or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally or other considerations under applicable law.

Section 11.03    Successors and Assigns.

This Article 11 shall be binding upon each Subsidiary Guarantor and its successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Trustee and the Holders and, in the event of any transfer or assignment of rights by any Holder or the Trustee, the rights and privileges conferred upon that party in this Indenture and in the Notes shall automatically extend to and be vested in such transferee or assignee, all subject to the terms and conditions of this Indenture.

 

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Section 11.04    No Waiver.

Neither a failure nor a delay on the part of either the Trustee or the Holders in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Article 11 shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall a single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise of any right, power or privilege. The rights, remedies and benefits of the Trustee and the Holders herein expressly specified are cumulative and not exclusive of any other rights, remedies or benefits which either may have under this Article 11 at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise.

Section 11.05    Modification.

No modification, amendment or waiver of any provision of this Article 11, nor the consent to any departure by any Subsidiary Guarantor therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Trustee, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice to or demand on any Subsidiary Guarantor in any case shall entitle such Subsidiary Guarantor to any other or further notice or demand in the same, similar or other circumstances.

Section 11.06    Execution of Supplemental Indenture for Future Subsidiary Guarantors.

Each Restricted Subsidiary which is required to become a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to Section 4.17 hereof shall promptly execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which such Subsidiary shall become a Subsidiary Guarantor under this Article 11 and shall guarantee the Guaranteed Obligations. Concurrently with the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel and an Officer’s Certificate to the effect that such supplemental indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Restricted Subsidiary and that, subject to the application of bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or transfer and other similar laws relating to creditors’ rights generally and to the principles of equity, whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity, the Note Guarantee of such Subsidiary Guarantor is a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Subsidiary Guarantor, enforceable against such Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with its terms and/or to such other matters as the Trustee may reasonably request.

Section 11.07    Non-Impairment.

The failure to endorse a Note Guarantee on any Note shall not affect or impair the validity thereof.

Section 11.08    Release of Guarantees.

(a)    Subject to paragraphs (b) and (c), each Note Guarantee, once it becomes due, is a continuing guarantee and shall (i) remain in full force and effect until payment in full of all the Guaranteed Obligations, (ii) be binding upon each Subsidiary Guarantor and its successors and (iii) inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the Trustee, the Holders and their successors, transferees and assigns.

(b)    The Note Guarantee of a Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to the Notes will be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged:

(1)    in connection with any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of that Subsidiary Guarantor (including by way of merger or, consolidation) to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, if the sale or other disposition does not violate Section 5.01 hereof;

(2)    in connection with any sale or other disposition of the Capital Stock of that Subsidiary Guarantor to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, if the sale or other disposition does not violate Section 4.10 or 5.01 hereof and such Subsidiary Guarantor ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as a result of such sale or other disposition;

 

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(3)    if the Company designates any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Subsidiary Guarantor to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with Section 4.18 hereof;

(4)    upon Legal Defeasance or satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture as provided by Articles 8 and 12 of this Indenture;

(5)    upon payment in full of the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on, the Notes and all other Obligations that are then due and payable thereunder;

(6)    upon the merger or consolidation of any Subsidiary Guarantor with and into the Company or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary Guarantor (or a Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary that becomes a Subsidiary Guarantor concurrently with the transaction) that is the surviving Person in such merger or consolidation, or upon the liquidation of such Subsidiary Guarantor following the transfer of all or substantially all of its assets to the Company or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary Guarantor (or a Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary that becomes a Subsidiary Guarantor concurrently with the transaction); or

(7)     as described under Article 9 hereof.

(c)    Each Holder hereby authorizes the Trustee to take all actions to effectuate any release in accordance with the provisions of this Section 11.08, subject to customary and reasonably satisfactory protections and indemnifications provided by the Company to the Trustee.

ARTICLE 12

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

Section 12.01    Satisfaction and Discharge.

This Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect as to all Notes issued hereunder, when:

(1)     either:

(A)    all Notes that have been authenticated, except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes that have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to the Company, have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(B)     all Notes that have not been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the mailing of a notice of redemption or otherwise or will become due and payable within one (1) year and the Company has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable U.S. Government Obligations, or a combination of cash in U.S. dollars and non-callable U.S. Government Obligations, in amounts as will be sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire Indebtedness on the Notes not delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest to the date of maturity or redemption;

(2)    no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit) and the deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other instrument to which the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor is a party or by which the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor is bound;

 

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(3)    the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by it under this Indenture; and

(4)    the Company has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee under this Indenture to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes at maturity or on the redemption date, as the case may be.

In addition, the Company must deliver an Officer’s Certificate of the Company and an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, if money has been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to sub clause (b) of clause (1) of this Section 12.01, the provisions of Sections 12.02 and 8.06 hereof will survive.

Section 12.02    Application of Trust Money.

Subject to the provisions of Section 8.06 hereof, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 12.01 hereof shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any cash in U.S. dollars or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 12.01 hereof by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 12.01 hereof; provided that if the Company has made any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any Notes because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the cash in U.S. dollars or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE 13

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 13.01    [Intentionally Omitted].

Section 13.02    Notices.

Any notice or communication by the Company or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing, in the English language, and delivered in Person or by first class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), facsimile transmission, electronic mail (in pdf format) or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others’ address:

If to the Company, Studio City Investments Limited, Studio City Company Limited, Studio City Holdings Two Limited, Studio City Holdings Three Limited, Studio City Holdings Four Limited, SCP Holdings Limited, SCIP Holdings Limited, SCP One Limited and/or SCP Two Limited:

Jayla Place, Wickhams Cay I

Road Town, Tortola

British Virgin Islands

 

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With a copy to:

Studio City (HK) Limited

36th Floor, The Centrium

60 Wyndham Street

Central, Hong Kong

Facsimile No.: +852 2537 3618

Attention: Company Secretary

If to Studio City Services Limited, Studio City Entertainment Limited, Studio City Hotels Limited, Studio City Hospitality and Services Limited, Studio City Retail Services Limited and/or Studio City Developments Limited:

Avenida da Praia Grande

nº 594, 15º andar A

Macau

With a copy to:

Studio City (HK) Limited

36th Floor, The Centrium

60 Wyndham Street

Central, Hong Kong

Facsimile No.: +852 2537 3618

Attention: Company Secretary

With a copy to:

Ashurst Hong Kong

11/F Jardine House

1 Connaught Place

Central, Hong Kong

Facsimile No.: +852 2868 0898

Attention: Anna-Marie Slot

If to Studio City (HK) Two Limited:

36th Floor, The Centrium

60 Wyndham Street

Central, Hong Kong

Facsimile No.: +852 2537 3618

Attention: Company Secretary

If to the Trustee, the Paying Agent, Registrar and Transfer Agent:

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas

60 Wall Street, 24^th Floor

MS NYC60-2405

New York, NY 10005

United States

Facsimile No.: (732) 578-4635

Attention: Corporates Team – Studio City Finance Limited Deal ID: SF2716

The Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor, the Trustee and any Agent, by notice to the others, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) will be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five (5) Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt acknowledged, if transmitted by facsimile; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.

 

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Any notice or communication to a Holder will be electronically delivered, mailed by first class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery to its address shown on the register kept by the Registrar. All notices to the Holders (while any Notes are represented by one or more Global Notes) shall be delivered to DTC, for communication to entitled account Holders, and any obligation to give notice to the Holders will be discharged upon delivery of such notice to DTC. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it will not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders. If a notice or communication is mailed or delivered in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

If the Company mails or delivers a notice or communication to Holders, it will mail or deliver a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

Section 13.03    Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes.

Holders may communicate with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes.

Section 13.04    Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.

Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:

(1)    an Officer’s Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which must include the statements set forth in Section 13.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been satisfied; and

(2)    an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which must include the statements set forth in Section 13.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been satisfied.

Section 13.05    Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture must include:

(1)    a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

(2)    a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

(3)    a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been satisfied; and

(4)    a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been satisfied.

Section 13.06    Rules by Trustee and Agents.

The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

 

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Section 13.07    No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders.

No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors under the Notes, this Indenture or the Note Guarantees, or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.

Section 13.08    Governing Law.

THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WILL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE NOTE GUARANTEES WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.

Section 13.09    No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.

This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or its Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

Section 13.10    Successors.

All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Notes will bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee and each Agent in this Indenture will bind their respective successors. All agreements of each Subsidiary Guarantor in this Indenture will bind their respective successors, except as otherwise provided in Section 11.05 hereof.

Section 13.11    Severability.

In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 13.12    Counterpart Originals.

The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy will be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

Facsimile, documents executed, scanned and transmitted electronically and electronic signatures, including those created or transmitted through a software platform or application, shall be deemed original signatures for purposes of this Indenture, and all matters and agreements related thereto (including the Notes), with such facsimile, scanned and electronic signatures having the same legal effect as original signatures. The parties agree that this Indenture, the Notes or any instrument, agreement or document necessary for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Indenture, the Notes or related hereto or thereto (including, without limitation, supplements, addendums, amendments, notices, instructions, communications with respect to the delivery of securities or the wire transfer of funds or other communications) (“Executed Documentation”) may be accepted, executed or agreed to through the use of an electronic signature in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations in effect from time to time applicable to the effectiveness and enforceability of electronic signatures. Any Executed Documentation accepted, executed or agreed to in conformity with such laws, rules and regulations will be binding on all parties hereto to the same extent as if it were physically executed and each party hereby consents to the use of any third party electronic signature capture service providers as may be reasonably chosen by a signatory hereto or thereto. When the Trustee or any Agent acts on any Executed Documentation sent by electronic transmission, the Trustee or any Agent will not be responsible or liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from its reliance upon and compliance with such Executed Documentation, notwithstanding that such Executed Documentation (a) may not be an authorized or authentic communication of the party involved or in the form such party sent or intended to send (whether due to fraud, distortion or otherwise) or (b) may conflict with, or be inconsistent with, a subsequent written instruction or communication; it being understood and agreed that the Trustee or any Agent shall conclusively presume that Executed Documentation that purports to have been sent by an authorized officer of a Person has been sent by an authorized officer of such Person. The party providing Executed Documentation through electronic transmission or otherwise with electronic signatures agrees to assume all risks arising out of such electronic methods, including, without limitation, the risk of the Trustee or any Agent acting on unauthorized instructions and the risk of interception and misuse by third parties.

 

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Section 13.13    Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and Headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and will in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

Section 13.14    Patriot Act

In order to comply with the laws, rules, regulations and executive orders in effect from time to time applicable to banking institutions, including, without limitation, those relating to the funding of terrorist activities and money laundering, including Section 326 of the USA Patriot Act of the United States (“Applicable Law”), the Trustee and Agents are required to obtain, verify, record and update certain information relating to individuals and entities which maintain a business relationship with the Trustee and Agents. Accordingly, each of the parties agree to provide to the Trustee and Agents, upon their request from time to time such identifying information and documentation as may be available for such party in order to enable the Trustee and Agents to comply with Applicable Law.

Section 13.15    Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial

THE COMPANY AND EACH SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR HEREBY SUBMITS TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE FEDERAL AND STATE COURTS IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK IN ANY SUIT OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. THE COMPANY AND EACH SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY SUIT OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTE GUARANTEES, THE NOTES AND ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY IN FEDERAL AND STATE COURTS IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK AND IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES AND AGREES NOT TO PLEAD OR CLAIM IN ANY SUCH COURT THAT ANY SUCH SUIT OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM. NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF THE TRUSTEE OR ANY HOLDER OF THE NOTES TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO COMMENCE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS OR OTHERWISE PROCEED AGAINST THE COMPANY IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION. THE COMPANY AND EACH SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR IRREVOCABLY APPOINTS LAW DEBENTURE CORPORATE SERVICES INC., 801 2^ND AVENUE, SUITE 403, NEW YORK, NEW YORK, 10017, AS ITS AUTHORIZED AGENT IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK UPON WHICH PROCESS MAY BE SERVED IN ANY SUCH SUIT OR PROCEEDING, AND AGREES THAT SERVICE OF PROCESS UPON SUCH AGENT, AND WRITTEN NOTICE OF SAID SERVICE TO THE COMPANY BY THE PERSON SERVING THE SAME TO THE ADDRESS PROVIDED IN SECTION 13.02, SHALL BE DEEMED IN EVERY RESPECT EFFECTIVE SERVICE OF PROCESS UPON THE COMPANY OR ANY SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR, AS THE CASE MAY BE, IN ANY SUCH SUIT OR PROCEEDING. THE COMPANY AND EACH SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR FURTHER AGREES TO TAKE ANY AND ALL ACTION AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN SUCH DESIGNATION AND APPOINTMENT OF SUCH AGENT IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT FOR SO LONG AS THE NOTES ARE OUTSTANDING FROM THE DATE OF THIS INDENTURE.

 

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EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES ITS RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES, THE NOTE GUARANTEES, OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY. THE SCOPE OF THIS WAIVER IS INTENDED TO BE ALL-ENCOMPASSING OF ANY AND ALL DISPUTES THAT MAY BE FILED IN ANY COURT AND THAT RELATE TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS TRANSACTION, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS, BREACH OF DUTY CLAIMS, AND ALL OTHER COMMON LAW AND STATUTORY CLAIMS. THIS SECTION 13.15 HAS BEEN FULLY DISCUSSED BY EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AND THESE PROVISIONS SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY EXCEPTIONS. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY FURTHER WARRANTS AND REPRESENTS THAT SUCH PARTY HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER WITH ITS LEGAL COUNSEL, AND THAT SUCH PARTY KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL. THIS WAIVER IS IRREVOCABLE, MEANING THAT IT MAY NOT BE MODIFIED EITHER ORALLY OR IN WRITING, AND THIS WAIVER SHALL APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS TO (OR ASSIGNMENTS OF) THIS INDENTURE. IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, THIS INDENTURE MAY BE FILED AS A WRITTEN CONSENT TO A TRIAL (WITHOUT A JURY) BY THE COURT.

[Signatures on following page]

 

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SIGNATURES

Dated as of July 15, 2020

 

STUDIO CITY FINANCE LIMITED
By:		/s/ Geoffry Philip Andres
		Name: Geoffry Philip Andres
		Title:   Authorized Signatory
STUDIO CITY INVESTMENTS LIMITED
By:		/s/ Geoffry Philip Andres
		Name: Geoffry Philip Andres
		Title:   Authorized Signatory
STUDIO CITY COMPANY LIMITED
By:		/s/ Geoffry Philip Andres
		Name: Geoffry Philip Andres
		Title:   Authorized Signatory
STUDIO CITY HOLDINGS TWO LIMITED
By:		/s/ Geoffry Philip Andres
		Name: Geoffry Philip Andres
		Title:   Authorized Signatory
STUDIO CITY HOLDINGS THREE LIMITED
By:		/s/ Geoffry Philip Andres
		Name: Geoffry Philip Andres
		Title:   Authorized Signatory
STUDIO CITY HOLDINGS FOUR LIMITED
By:		/s/ Geoffry Philip Andres
		Name: Geoffry Philip Andres
		Title:   Authorized Signatory

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE – INDENTURE]

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STUDIO CITY ENTERTAINMENT LIMITED
By:		/s/ Geoffry Philip Andres
		Name:Geoffry Philip Andres
		Title: Authorized Signatory
STUDIO CITY SERVICES LIMITED
By:
		Name:
		Title:
STUDIO CITY HOTELS LIMITED
By:		/s/ Geoffry Philip Andres
		Name: Geoffry Philip Andres
		Title:   Authorized Signatory
SCP HOLDINGS LIMITED
By:		/s/ Geoffry Philip Andres
		Name: Geoffry Philip Andres
		Title:   Authorized Signatory
STUDIO CITY HOSPITALITY AND SERVICES LIMITED
By:
		Name:
		Title:
SCP ONE LIMITED
By:		/s/ Geoffry Philip Andres
		Name: Geoffry Philip Andres
		Title:   Authorized Signatory

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE – INDENTURE]

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STUDIO CITY ENTERTAINMENT LIMITED
By:
		Name:
		Title:
STUDIO CITY SERVICES LIMITED
By:		/s/ Inês Nolasco Antunes
		Name: Inês Nolasco antunes
		Title:   Authorized signatory
STUDIO CITY HOTELS LIMITED
By:
		Name:
		Title:
SCP HOLDINGS LIMITED
By:
		Name:
		Title:
STUDIO CITY HOSPITALITY AND SERVICES LIMITED
By:		/s/ Inês Nolasco Antunes
		Name: Inês Nolasco Antunes
		Title:   Authorized Signatory
SCP ONE LIMITED
By:
		Name:
		Title:

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE – INDENTURE]

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SCP TWO LIMITED
By:		/s/ Geoffry Philip Andres
		Name: Geoffry Philip Andres
		Title:   Authorized Signatory
STUDIO CITY DEVELOPMENT LIMITED
By:		/s/ Geoffry Philip Andres
		Name: Geoffry Philip Andres
		Title:   Authorized Signatory
SCIP HOLDINGS LIMITED
By:		/s/ Geoffry Philip Andres
		Name: Geoffry Philip Andres
		Title:   Authorized Signatory
STUDIO CITY RETAIL SERVICES LIMITED
By:		/s/ Geoffry Philip Andres
		Name: Geoffry Philip Andres
		Title:   Authorized Signatory
STUDIO CITY (HK) TWO LIMITED
By:		/s/ Geoffry Philip Andres
		Name: Geoffry Philip Andres
		Title:   Authorized Signatory

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE – INDENTURE]

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DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as Trustee
By:		/s/ Bridgette Casasnovas
		Name: Bridgette Casasnovas
		Title:   Vice President
By:		/s/ Annie Jaghatspanyan
		Name: Annie Jaghatspanyan
		Title:   Vice President
DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as Paying Agent, Registrar and Transfer Agent
By:		/s/ Bridgette Casasnovas
		Name: Bridgette Casasnovas
		Title:   Vice President
By:		/s/ Annie Jaghatspanyan
		Name: Annie Jaghatspanyan
		Title:   Vice President

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE – INDENTURE]

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EXHIBIT A

[Face of Note]

 

 

[Insert the Global Note Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

[Insert the Private Placement Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

CUSIP:                            

ISIN:                                

COMMON CODE:        

6.000% Senior Notes due 2025

 

No.

STUDIO CITY FINANCE LIMITED

Promises to pay to Cede & Co. or its registered assigns, the principal sum of                      [NUMBER IN WORDS] on July 15, 2025.

Interest Payment Dates: January 15 and July 15

Record Dates: December 31 and June 30

Dated:                     , 20        

 

A-1

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be signed manually or by facsimile by the duly authorized officers referred to below.

Dated:             , 20        

 

STUDIO CITY FINANCE LIMITED, as Company
By:
		Name:
		Title:

 

A-2

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Certificate of Authentication

This is one of the Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

Dated:             , 20        

DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as Trustee

 

By:
Name:
Title:

 

A-3

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[Back of Note]

STUDIO CITY FINANCE LIMITED

6.000% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2025

Capitalized terms used herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

(1)    INTEREST. Studio City Finance Limited, a BVI business company with limited liability incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands (the “Company”), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at 6.000% per annum from July 15, 2020 until maturity. The Company will pay interest and Additional Amounts, if any, semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year, or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each, an “Interest Payment Date”). Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of issuance; provided that if there is no existing Default in the payment of interest, and if this Note is authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date; provided further that the first Interest Payment Date shall be January 15, 2021. The Company will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, at the rate equal to 1% per annum in excess of the then applicable interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; it will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and Additional Amounts (without regard to any applicable grace period) at the same rate to the extent lawful. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

(2)    METHOD OF PAYMENT. The Company will pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) and Additional Amounts, if any, to the Persons who are registered Holders of Notes at the close of business on December 31 or June 30 next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. The Notes will be payable as to principal, premium, and Additional Amounts, if any, and interest at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose within or without the City and State of New York, or, at the option of the Company, payment of interest and Additional Amounts, if any, may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders; provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds will be required with respect to principal of and interest, premium and Additional Amounts, if any, on, all Global Notes and all other Notes, the Holders of which will have provided wire transfer instructions to the Company or the Paying Agent, and shall so notify the Trustee and the Paying Agent thereof. Such payment will be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

(3)    PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR. Initially, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas will act as Paying Agent, Registrar and Transfer Agent. The Company may change any Paying Agent, Transfer Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent and Registrar.

(4)    INDENTURE. The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of July 15, 2020 (the “Indenture”) among the Company, each Subsidiary Guarantor, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar and other persons from time to time party thereto. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling. The Indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be issued thereunder.

 

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(5)    OPTIONAL REDEMPTION.

(a)    On or after July 15, 2022, the Company may redeem all or a part of the Notes upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes redeemed, to the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the periods indicated below, subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date:

 

Period		Redemption Price
Twelve-month period on or after July 15, 2022			103.000	%
Twelve-month period on or after July 15, 2023			101.500	%
On or after July 15, 2024			100.000	%

(b)    Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph (5), at any time prior to July 15, 2022, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes at a redemption price equal to 106.000% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Amounts, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the rights of the Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date), with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings; provided that at least 65% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes originally issued under the Indenture (excluding Notes held by the Company and its Subsidiaries) remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption and that such redemption occurs within 45 days of the date of the closing of such Equity Offering.

(c)    At any time prior to July 15, 2022, the Company may also redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed by first-class mail to each Holder’s registered address, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Amounts, if any, to the date of redemption, subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date.

(d)    Any redemption pursuant to subparagraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Paragraph (5) may, at the discretion of the Company, be subject to the satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent. If such redemption is so subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, such notice shall describe each such condition, and if applicable, shall state that, at the Company’s discretion, the redemption date may be delayed until such time (provided, however, that any delayed redemption date shall not be more than 60 days after the date the relevant notice of redemption was sent) as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied, or such redemption may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied by the redemption date or by the redemption date as delayed. In addition, the Company may provide in such notice that payment of the redemption price and performance of the Company’s obligations with respect to such redemption may be performed by another Person.

(e)    Unless the Company defaults in the payment of the redemption price, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption on the applicable redemption date.

 

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(f)    The Notes may also be redeemed in the circumstances described in Sections 3.10 and 3.11 of the Indenture.

(6)    MANDATORY REDEMPTION. The Company is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

(7)    REPURCHASE AT THE OPTION OF HOLDER. The Notes may be subject to a Change of Control Offer, a Special Put Option or an Asset Sale Offer, as further described in Sections 3.09, 4.10, 4.15 and 4.21 of the Indenture.

(8)    NOTICE OF REDEMPTION. Notice of redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction or discharge of the Indenture. Notes in denominations larger than US$200,000 may be redeemed in part but only in integral multiples of US$1,000 provided that the unredeemed part has a minimum denomination of US$200,000, unless all of the Notes held by a Holder are to be redeemed.

(9)    DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE. The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of US$200,000 and integral multiples of US$1,000 in excess thereof. The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar, the Transfer Agent and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part. Also, the Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed or during the period between a record date and the corresponding Interest Payment Date.

(10)    PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS. The registered Holder may be treated as its owner for all purposes.

(11)    AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER. The Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be amended as set forth in the Indenture.

(12)    DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES. The events listed in Section 6.01 of the Indenture shall constitute “Events of Default” for the purpose of this Note.

(13)    TRUSTEE DEALINGS WITH COMPANY. The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee.

(14)    NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS. A director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Company, as such, will not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Notes or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the Notes.

(15)    AUTHENTICATION. This Note will not be valid until authenticated by the manual or electronic signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.

 

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(16)    ABBREVIATIONS. Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).

(17)    CUSIP NUMBERS. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes, and the Trustee may use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption, and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

(18)    GOVERNING LAW. THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WILL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THE INDENTURE AND THIS NOTE WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.

The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture. Requests may be made to:

Studio City Finance Limited

Jayla Place, Wickhams Cay I

Road Town, Tortola

British Virgin Islands

Attention: Company Secretary

With a copy to:

Studio City (HK) Limited

36th Floor, The Centrium

60 Wyndham Street

Central, Hong Kong

Facsimile No.: +852 2537 3618

Attention: Company Secretary

 

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ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to:
		(Insert assignee’s legal name)
(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)
(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

 

and irrevocably appoint

to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

Date:                     

 

Your Signature:
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

Signature Guarantee*:                                                          

 

*	Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

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OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10, Section 4.15 or Section 4.21 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box below:

 

☐ Section 4.10		☐ Section 4.15		☐ Section 4.21

If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10, Section 4.15 or Section 4.21 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:

US$                             

Date:                             

 

Your Signature:
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)
Tax Identification No.:

Signature Guarantee*:                                         

 

*	Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

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SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE

The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global Note or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:

 

Date of Exchange

Amount of decrease in Principal Amount of this Global Note

Amount of increase in Principal Amount of this Global Note

Principal Amount of this Global Note following such decrease (or increase)

Signature of authorized officer of Trustee or Custodian

 

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EXHIBIT B

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

[Company address block]

[Registrar address block]

Re: 6.000% Senior Notes due 2025 of Studio City Finance Limited

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of July 15, 2020 (the “Indenture”), among Studio City Finance Limited, as issuer (the “Company”), each Subsidiary Guarantor and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

                    , (the “Transferor”) owns and proposes to transfer the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified in Annex A hereto, in the principal amount of US$                     in such Note[s] or interests (the “Transfer”), to                     (the “Transferee”), as further specified in Annex A hereto. In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that:

[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]

1.     ☐ Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note or a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to Rule 144A. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial interest or Definitive Note is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believes is purchasing the beneficial interest or Definitive Note for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and such Transfer is in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the 144A Global Note and/or the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

2.     ☐ Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note or a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to Regulation S. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that (i) the Transfer is not being made to a Person in the United States and (x) at the time the buy order was originated, the Transferee was outside the United States or such Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and believes that the Transferee was outside the United States or (y) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither such Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States, (ii) no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (iii) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act and (iv) if the proposed transfer is being made prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, the transfer is not being made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on Transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Regulation S Global Note and/or the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

 

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3.    ☐ Check and complete if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to any provision of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A or Regulation S. The Transfer is being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States, and accordingly the Transferor hereby further certifies that (check one):

(a)    ☐ such Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act;

or

(b)    ☐ such Transfer is being effected to the Company or a subsidiary thereof;

or

(c)    ☐ such Transfer is being effected pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and in compliance with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act.

4.     ☐ Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or of an Unrestricted Definitive Note.

(a)    ☐ Check if Transfer is pursuant to Rule 144. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

(b)    ☐ Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Regulation S. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

(c)    ☐ Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Other Exemption. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in compliance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904 and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will not be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes or Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.

 

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[Insert Name of Transferor]
By:
		Name:
		Title:

Dated:                     

 

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ANNEX A TO CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

1.     The Transferor owns and proposes to transfer the following:

[CHECK ONE OF (a) OR (b)]

(a)    ☐ a beneficial interest in the:

(i)     ☐ 144A Global Note (CUSIP             ), or

(ii)    ☐ Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP             ); or

(b)    ☐ a Restricted Definitive Note.

2.     After the Transfer the Transferee will hold:

[CHECK ONE]

(a)     ☐ a beneficial interest in the:

(i)      ☐ 144A Global Note (CUSIP             ), or

(ii)     ☐ Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP             ), or

(iii)    ☐ Unrestricted Global Note (CUSIP             ); or

(b)     ☐ a Restricted Definitive Note; or

(c)     ☐ an Unrestricted Definitive Note,

in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

 

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EXHIBIT C

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE

[Company address block]

[Registrar address block]

Re: 6.000% Senior Notes due 2025 of Studio City Finance Limited

(CUSIP             )

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of July 15, 2020 (the “Indenture”), among Studio City Finance Limited, as issuer (the “Company”), each Subsidiary Guarantor and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

                    , (the “Owner”) owns and proposes to exchange the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified herein, in the principal amount of US$                     in such Note[s] or interests (the “Exchange”). In connection with the Exchange, the Owner hereby certifies that:

1.    Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Unrestricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note

(a)     ☐ Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note in an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act ”), (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

(b)     ☐ Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

(c)    ☐ Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

 

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(d)    ☐ Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

2.    Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes for Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes

(a)    ☐ Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Restricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a Restricted Definitive Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies that the Restricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the Restricted Definitive Note issued will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

(b)    ☐ Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in the [CHECK ONE] ☐ 144A Global Note, ☐ Regulation S Global Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer and (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, and in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the beneficial interest issued will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the relevant Restricted Global Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.

 

[Insert Name of Transferor]
By:
		Name:
		Title:

 

Dated:

 

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EXHIBIT D

FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “Supplemental Indenture”) dated as of                     , among [name of New Subsidiary Guarantor[s]] (the “New Subsidiary Guarantor”), Studio City Finance Limited, a BVI business company with limited liability incorporated under the laws of British Virgin Islands (the “Company”) and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Trustee (in such role, the “Trustee”).

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS the Company, the Trustee and each of the parties described above are parties to an Indenture, dated as of July 15, 2020, as amended (as amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified, the “Indenture”), providing for the issuance of the Company’s 6.000% Senior Notes due 2025;

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.03 of the Indenture, each New Subsidiary Guarantor is required to execute a supplemental Indenture;

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the New Subsidiary Guarantor, the Company, the Trustee and the other parties hereto mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders as follows:

1.    Definitions. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

2.    Agreement to Guarantee. Pursuant to, and subject to the provisions of, Article 11 of the Indenture, [each][the] New Subsidiary Guarantor (which term includes each other New Subsidiary Guarantor that hereinafter guarantees the Notes pursuant to the terms of the Indenture) hereby unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees, jointly and severally with each other New Subsidiary Guarantor and all Subsidiary Guarantors, to each Holder and to the Trustee and their successors and assigns to the extent set forth in the Indenture and subject to the provisions thereof (a) the full and punctual payment when due, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, of all obligations of the Company under the Indenture (including obligations to the Trustee) and the Notes, whether for payment of principal of, or interest, premium, if any, on, the Notes and all other monetary obligations of the Company under the Indenture and the Notes and (b) the full and punctual performance within applicable grace periods of all other obligations of the Company whether for fees, expenses, indemnification or otherwise under the Indenture and the Notes (all the foregoing being hereinafter collectively called the “Guaranteed Obligations”). [Each][The] New Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that the Guaranteed Obligations may be extended or renewed, in whole or in part, without notice or further assent from such New Subsidiary Guarantor and that such New Subsidiary Guarantor[s] will remain bound under Article 11 of the Indenture, notwithstanding any extension or renewal of any Guaranteed Obligation.

The Guaranteed Obligations of [each][the] New Subsidiary Guarantor to the Holders of Notes and to the Trustee pursuant to the Indenture as supplemented hereby, are expressly set forth in Article 11 of the Indenture and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for the precise terms of the Note Guarantee.

[Relevant limitations imposed by local law analogous to Section 11.02 of the Indenture to be inserted, if and as applicable].

 

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3.    Ratification of Indenture: Supplemental Indentures Part of Indenture. Except as expressly amended hereby, the Indenture is in all respects ratified and confirmed and all the terms, conditions and provisions thereof shall remain in full force and effect. This Supplemental Indenture shall form a part of the Indenture for all purposes, and each Holder, by accepting the Notes whether heretofore or hereafter authenticated and delivered (a) agrees to and shall be bound by such provisions, (b) authorizes and directs the Trustee, on behalf of such Holder, to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination as provided in the Indenture and (c) appoints the Trustee attorney-in-fact of such Holder for such purpose; provided, however, that [the][each] New Subsidiary Guarantor and each Subsidiary Guarantor shall be released from all its obligations with respect to this Guarantee in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, including Section 11.08 of the Indenture and upon any defeasance of the Notes in accordance with Article 8 of the Indenture.

4.    Governing Law. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

5.    Trustee Makes No Representation. The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture. The recitals of fact contained herein shall be treated as statements of the other parties hereto and not the Trustee.

6.    Counterparts. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

7.    Effect of Headings. The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction thereof.

 

D-2

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

[NAME OF NEW SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR], as New Subsidiary Guarantor,
By:
		Name:
		Title:
STUDIO CITY FINANCE LIMITED, as Company
By:
		Name:
		Title:
DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as Trustee
By:
		Name:
		Title:
By:
		Name:
		Title:

 

D-3

Exhibit 2.17

Execution Version

STUDIO CITY FINANCE LIMITED,

as Company

THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS PARTIES HERETO,

6.500% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2028

 

 

INDENTURE

July 15, 2020

 

 

DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS,

as Trustee, Paying Agent, Registrar and Transfer Agent

and

THE OTHER PERSONS FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY HERETO

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Table of Contents

 

				Page
ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS
Section 1.01		Definitions			1
Section 1.02		Other Definitions			26
Section 1.03		Rules of Construction			26
ARTICLE 2 THE NOTES
Section 2.01		Form and Dating			27
Section 2.02		Execution and Authentication			27
Section 2.03		Registrar, Paying Agent and Transfer Agent			28
Section 2.04		Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust			28
Section 2.05		Holder Lists			28
Section 2.06		Transfer and Exchange			29
Section 2.07		Replacement Notes			38
Section 2.08		Outstanding Notes			39
Section 2.09		Treasury Notes			39
Section 2.10		Temporary Notes			39
Section 2.11		Cancellation			39
Section 2.12		Defaulted Interest			40
Section 2.13		Additional Amounts			40
Section 2.14		Forced Sale or Redemption for Non-QIBs			42
ARTICLE 3 REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT
Section 3.01		Notices to Trustee			43
Section 3.02		Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed or Purchased			43
Section 3.03		Notice of Redemption			43
Section 3.04		Effect of Notice of Redemption			44
Section 3.05		Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price			44
Section 3.06		Notes Redeemed or Purchased in Part			45
Section 3.07		Optional Redemption			45
Section 3.08		Mandatory Redemption			46
Section 3.09		Offer to Purchase by Application of Excess Proceeds			46
Section 3.10		Redemption for Taxation Reasons			48
Section 3.11		Gaming Redemption			48
ARTICLE 4 COVENANTS
Section 4.01		Payment of Notes			50
Section 4.02		Maintenance of Office or Agency			50
Section 4.03		Reports			50
Section 4.04		Compliance Certificate			52
Section 4.05		Taxes			52
Section 4.06		Stay, Extension and Usury Laws			52
Section 4.07		Limitation on Restricted Payments			53
Section 4.08		Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries			56
Section 4.09		Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock			58
Section 4.10		Asset Sales			62
Section 4.11		Transactions with Affiliates			64

 

(i)

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Section 4.12		Liens			66
Section 4.13		Business Activities			66
Section 4.14		Corporate Existence			66
Section 4.15		Offer to Repurchase upon Change of Control			66
Section 4.16		Payments for Consents			68
Section 4.17		Future Subsidiary Guarantors			68
Section 4.18		Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries			69
Section 4.19		Listing			70
Section 4.20		Limitations on Use of Proceeds			70
Section 4.21		Special Put Option			70
Section 4.22		Intercompany Note Proceeds Loans			71
Section 4.23		Suspension of Covenants			72
ARTICLE 5 SUCCESSORS
Section 5.01		Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets			72
Section 5.02		Successor Corporation Substituted			74
ARTICLE 6 DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
Section 6.01		Events of Default			74
Section 6.02		Acceleration			75
Section 6.03		Other Remedies			76
Section 6.04		Waiver of Past Defaults			76
Section 6.05		Control by Majority			76
Section 6.06		Limitation on Suits			76
Section 6.07		Rights of Holders to Receive Payment			77
Section 6.08		Collection Suit by Trustee			77
Section 6.09		Trustee May File Proofs of Claim			77
Section 6.10		Priorities			78
Section 6.11		Undertaking for Costs			78
ARTICLE 7 TRUSTEE
Section 7.01		Duties of Trustee			78
Section 7.02		Rights of Trustee			79
Section 7.03		[Intentionally Omitted.]			81
Section 7.04		Individual Rights of Trustee			81
Section 7.05		Trustee’s Disclaimer			82
Section 7.06		Notice of Defaults			82
Section 7.07		[Intentionally Omitted.]			82
Section 7.08		Compensation and Indemnity			82
Section 7.09		Replacement of Trustee			83
Section 7.10		Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.			84
Section 7.11		Eligibility; Disqualification			84
Section 7.12		Appointment of Co-Trustee			84
Section 7.13		Resignation of Agents			85
Section 7.14		Agents General Provisions			85
Section 7.15		Rights of Trustee in Other Roles			85
ARTICLE 8 LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
Section 8.01		Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance			86
Section 8.02		Legal Defeasance and Discharge			86
Section 8.03		Covenant Defeasance			86

 

(ii)

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Section 8.04		Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance			87
Section 8.05		Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions			88
Section 8.06		Repayment to Company			88
Section 8.07		Reinstatement			88
ARTICLE 9 AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER
Section 9.01		Without Consent of Holders of Notes			89
Section 9.02		With Consent of Holders of Notes			90
Section 9.03		Supplemental Indenture			91
Section 9.04		Revocation and Effect of Consents			91
Section 9.05		Notation on or Exchange of Notes			91
Section 9.06		Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.			91
ARTICLE 10 [Intentionally omitted]
ARTICLE 11 NOTE GUARANTEES
Section 11.01		Guarantee			92
Section 11.02		Limitation on Liability			93
Section 11.03		Successors and Assigns			93
Section 11.04		No Waiver			94
Section 11.05		Modification			94
Section 11.06		Execution of Supplemental Indenture for Future Subsidiary Guarantors			94
Section 11.07		Non-Impairment			94
Section 11.08		Release of Guarantees			94
ARTICLE 12 SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
Section 12.01		Satisfaction and Discharge			95
Section 12.02		Application of Trust Money			96
ARTICLE 13 MISCELLANEOUS
Section 13.01		[Intentionally Omitted]			96
Section 13.02		Notices			96
Section 13.03		Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes			98
Section 13.04		Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent			98
Section 13.05		Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion			98
Section 13.06		Rules by Trustee and Agents			98
Section 13.07		No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders			99
Section 13.08		Governing Law			99
Section 13.09		No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements			99
Section 13.10		Successors			99
Section 13.11		Severability			99
Section 13.12		Counterpart Originals			99
Section 13.13		Table of Contents, Headings, etc.			100
Section 13.14		Patriot Act			100
Section 13.15		Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial			100

 

(iii)

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EXHIBITS
Exhibit A		FORM OF NOTE			A-1
Exhibit B		FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER			B-1
Exhibit C		FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE			C-1
Exhibit D		FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE			D-1

 

(iv)

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INDENTURE dated as of July 15, 2020 among Studio City Finance Limited, a BVI business company with limited liability incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands with company number 1673307 (the “Company”), the Subsidiary Guarantors named herein (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”) and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, a New York banking corporation as Trustee, Paying Agent, Registrar and Transfer Agent.

Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of each other and for the other parties hereto and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders (as defined herein) of the 6.500% Senior Notes due 2028 (the “Notes”):

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.01    Definitions.

“144A Global Note” means a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee, that will be issued in a denomination equal (subject to a maximum denomination of US$500 million) to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold in reliance on Rule 144A.

“Acquired Indebtedness” means, with respect to any specified Person:

(1)    Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is merged with or into or became a Subsidiary of such specified Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is Incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person merging with or into, or becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of, such specified Person; and

(2)    Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified Person.

“Additional Notes” means additional Notes (other than the Initial Notes) issued under this Indenture in accordance with Section 2.02 and Section 4.09 hereof, as part of the same series as the Initial Notes; provided that any Additional Notes that are not fungible with the Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes shall have a separate CUSIP, ISIN or other identifying number than any previously issued Notes, but shall otherwise be treated as a single class with all other Notes issued under this Indenture.

“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control,” as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise; provided that beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the Voting Stock of a Person will be deemed to be control. For purposes of this definition, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with” have correlative meanings.

“Agent” means any Registrar, co-registrar, Paying Agent, Transfer Agent or additional paying agents or transfer agents.

“Applicable Premium” means, with respect to any Note on any redemption date, the greater of:

 

1.

1.0% of the principal amount of the Note; or

 

2.

the excess of:

 

(a)

the present value at such redemption date of (i) the redemption price of the Note at July 15, 2023, plus (ii) all required interest payments due on the Note through July 15, 2023 (such redemption price being set forth in the table appearing in Section 3.07 hereof) plus (ii) all required interest payments due on the Note through July 15, 2023 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to but excluding the redemption date), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such redemption date plus 50 basis points; over

---

(b)

the principal amount of the Note, if greater,

as calculated by the Company or on behalf of the Company by such Person as the Company may engage. For the avoidance of doubt, calculation of the Applicable Premium shall not be a duty or obligation of the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Transfer Agent, or the Registrar.

“Applicable Procedures” means, with respect to any transfer or exchange of or for beneficial interests in any Global Note, the rules and procedures of the Depositary, Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg that apply to such transfer or exchange.

“Asset Sale” means:

(1)     the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of any assets or rights; provided that the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole will be governed by the provisions of this Indenture described in Section 4.15 hereof and/or the provisions described in Section 5.01 hereof and not by the provisions of Section 4.10 hereof;

(2)     the issuance of Equity Interests in any of the Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company or the sale of Equity Interests in any of the Company’s Subsidiaries; and

(3)    any Event of Loss.

Notwithstanding the preceding, none of the following items will be deemed to be an Asset Sale:

(1)     any single transaction or series of related transactions that involves assets having a Fair Market Value of less than US$5.0 million;

(2)     a transfer of assets between or among the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(3)    an issuance of Equity Interests by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

(4)     the sale, license, transfer, lease (including the right to use) or other disposal of products, services, rights, accounts receivable, undertakings, establishments or other current assets or cessation of any undertaking or establishment in the ordinary course of business (including pursuant to any shared services agreements (including the MSA), Revenue Sharing Agreement or any construction and development activities) and any sale or other disposition of damaged, worn-out, surplus or obsolete assets (or the dissolution of any Dormant Subsidiary) in the ordinary course of business;

(5)     the sale or other disposition of cash or Cash Equivalents;

(6)     any transfer, termination or unwinding or other disposition of Hedging Obligations in the ordinary course of business;

(7)     a transaction covered under Section 5.01 or Section 4.15;

(8)    the lease of, right to use or equivalent interest under Macau law on that portion of real property granted to Studio City Developments Limited pursuant to the applicable land concession granted by the government of the Macau SAR in connection with the development of the Phase II Project in accordance with such applicable land concession;

 

2

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(9)    a Restricted Payment that does not violate the provisions of Section 4.07 hereof or a Permitted Investment, and any other payment under the Services and Right to Use Agreement, the Reinvestment Agreement or the MSA and any transactions or arrangements involving contractual rights under, pursuant to or in connection with the Services and Right to Use Agreement, the Reinvestment Agreement or the MSA, including any amendments, modifications, supplements, extensions, replacements, terminations or renewals thereof;

(10)     the (i) lease, sublease, license or right to use of any portion of the Property to persons who, either directly or through Affiliates of such persons, intend to develop, operate or manage gaming, hotel, nightclubs, bars, restaurants, malls, amusements, attractions, recreation, spa, pool, exercise or gym facilities, or entertainment facilities or venues or retail shops or venues or similar or related establishments or facilities within the Property and (ii) the grant of declarations of covenants, conditions and restrictions and/or easements or other rights to use with respect to common area spaces and similar instruments benefiting such tenants of such lease, subleases licenses and rights to use generally and/or entered into connection with the Property (collectively, the “Venue Easements”); provided that no Venue Easements or operations conducted pursuant thereto would reasonably be expected to materially interfere with, or materially impair or detract from, the operation of the Property;

(11)     the dedication of space or other dispositions of property in connection with and in furtherance of constructing structures or improvements reasonably related to the development, construction and operation of the Property; provided, that in each case such dedication or other disposition is in furtherance of, and does not materially impair or interfere with the use or operations (or intended use or operations) of, the Property;

(12)     the granting of easements, rights of way, rights of access and/or similar rights to any governmental authority, utility providers, cable or other communication providers and/or other parties providing services or benefits to the Property, the real property held by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or the public at large that would not reasonably be expected to interfere in any material respect with the construction, development or operation of the Property;

(13)     the granting of a lease, right to use or equivalent interest to Melco Resorts Macau or Melco Resorts or any of its Affiliates for purposes of operating a gaming facility at Studio City, including under the Services and Right to Use Agreement and any related agreements, or any transactions or arrangements contemplated thereby;

(14)     the grant of licenses to intellectual property rights to third Persons (other than Affiliates of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company) on an arm’s length basis in the ordinary course of business or to Melco Resorts Macau, Melco Resorts and its Affiliates in the ordinary course of business;

(15)    transfers, assignments or dispositions constituting an Incurrence of a Permitted Lien (but not the actual sale or other disposition of the property subject to such Lien); and

(16)     any surrender or waiver of contractual rights or settlement, release, recovery on or surrender of contract, tort or other claims in the ordinary course of business.

“Bankruptcy Law” means (i) the United States Bankruptcy Code of 1978 or any similar U.S. federal or state law for the relief of debtors, (ii) the provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure of Macau that deal with the placement of a debtor into liquidation, the administration and disposal of its assets, the distribution of the proceeds thereof and the alternatives to such liquidation, or any laws of similar effect, and (iii) those laws included, principally within (but not limited to) the BVI Business Companies Act, 2004 (as amended) and the Insolvency Act, 2007 (as amended) concerning the solvency and insolvency of BVI companies.

 

3

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“Beneficial Owner” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), such “person” will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such “person” has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only after the passage of time. The terms “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” have a corresponding meaning.

“Board of Directors” means:

(1)     with respect to a corporation, the board of directors of the corporation or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such board;

(2)     with respect to a partnership, the Board of Directors of the general partner of the partnership;

(3)     with respect to a limited liability company, the managing member or members or any controlling committee of managing members thereof; and

(4)     with respect to any other Person, the board or committee of such Person serving a similar function.

“Business Day” means any day other than a Legal Holiday.

“Capital Lease Obligation” means, at the time any determination is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a finance or capital lease that would at that time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and the Stated Maturity thereof shall be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date upon which such lease may be prepaid by the lessee without payment of a penalty.

“Capital Stock” means:

(1)     in the case of a corporation, corporate stock or shares;

(2)     in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;

(3)     in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited); and

(4)     any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person, but excluding from all of the foregoing any debt securities convertible into Capital Stock, whether or not such debt securities include any right of participation with Capital Stock.

“Cash Equivalents” means:

(1)     securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality of the United States government (provided that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support of those securities) having maturities of not more than six months from the date of acquisition;

(2)     demand deposits, certificates of deposit, time deposits and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of 12 months or less from the date of acquisition, bankers’ acceptances with maturities not exceeding six months and overnight bank deposits, in each case, with any commercial bank organized under the laws of Macau, Hong Kong, a member state of the European Union or of the United States of America or any state thereof having capital and surplus in excess of US$500.0 million (or the foreign currency equivalent thereof as of the date of such investment) and whose long-term debt is rated “A-3” or higher by Moody’s or “A-” or higher by S&P or the equivalent rating category or another internationally recognized rating agency;

 

4

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(3)     repurchase obligations with a term of not more than seven days for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (1) and (2) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (2) above;

(4)    commercial paper having one of the two highest ratings obtainable from Moody’s or S&P and, in each case, maturing within 12 months after the date of acquisition; and

(5)    money market funds at least 95% of the assets of which constitute Cash Equivalents of the kinds described in clauses (1) through (4) of this definition.

“Casualty” means any casualty, loss, damage, destruction or other similar loss with respect to real or personal property or improvements.

“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:

(1)    the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole to any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) (other than Melco Resorts or a Related Party of Melco Resorts);

(2)    the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or

(3)     the first day on which:

 

(A)

Melco Resorts ceases to own, directly or indirectly, (i) a majority, or (ii) if Melco Resorts is authorized by the relevant Gaming Authority or is otherwise permitted to hold less than 50.1% of Equity Interest in Studio City International, the greater of (x) such lesser percentage and (y) 35%, of the outstanding Equity Interests and/or Voting Stock of each of the Company and Studio City Holdings Five Limited (or any Person which becomes a “Golden Shareholder” and/or a “Preference Holder” under the Direct Agreement pursuant to the terms thereof, if any);

 

(B)

Melco Resorts ceases to own, directly or indirectly, less than 50.1% of Equity Interest in Melco Resorts Macau (or another operator of the Studio City Casino); or

 

(C)

Melco Resorts ceases to have, directly or indirectly (through a Subsidiary), the power to nominate a number of directors on the Board of Directors of the Company who are entitled to cast a majority of the votes which may be cast at a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Company.

“Clearstream, Luxembourg” means Clearstream Banking S.A.

“Company” means Studio City Finance Limited, and any and all successors thereto.

“Condemnation” means any taking by a Governmental Authority of assets or property, or any part thereof or interest therein, for public or quasi-public use under the power of eminent domain, by reason of any public improvement or condemnation or in any other manner.

 

5

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“Consolidated Net Income” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis, determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP; provided that:

(1)    the Net Income (or loss) of any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting will be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or similar distributions actually paid in cash to, or the amount of loss actually funded in cash by, the specified Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Person;

(2)    the Net Income of any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor will be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of that Net Income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (that has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders provided, however, that Consolidated Net Income of the specified Person will be increased by the amount of dividends or similar contributions actually paid in cash (or to the extent converted into cash) to the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Subsidiary Guarantor, to the extent not already included therein;

(3)    the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles will be excluded; and

(4)    charges or expenses related to deferred financing fees and Indebtedness issuance costs, including related commissions, fees and expenses, premiums paid or other expenses incurred directly in connection with any early extinguishment of Indebtedness and any net gain (loss) from any write-off, extinguishment, repurchase, cancellation or forgiveness of Indebtedness will be excluded.

“Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee” means the address of the Trustee specified in Section 13.02 hereof or such other address as to which the Trustee may give notice to the Company.

“Credit Facilities” means one or more debt facilities, indentures or commercial paper facilities, in each case, with banks or other lenders providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders against such receivables), letters of credit or other forms of Indebtedness, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced (whether upon or after termination or otherwise) or refinanced (including by means of sales of debt securities to investors) in whole or in part from time to time.

“Credit Facilities Documents” means the collective reference to any Credit Facilities, any notes issued pursuant thereto and the guarantees thereof, and the collateral or other documents relating thereto, as amended, supplemented, restated, renewed, refunded, replaced, restructured, repaid, refinanced or otherwise modified, in whole or in part, from time to time.

“Custodian” means Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as custodian with respect to the Notes in global form, or any successor entity thereto.

“Default” means any event that is, or with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would be, an Event of Default.

“Definitive Note” means a certificated Note registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 2.06 hereof, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, except that such Note shall not bear the Global Note Legend and shall not have the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto.

“Depositary” means, with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.03 hereof as the Depositary with respect to the Notes, and any and all successors thereto appointed as depositary hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provision of this Indenture.

 

6

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“Direct Agreement” means the direct agreement dated November 26, 2013, in relation to (a) the Services and Right to Use Agreement and (b) the Reinvestment Agreement.

“Disqualified Stock” means any Capital Stock that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible, or for which it is exchangeable, in each case, at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or redeemable at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the date on which the Notes mature. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any Capital Stock that would constitute Disqualified Stock solely because the holders of the Capital Stock have the right to require the Company to repurchase such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a change of control or an asset sale will not constitute Disqualified Stock if the terms of such Capital Stock provide that the Company may not repurchase or redeem any such Capital Stock pursuant to such provisions unless such repurchase or redemption complies with Section 4.07 hereof. The amount of Disqualified Stock deemed to be outstanding at any time for purposes of this Indenture will be the maximum amount that the Company may become obligated to pay upon the maturity of, or pursuant to any mandatory redemption provisions of, such Disqualified Stock, exclusive of accrued dividends.

“Dormant Subsidiary” means a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company which does not trade (for itself or as agent for any other person) and does not own, legally or beneficially, assets (including, without limitation, Indebtedness owed to it) which in aggregate have a book value greater than US$100,000 and has no third-party recourse Indebtedness or intercompany Indebtedness with the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary.

“EBITDA” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period plus, without duplication:

(1)    an amount equal to any extraordinary loss plus any net loss realized by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with an Asset Sale, to the extent such losses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(2)    provision for taxes based on income or profits of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent that such provision for taxes was deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(3)    the Fixed Charges of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent that such Fixed Charges were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(4)    depreciation, amortization (including amortization of intangibles but excluding amortization of prepaid cash expenses that were paid in a prior period) and other non-cash expenses (excluding any such non-cash expense to the extent that it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash expenses in any future period or amortization of a prepaid cash expense that was paid in a prior period), of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period to the extent that such depreciation, amortization and other non-cash expenses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(5)    any non-cash compensation charge arising from any grant of stock, stock options or other equity based awards; plus

(6)    Pre-Opening Expenses, to the extent such expense were deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income; plus

(7)    any goodwill or other intangible asset impairment charge; plus

 

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(8)    non-cash items increasing such Consolidated Net Income for such period, other than the accrual of revenue in the ordinary course of business,

in each case, on a consolidated basis and determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Notwithstanding the preceding, the provision for taxes based on the income or profits of, and the depreciation and amortization and other non-cash expenses of, a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company will be added to Consolidated Net Income to compute EBITDA of the Company only to the extent that a corresponding amount was included in the calculation of Consolidated Net Income.

“Equity Interests” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).

“Equity Offering” means any public sale or private issuance of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of (1) the Company or (2) a direct or indirect parent of the Company to the extent the net proceeds from such issuance are contributed in cash to the common equity capital of the Company (in each case other than pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-8 or otherwise relating to equity securities issuable under any employee benefit plan of the Company).

“Euroclear” means Euroclear Bank SA/NV.

“Event of Loss” means, with respect to the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is a Significant Subsidiary, any (1) Casualty, (2) Condemnation or seizure (other than pursuant to foreclosure) or (3) settlement in lieu of clause (2) above, in each case having a fair market value in excess of US$20.0 million.

“Exchange Act” means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

“Excluded Contributions” means the net cash proceeds received by the Company subsequent to the Issue Date from:

(1)    contributions to its common equity capital; and

(2)    the issuance or sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company or to any Company or Subsidiary management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement) by the Company of shares of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) or a share capital increase;

in each case, designated as Excluded Contributions on the date on which such Excluded Contributions were received pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate, and excluded from the calculation set forth in Section 4.07(a)(4)(C)(ii) hereof.

“Excluded Subsidiary” means a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company which (a) is incorporated solely for the purpose of complying with the requirements of the government of Macau in connection with the conduct of the Permitted Business by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, and (b) does not own, legally or beneficially, assets (including, without limitation, Indebtedness owed to it) which in aggregate have a book value greater than US$100,000 and has no third-party recourse Indebtedness or intercompany Indebtedness with the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary.

“Existing Studio City Company Notes” means the US$850,000,000 7.250% Senior Secured Notes due 2021 of Studio City Company Limited outstanding on the Issue Date.

“Fair Market Value” means the value that would be paid by a willing buyer to an unaffiliated willing seller in a transaction not involving distress or necessity of either party, determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company (unless otherwise provided in this Indenture).

 

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“Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means with respect to any specified Person for any period, the ratio of EBITDA of such Person for such period to the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period. In the event that the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries incurs, assumes, guarantees, repays, repurchases, redeems, defeases or otherwise discharges any Indebtedness (other than ordinary working capital borrowings) or issues, repurchases or redeems Preferred Stock subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated and on or prior to the date on which the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the “Calculation Date”), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio will be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, assumption, Guarantee, repayment, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other discharge of Indebtedness, or such issuance, repurchase or redemption of Preferred Stock, and the use of the proceeds therefrom, as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter reference period.

In addition, for purposes of calculating the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio:

(1)    acquisitions that have been made by the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including through mergers or consolidations, or any Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries acquired by the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, and including any related financing transactions and including increases in ownership of Restricted Subsidiaries, during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to the Calculation Date will be given pro forma effect (in accordance with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act) as if they had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period;

(2)    the EBITDA attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and operations or businesses (and ownership interests therein) disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, will be excluded;

(3)    the Fixed Charges attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and operations or businesses (and ownership interests therein) disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, will be excluded, but only to the extent that the Obligations giving rise to such Fixed Charges will not be Obligations of the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries following the Calculation Date;

(4)    any Person that is a Restricted Subsidiary on the Calculation Date will be deemed to have been a Restricted Subsidiary at all times during such four-quarter period;

(5)    any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary on the Calculation Date will be deemed not to have been a Restricted Subsidiary at any time during such four-quarter period; and

(6)    if any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest, the interest expense on such Indebtedness will be calculated as if the rate in effect on the Calculation Date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Hedging Obligation applicable to such Indebtedness if such Hedging Obligation has a remaining term as at the Calculation Date in excess of 12 months).

“Fixed Charges” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of:

(1)    the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued, including, without limitation, amortization of debt discount (but not (i) debt issuance costs, commissions, fees and expenses or (ii) amortization of discount on the Intercompany Note Proceeds Loans), non-cash interest payments, the interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges Incurred in respect of letter of credit or bankers’ acceptance financings, and net of the effect of all payments made or received pursuant to Hedging Obligations in respect of interest rates; plus

 

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(2)    the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such period; plus

(3)    any interest on Indebtedness of another Person that is guaranteed by such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Indebtedness secured by a Lien of the type specified in clause (22) of the definition of “Permitted Liens”), whether or not such Guarantee or Lien is called upon; plus

(4)    the product of (a) all dividends, whether paid or accrued and whether or not in cash, on any series of Preferred Stock of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than dividends on Equity Interests payable solely in Equity Interests of such Person (other than Disqualified Stock) or to such Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person, times (b) a fraction, the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is one minus the then current combined federal, state and local statutory tax rate of such Person, expressed as a decimal, in each case, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

“Gaming Authorities” means the applicable gaming board, commission, or other governmental gaming regulatory body or agency which (a) has, or may at any time after issuance of the Notes have, jurisdiction over the gaming activities (i) at the Studio City Casino, (ii) of Melco Resorts Macau (or any other operator of the Studio City Casino including Melco Resorts or any of its Affiliates), or (iii) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any successor to such authority or (b) is, or may at any time after the issuance of the Notes be, responsible for interpreting, administering and enforcing the Gaming Laws.

“Gaming Laws” means all applicable constitutions, treatises, resolutions, laws, regulations, instructions and statutes pursuant to which any Gaming Authority possesses regulatory, licensing or permit authority over gaming, gambling or casino activities, and all rules, rulings, orders, ordinances, regulations of any Gaming Authority applicable to the gambling, casino, gaming businesses or activities (i) at Studio City Casino, (ii) of Melco Resorts Macau (or any other operator of the Studio City Casino including Melco Resorts or any of its Affiliates), or (iii) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in any jurisdiction, as in effect from time to time, including the policies, interpretations and administration thereof by the Gaming Authorities.

“Gaming Licenses” means any concession, subconcession, license, permit, franchise or other authorization at any time required under any Gaming Laws to own, lease, operate or otherwise conduct the gaming business (i) at Studio City Casino or (ii) of Melco Resorts Macau.

“Global Note Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(f)(2) hereof, which is required to be placed on all Global Notes issued under this Indenture.

“Global Notes” means, individually and collectively, each of the Restricted Global Notes and the Unrestricted Global Notes deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depository or its nominee, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto and that bears the Global Note Legend and that has the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto, issued in accordance with Section 2.01, 2.06(b)(3), 2.06(b)(4), and with Section 2.06(d)(2) or 2.06(f) hereof.

“Governmental Authority” means the government of the Macau SAR or any other territory, nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

 

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“Guarantee” means a guarantee other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business, direct or indirect, in any manner including, without limitation, by way of a pledge of assets or through letters of credit or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof, of all or any part of any Indebtedness (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreements to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take or pay or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise).

“Hedging Obligations” means, with respect to any specified Person, the obligations of such Person under:

(1)    interest rate swap agreements (whether from fixed to floating or from floating to fixed), interest rate cap agreements and interest rate collar agreements;

(2)    other agreements or arrangements designed to manage interest rates or interest rate risk; and

(3)    other agreements or arrangements designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in currency exchange rates or commodity prices.

“Holder” means a Person in whose name a Note is registered.

“Incur” means, with respect to any Indebtedness, Capital Stock or other Obligation of any Person, to create, issue, assume, guarantee, incur (by conversion, exchange, or otherwise) or otherwise become liable in respect of such Indebtedness, Capital Stock or other Obligation or the recording, as required pursuant to U.S. GAAP or otherwise, of any such Indebtedness or other Obligation on the balance sheet of such Person. Indebtedness or Capital Stock otherwise Incurred by a Person before it becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company shall be deemed to be Incurred at the time at which such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company. The accretion of original issue discount, the accrual of interest, the accrual of dividends, the payment of interest in the form of additional Indebtedness and the payment of dividends on Preferred Stock in the form of additional shares of Preferred Stock shall not be considered an Incurrence of Indebtedness.

“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any specified Person, any indebtedness of such Person (excluding accrued expenses and trade payables), whether or not contingent:

(1)    in respect of borrowed money;

(2)    evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit (or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof);

(3)    in respect of banker’s acceptances;

(4)    representing Capital Lease Obligations;

(5)    representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property or services due more than one year after such property is acquired or such services are completed; or

(6)    representing any Hedging Obligations,

if and to the extent any of the preceding items (other than letters of credit and Hedging Obligations) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of the specified Person prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In addition, the term “Indebtedness” includes all Indebtedness of others secured by a Lien on any asset of the specified Person (whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by the specified Person) and, to the extent not otherwise included, the Guarantee by the specified Person of any Indebtedness of any other Person.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Indebtedness” will not include (i) any capital commitments, deposits or advances from customers or any contingent obligations to refund payments (including deposits) to customers (or any guarantee thereof), (ii) obligations of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to pay the deferred and unpaid purchase price of property or services due to suppliers of equipment or other assets (including parts thereof) not more than one year after such property is acquired or such services are completed and the amount of unpaid purchase price retained by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business in connection with an acquisition of equipment or other assets (including parts thereof) pending full operation or contingent on certain conditions during a warranty period of such equipment or assets in accordance with the terms of the acquisition; provided that, in each case of clause (i) and (ii), such Indebtedness is not reflected as borrowings on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company (contingent obligations and commitments referred to in a footnote to financial statements and not otherwise reflected as borrowings on the balance sheet will not be deemed to be reflected on such balance sheet), or (iii) any lease of property which would be considered an operating lease under U.S. GAAP and any guarantee given by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business solely in connection with, or in respect of, the obligations of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary under any operating lease.

The amount of Indebtedness of any Person at any time shall be the outstanding balance at such time of all unconditional obligations as described above and, with respect to contingent obligations, the maximum liability upon the occurrence of the contingency giving rise to the obligation; provided that:

 

(A)

the amount outstanding at any time of any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount is the face amount of such Indebtedness less the remaining unamortized portion of the original issue discount of such Indebtedness at such time as determined in conformity with U.S. GAAP;

 

(B)

money borrowed and set aside at the time of the Incurrence of any Indebtedness in order to prefund the payment of the interest on such Indebtedness shall not be deemed to be “Indebtedness” so long as such money is held to secure the payment of such interest; and

 

(C)

that the amount of or the principal amount of Indebtedness with respect to any Hedging Obligation shall be equal to the net amount payable if such Hedging Obligation terminated at or prior to that time due to a default by such Person.

“Indenture” means this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time.

“Independent Financial Advisor” means accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of international standing.

“Indirect Participant” means a Person who holds a beneficial interest in a Global Note through a Participant.

“Initial Notes” means the first US$500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under this Indenture on the date hereof.

“Initial Purchasers” means Deutsche Bank AG, Singapore Branch or Australia, New Zealand Banking Group Limited, Bank of Communications Co., Ltd. Macau Branch, BOC Asia Limited, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Asia) Limited, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Macau) Limited and Mizuho Securities USA LLC.

“Intercompany Note Proceeds Loans” means the one or more intercompany loans between the Company and its Subsidiaries pursuant to which the Company on-lends to its Subsidiaries the net proceeds from the issuance of the Notes in accordance with the terms of the definitive documents with respect to the Notes, as amended from time to time, including in connection with any extension, additional issuance or refinancing thereof.

 

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“Investment Grade Status” shall apply at any time the Notes receive (i) a rating equal to or higher than BBB- (or the equivalent) from S&P and (ii) a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) from Moody’s.

“Investments” means, with respect to any Person, all direct or indirect investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the forms of loans (including Guarantees or other obligations), advances or capital contributions (excluding commission, travel and similar advances to officers and employees and consultants made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities, together with all items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. If the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company sells or otherwise disposes of any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company such that, after giving effect to any such sale or disposition, such Person is no longer a Subsidiary of the Company, the Company will be deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or disposition equal to the Fair Market Value of the Company’s Investments in such Subsidiary that were not sold or disposed of in an amount determined as provided in the final paragraph of Section 4.07 hereof. The acquisition by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company of a Person that holds an Investment in a third Person will be deemed to be an Investment by the Company or such Subsidiary in such third Person in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the Investments held by the acquired Person in such third Person in an amount determined as provided in the final paragraph of Section 4.07 hereof. Except as otherwise provided in this Indenture, the amount of an Investment will be determined at the time the Investment is made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value.

“Issue Date” means the date on which the Notes (other than any Additional Notes) are originally issued.

“Land Concession” means the land concession by way of lease, for a period of 25 years, subject to renewal as of October 17, 2001 for a plot of land situated in Cotai, Macau, described with the Macau Immovable Property Registry under No. 23059 and registered in Studio City Developments Limited’s name under inscription no. 26642 of Book F, titled by Dispatch of the Secretary for Public Works and Transportation no. 100/2001 of October 9, 2001, published in the Macau Official Gazette no. 42 of October 17, 2001, as amended by Dispatch of the Secretary for Public Works and Transportation no. 31/2012 of July 19, 2012, published in the Macau Official Gazette no. 30 of July 25, 2012, and by Dispatch of Secretary for Public Works and Transportation no. 92/2015 of September 10, 2015, published in the Macau Official Gazette no. 38 of September 23, 2015 and including any other amendments from time to time to such land concession.

“Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the City of New York, New York, Hong Kong, Macau, the British Virgin Islands or at a place of payment are authorized by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue on such payment for the intervening period.

“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction).

“Measurement Date” means February 11, 2019.

“Melco Resorts” means Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited, an exempted company incorporated with limited liability under the laws of the Cayman Islands.

“Melco Resorts Macau” means Melco Resorts (Macau) Limited, a Macau company.

 

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“Melco Resorts Parties” means COD Resorts Limited, Altira Resorts Limited, Melco Resorts (Macau) Limited, MPEL Services Limited, Golden Future (Management Services) Limited, MPEL Properties (Macau) Limited, Melco Resorts Security Services Limited, Melco Resorts Travel Limited, MCE Transportation Limited, MCE Transportation Two Limited and any other Person which accedes to the MSA as a “Melco Crown Party” pursuant to terms thereof; and a “Melco Resorts Party” means any of them.

“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

“MSA” means the master services agreement dated December 21, 2015, including any work agreements entered into pursuant to the master services agreement, entered into between the Studio City Parties on the one part and the Melco Resorts Parties on the other part, as amended, modified, supplemented, extended, replaced or renewed from time to time, and any other master services agreement or equivalent agreement or contract, including any work agreements entered into pursuant to any such master services agreement, in each case entered into in connection with the conduct of Permitted Business and on terms that are no less favorable to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in an arm’s length commercial transaction, as amended, modified, supplemented, extended, replaced or renewed from time to time.

“Net Income” means, with respect to any Person, the net income (loss) of such Person, determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP and before any reduction in respect of Preferred Stock dividends, excluding, however:

(1)    any gain (or loss), together with any related provision for taxes on such gain (or loss), realized in connection with: (a) any Asset Sale; or (b) the disposition of any securities by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or the extinguishment, repurchase or cancellation of any Indebtedness of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; and

(2)    any extraordinary gain (or loss), together with any related provision for taxes on such extraordinary gain (or loss).

“Net Proceeds” means the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale (including, without limitation, any cash received upon the sale or other disposition of any non-cash consideration received in any Asset Sale), net of the costs relating to such Asset Sale, including, without limitation, legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and sales commissions, and any relocation expenses incurred as a result of the Asset Sale, taxes paid or payable as a result of the Asset Sale, in each case, after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements and any reserve for adjustment in respect of the sale price of such asset or assets established in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

“Non-Recourse Debt” means Indebtedness:

(1)    as to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (a) provides credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness), (b) is directly or indirectly liable as a guarantor or otherwise, or (c) constitutes the lender, other than, in the case of (a) and (b), Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(b)(15) hereof; and

(2)    as to which the lenders have been notified in writing that they will not have any recourse to the stock or assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than to the Equity Interests of any Unrestricted Subsidiary).

“Non-U.S. Person” means a Person who is not a U.S. Person.

“Note Guarantee” means the Guarantee by each Subsidiary Guarantor of the Company’s Obligations under this Indenture and the Notes.

 

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“Notes” has the meaning assigned to it in the preamble to this Indenture. The Initial Notes and the Additional Notes shall be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture, and unless the context otherwise requires, all references to the Notes shall include the Initial Notes and any Additional Notes.

“Obligations” means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.

“Offering Memorandum” means the offering memorandum dated July 8, 2020 in respect of the Notes.

“Officer” means the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Property Chief Financial Officer, President, any Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President or Vice President, Treasurer or Secretary of the Company or any Directors of the Board or any Person acting in that capacity.

“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed on behalf of the Company by an Officer of the Company which meets the requirements of Section 13.05 hereof.

“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee that meets the requirements of Section 13.05 hereof. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company.

“Participant” means, with respect to the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg, a Person who has an account with the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg, respectively (and, with respect to DTC, shall include Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg).

“Permitted Business” means (1) any businesses, services or activities engaged in by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries on the Issue Date, including, without limitation, the construction, development and operation of the Property, (2) any gaming, hotel, accommodation, hospitality, transport, tourism, resort, food and beverage, retail, entertainment, cinema / cinematic venue, audio-visual production (including provision of sound stage, recording studio and similar facilities), performance, cultural or related business, development, project, undertaking or venture of any kind in the Macau SAR, and (3) any other businesses, services, activities or undertaking that are necessary for, supportive of, or connected, related, complementary, incidental, ancillary or similar to, any of the foregoing or are extensions or developments of any thereof (including in support of the businesses, services, activities and undertakings of the Melco Resorts group as a whole or any member thereof including through participation in shared and centralized services and activities).

“Permitted Investments” means:

(1)    any Investment in the Company or in a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

(2)    any Investment in cash or Cash Equivalents;

(3)    any Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in a Person, if as a result of such Investment:

 

(A)

such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; or

 

(B)

such Person is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

(4)    any Investment made as a result of the receipt of non-cash consideration from an Asset Sale that was made pursuant to and in compliance with Section 4.10 hereof;

(5)    any acquisition of assets or Capital Stock in exchange for the issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company;

 

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(6)    any Investments received in compromise or resolution of (A) obligations of trade creditors or customers that were incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of any trade creditor or customer; or (B) litigation, arbitration or other disputes with Persons who are not Affiliates;

(7)    Investments represented by Hedging Obligations;

(8)    loans or advances to employees, officers, or directors made in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed US$2.0 million at any one time outstanding;

(9)    repurchases of the Notes;

(10)    any Investments consisting of gaming credit extended to customers and junket operators in the ordinary course of business and consistent with applicable law and any Investments made or deemed to be made in connection with or through any transactions or arrangements involving contractual rights under, pursuant to or in connection with (i) the Services and Right to Use Agreement, the Reinvestment Agreement or the MSA and (ii) any transaction or arrangements made pursuant to clause (10) of the definition of “Asset Sale”, including any amendments, modifications, supplements, extensions, replacements, terminations or renewals;

(11)    advances to contractors and suppliers and accounts, trade and notes receivables created or acquired in the ordinary course of business;

(12)    receivables owing to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries if created or acquired in the ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary trade terms;

(13)    any Investment existing on the Issue Date or made pursuant to binding commitments in effect on the Issue Date or an Investment consisting of any extension, modification or renewal of any Investment existing on the Issue Date; provided that the amount of any such Investment may be increased (x) as required by the terms of such Investment as in existence on the Issue Date or (y) as otherwise permitted under this Indenture;

(14)    Investments in prepaid expenses, negotiable instruments held for collection, deposits made in connection with self-insurance, and performance and other similar deposits and prepayments made in connection with an acquisition of assets or property in the ordinary course of business by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

(15)    deposits made by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in the ordinary course of business to comply with statutory or regulatory obligations (including land grants) to maintain deposits for the purposes specified by the applicable statute or regulation (including land grants) from time to time;

(16)    any Investment consisting of a Guarantee permitted by Section 4.09 hereof and performance guarantees that do not constitute Indebtedness entered into by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in the ordinary course of business;

(17)    to the extent constituting an Investment, licenses of intellectual property rights granted by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in the ordinary course of business; provided, that such grant does not interfere in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of the business of such Person;

(18)    Investments consisting of purchases and acquisitions of inventory, supplies, materials, services or equipment or purchases of contract rights or licenses or leases of intellectual property, in each case, in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(19)    Investments held by a Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; provided, however, that such Investments were not acquired in contemplation of the acquisition of such Person;

(20)    an Investment in an Unrestricted Subsidiary consisting solely of an Investment in another Unrestricted Subsidiary;

(21)    pledges or deposits (x) with respect to leases or utilities provided to third parties in the ordinary course of business or (y) otherwise described in the definition of “Permitted Liens”;

(22)    Investments (other than Permitted Investments) made with Excluded Contributions; provided, however, that any amount of Excluded Contributions made will not be included in the calculation of Section 4.07(a)(4)(C)(ii) hereof;

(23)    Investments consisting of the licensing or contribution of intellectual property pursuant to joint marketing arrangements with other Persons; and

(24)    other Investments in any Person having an aggregate Fair Market Value (measured on the date each such Investment was made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (24) under the Indenture that are at the time outstanding not to exceed US$5.0 million.

“Permitted Liens” means:

(1)    Liens to secure Indebtedness permitted by Section 4.09(b)(1)(i)(x) and Section 4.09(b)(3)(a) hereof;

(2)    Liens created for the benefit of (or to secure) the Notes (including any Additional Notes) or the Note Guarantees;

(3)    Liens in favor of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors;

(4)    Liens on property of a Person existing at the time such Person is merged with or into or consolidated with the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such Liens were not created in connection with, or in contemplation of, such merger or consolidation and do not extend to any assets other than those of the Person merged into or consolidated with the Company or the Subsidiary;

(5)    Liens on property (including Capital Stock) existing at the time of acquisition of the property by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such Liens were in existence prior to, such acquisition, and not incurred in contemplation of, such acquisition;

(6)    Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of business in connection with workmen’s compensation or employment obligations or other obligations of a like nature, including any Lien securing letters of credit issued in the ordinary course of business in connection therewith, or to secure the performance of tenders, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, bids, leases, government contracts, performance and return-of-money bonds and other similar obligations (exclusive of obligations for the payment of borrowed money);

(7)    Liens to secure Indebtedness (including Capital Lease Obligations) permitted by Section 4.09(b)(4) covering only the assets acquired with or financed by such Indebtedness and directly related assets such as proceeds (including insurance proceeds), improvements, replacements and substitutions thereto;

(8)    Liens existing on the Issue Date;

 

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(9)    Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims that are not yet delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently concluded; provided that any reserve or other appropriate provision as is required in conformity with U.S. GAAP has been made therefor;

(10)    Liens imposed by law, such as carriers, warehousemen’s, landlord’s, suppliers’ and mechanics’ Liens, in each case, incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(11)    survey exceptions, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights-of-way, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar purposes, or zoning or other restrictions as to the use of real property that were not incurred in connection with Indebtedness and that do not in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of said properties or materially impair their use in the operation of the business of such Person;

(12)    Liens to secure any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness permitted to be Incurred under this Indenture; provided, however, that:

 

(A)

the new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same property and assets that secured or, under the written agreements pursuant to which the original Lien arose, could secure the original Lien (plus improvements and accessions to, such property or proceeds or distributions thereof); and

 

(B)

the Indebtedness secured by the new Lien is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of (x) the outstanding principal amount, or, if greater, committed amount, of the Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness and (y) an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums, related to such renewal, refunding, refinancing, replacement, defeasance or discharge;

(13)    Liens securing Hedging Obligations so long as the related Indebtedness is, and is permitted to be under this Indenture, secured by a Lien on the same assets or property securing such Hedging Obligations;

(14)    Liens that are contractual rights of set- off (i) relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks not given in connection with the money borrowed, (ii) relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries or (iii) relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

(15)    Liens arising out of judgments against such Person not giving rise to an Event of Default, with respect to which such Person shall then be proceeding with an appeal or other proceedings for review, provided that any reserve or other appropriate provision as shall be required in conformity with U.S. GAAP shall have been made therefor;

(16)    Liens granted to the Trustee for its compensation and indemnities pursuant to this Indenture;

(17)    Liens arising out of or in connection with licenses, sublicenses, leases (other than capital leases) and subleases (including rights to use) of assets (including, without limitation, intellectual property) entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(18)    Liens upon specific items of inventory or other goods and proceeds of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries securing obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances issued or created to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(19)    Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, hire purchase, consignment or similar arrangement for the sale of goods in the ordinary course of business;

(20)    Liens arising under customary provisions limiting the disposition or distribution of assets or property or any related restrictions thereon in operating agreements, joint venture agreements, partnership agreements, contracts for sale and other agreements arising in the ordinary course of business; provided, that such Liens do not extend to any assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries other than the assets subject to such agreements or contracts;

(21)    Liens on deposits made in the ordinary course of business to secure liability to insurance carriers;

(22)    Liens on the Equity Interests of Unrestricted Subsidiaries;

(23)    Liens created or Incurred under, pursuant to or in connection with the Services and Right to Use Agreement or the Reinvestment Agreement, including Liens on any revenues or receipts thereunder or any accounts created or maintained thereunder;

(24)    limited recourse Liens in respect of the ownership interests in, or assets owned by, any joint ventures which are not Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company securing obligations of such joint ventures;

(25)    Liens securing Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(b)(17) hereof;

(26)    Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company with respect to Obligations that do not exceed US$5.0 million at any one time outstanding; and

(27)    Liens securing obligations under a debt service reserve account or interest reserve account (including all dividends, instruments, cash and Cash Equivalents and other property, as applicable, on deposit in such account) established for the benefit of creditors securing Indebtedness to the extent such debt service reserve account or interest reserve account is established in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice.

“Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge other Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than intercompany Indebtedness); provided that:

(1)    the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged (plus all accrued interest on the Indebtedness and the amount of all fees and expenses, including premiums, Incurred in connection therewith);

(2)    such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date later than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged;

(3)    if the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the Note Guarantees, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date later than the final maturity date of, and is subordinated in right of payment to, the Notes and the Note Guarantees on terms at least as favorable to the Holders as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged; and

 

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(4)    such Indebtedness is Incurred either by the Company or by the Restricted Subsidiary who is the obligor on the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged.

“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.

“Phase I” means the approximately 477,110 gross square-meter complex on the Site which contains retail, hotel, gaming, entertainment, food and beverage outlets and entertainment studios and other facilities.

“Phase II Project” means the development of the remainder of the Site, which is expected to include one or more types of Permitted Business and will be developed in accordance with the applicable governmental requirements regarding the Site.

“Preferred Stock” means any Equity Interest with preferential right of payment of dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding up.

“Pre-Opening Expenses” means, with respect to any fiscal period, the amount of expenses (other than interest expense) incurred with respect to capital projects that are classified as “pre-opening expenses” on the applicable financial statements of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

“Private Placement Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(f)(1) hereof to be placed on all Notes issued under this Indenture except where otherwise permitted by the provisions of this Indenture.

“Property” means Phase I and the Phase II Project.

“QIB” means a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A.

“Regulation S” means Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.

“Regulation S Global Note” means a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, issued in a denomination equal (subject to a maximum denomination of US$500 million) to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold in reliance on Rule 903 of Regulation S.

“Reinvestment Agreement” means the reimbursement agreement dated June 15, 2012, between Melco Resorts Macau and Studio City Entertainment Limited, as amended, restated, modified, supplemented, extended, replaced (whether upon or after termination or otherwise or whether with the original or other relevant parties) or renewed, in whole or in part from time to time, including pursuant to the Direct Agreement.

“Related Party” means:

(1)    any controlling stockholder or majority-owned Subsidiary of Melco Resorts; or

(2)    any trust, corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity, the beneficiaries, stockholders, partners, members, owners or Persons beneficially holding at least 50.1% interest of which consist of Melco Resorts and/or such other Persons referred to in the immediately preceding clause (1).

 

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“Responsible Officer,” when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee (or any successor group of the Trustee) with direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

“Restricted Definitive Note” means a Definitive Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.

“Restricted Global Note” means a Global Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.

“Restricted Investment” means an Investment other than a Permitted Investment.

“Restricted Period” means the 40-day distribution compliance period as defined in Regulation S.

“Restricted Subsidiary” of a Person means any Subsidiary of the referent Person that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

“Revenue Sharing Agreement” means any joint venture, development, management, operating or similar agreement or arrangement for the sharing of revenues, profits, losses, costs or expenses entered into in connection with developments or services complementary or ancillary to the Property in the ordinary course of business (including, for the avoidance of doubt, such agreements or arrangements reasonably necessary to conduct a Permitted Business) and on arms’ length terms.

“Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.

“Rule 144A” means Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.

“Rule 903” means Rule 903 promulgated under the Securities Act.

“Rule 904” means Rule 904 promulgated under the Securities Act.

“S&P” means S&P Global Ratings or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

“SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Securities Act” means the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

“Senior Secured Credit Facilities” means the amended and restated senior secured credit facilities dated November 30, 2016 among Studio City Company Limited, the guarantors named therein, the financial institutions named as lenders therein and the agent for such lenders, including any related notes, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, as such facilities may be amended, restated, modified, renewed, supplemented, replaced or refinanced from time to time.

“Services and Right to Use Agreement” means the services and right to use agreement originally dated May 11, 2007 and as amended and restated on June 15, 2012, executed with Studio City Entertainment Limited (formerly named MSC Diversões, Limitada and New Cotai Entertainment (Macau) Limited), a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of the Company, as amended, restated, modified, supplemented, extended, replaced (whether upon or after termination or otherwise or whether with the original or other relevant parties) or renewed, in whole or in part from time to time, including pursuant to the Direct Agreement.

“SGX-ST” means the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited or its successor.

 

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“Shareholder Subordinated Debt” means, collectively, any debt provided to the Company by any direct or indirect parent holding company of the Company (or Melco Resorts), in exchange for or pursuant to any security, instrument or agreement other than Capital Stock, together with any such security, instrument or agreement and any other security or instrument other than Capital Stock issued in payment of any obligation under any Shareholder Subordinated Debt; provided that such Shareholder Subordinated Debt:

(1)    does not (including upon the happening of any event) mature or require any amortization or other payment of principal prior to the first anniversary of the maturity of the Notes (other than through conversion or exchange of any such security or instrument for Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or for any other security or instrument meeting the requirements of the definition);

(2)    does not (including upon the happening of any event) require the payment of cash interest prior to the first anniversary of the maturity of the Notes;

(3)    does not (including upon the happening of any event) provide for the acceleration of its maturity nor confer on its shareholders any right (including upon the happening of any event) to declare a default or event of default or take any enforcement action, in each case, prior to the first anniversary of the maturity of the Notes;

(4)    is not secured by a Lien on any assets of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and is not guaranteed by any Subsidiary of the Company;

(5)    is subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full in cash of the Notes in the event of any default, bankruptcy, reorganization, liquidation, winding up or other disposition of assets of the Company;

(6)    does not (including upon the happening of any event) restrict the payment of amounts due in respect of the Notes or compliance by the Company with its obligations under the Notes, the Note Guarantees, and this Indenture;

(7)    does not (including upon the happening of an event) constitute Voting Stock; and

(8)    is not (including upon the happening of any event) mandatorily convertible or exchangeable, or convertible or exchangeable at the option of the holder, in whole or in part, prior to the date on which the Notes mature other than into or for Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company.

“Significant Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1- 02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such regulation is in effect on the Issue Date.

“Site” means an approximately 130,789 square meter parcel of land in the reclaimed area between Taipa and Coloane Island (Cotai), Lotes G300, G310 and G400, registered with the Macau Real Estate Registry under no. 23059.

“Special Put Option Triggering Event” means:

(1)    any event after which the Gaming License or other permits or authorizations as are necessary for the operation of the Studio City Casino in substantially the same manner and scope as operations are conducted at the Issue Date cease to be in full force and effect, for a period of ten consecutive days or more, and such event has a material adverse effect on the financial condition, business, properties, or results of operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; or

(2)    the termination, rescission, revocation or modification of any Gaming License which has had a material adverse effect on the financial condition, business, properties, or results of operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, excluding any termination or rescission resulting from or in connection with any renewal, tender or other process conducted by the government of Macau in connection with the granting or renewal of any Gaming License; provided that such renewal, tender or other process results in the granting or renewal of the relevant Gaming License.

 

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“Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any installment of interest or principal on any series of Indebtedness, the date on which the payment of interest or principal was scheduled to be paid in the documentation governing such Indebtedness as of the Issue Date, and will not include any contingent obligations to repay, redeem or repurchase any such interest or principal prior to the date originally scheduled for the payment thereof.

“Studio City Casino” means any casino, gaming business or activities conducted at the Site.

“Studio City International” means Studio City International Holdings Limited, an exempted company incorporated with limited liability under the laws of the Cayman Islands.

“Studio City Parties” means Studio City International, Studio City Entertainment Limited, Studio City Hotels Limited, Studio City Retail Services Limited, Studio City Developments Limited, Studio City Ventures Limited, Studio City Services Limited and any other Person which accedes to the MSA as a “Studio City Party” pursuant to terms thereof.

“Subordinated Indebtedness” means (a) with respect to the Company, any Indebtedness of the Company which is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to the Notes, and (b) with respect to any Subsidiary Guarantor, any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor which is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to such Subsidiary Guarantor’s Obligations in respect of its Note Guarantee.

“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any specified Person:

(1)    any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees of the corporation, association or other business entity is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and

(2)    any partnership (a) the sole general partner or the managing general partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person or (b) the only general partners of which are that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person (or any combination thereof).

“Subsidiary Guarantor” means each of (1) Studio City Investments Limited, Studio City Company Limited, Studio City Holdings Two Limited, Studio City Holdings Three Limited, Studio City Holdings Four Limited, Studio City Entertainment Limited, Studio City Services Limited, Studio City Hotels Limited, SCP Holdings Limited, Studio City Hospitality and Services Limited, SCIP Holdings Limited, SCP One Limited, SCP Two Limited, Studio City Developments Limited, Studio City Retail Services Limited and Studio City (HK) Two Limited and (2) any other Subsidiary of the Company that provides a Note Guarantee in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, and their respective successors and assigns, in each case, until the Note Guarantee of such Person has been released in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

“Total Assets” means, as of any date, the consolidated total assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with U.S. GAAP as shown on the most recent balance sheet of such Person.

“Transactions” means the offering of the Notes and the offer to purchase and/or redemption, as the case may be, of the Existing Studio City Company Notes as described in the Offering Memorandum.

“Treasury Rate” means, as of any redemption date, the yield to maturity as of such redemption date of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H. 15 (519) that has become publicly available at least two business days prior to the redemption date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from the redemption date to July 15, 2023; provided, however, that if the period from the redemption date to July 15, 2023 is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year will be used.

 

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“Trustee” means Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor serving hereunder.

“Unrestricted Definitive Note” means a Definitive Note that does not bear and is not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.

“Unrestricted Global Note” means a Global Note that does not bear and is not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.

“Unrestricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company that is designated by the Board of Directors of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors, but only to the extent that such Subsidiary:

(1)    has no Indebtedness other than Non-Recourse Debt;

(2)    except as permitted by Section 4.11 hereof, is not party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company unless the terms of any such agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding are no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons who are not Affiliates of the Company;

(3)    is a Person with respect to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has any direct or indirect obligation (a) to subscribe for additional Equity Interests or (b) to maintain or preserve such Person’s financial condition or to cause such Person to achieve any specified levels of operating results; and

(4)    has not guaranteed or otherwise directly or indirectly provided credit support for any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

“U.S. GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are in effect from time to time.

“U.S. Government Obligations” means securities that are:

(1)    direct obligations of the United States of America for the timely payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged, or

(2)    obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America, the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America,

which, in each case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act) as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligations or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such U.S. Government Obligations held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligations or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the U.S. Government Obligations evidenced by such depository receipt.

 

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“U.S. Person” means a U.S. Person as defined in Rule 902(k) promulgated under the Securities Act.

“Voting Stock” of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.

“Weighted Average Life to Maturity” means, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing:

(1)    the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect of the Indebtedness, by (b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment; by

(2)    the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.

“Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary” is any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary.

“Wholly-Owned Subsidiary” of any Person means a Subsidiary of such Person 100% of the outstanding Capital Stock or other ownership interests of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares) shall at the time be owned by such Person or by one or more Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

 

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Section 1.02    Other Definitions.

 

Term		Defined in Section
“Additional Amounts”		2.13
“Affiliate Transaction”		4.11
“Asset Sale Offer”		3.09
“Authentication Order”		2.02
“Change of Control Offer”		4.15
“Change of Control Payment”		4.15
“Change of Control Payment Date”		4.15
“Covenant Defeasance”		8.03
“Designated Subsidiary Guarantor Enforcement Sale”		11.08
“direct parent companies”		4.20
“DTC”		2.03
“Event of Default”		6.01
“Excess Proceeds”		4.10
“Guaranteed Obligations”		11.01
“Legal Defeasance”		8.02
“Offer Amount”		3.09
“Offer Period”		3.09
“Paying Agent”		2.03
“Permitted Debt”		4.09
“Payment Default”		6.01
“Purchase Date”		3.09
“Redemption Date”		3.07
“Registrar”		2.03
“Relevant Jurisdiction”		2.13
“Restricted Payments”		4.07
“Reversion Date”		4.21
“Special Put Option Offer”		4.21
“Special Put Option Payment”		4.21
“Suspended Covenants”		4.21
“Suspension Period”		4.21
“Taxes”		2.13

Section 1.03    Rules of Construction.

Unless the context otherwise requires:

(1)     a term has the meaning assigned to it;

(2)     an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with U.S. GAAP;

(3)     “or” is not exclusive;

(4)     words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;

(5)     “will” shall be interpreted to express a command;

(6)     provisions apply to successive events and transactions; and

(7)     references to sections of or rules under the Securities Act will be deemed to include substitute, replacement of successor sections or rules adopted by the SEC from time to time.

 

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ARTICLE 2

THE NOTES

Section 2.01    Form and Dating.

(a)    General. The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication will be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or usage. Each Note will be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes shall be in denominations of US$200,000 and integral multiples of US$1,000 in excess thereof.

The terms and provisions contained in the Notes will constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. However, to the extent any provision of any Note conflicts with the express provisions of this Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

(b)     Global Notes. Notes issued in global form will be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (including the Global Note Legend thereon and the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Notes issued in definitive form will be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (but without the Global Note Legend thereon and without the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Each Global Note will represent such of the outstanding Notes as will be specified therein and each shall provide that it represents the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges and redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby will be made by the Paying Agent, Trustee or the Registrar, at the direction of the Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.06 hereof.

(c)     Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg Procedures Applicable. The provisions of the “Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System” and “Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear” and the “General Terms and Conditions—Clearstream Banking, Luxembourg” and “Customer Handbook” of Clearstream, Luxembourg will be applicable to transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Note that are held by Participants through Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg.

Section 2.02    Execution and Authentication.

At least one Officer must sign the Notes for the Company by manual or facsimile signature.

If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time a Note is authenticated, the Note will nevertheless be valid.

A Note will not be valid until authenticated by the manual or electronic signature of the Trustee. The signature will be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this Indenture.

The Company may issue additional notes under the Indenture from time to time after the Issue Date. Any issuance of Additional Notes shall be subject to all of the covenants described under Article 4 of this Indenture, including Section 4.09 hereof. The Notes and any Additional Notes subsequently issued under this Indenture will be treated as a single class for all purposes under the Indenture, including, without limitation, waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase; provided, however if the Additional Notes are not fungible with the Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such Additional Notes will have a separate CUSIP, ISIN or other identifying number.

The Trustee will, upon receipt of a written order of the Company signed by an Officer (an “Authentication Order”), authenticate Notes for original issue that may be validly issued under this Indenture, including any Additional Notes. The aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding at any time may not exceed the aggregate principal amount of Notes authorized for issuance by the Company pursuant to one or more Authentication Orders, except as provided in Section 2.07 hereof.

 

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The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Company to authenticate Notes. An authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with Holders or an Affiliate of the Company.

Section 2.03    Registrar, Paying Agent and Transfer Agent.

The Company will maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“Registrar”) and an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”). The Company will also maintain a transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”). The Registrar will keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange. The Transfer Agent shall perform the functions of a transfer agent. The Company may appoint one or more co-registrars, one or more additional transfer agents and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent. The Company may change any Paying Agent, the Transfer Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder and shall so notify the Trustee and each Paying Agent thereof in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. If the Company fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar, Transfer Agent or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

The Company initially appoints The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Notes.

The Company initially appoints Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas to act as the Registrar, Transfer Agent and Paying Agent and to act as Custodian, with respect to the Global Notes.

Section 2.04    Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.

The Company will require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal, premium or Additional Amounts, if any, or interest on the Notes, and will notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a Subsidiary) will have no further liability for the money. If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it will segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to the Company, the Trustee will serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.

Section 2.05    Holder Lists.

The Registrar will preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of all Holders. If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company will furnish to the Trustee at least seven Business Days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders of Notes.

 

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Section 2.06    Transfer and Exchange.

(a)     Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. A Global Note may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary, by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or to another nominee of the Depositary, or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary. All Global Notes will be exchanged by the Company for Definitive Notes if:

(1)     the Company delivers to the Trustee notice from the Depositary that it is unwilling or unable to continue to act as Depositary or that it is no longer a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 120 days after the date of such notice from the Depositary;

(2)    the Company in its sole discretion determines that the Global Notes (in whole but not in part) should be exchanged for Definitive Notes and delivers a written notice to such effect to the Trustee; or

(3)     there has occurred and is continuing a Default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes.

Upon the occurrence of either of the preceding events in (1) or (2) above, Definitive Notes shall be issued in such names as the Depositary shall instruct the Trustee. Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Sections 2.07 and 2.10 hereof. Every Note authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Note or any portion thereof, pursuant to this Section 2.06 or Section 2.07 or 2.10 hereof, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Note. A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as provided in this Section 2.06(a), however, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.06(b), (c) or (f) hereof.

(b)     Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global Notes. The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the Applicable Procedures. Beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes will be subject to restrictions on transfer comparable to those set forth herein to the extent required by the Securities Act. Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes also will require compliance with either subparagraph (1) or (2) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following subparagraphs, as applicable:

(1)     Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note. Beneficial interests in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Restricted Global Note in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Private Placement Legend; provided, however, that prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Note may not be made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Beneficial interests in any Unrestricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. No written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers described in this Section 2.06(b)(1).

(2)     All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes. In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests that are not subject to Section 2.06(b)(1) above, the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar either:

 

(A)

both:

(i)    a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in another Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged; and

(ii)     instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the Participant account to be credited with such increase; or

 

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(B)

both:

(i)    a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to cause to be issued a Definitive Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged; and

(ii)     instructions given by the Depositary to the Registrar containing information regarding the Person in whose name such Definitive Note shall be registered to effect the transfer or exchange referred to in (1) above.

Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes contained in this Indenture and the Notes or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act, the Trustee shall adjust the principal amount of the relevant Global Note(s) pursuant to Section 2.06(g) hereof.

(3)     Transfer of Beneficial Interests to Another Restricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Restricted Global Note if the transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(2) above and the Registrar receives the following:

(A)     if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof; and

(B)     if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof.

(4)     Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be exchanged by any Holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(2) above and the Registrar receives the following:

(i)    if the Holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(a) thereof; or

(ii)    if the Holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case set forth, if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

If any such transfer is effected pursuant to the paragraph above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of beneficial interests transferred pursuant to the paragraph above.

 

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Beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of, a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note.

(c)     Transfer or Exchange of Beneficial Interests for Definitive Notes.

(1)     Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. If any Holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

(A)    if the Holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(a) thereof;

(B)    if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(C)    if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

(D)    if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;

(E)    if such beneficial interest is being transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

(F)    if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,

the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(g) hereof, and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the Holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(1) shall bear the Private Placement Legend and shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer contained therein.

 

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(2)     Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A Holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note may exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or may transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note only if the Registrar receives the following:

(i)     if the Holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(b) thereof; or

(ii)     if the Holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in such case set forth in this paragraph, if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

(3)     Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. If any Holder of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note, then, upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.06(b)(2) hereof, the Trustee will cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(g) hereof, and the Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(3) will be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the Holder of such beneficial interest requests through instructions to the Registrar from or through the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee will deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(3) will not bear the Private Placement Legend.

(d)     Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Beneficial Interests.

(1)     Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes. If any Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note or to transfer such Restricted Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

(A)    if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(b) thereof;

(B)    if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(C)    if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

 

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(D)    if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;

(E)    if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

(F)    if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,

the Trustee will cancel the Restricted Definitive Note, increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the appropriate Restricted Global Note.

(2)     Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note only if the Registrar receives the following:

(i)    if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(c) thereof; or

(ii)     if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in such case set forth in this paragraph, if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

Upon satisfaction of the conditions in this Section 2.06(d)(2), the Trustee will cancel the Definitive Notes and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note.

(3)     Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of an Unrestricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note at any time. Upon receipt of a request for such an exchange or transfer, the Trustee will cancel the applicable Unrestricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of one of the Unrestricted Global Notes.

If any such exchange or transfer from a Definitive Note to a beneficial interest is effected pursuant to subparagraphs (1)(B), (1)(D) or (3) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company will issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee will authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of Definitive Notes so transferred.

 

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(e)    Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes. Upon request by a Holder of Definitive Notes and such Holder’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.06(e), the Registrar will register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder must present or surrender to the Registrar the Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing. In addition, the requesting Holder must provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 2.06(e).

(1)     Restricted Definitive Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be transferred to and registered in the name of Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following:

(A)    if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 144A, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(B)    if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 903 or Rule 904, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof; and

(C)    if the transfer will be made pursuant to any other exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications and certificates required by item (3) thereof, if applicable.

(2)     Restricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be exchanged by the Holder thereof for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or transferred to a Person or Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following:

(i)     if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(d) thereof; or

(ii)     if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in such case set forth in this paragraph, if the Registrar so requests, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

(3)     Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A Holder of Unrestricted Definitive Notes may transfer such Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note. Upon receipt of a request to register such a transfer, the Registrar shall register the Unrestricted Definitive Notes pursuant to the instructions from the Holder thereof.

 

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(f)     Legends. The following legends will appear on the face of all Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued under this Indenture unless specifically stated otherwise in the applicable provisions of this Indenture.

(1)     Private Placement Legend.

(A)    Except as permitted by subparagraph (C) below, each 144A Global Note and each Definitive Note (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear the legend in substantially the following form:

“THE NOTES MAY BE PURCHASED AND TRANSFERRED ONLY IN MINIMUM PRINCIPAL AMOUNTS OF US$200,000 AND INTEGRAL MULTIPLES OF US$1,000 IN EXCESS THEREOF.

IF AT ANY TIME THE COMPANY DETERMINES IN GOOD FAITH THAT A HOLDER OR BENEFICIAL OWNER OF THIS SECURITY OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS HEREIN IS IN BREACH, AT THE TIME GIVEN, OF ANY OF THE TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH HEREIN AND IN THE INDENTURE, THE COMPANY SHALL REQUIRE SUCH HOLDER TO TRANSFER THIS SECURITY (OR INTEREST HEREIN) TO A TRANSFEREE ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMPANY WHO IS ABLE TO AND WHO DOES SATISFY ALL OF THE REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH HEREIN AND IN THE INDENTURE. PENDING SUCH TRANSFER, SUCH HOLDER WILL BE DEEMED NOT TO BE THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY (OR INTEREST HEREIN) FOR ANY PURPOSE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO RECEIPT OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST PAYMENTS ON THE SECURITY, AND SUCH HOLDER WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE NO INTEREST WHATSOEVER IN THE SECURITY EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE REQUIRED TO SELL ITS INTEREST THEREIN AS DESCRIBED HEREIN.

THE NOTES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.

THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH NOTE, PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE “RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE”) WHICH IS ONE YEAR AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE COMPANY OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE COMPANY WAS THE OWNER OF THIS NOTE (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF THIS NOTE) ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY, THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE SECURITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (“RULE 144A”), TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (E) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT IN EACH OF THE FOREGOING CASES TO ANY REQUIREMENT OF LAW THAT THE DISPOSITION OF ITS PROPERTY OR THE PROPERTY OF SUCH INVESTOR ACCOUNT OR ACCOUNTS BE AT ALL TIMES WITHIN ITS OR THEIR CONTROL AND TO COMPLIANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND ANY APPLICABLE LOCAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS AND FURTHER SUBJECT TO THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE’S RIGHTS PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER (I) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (E) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM, (II) IN EACH OF THE FOREGOING CASES, TO REQUIRE THAT A CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER IN THE FORM APPEARING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS NOTE IS COMPLETED AND DELIVERED BY THE TRANSFEROR TO THE TRUSTEE AND (III) AGREES THAT IT WILL GIVE TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS NOTE IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND. THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED UPON THE REQUEST OF THE HOLDER AFTER THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE.”

 

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(B)     Except as permitted by subparagraph (C) below, each Regulation S Global Note and each Definitive Note (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear the legend in substantially the following form:

“THE NOTES MAY BE PURCHASED AND TRANSFERRED ONLY IN MINIMUM PRINCIPAL AMOUNTS OF US$200,000 AND INTEGRAL MULTIPLES OF US$1,000 IN EXCESS THEREOF.

THE NOTES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.

THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH NOTE, PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE “RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE”) WHICH IS 40 DAYS AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE COMPANY OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE COMPANY WAS THE OWNER OF THIS NOTE (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF THIS NOTE) ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY, THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE SECURITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (“RULE 144A”), TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (E) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT IN EACH OF THE FOREGOING CASES TO ANY REQUIREMENT OF LAW THAT THE DISPOSITION OF ITS PROPERTY OR THE PROPERTY OF SUCH INVESTOR ACCOUNT OR ACCOUNTS BE AT ALL TIMES WITHIN ITS OR THEIR CONTROL AND TO COMPLIANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND ANY APPLICABLE LOCAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS AND FURTHER SUBJECT TO THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE’S RIGHTS PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER (I) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (E) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM, (II) IN EACH OF THE FOREGOING CASES, TO REQUIRE THAT A CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER IN THE FORM APPEARING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS NOTE IS COMPLETED AND DELIVERED BY THE TRANSFEROR TO THE TRUSTEE AND (III) AGREES THAT IT WILL GIVE TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS NOTE IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND. THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED UPON THE REQUEST OF THE HOLDER AFTER THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE.”

 

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(C)     Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Global Note or Definitive Note issued pursuant to subparagraphs (b)(4), (c)(2), (d)(2), (d)(3), (e)(2) or (e)(3) of this Section 2.06 (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) will not bear the Private Placement Legend.

(2)     Global Note Legend. Each Global Note will bear a legend in substantially the following form:

“THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (1) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06 OF THE INDENTURE, (2) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (3) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE INDENTURE AND (4) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE COMPANY.

UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) (“DTC”), TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.”

(g)     Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes. At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Definitive Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note will be returned to or retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.11 hereof. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive Notes, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note will be reduced accordingly and an endorsement will be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Registrar at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note will be increased accordingly and an endorsement will be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Registrar at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.

 

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(h)     General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges.

(1)    To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof or at the Registrar’s request.

(2)    No service charge will be made to a Holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note or to a Holder of a Definitive Note for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.06, 3.06, 3.09, 4.10, 4.15 and 9.05 hereof).

(3)     The Registrar will not be required to register the transfer of or exchange of any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part.

(4)    All Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Global Notes or Definitive Notes will be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Global Notes or Definitive Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

(5)     Neither the Registrar nor the Company will be required:

(A)    to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange any Notes during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of any selection of Notes for redemption under Section 3.02 hereof and ending at the close of business on the day of selection;

(B)    to register the transfer of or to exchange any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part; or

(C)    to register the transfer of or to exchange a Note between a record date and the next succeeding interest payment date.

(6)    Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any Note, the Trustee, any Agent and the Company may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest on such Notes and for all other purposes, and none of the Trustee, any Agent or the Company shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

(7)    The Trustee will authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.02 hereof.

(8)    All certifications, certificates and Opinions of Counsel required to be submitted to the Registrar pursuant to this Section 2.06 to effect a registration of transfer or exchange may be submitted by facsimile or electronic mail (in pdf format).

Section 2.07    Replacement Notes.

If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee or the Company and the Trustee receives evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Note, the Company will issue and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, will authenticate a replacement Note if the Trustee’s requirements are met. If required by the Trustee or the Company, an indemnity bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Company to protect the Company, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Company and the Trustee may charge the Holder for their expenses in replacing a Note, including but not limited to the reasonable expenses of counsel and any tax that may be imposed with respect to replacement of such Note.

 

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Every replacement Note is an additional obligation of the Company and will be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Notes duly issued hereunder.

Section 2.08    Outstanding Notes.

The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof, and those described in this Section 2.08 as not outstanding. Except as set forth in Section 2.09 hereof, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Note; however, Notes held by the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company shall not be deemed to be outstanding for purposes of Section 3.07(a) hereof.

If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a protected purchaser.

If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section 4.01 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.

If the Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of any thereof) holds, in accordance with this Indenture, on a redemption date or maturity date, money sufficient to pay Notes payable on that date, then on and after that date such Notes will be deemed to be no longer outstanding and will cease to accrue interest.

Section 2.09    Treasury Notes.

In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, will be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee will be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes that the Trustee actually knows are so owned will be so disregarded.

Section 2.10    Temporary Notes.

Until certificates representing Notes are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, will authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes will be substantially in the form of certificated Notes but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Notes and as may be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Without unreasonable delay, the Company will prepare and the Trustee will authenticate definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes.

Holders of temporary Notes will be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture.

Section 2.11    Cancellation.

The Company at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent will forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee, in accordance with its customary procedures, and no one else will cancel (subject to the Trustee’s retention policy) all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and will dispose of such cancelled Notes in its customary manner (subject to the record retention requirement of the Exchange Act). At the request of the company, the Trustee will confirm the cancellation of the Notes delivered to it. The Company may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that it has paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

 

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Section 2.12    Defaulted Interest.

If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, it will pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof. The Company will notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the proposed payment. The Company will fix or cause to be fixed each such special record date and payment date; provided that no such special record date may be less than ten (10) days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted interest. At least fifteen (15) days before the special record date, the Company (or, upon the written request of the Company, the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company) will mail or cause to be mailed to Holders a notice that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.

Section 2.13    Additional Amounts.

(a)    All payments of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes and all payments under the Note Guarantees will be made without withholding or deduction for, or on account of, any present or future taxes, duties, assessments or governmental charges of whatever (“Taxes”) nature imposed or levied by or within any jurisdiction in which the Company or any applicable Subsidiary Guarantor is organized or resident for tax purposes (or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein) or any jurisdiction from or through which payment is made by or on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor (including the jurisdiction of any Paying Agent) (or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein) (each, as applicable, a “Relevant Jurisdiction”), unless such withholding or deduction is required by law or by regulation or governmental policy having the force of law. In such event, the Company or the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, will make such deduction or withholding, make payment of the amount so withheld to the appropriate governmental authority and will pay such additional amounts (“Additional Amounts”) as will result in receipt by the Holder of such amounts as would have been received by such holder had no such withholding or deduction been required, provided that no Additional Amounts will be payable for or on account of:

(1)     any tax, duty, assessment or other governmental charge that would not have been imposed but for:

(A)     the existence of any present or former connection between the Holder or beneficial owner of such Note or Note Guarantee, as the case may be, and the Relevant Jurisdiction including, without limitation, such holder or beneficial owner being or having been a citizen or resident of such Relevant Jurisdiction or treated as a resident thereof or being or having been physically present or engaged in a trade or business therein or having or having had a permanent establishment therein, other than merely holding such Note or the receipt of payments thereunder or under the Note Guarantee;

(B)     the presentation of such Note (where presentation is required) more than thirty (30) days after the later of the date on which the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, such Note became due and payable pursuant to the terms thereof or was made or duly provided for, except to the extent that the holder thereof would have been entitled to such Additional Amounts if it had presented such Note for payment on any date within such 30-day period;

 

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(C)     the failure of the holder or beneficial owner to comply with a timely request of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor addressed to the holder or beneficial owner, as the case may be, to provide information concerning such holder’s or beneficial owner’s nationality, residence, identity or connection with any Relevant Jurisdiction, if and to the extent that due and timely compliance with such request would have reduced or eliminated any withholding or deduction as to which Additional Amounts would have otherwise been payable to such holder; or

(D)     the presentation of such Note (where presentation is required) for payment in the Relevant Jurisdiction, unless such Note could not have been presented for payment elsewhere;

(2)    any estate, inheritance, gift, sale, transfer, excise or personal property or similar tax, assessment or other governmental charge;

(3)    any tax, duty, assessment or other governmental charge which is payable other than (i) by deduction or withholding from payments of principal of or interest on the Note or payments under the Note Guarantees, or (ii) by direct payment by the Company or applicable Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of claims made against the Company or the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor;

(4)     any tax arising pursuant to Sections 1471 - 1474 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any successor or amended version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with, any official interpretations thereof, current or future regulations or agreements entered pursuant thereto, any agreement entered pursuant thereto, any U.S. or non-U.S. law enacted in connection with an intergovernmental agreement related thereto, or any rules, regulations, or administrative guidance of any kind relating to any of the foregoing; or

(5) any combination of taxes, duties, assessments or other governmental charges referred to in the preceding clauses (1), (2), (3) and (4); or

(b)     with respect to any payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, such Note or any payment under any Note Guarantee to such holder, if the holder is a fiduciary, partnership or person other than the sole beneficial owner of any payment to the extent that such payment would be required to be included in the income under the laws of a Relevant Jurisdiction, for tax purposes, of a beneficiary or settlor with respect to the fiduciary, or a member of that partnership or a beneficial owner who would not have been entitled to such Additional Amounts had that beneficiary, settlor, partner, or beneficial owner been the holder thereof.

In addition to the foregoing, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors will also pay and indemnify the holder of a Note for any present or future stamp, issue, registration, court or documentary taxes, or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies (including penalties, interest and other reasonable expenses related thereto) which are levied by any Relevant Jurisdiction on the execution, delivery, issuance, or registration of any of the Notes, the Indenture, any Note Guarantee or any other document or instrument referred to therein, or the receipt of any payments with respect thereto, or enforcement of, any of the Notes or any Note Guarantee. The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors will use all reasonable efforts to obtain certified copies of tax receipts evidencing the payment of any taxes so deducted or withheld from each Relevant Jurisdiction imposing such taxes, in such form as provided in the ordinary course by the Relevant Jurisdiction and as is reasonably available to the Company, and will provide such certified copies to the Trustees and the Paying Agent. Such copies shall be made available to the Holders upon request and will be made available at the offices of the Paying Agent. The Company or the Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, will attach to each certified copy a certificate stating (x) that the amount of withholding taxes evidenced by the certified copy was paid in connection with payments in respect of the principal amount of Notes then outstanding and (y) the amount of such withholding taxes paid per $1,000 principal amount of the Notes.

(c)     Whenever there is mentioned in any context the payment of principal of, and any premium or interest, on any Note or under any Note Guarantee, such mention will be deemed to include payment of Additional Amounts provided for in this Indenture to the extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof.

 

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Section 2.14    Forced Sale or Redemption for Non-QIBs.

(a)    The Company has the right to require any Holder of a Note (or beneficial interest therein) that is a U.S. Person and is determined not to have been a QIB at the time of acquisition of such Note or is otherwise determined to be in breach, at the time given, of any of the representations and agreements required to be made pursuant to the transfer restrictions set forth herein, to transfer such Security (or beneficial interest therein) to a transferee acceptable to the Company who is able to and who does make all of the representations and agreements required to be made pursuant to the transfer restrictions set forth herein, or to redeem such Note (or beneficial interest therein) within 30 days of receipt of notice of the Company’s election to so redeem such Holder’s Notes on the terms set forth in paragraph (b) below. Pending such transfer or redemption, such Holder will be deemed not to be the Holder of such Note for any purpose, including but not limited to receipt of interest and principal payments on such Note, and such Holder will be deemed to have no interest whatsoever in such Note except as otherwise required to sell or redeem its interest therein.

(b)    Any such redemption occurring pursuant to paragraph (a) above shall be at a redemption price equal to the lesser of (i) the Person’s cost, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date and (ii) 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of any such redemption as soon as practicable.

 

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ARTICLE 3

REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT

Section 3.01    Notices to Trustee.

If the Company elects to redeem Notes pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of Section 3.07 hereof, it must furnish to the Trustee, the Registrar and the Paying Agent, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, an Officer’s Certificate setting forth:

(1)     the clause of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur;

(2)     the redemption date;

(3)     the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed; and

(4)     the redemption price.

Section 3.02    Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed or Purchased.

If fewer than all of the Notes are to be redeemed or purchased at any time, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar will select Notes for redemption or purchase (i) in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which Notes are listed and any applicable Depositary procedures, (ii) by lot or such other similar method in accordance with the applicable procedures of the Depositary or any other applicable clearing system (if the Notes are Global Notes), or (iii) if there are no such requirements of such exchange or the Notes are not then listed on a national securities exchange or cleared through the Depositary or any other applicable clearing system, on a pro rata basis. No Notes of a principal amount of US$200,000 or less may be redeemed or purchased in part, and if Notes are redeemed or purchased in part, the remaining outstanding amount must be at least equal to US$200,000 and integral multiples of US$1,000 in excess thereof. None of the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar will be liable for any selections made under this paragraph.

In the event of partial redemption or purchase by lot, the particular Notes to be redeemed or purchased will be selected, unless otherwise provided herein, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption or purchase date by the Registrar from the outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption or purchase.

The Registrar will promptly notify the Company in writing of any Definitive Notes selected for redemption or purchase and, in the case of any such Note selected for partial redemption or purchase, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed or purchased. Notes and portions of Notes selected will be in amounts of US$200,000 or integral multiples of US$1,000 in excess thereof; except that if all of the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed or purchased, the entire outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder, even if not a multiple of US$1,000, shall be redeemed or purchased. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption or purchase also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption or purchase.

Section 3.03    Notice of Redemption.

Subject to the provisions of Section 3.09 hereof, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Company will mail or cause to be mailed, by first class mail, a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date (with prior notice to the Trustee) if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture pursuant to Article 8 or 11 hereof.

The notice will identify the Notes to be redeemed and will state:

(1)     the redemption date;

 

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(2)     the redemption price;

(3)    if any Note is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Note to be redeemed and that, after the redemption date upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion will be issued upon cancellation of the original Note, provided that the unredeemed portion has a minimum denomination of US$200,000;

(4)     the name and address of the Paying Agent;

(5)    that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;

(6)    that, unless the Company defaults in making such redemption payment, interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;

(7)    the paragraph of the Notes and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed;

(8)    that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes;

(9)     if applicable, any condition to such redemption; and

(10)    if applicable, that payment of the redemption price and performance of the Company’s obligations with respect to such redemption is to be performed by another Person and the identity of such other Person.

At the Company’s request, the Trustee will give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at its expense; provided, however, that the Company has delivered to the Trustee, at least three Business Days prior to the date that the notice of redemption is to be delivered to Holders, an Officer’s Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in the preceding paragraph.

Section 3.04    Effect of Notice of Redemption.

Once notice of redemption is mailed in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof, Notes called for redemption become due and payable on the redemption date at the redemption price stated in such notice, provided, that any redemption pursuant to Paragraph 5 of the Notes may, at the Company’s discretion, be subject to the satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent.

Section 3.05    Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price.

No later than 10 a.m. New York time one Business Days prior to the redemption or purchase date, the Company will deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption or purchase price of and accrued interest and Additional Amounts, if any, on all Notes to be redeemed or purchased on that date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent will promptly return to the Company any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Company in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption or purchase price of, and accrued interest and Additional Amounts, if any, on all Notes to be redeemed or purchased.

If the Company complies with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, on and after the redemption or purchase date, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes called for redemption or purchase. If a Note is redeemed or purchased on or after an interest record date but on or prior to the related interest payment date, then any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note was registered at the close of business on such record date. If any Note called for redemption or purchase is not so paid upon surrender for redemption or purchase because of the failure of the Company to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal, from the redemption or purchase date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof.

 

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Section 3.06    Notes Redeemed or Purchased in Part.

In the case of Definitive Notes, upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed or purchased in part, the Company will issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, the Trustee will authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Company a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed or unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered.

Section 3.07     Optional Redemption.

(a)     At any time prior to July 15, 2023, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes at a redemption price of 106.500% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the rights of the Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date), with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings; provided that:

(1)     at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes originally issued under this Indenture (excluding Notes held by the Company and its Subsidiaries) remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption; and

(2)     the redemption occurs within 45 days of the date of the closing of such Equity Offering.

Any redemption notice given in respect of the redemption referred to in the preceding paragraph may be given prior to completion of the related Equity Offering, and any such redemption or notice may, at the discretion of the Company, be subject to the satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, including the completion of the Equity Offering.

(b)     At any time prior to July 15, 2023, the Company may redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest to, the date of redemption, subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date. Any such redemption and notice may, at the discretion of the Company, be subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent.

(c)    Except pursuant to the two preceding paragraphs and the provisions under Section 3.10 and Section 3.11 hereof, the Notes will not be redeemable at the Company’s option prior to July 15, 2023.

(d)    On or after July 15, 2023, the Company may redeem all or a part of the Notes upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount) set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes redeemed, to the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the periods indicated below, subject to the rights of holders of the Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date:

 

Period		Redemption Price
Twelve-month period on or after July 15, 2023			103.250	%
Twelve-month period on or after July 15, 2024			101.625	%
On or after July 15, 2025			100.000	%

Unless the Company defaults in the payment of the redemption price, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption on the applicable redemption date.

 

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(e)    Any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01 through Section 3.06 hereof and may, at the discretion of the Company, be subject to the satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent. If such redemption is so subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, such notice shall describe each such condition, and if applicable, shall state that, at the Company’s discretion, the redemption date may be delayed until such time (provided, however, that any delayed redemption date shall not be more than 60 days after the date the relevant notice of redemption was sent) as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied, or such redemption may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied by the redemption date or by the redemption date as delayed. In addition, the Company may provide in such notice that payment of the redemption price and performance of the Company’s obligations with respect to such redemption may be performed by another Person.

Section 3.08    Mandatory Redemption.

The Company is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes. However, under certain circumstances, the Company may be required to offer to purchase Notes as described in Section 4.15 and Section 4.10 hereof. The Company may at any time and from time to time purchase Notes in the open market or otherwise.

Section 3.09    Offer to Purchase by Application of Excess Proceeds.

In the event that, pursuant to Section 4.10 hereof, the Company is required to commence an offer to all Holders to purchase Notes (an “Asset Sale Offer”), it will follow the procedures specified below.

The Asset Sale Offer shall be made to all Holders and all holders of other Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes containing provisions similar to those set forth in this Indenture with respect to offers to purchase or redeem with the proceeds of sales of assets. The Asset Sale Offer will remain open for a period of at least 20 Business Days following its commencement and not more than 30 Business Days, except to the extent that a longer period is required by applicable law (the “Offer Period”). No later than five Business Days after the termination of the Offer Period (the “Purchase Date”), the Company will apply all Excess Proceeds (the “Offer Amount”) to the purchase of Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness (on a pro rata basis, if applicable) or, if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes and other Indebtedness tendered in response to the Asset Sale Offer. Payment for any Notes so purchased will be made in the same manner as interest payments are made.

If the Purchase Date is on or after an interest record date and on or before the related interest payment date, any accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Amounts, if any, will be paid to the Person in whose name a Note is registered at the close of business on such record date, and no additional interest will be payable to Holders who tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer.

Upon the commencement of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company will send, by first class mail, a notice to the Trustee and each of the Holders, with a copy to the Trustee. The notice will contain all instructions and materials necessary to enable such Holders to tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer. The notice, which will govern the terms of the Asset Sale Offer, will state:

(1)    that the Asset Sale Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 3.09 and Section 4.10 hereof and the length of time the Asset Sale Offer will remain open;

(2)     the Offer Amount, the purchase price and the Purchase Date;

(3)     that any Note not tendered or accepted for payment will continue to accrue interest;

(4)    that, unless the Company defaults in making such payment, any Note accepted for payment pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer will cease to accrue interest after the Purchase Date;

 

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(5)    that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer may elect to have Notes purchased in integral multiples of US$200,000 and integral multiples of US$1,000 in excess thereof only;

(6)    that Holders electing to have Notes purchased pursuant to any Asset Sale Offer will be required to surrender the Note, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” attached to the Notes completed, or transfer by book-entry transfer, to the Company, a Depositary, if appointed by the Company, or a Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice at least three days before the Purchase Date;

(7)    that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the Company, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, receives, not later than the expiration of the Offer Period, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Note the Holder delivered for purchase and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Note purchased;

(8)     that, if the aggregate principal amount of Notes and other pari passu Indebtedness surrendered by holders thereof exceeds the Offer Amount, the Company will select the Notes and other pari passu Indebtedness to be purchased in accordance with Section 3.02 based on the principal amount of Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness surrendered (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Company so that only Notes in denominations of US$200,000, or integral multiples of US$1,000 in excess thereof, will be purchased); and

(9)     that Holders whose Notes were purchased only in part will be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered (or transferred by book-entry transfer), provided that the unpurchased portion has a minimum denomination of US$200,000.

On or before the Purchase Date, the Company will, to the extent lawful, accept for payment, on a pro rata basis to the extent necessary (but subject to Section 3.02), the Offer Amount of Notes or portions thereof tendered pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer, or if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered, and will deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes properly accepted together with an Officer’s Certificate stating that such Notes or portions thereof were accepted for payment by the Company in accordance with the terms of this Section 3.09. The Company, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, will promptly (but in any case not later than five days after the Purchase Date) mail or deliver to each tendering Holder an amount equal to the purchase price of the Notes tendered by such Holder and accepted by the Company for purchase, and the Company will promptly issue a new Note, and the Trustee, upon written request from the Company, will authenticate and mail or deliver (or cause to be transferred by book entry) such new Note to such Holder, in a principal amount equal to any unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered, provided that the unpurchased portion has a minimum denomination of US$200,000. Any Note not so accepted shall be promptly mailed or delivered by the Company to the Holder thereof. The Company will publicly announce the results of the Asset Sale Offer on the Purchase Date.

Other than as specifically provided in this Section 3.09, any purchase pursuant to this Section 3.09 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01 through Section 3.06 hereof.

 

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Section 3.10     Redemption for Taxation Reasons.

The Notes may be redeemed, at the option of the Company, as a whole but not in part, upon giving not less than 30 days’ nor more than 60 days’ notice to Holders (which notice will be irrevocable), at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest (including any Additional Amounts), if any, to the date fixed by the Company for redemption (the “Tax Redemption Date”) if, as a result of:

(1)    any change in, or amendment to, the laws (or any regulations or rulings promulgated thereunder) of a Relevant Jurisdiction affecting taxation; or

(2)    any change in, or amendment to, an official position regarding the application or interpretation of such laws, regulations or rulings (including a holding, judgment or order by a court of competent jurisdiction),

which change or amendment becomes effective on or after the date of this Indenture with respect to any payment due or to become due under the Notes, this Indenture or a Note Guarantee, the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, is, or on the next Interest Payment Date would be, required to pay Additional Amounts, and such requirement cannot be avoided by the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, taking reasonable measures available to it; provided that for the avoidance of doubt, changing the jurisdiction of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor is not a reasonable measure for the purposes of this Section 3.10; provided, further, that no such notice of redemption will be given earlier than 90 days prior to the earliest date on which the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, would be obligated to pay such Additional Amounts if a payment in respect of the Notes were then due.

Prior to the mailing of any notice of redemption of the Notes pursuant to the foregoing, the Company will deliver to the Trustee:

(1)    an Officer’s Certificate stating that such change or amendment referred to in the prior paragraph has occurred, and describing the facts related thereto and stating that such requirement cannot be avoided by the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, taking reasonable measures available to it; and

(2)    an Opinion of Counsel or an opinion of a tax consultant of recognized international standing stating that the requirement to pay such Additional Amounts results from such change or amendment referred to in the prior paragraph.

The Trustee will accept and shall be entitled to rely on such Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel or opinion of tax consultant as sufficient evidence of the satisfaction of the conditions precedent described above, in which event it will be conclusive and binding on the Holders. Any Notes that are redeemed pursuant to this Section 3.10 will be cancelled.

Section 3.11    Gaming Redemption.

Each Holder, by accepting a Note, shall be deemed to have agreed that if the Gaming Authority of any jurisdiction in which the Company or any of its Affiliates (including Melco Resorts Macau) conducts or proposes to conduct gaming requires that a person who is a holder or the beneficial owner of Notes be licensed, qualified or found suitable under applicable Gaming Laws, such holder or beneficial owner, as the case may be, shall apply for a license, qualification or a finding of suitability within the required time period. If such Person fails to apply or become licensed or qualified or is found unsuitable, the Company shall have the right, at its option:

(1)    to require such Person to dispose of its Notes or beneficial interest therein within 30 days of receipt of notice of the Company’s election or such earlier date as may be requested or prescribed by such Gaming Authority; or

 

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(2)    to redeem such Notes, which redemption may be less than 30 days following the notice of redemption if so requested or prescribed by the applicable gaming authority, at a redemption price equal to:

(A)     the lesser of:

 

(1)

the Person’s cost, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the earlier of the redemption date or the date of the finding of unsuitability or failure to comply; and

 

(2)

100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the earlier of the redemption date or the date of the finding of unsuitability or failure to comply; or

(B)    such other amount as may be required by applicable law or order of the applicable Gaming Authority.

The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of any such redemption as soon as practicable. Neither the Company nor the Trustee shall be responsible for any costs or expenses any Holder may incur in connection with such Holder’s application for a license, qualification or a finding of suitability.

 

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ARTICLE 4

COVENANTS

Section 4.01    Payment of Notes.

The Company will pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, and interest and Additional Amounts, if any, on, the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes. Principal, premium, if any, and interest and Additional Amounts, if any, will be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Company or a Subsidiary thereof, holds as of 10:00 a.m. New York Time two Business Days prior to the due date money deposited by the Company in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, interest and Additional Amounts, if any, then due. All the funds provided to the Paying Agent must be in U.S. Dollars.

The Company will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, at the rate equal to 1% per annum in excess of the then applicable interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; it will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and Additional Amounts (without regard to any applicable grace period) at the same rate to the extent lawful.

Section 4.02    Maintenance of Office or Agency.

The Company will maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York, an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee, Registrar or co-registrar) where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company fails to maintain any such required office or agency or fails to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission will in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

The Company hereby designates Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas as one such office or agency of the Company in accordance with Section 2.03 hereof.

Section 4.03    Reports.

(a)     The Company will provide to the Trustee and the Holders and make available to potential investors:

(1)     within 120 days after the end of the Company’s fiscal year, annual reports of the Company containing: (a) information with a level of detail that is substantially comparable to the sections in the Offering Memorandum entitled “Selected Consolidated Financial and Operational Data,” “Business,” “Management,” “Related Party Transactions” and “Description of Other Material Indebtedness;” (b) the Company’s audited consolidated (i) balance sheet as of the end of the two most recent fiscal years and (ii) income statement and statement of cash flow for the two most recent fiscal years, in each case prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and including complete footnotes to such financial statements and the report of the independent auditors on the financial statements; (c) an operating and financial review of the two most recent fiscal years for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, including a discussion of (i) the financial condition and results of operations of the Company on a consolidated basis and any material changes between such two fiscal years and (ii) any material developments in the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; and (d) pro forma income statement and balance sheet information of the Company, together with explanatory footnotes, for any Change of Control or material acquisitions, dispositions or recapitalizations that have occurred since the beginning of the most recently completed fiscal year, unless pro forma information has been provided in a previous report pursuant to paragraph (2)(c) below; provided that no pro forma information shall be required to be provided for any material acquisitions or dispositions relating solely to the Phase II Project;

 

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(2)    within 60 days after the end of each day of the first three fiscal quarters in each fiscal year of the Company, quarterly reports containing: (a) the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated (i) balance sheet as of the end of such quarter and (ii) statement of income and cash flow for the quarterly and year to date periods ending on the most recent balance sheet date, and the comparable prior year periods, in each case prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP; (b) an operating and financial review of such periods for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries including a discussion of (i) the financial condition and results of operations of the Company on a consolidated basis and material changes between the current period and the period of the prior year and (ii) any material developments in the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; (c) pro forma income statement and balance sheet information of the Company, together with explanatory footnotes, for any Change of Control or material acquisitions, dispositions or recapitalizations that have occurred since the beginning of the most recently completed fiscal quarter, provided that no pro forma information shall be required to be provided for any material acquisitions or dispositions relating solely to the Phase II Project, and provided further that the Company may provide any such pro forma information relating to a material acquisition within 75 days following such quarterly report in the form of a report provided pursuant to clause (3) below; and

(3)     promptly from time to time after the occurrence of any of the events listed in (a)to (d) of this clause (3) information with respect to (a) any change in the independent accountants of the Company or any of the Significant Subsidiaries of the Company, (b) any material acquisition or disposition, (c) any material event that the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company announces publicly and (d) any information that the Company is required to make publicly available under the requirements of the SGX-ST or such other exchanges on which the securities of the Company or its Subsidiaries are then listed.

(b)    If the Company has designated any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries and any such Unrestricted Subsidiary or group of Unrestricted Subsidiaries constitute Significant Subsidiaries of the Company, then the annual and quarterly information required by the paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) hereof shall include a reasonably detailed presentation of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of such Unrestricted Subsidiaries of the Company.

(c)    In addition, so long as the Notes are “restricted securities” within the meaning of Rule 144(a)(3) of the Securities Act and in any period during which the Company is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act nor exempt therefrom pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b), the Company shall furnish to the holders of the Notes, securities analysts and prospective investors, upon their request, any information that Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act would require the Company to provide to such parties.

(d)     The Company may elect to satisfy its obligations under this Section 4.03 with respect to all such financial information relating to the Company by furnishing, or making available on the SEC’s website, provided that the Trustee shall have no responsibility whatsoever to determine whether such filing has occurred, such financial information relating to Studio City International, or by furnishing or making available on the SGX’s website such financial information relating to Studio City Company Limited; provided that the same is accompanied by consolidating information that explains in reasonable detail the differences between the information relating to Studio City International or Studio City Company Limited (as the case may be), on the one hand, and the information relating to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a stand-alone basis, on the other hand; provided further that the Company shall make no more than two such elections.

 

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(e)     All financial statement information required under this covenant shall be prepared on a consistent basis in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In addition, all financial statement information and all reports required under this covenant shall be presented in the English language.

(f)     [Intentionally Omitted].

(g)    Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee shall be for informational purposes only as regards the Trustee and the Trustee’s receipt of such reports, information and documents shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on the Officer’s Certificates).

Section 4.04    Compliance Certificate.

(a)    The Company shall deliver to the Trustee within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, an Officer’s Certificate stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default or Event of Default has occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto) and that to the best of his or her knowledge no event has occurred and remains in existence by reason of which payments on account of the principal of or interest, if any, on the Notes is prohibited or if such event has occurred, a description of the event and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

(b)     [Intentionally Omitted].

(c)    So long as any of the Notes are outstanding, the Company will deliver to the Trustee, as soon as possible and in any event within five (5) Business Days after the Company becomes aware of any Default or Event of Default, an Officer’s Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto. The Trustee shall not be deemed to have a duty to monitor compliance by the Company, nor to have knowledge of a Default or an Event of Default (other than a payment default on a scheduled interest payment date) unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee receives written notice thereof, stating that it is a notice of default and referencing the applicable section of this Indenture.

Section 4.05    Taxes.

The Company will pay, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay, prior to delinquency, all material taxes, assessments, and governmental levies required to be paid by the Company or such Subsidiaries except such as are contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings or where the failure to effect such payment is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders.

Section 4.06    Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.

The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.

 

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Section 4.07    Limitation on Restricted Payments.

(a)     The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:

(1)    declare or pay any dividend or make any other payment or distribution on account of the Company’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests (including, without limitation, any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) or to the direct or indirect holders of the Company’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests in their capacity as such (other than dividends or distributions payable in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company and other than dividends or distributions payable to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company);

(2)    purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value (including, without limitation, in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company) any Equity Interests of the Company or any of its direct or indirect parents;

(3)    make any payment on or with respect to, or purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor (excluding any intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), except a payment of interest or principal at the Stated Maturity thereof; or

(4)     make any Restricted Investment,

(all such payments and other actions set forth in clauses (1) through (4) above being collectively referred to as “Restricted Payments”),

unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment:

(A)    no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof;

(B)    the Company would, at the time of such Restricted Payment and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Restricted Payment had been made at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, have been permitted to Incur at least US$1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.09(a) hereof; and

(C)    such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries since the Measurement Date (excluding Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (2) through (12) of Section 4.07(b)) pursuant to this Indenture, is less than the sum of:

(i)     75% of the EBITDA of the Company less 2.00 times Fixed Charges for the period (taken as one accounting period) from January 1, 2019 to the end of the Company’s most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment (or, if such EBITDA for such period is a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit); plus

(ii)     100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds received by the Company since the Measurement Date as a contribution to its common equity capital or from the issue or sale of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company (in each case, other than in connection with any Excluded Contribution) or from the issue or sale of convertible or exchangeable Disqualified Stock or convertible or exchangeable debt securities of the Company that have been converted into or exchanged for such Equity Interests (other than Equity Interests (or Disqualified Stock or debt securities) sold to a Subsidiary of the Company); plus

 

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(iii)     to the extent that any Restricted Investment that was made after the Measurement Date (x) is reduced as a result of payments of dividends to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or (y) is sold for cash or otherwise liquidated or repaid for cash, (in the case of sub-clauses (x) and (y)) the lesser of (i) the cash return of capital with respect to such Restricted Investment (less the cost of disposition, if any) and (ii) the initial amount of such Restricted Investment or (z) is reduced upon the release of a Note Guarantee granted by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that constituted a Restricted Investment, to the extent that the initial granting of such Note Guarantee reduced the restricted payments capacity under Section 4.07(a)(4)(C); plus

(iv)     to the extent that any Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company designated as such after the Measurement Date is re- designated as a Restricted Subsidiary after the Measurement Date, the lesser of (i) the Fair Market Value of the Company’s Restricted Investment in such Subsidiary as of the date of such re-designation or (ii) the Fair Market Value of the net aggregate Investments made by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in such Unrestricted Subsidiary from the date such entity was originally designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary through the date of such re-designation; plus

(v)     100% of the aggregate amount received from the sale of the stock of any Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company after the Measurement Date or 100% of any dividends received by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company after the Measurement Date from an Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company.

(b)     The provisions of Section 4.07(a) hereof will not prohibit:

(1)    the payment of any dividend or the consummation of any irrevocable redemption within 60 days after the date of declaration of the dividend or giving of the redemption notice, as the case may be, if at the date of declaration or notice, the dividend or redemption payment would have complied with the provisions of this Indenture;

(2)    the making of any Restricted Payment in exchange for, or out of the net cash proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company) of, Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or from the substantially concurrent contribution of common equity capital to the Company (in each case, other than in connection with any Excluded Contribution); provided that the amount of any such net cash proceeds that are utilized for any such Restricted Payment will be excluded from Section 4.07(a)(4)(C)(ii) hereof;

(3)    the repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor with the net cash proceeds from a substantially concurrent Incurrence of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness;

(4)     the payment of any dividend (or, in the case of any partnership or limited liability company, any similar distribution) by a Restricted Subsidiary to the holders of its Equity Interests on a pro rata basis;

 

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(5)    the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Equity Interests of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company held by any current or former officer, director or employee of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to any equity subscription agreement, stock option agreement, shareholders’ agreement or similar agreement; provided that the aggregate price paid for all such repurchased, redeemed, acquired or retired Equity Interests may not exceed US$1.0 million in any twelve-month period;

(6)    the repurchase of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon the exercise of stock options to the extent such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of those stock options;

(7)    the declaration and payment of regularly scheduled or accrued dividends to holders of any class or series of Disqualified Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company issued on or after the Issue Date in accordance with the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test described in Section 4.09(a) hereof;

(8)    any Restricted Payment made or deemed to be made by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company under, pursuant to or in connection with the Services and Right to Use Agreement, the Reinvestment Agreement or the MSA;

(9)     [RESERVED];

(10)     Restricted Payments that are made with Excluded Contributions;

(11)     payments to any parent entity in respect of directors’ fees, remuneration and expenses (including director and officer insurance (including premiums therefore)) to the extent relating to the Company and its Subsidiaries, in an aggregate amount not to exceed US$2.0 million per annum;

(12)     the making of Restricted Payments, if applicable:

(A)    in amounts required for any direct or indirect parent of the Company to pay fees and expenses (including franchise or similar taxes) required to maintain its corporate existence, customary salary, bonus and other benefits payable to, and indemnities provided on behalf of, officers and employees of any direct or indirect parent of the Company and general corporate operating and overhead expenses of any direct or indirect parent of the Company in each case to the extent such fees and expenses are attributable to the ownership or operation of the Company, if applicable, and its Subsidiaries, in an aggregate amount not to exceed US$2.0 million per annum;

(B)     in amounts required for any direct or indirect parent of the Company, if applicable, to pay interest and/or principal on Indebtedness the proceeds of which have been contributed to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries prior to the Issue Date and that has been guaranteed by, or is otherwise considered Indebtedness of, the Company Incurred in accordance with Section 4.09; provided that the amount of any such proceeds will be excluded from Section 4.07(a)(4)(C)(ii);

(C)    in amounts required for any direct or indirect parent of the Company to pay fees and expenses, other than to Affiliates of the Company, related to any unsuccessful equity or debt offering of such parent; and

(D)    payments for services under any Revenue Sharing Agreement that would constitute or be deemed to constitute a Restricted Payment;

 

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(13)    any Restricted Payment used to fund the Transactions and the payment of fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Transactions or owed by the Company or any direct or indirect parent of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries to Affiliates, and any other payments made, including any such payments made to any direct or indirect parent of the Company to enable it to make payments, in connection with the consummation of the Transactions, whether payable on the Issue Date or thereafter, in each case on terms described in the Offering Memorandum under “Use of Proceeds” and to the extent permitted by Section 4.11;

(14)    any Restricted Payments, to the extent required to be made by any Gaming Authority having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or Melco Resorts Macau (or any other operator of the Studio City Casino);

(15)    cash payments in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares in connection with the exercise of warrants, options or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that any such cash payment shall not be for the purpose of evading the limitation of this Section 4.07;

(16)    the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to provisions similar to those described under Section 4.15, provided that all Notes tendered by holders of the Notes in connection with a Change of Control Offer have been repurchased, redeemed or acquired for value;

(17)    payments or distributions to dissenting stockholders of Capital Stock of the Company pursuant to applicable law in connection with a consolidation, merger or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, that complies with Section 5.01; provided that as a result of such consolidation, merger or transfer of assets, the Company shall have made a Change of Control Offer (if required by this Indenture) and that all Notes tendered by holders in connection with such Change of Control Offer have been repurchased, redeemed or acquired for value; and

(18)    other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed US$15.0 million since the Issue Date,

provided, however, that at the time of, and after giving effect to, any Restricted Payment permitted under clauses (12), (13) and (18) of this Section 4.07(b), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof.

The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) will be the Fair Market Value on the date of the Restricted Payment of the asset(s) or securities proposed to be transferred or issued by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to the Restricted Payment. The Fair Market Value of any assets or securities that are required to be valued by this Section 4.07 will be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company whose resolution with respect thereto will be delivered to the Trustee as set forth in an Officer’s Certificate of the Company. The Company’s Board of Directors’ determination must be based upon an opinion or appraisal issued by an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of international standing (an “Independent Financial Advisor”) if the Fair Market Value exceeds US$45.0 million.

Section 4.08    Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries.

(a)    The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause, permit or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to:

(1)    pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits, or pay any Indebtedness owed to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

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(2)    make loans or advances to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; or

(3)    sell, lease or transfer any of its properties or assets to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

(b)    The restrictions in Section 4.08(a) hereof will not apply to encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:

(1)    agreements governing Indebtedness or any other agreements in existence on the Issue Date as in effect on the Issue Date and any amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of those agreements; provided that the amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such dividend and other restrictions than those contained in those agreements on the Issue Date;

(2)    the Credit Facilities Documents (other than the Senior Secured Credit Facilities), and any amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of those agreements; provided that such Credit Facilities Documents and the amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings thereof are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such dividend and the other restrictions than those contained in the Senior Secured Credit Facilities;

(3)    the Indenture, the Notes and the Note Guarantees;

(4)    applicable law, rule, regulation or order, or governmental license, permit or concession;

(5)    any agreement or instrument governing Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person or assets acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as in effect at the time of such acquisition (except to the extent such Indebtedness or Capital Stock was Incurred in connection with or in contemplation of such acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person, or the property or assets of the Person, so acquired (and any amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of those agreements or instruments; provided that the amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such dividend and other restrictions than those contained in those agreements or instruments at the time of such acquisition); provided further, that, in the case of Indebtedness, such Indebtedness was permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be Incurred;

(6)    customary non-assignment provisions in contracts and licenses including, without limitation, with respect to any intellectual property, entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(7)    purchase money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary course of business and Capital Lease Obligations that impose restrictions on the property purchased or leased of the nature described in Section 4.08(a)(3);

(8)    any agreement for the sale or other disposition of Equity Interests or property or assets of a Restricted Subsidiary that restricts distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary pending the sale or other disposition;

(9)    Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness; provided that the restrictions contained in the agreements governing such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those contained in the agreements governing the Indebtedness being refinanced;

 

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(10)    Liens permitted to be incurred under the provisions of Section 4.12 hereof that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets subject to such Liens;

(11)    provisions limiting dividends or the disposition or distribution of assets, property or Equity Interests in joint venture or operating agreements, asset sale agreements, sale-leaseback agreements, stock sale agreements, merger agreements and other similar agreements entered into with the approval of the Company’s Board of Directors, which limitation is applicable only to the assets, property or Equity Interests that are the subject of such agreements;

(12)    restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers or suppliers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business; and

(13)    any agreement or instrument with respect to any Unrestricted Subsidiary or the property or assets of such Unrestricted Subsidiary that is designated as a Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Indenture at the time of such designation and not incurred in contemplation of such designation, which encumbrances or restrictions are not applicable to any Person or the property or assets of any Person other than such Subsidiary or its subsidiaries or the property or assets of such Subsidiary or its subsidiaries, and any extensions, refinancing, renewals, supplements or amendments or replacements thereof; provided that the encumbrances and restrictions in any such extension, refinancing, renewal, supplement, amendment or replacement, taken as a whole, are no more restrictive in any material respect than those encumbrances or restrictions that are then in effect and that are being extended, refinanced, renewed, supplemented, amended or replaced.

Section 4.09    Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock.

(a)    The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, Incur any Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) and the Company will not issue any shares of Disqualified Stock and the Company will not, and the Company will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, to issue any shares of Preferred Stock; provided, however, that the Company may Incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) or issue Disqualified Stock, and the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor may Incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) or issue Preferred Stock, if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is Incurred or such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is issued, as the case may be, would have been at least 2.00 to 1.00 determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been Incurred, or the Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock had been issued, as the case may be, and the application of proceeds therefrom had occurred at the beginning of such four-quarter period.

(b)    The provisions of Section 4.09(a) hereof do not apply to the following (collectively, “Permitted Debt”):

(1)    the Incurrence by the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors of Indebtedness under Credit Facilities; provided that on the date of the Incurrence of any such Indebtedness and after giving effect thereto, the aggregate principal amount outstanding of all such Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (1) (together with any refinancing thereof) does not exceed the sum of: (i)(x) US$35.0 million; plus (y) US$100.0 million Incurred in respect of the Phase II Project; less (ii), in the case of clause (i)(y), the aggregate amount of all Net Proceeds of Asset Sales applied since the Issue Date to repay any term Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (1)(i)(y) or to repay any revolving credit indebtedness Incurred under this clause (1)(i)(y) and effect a corresponding commitment reduction thereunder pursuant to Section 4.10 hereof;

 

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(2)    the Incurrence of Indebtedness represented by the Notes (other than Additional Notes) and the Note Guarantees (other than Note Guarantees for Additional Notes) and the Intercompany Note Proceeds Loans;

(3)    (a) the Incurrence by the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors of Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (3)(a), not to exceed the greater of (x) an amount equal to 3.5 times the EBITDA of the Company for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the relevant time of determination and (y) US$1,200,000,000, and (b) Indebtedness existing on the Issue Date (other than the Existing Studio City Company Notes and Indebtedness described in clauses (1) and (2));

(4)    the Incurrence of Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries represented by Capital Lease Obligations, mortgage financings or purchase money obligations, in each case, Incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or cost of design, construction, installation or improvement of property, plant or other assets (including through the acquisition of Capital Stock of any person that owns property, plant or other assets which will, upon acquisition, become a Restricted Subsidiary) used in the business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, in an aggregate principal amount, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (4), not to exceed the greater of (x) US$50.0 million and (y) 2.0% of Total Assets at any time outstanding;

(5)    the Incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge Indebtedness (other than intercompany Indebtedness) that was permitted by this Indenture to be Incurred under Section 4.09(a) or clauses (2), (3)(b), (4), (5) or (15) of this Section 4.09(b);

(6)    (a) Obligations in respect of workers’ compensation claims, self-insurance obligations, bankers’ acceptances, performance, bid, appeal and surety bonds and completion or performance guarantees (including the guarantee of any land grant) provided by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with the Property or in the ordinary course of business and (b) Indebtedness constituting reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit or trade or bank guarantees (including for land grants) issued in the ordinary course of business to the extent that such letters of credit, trade or bank guarantees (including for land grants) are not drawn upon or, if drawn upon, to the extent such drawing is reimbursed no later than thirty (30) days following receipt of a demand for reimbursement;

(7)    the Incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, however, that:

(A)    if the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor is the obligor on such Indebtedness and the payee is not the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor, such Indebtedness must be expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all Obligations then due with respect to the Notes, in the case of the Company, or the Note Guarantee, in the case of a Subsidiary Guarantor; and

 

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(B)    (i) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such Indebtedness being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and (ii) any sale or other transfer of any such Indebtedness to a Person that is not the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, will be deemed, in each case, to constitute an Incurrence of such Indebtedness by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, that was not permitted by this clause (7);

(8)    shares of Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary issued to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; provided that

(A)    any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such Preferred Stock being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; and

(B)    any sale or other transfer of any such Preferred Stock to a Person that is not the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, will be deemed, in each case, to constitute an issuance of such Preferred Stock by such Restricted Subsidiary that was not permitted by this clause (8).

(9)    the Incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Hedging Obligations in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes;

(10)    the guarantee by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that was permitted to be Incurred by another provision of this Section 4.09; provided that if the Indebtedness being guaranteed is subordinated to or pari passu with the Notes, then the guarantee shall be subordinated or pari passu, as applicable, to the same extent as the Indebtedness guaranteed;

(11)    Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument inadvertently drawn against insufficient funds, so long as such Indebtedness is extinguished within five (5) Business Days of its Incurrence;

(12)    to the extent constituting Indebtedness, agreements to pay service fees to professionals (including architects, engineers, contractors and designers) in furtherance of and/or in connection with the Property or agreements to pay fees and expenses or other amounts pursuant to the Services and Right to Use Agreement or the MSA or otherwise arising under the Services and Right to Use Agreement or the MSA in the ordinary course of business (provided, that no such agreements shall give rise to Indebtedness for borrowed money);

(13)    Indebtedness arising from agreements providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations, or from guarantees or letters of credit, surety bonds, or performance bonds securing any obligation of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company pursuant to such agreements, in each case, incurred or assumed in connection with the acquisition or disposition of any business, assets or Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary, other than guarantees of Indebtedness incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or Subsidiary for the purpose of financing such acquisition; provided, that the maximum aggregate liability in respect of all such Indebtedness shall at no time exceed the gross proceeds actually received in connection with such disposition;

(14)    Obligations in respect of Shareholder Subordinated Debt;

(15)    any guarantees made solely in connection with (and limited in scope to) the giving of a Lien of the type specified in clause (22) of “Permitted Liens” to secure Indebtedness of an Unrestricted Subsidiary, the only recourse of which to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries is to the Equity Interests subject to the Liens;

(16)    the Incurrence by the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors of additional Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, as applicable) at any time outstanding, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (16), not to exceed US$50.0 million; and

 

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(17)    the Incurrence by the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors of additional Indebtedness in respect of the Phase II Project in an aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, as applicable) at any time outstanding, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (17), not to exceed the greater of (x) 75% of the EBITDA of the Company for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available (which figure shall be based on audited financial information, if for an annual period) and (y) US$350.0 million.

The Company will not Incur, and will not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to Incur, any Indebtedness (including Permitted Debt) that is contractually subordinated in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor unless such Indebtedness is also contractually subordinated in right of payment to the Notes and the applicable Note Guarantee on substantially identical terms; provided, however, that no Indebtedness will be deemed to be contractually subordinated in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor solely by virtue of being unsecured or by virtue of being secured on a first or junior Lien basis.

For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.09, in the event that an item of proposed Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Debt described in clauses (1) through (17) above, or is entitled to be Incurred pursuant to the first paragraph of this covenant, the Company will be permitted to classify such item of Indebtedness on the date of its Incurrence, or later reclassify all or a portion of such item of Indebtedness, in any manner that complies with this Section 4.09. Indebtedness incurred under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities will be deemed to have been incurred in reliance on the exception provided by clause (1)(x) of the definition of Permitted Debt and may not be reclassified and Indebtedness incurred under the Existing Studio City Company Notes will be deemed to have been incurred in reliance on the exception provided by clause (3)(a) of the definition of Permitted Debt and may not be reclassified. The accrual of interest, the accretion or amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest on any Indebtedness in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms, the reclassification of Preferred Stock as Indebtedness due to a change in accounting principles, and the payment of dividends on Disqualified Stock in the form of additional shares of the same class of Disqualified Stock will not be deemed to be an Incurrence of Indebtedness or an issuance of Disqualified Stock for purposes of this Section 4.09; provided, in each such case, that the amount of any such accrual, accretion or payment is included in Fixed Charges of the Company as accrued. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 4.09, the maximum amount of Indebtedness that the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company may Incur pursuant to this Section 4.09 shall not be deemed to be exceeded solely as a result of fluctuations in exchange rates or currency values.

Further, for purposes of determining compliance with this covenant, to the extent the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries guarantees Indebtedness of a direct or indirect parent entity to the extent otherwise permitted by this covenant, the on-loan by such direct or indirect parent entity to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of all or a portion of the principal amount of such Indebtedness will not be double counted.

The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date will be:

(1)    the accreted value of the Indebtedness, in the case of any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount;

(2)    the principal amount of the Indebtedness, in the case of any other Indebtedness; and

 

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(3)    in respect of Indebtedness of another Person secured by a Lien on the assets of the specified Person, the lesser of:

(A)    the Fair Market Value of such assets at the date of determination; and

(B)    the face amount of the Indebtedness of the other Person.

Section 4.10    Asset Sales.

(a)    The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, consummate an Asset Sale (other than an Event of Loss), unless:

(1)    the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, receives consideration at the time of such Asset Sale at least equal to the Fair Market Value of the assets or Equity Interests issued or sold or otherwise disposed of; and

(2)    at least 75% of the consideration received in the Asset Sale by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is in the form of cash. For purposes of this provision, each of the following will be deemed to be cash:

(A)    any liabilities, as shown on the Company’s most recent consolidated balance sheet, of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than contingent liabilities and liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes or any Note Guarantee) that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets pursuant to a customary novation agreement that releases the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from further liability;

(B)    any securities, notes or other Obligations received by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are, within 30 days of the receipt thereof, converted by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash, to the extent of the cash received in that conversion; and

(C)    any stock or assets of the kind referred to in Section 4.10(b)(2) or Section 4.10(b)(4).

(b)    Within 360 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale (including an Event of Loss), the Company or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be may apply such Net Proceeds:

(1)    to repay (a) Indebtedness Incurred under Section 4.09(b)(1) and Section 4.09(b)(17), (b) other Indebtedness of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor secured by property and assets that are the subject of such Asset Sale, and, in each case, if the Indebtedness repaid is revolving credit Indebtedness, to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto, (c) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor or (d) the Notes pursuant to the redemption provisions of this Indenture;

(2)    to acquire all or substantially all of the assets of another Permitted Business, or any Capital Stock of, a Person undertaking another Permitted Business, if, after giving effect to any such acquisition of Capital Stock, the Permitted Business is or becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (provided that (a) such acquisition funded with any proceeds from an Event of Loss occurs within the date that is 545 days after receipt of the Net Proceeds from the relevant Event of Loss to the extent that a binding agreement to acquire such assets or Capital Stock is entered into on or prior to the date that is 360 days after receipt of the Net Proceeds from the relevant Event of Loss, and (b) if such acquisition is not consummated within the period set forth in clause (a), the Net Proceeds not so applied will be deemed to be Excess Proceeds);

 

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(3)    to make a capital expenditure (provided that any such capital expenditure funded with any proceeds from an Event of Loss occurs within the date that is 545 days after receipt of the Net Proceeds from the relevant Event of Loss to the extent that a binding agreement to make such capital expenditure is entered into on or prior to the date that is 360 days after receipt of the Net Proceeds from the relevant Event of Loss); or

(4)    to acquire other assets that are not classified as current assets under U.S. GAAP and that are used or useful in a Permitted Business (provided that (a) such acquisition funded from an Event of Loss occurs within the date that is 545 days after receipt of the Net Proceeds from the relevant Event of Loss to the extent that a binding agreement to acquire such assets is entered into on or prior to the date that is 360 days after receipt of the Net Proceeds from the relevant Event of Loss, and (b) if such acquisition is not consummated within the period set forth in clause (a), the Net Proceeds not so applied will be deemed to be Excess Proceeds); or

(5)    enter into a binding commitment regarding clauses (2), (3) or (4) above (in addition to the binding commitments expressly referenced in those clauses); provided that such binding commitment shall be treated as a permitted application of Net Proceeds from the date of such commitment until the earlier of (x) the date on which such acquisition or expenditure is consummated and (y) the 180th day following the expiration of the aforementioned 360-day period. To the extent such acquisition or expenditure is not consummated on or before such 180th day and the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary shall not have applied such Net Proceeds pursuant to clauses (2), (3) or (4) above on or before such 180th day, such commitment shall be deemed not to have been a permitted application of Net Proceeds, and such Net Proceeds will constitute Excess Proceeds.

(c)    Pending the final application of any Net Proceeds, the Company may temporarily reduce revolving credit borrowings or otherwise invest the Net Proceeds in any manner that is not prohibited by this Indenture.

(d)    Any Net Proceeds from Asset Sales that are not applied or invested as provided in the second paragraph of this Section 4.10 will constitute “Excess Proceeds.” When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds US$5.0 million, within ten (10) days thereof, the Company shall make an Asset Sale Offer to all Holders with respect to offers to purchase or redeem with the proceeds of sales of assets to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes. The offer price in any Asset Sale Offer will be equal to 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase, and will be payable in cash. If any Excess Proceeds remain after consummation of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company may use those Excess Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes tendered into such Asset Sale Offer exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Company will purchase all tendered Notes on a pro rata basis. Upon completion of each Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds will be reset at zero.

(e)    The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations to the extent such laws or regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of Section 3.09 hereof or this Section 4.10, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under Section 3.09 hereof or this Section 4.10 by virtue thereof.

 

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Section 4.11    Transactions with Affiliates.

(a)    The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of the Company (each, an “Affiliate Transaction”), unless:

(1)    the Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are no less favorable to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary with a Person that is not an Affiliate of the Company; and

(2)    the Company delivers to the Trustee:

(A)    with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of US$45.0 million, a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company set forth in an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with this Section 4.11(a) and that such Affiliate Transaction has been approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors of the Company or, if the Board of Directors of the Company has no disinterested directors, approved in good faith by a majority of the members (or in the case of a single member, the sole member) of the Board of Directors of the Company; and

(B)    with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of US$60.0 million, an opinion as to the fairness to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary of such Affiliate Transaction from a financial point of view issued by an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of international standing, or other recognized independent expert of national standing with experience appraising the terms and conditions of the type of transaction or series of related transactions.

(b)    The following items will not be deemed to be Affiliate Transactions and, therefore, will not be subject to the provisions of Section 4.11(a) hereof:

(1)    any employment agreement, employee benefit plan (including compensation, retirement, disability, severance and other similar plan), officer or director indemnification, stock option or incentive plan or agreement, employee equity subscription agreement or any similar arrangement entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and payments pursuant thereto;

(2)    transactions between or among the Company and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(3)    transactions with a Person (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary) that is an Affiliate of the Company solely because the Company owns directly or through a Restricted Subsidiary, an Equity Interest in, or controls, such Person;

(4)    payment of reasonable officers’ and directors’ fees and reimbursement of expenses (including the provision of indemnity to officers and directors) to Persons who are not otherwise Affiliates of the Company;

(5)    any issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company to Affiliates of the Company or contribution to the common equity capital of the Company;

(6)    Restricted Payments (including any payments made under, pursuant to or in connection with the Services and Right to Use Agreement, the Reinvestment Agreement or the MSA) that do not violate Section 4.07 hereof;

 

 

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(7)    any agreement or arrangement existing on the Issue Date, including any amendments, modifications, supplements, extensions, replacements, terminations or renewals (so long as any such agreement or arrangement together with all such amendments, modifications, supplements, extensions, replacements, terminations and renewals, taken as a whole, is not materially more disadvantageous to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, than the original agreement or arrangement as in effect on the Issue Date, unless any such amendments, modifications, supplements, extensions, replacements, terminations or renewals are imposed by any Gaming Authority or any other public authority, in each case having jurisdiction over the Studio City Casino, Melco Resorts Macau (or any other operator of the Studio City Casino), the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including, but not limited to, the government of the Macau SAR);

(8)    loans or advances to employees (including personnel who provide services to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to the MSA) in the ordinary course of business not to exceed US$2.0 million in the aggregate at any one time outstanding;

(9)    [RESERVED];

(10)    (a) transactions or arrangements under, pursuant to or in connection with the Services and Right to Use Agreement, the Reinvestment Agreement or the MSA, including any amendments, modifications, supplements, extensions, replacements, terminations or renewals thereof (so long as the Services and Right to Use Agreement and the Reinvestment Agreement, taken as a whole, or the MSA, respectively, together with all such amendments, modifications, supplements, extensions, replacements, terminations and renewals, taken as a whole, is not materially more disadvantageous to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, than the Services and Right to Use Agreement and the Reinvestment Agreement, taken as a whole, or the MSA, respectively, as in effect on the Issue Date or, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, would not materially and adversely affect the Company’s ability to make payments of principal of and interest on the Notes) and (b) other than with respect to transactions or arrangements subject to clause (a) above, transactions or arrangements with customers, clients, suppliers or sellers of goods or services in the ordinary course of business, on terms that are fair to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as applicable, or are no less favorable than those that might reasonably have been obtained in a comparable transaction at such time on an arms-length basis from a Person that is not an Affiliate of the Company, in the case of each of (a) and (b), unless any such amendments, modifications, supplements, extensions, replacements, terminations or renewals are imposed by any Gaming Authority or any other public authority having jurisdiction over Melco Resorts Macau (or any other operator of the Studio City Casino), the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including, but not limited to, the government of the Macau SAR;

(11)    the execution of the Transactions, and the payment of all fees and expenses relating to the Transactions described in the Offering Memorandum;

(12)    transactions or arrangements to be entered into in connection with the Property in the ordinary course of business (including, for the avoidance of doubt, transactions or arrangements necessary to conduct a Permitted Business) including any amendments, modifications, supplements, extensions, replacements, terminations or renewals thereof; provided that such transactions or arrangements must comply with clauses 4.11(a)(1) and (a)(2)(A) hereof;

(13)    transactions or arrangements duly approved by the Audit and Risk Committee of Studio City International so long as Studio City International is listed on the New York Stock Exchange or another internationally recognized stock exchange and the Company delivers to the Trustee a copy of the resolution of the Audit and Risk Committee of Studio City International annexed to an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with this clause (13) and that such Affiliate Transaction has been duly approved by the Audit and Risk Committee of Studio City International;

 

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(14)    execution, delivery and performance of any tax sharing agreement or the formation and maintenance of any consolidated group for tax, accounting or cash pooling or management purposes; and

(15)    provision by, between, among, to or from Persons who may be deemed Affiliates of group administrative, treasury, legal, accounting and similar services.

Section 4.12    Liens.

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any Lien of any kind securing Indebtedness on any asset now owned or hereafter acquired or any proceeds, income or profits therefrom or assign or convey any right to receive income therefrom, except Permitted Liens, or, if such Lien is not a Permitted Lien, unless the Notes and the Note Guarantees are secured on a pari passu basis with the obligations so secured until such time as such obligations are no longer secured by a Lien.

Section 4.13    Business Activities.

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, engage in any business other than Permitted Business, except to such extent as would not be material to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (taken as a whole).

Section 4.14    Corporate Existence.

Subject to Article 5 hereof, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect:

(1)    its corporate existence, and the corporate, partnership or other existence of each of its Subsidiaries, in accordance with the respective organizational documents (as the same may be amended from time to time) of the Company or any such Subsidiary; and

(2)    the rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises of the Company and its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right, license or franchise, or the corporate, partnership or other existence of any of its Subsidiaries, if the Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and that the loss thereof is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders.

Section 4.15    Offer to Repurchase upon Change of Control.

(a)    Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each Holder will have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part of such Holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Amounts, if any, to the date of repurchase (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date), except to the extent the Company has previously or concurrently elected to redeem the Notes in full pursuant to Section 3.07 hereof. Within ten (10) days following any Change of Control, except to the extent that the Company has exercised its right to redeem the Notes by delivery of a notice of redemption pursuant to Section 3.03 hereof, the Company shall mail a notice (a “Change of Control Offer”) to each Holder with a copy to the Trustee stating:

(1)    that a Change of Control has occurred and that such Holder has the right to require the Company to repurchase such Holder’s Notes at a repurchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of repurchase (subject to the right of holders of record on a record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date (the “Change of Control Payment”));

 

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(2)    the circumstances and relevant facts and financial information regarding such Change of Control;

(3)    the repurchase date (which shall be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed) (the ”Change of Control Payment Date”);

(4)    that any Note not tendered will continue to accrue interest;

(5)    that, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Change of Control Payment, all Notes accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer will cease to accrue interest after the Change of Control Payment Date;

(6)    the Holders electing to have any Notes purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will be required to surrender the Notes, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” attached to the Notes completed, or transfer by book-entry transfer, to the Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date;

(7)    the Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the Paying Agent receives, not later than the close of business on the second Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Notes delivered for purchase, and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have the Notes purchased, and

(8)    that Holders whose Notes are being purchased only in part will be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, provided that the unpurchased portion has a minimum denomination of US$200,000.

(b)    On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company will, to the extent lawful:

(1)    accept for payment all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;

(2)    deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered; and

(3)    deliver or cause to be delivered to the Paying Agent the Notes properly accepted together with an Officer’s Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered and being purchased by the Company.

The Paying Agent will promptly mail (but in any case not later than five (5) days after the Change of Control Payment Date) to each Holder properly tendered the Change of Control Payment for such Notes, and the Trustee will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, if any, provided that the unpurchased portion has a minimum denomination of US$200,000. The Company will publicly announce the results of the Change of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Change of Control Payment Date.

(c)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4.15, the Company will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if (1) a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Section 4.15 hereof and purchases all Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under the Change of Control Offer, or (2) notice of redemption has been given pursuant to Section 3.03 hereof, unless and until there is a default in payment of the applicable redemption price.

(d)    A Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, and conditioned upon such Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time of making of the Change of Control Offer.

 

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(e)    Notes repurchased by the Company pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will be retired and cancelled at the option of the Company. Notes purchased by a third party pursuant to the preceding paragraph will have the status of Notes issued and outstanding.

(f)    The Company will comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of the Notes pursuant to this Section 4.15. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Section 4.15, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 4.15 by virtue of such compliance.

Section 4.16    Payments for Consents.

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration to or for the benefit of any Holder for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees unless such consideration is (1) offered to be paid; and (2) is paid to all Holders that consent, waive or agree to amend within the time frame and on the terms set forth in the solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in any offer or payment of consideration for, or as an inducement to, any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture or the Notes in connection with an exchange offer, the Company and any of the Restricted Subsidiaries may exclude (a) in connection with an exchange offer, holders or beneficial owners of the Notes that are not “qualified institutional buyers” as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act, and (b) in connection with any consent, waiver or amendment, holders or beneficial owners of the Notes in any jurisdiction where the inclusion of such holders or beneficial owners would require the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to (i) file a registration statement, prospectus or similar document or subject the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to ongoing periodic reporting or similar requirements under any securities laws (including but not limited to, the United States federal securities laws and the laws of the European Union or its member states), (ii) qualify as a foreign corporation or other entity as a dealer in securities in such jurisdiction if it is not otherwise required to so qualify, (iii) generally consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction or (iv) subject the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to taxation in any such jurisdiction if it is not otherwise so subject, or the solicitation of such consent, waiver or amendment from, or the granting of such consent or waiver, or the approval of such amendment by, holders or beneficial owners in such jurisdiction would be unlawful, in each case as determined by the Company in its sole discretion.

Section 4.17    Future Subsidiary Guarantors.

(a)    If the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries acquires or creates another Subsidiary after the Issue Date, then the Company shall cause such newly acquired or created Subsidiary to become a Subsidiary Guarantor (in the event that such Subsidiary provides a guarantee of any other Indebtedness of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor of the type specified under clauses (1) or (2) of the definition of “Indebtedness”), at which time such Subsidiary shall:

(1)    execute a supplemental indenture in the form attached as Exhibit D hereto pursuant to which such Subsidiary shall unconditionally guarantee, on a senior basis, all of the Company’s Obligations under this Indenture and the Notes on the terms set forth in this Indenture;

(2)    take such further action and execute and deliver such other documents as otherwise may be reasonably requested by the Trustee to give effect to the foregoing; and

(3)    deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel that (i) such supplemental indenture and any other documents required to be delivered have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Subsidiary and constitute legal, valid, binding and enforceable Obligations of such Subsidiary.

 

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(b)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Guarantee of the Notes created pursuant to the provisions described in paragraph (a) above may provide by its terms that it will be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon:

(1)    (with respect to any Guarantee created after the date of this Indenture) the release by the holders of the Company’s or the Subsidiary Guarantor’s Indebtedness described in paragraph (a) above, of their guarantee by such Restricted Subsidiary (including any deemed release upon payment in full of all obligations under such Indebtedness other than as a result of payment under such guarantee), at a time when:

(A)    no other Indebtedness of either the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor has been guaranteed by such Restricted Subsidiary; or

(B)    the holders of all such other Indebtedness that is guaranteed by such Restricted Subsidiary also release their guarantee by such Restricted Subsidiary (including any deemed release upon payment in full of all obligations under such Indebtedness other than as a result of payment under such guarantee); or

(2)    the release of the Note Guarantees on the terms and conditions and in the circumstances described in Section 11.08 hereof.

(c)    Each additional Note Guarantee will be limited as necessary to recognize certain defences generally available to guarantors (including those that relate to fraudulent conveyance or transfer, voidable preference, financial assistance, corporate purpose, capital maintenance or similar laws, regulations or defences affecting the rights of creditors generally) or other considerations under applicable law. Notwithstanding Section 4.17(a) hereof, the Company shall not be obligated to cause such Restricted Subsidiary to Guarantee the Notes to the extent that such Guarantee by such Restricted Subsidiary would reasonably be expected to give rise to or result in (i) any liability for the officers, directors or shareholders of such Restricted Subsidiary or (ii) any significant cost, expense, liability or obligation (including with respect of any Taxes, but excluding any reasonable guarantee or similar fee payable to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company) other than reasonable out of pocket expenses.

Section 4.18    Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

The Board of Directors of the Company may designate any Restricted Subsidiary to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary if that designation would not cause a Default; provided that in no event will the business currently operated by the Company, Studio City Developments Limited, Studio City Entertainment Limited or Studio City Hotels Limited be transferred to or held by an Unrestricted Subsidiary. If a Restricted Subsidiary is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, the aggregate Fair Market Value of all outstanding Investments owned by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the Subsidiary designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be deemed to be an Investment made as of the time of the designation and will reduce the amount available for Restricted Payments under Section 4.07 hereof or under one or more clauses of the definition of Permitted Investments, as determined by the Company. That designation will only be permitted if the Investment would be permitted at that time and if the Restricted Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. The Board of Directors of the Company may re-designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary if that re-designation would not cause a Default.

 

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Any designation of a Subsidiary of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a certified copy of a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company giving effect to such designation and an Officer’s Certificate of the Company certifying that such designation complied with the preceding conditions and was permitted by Section 4.07 hereof. If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the preceding requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it will thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of this Indenture and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary will be deemed to be Incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as of such date and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be Incurred as of such date under Section 4.09 hereof, the Company will be in Default of such covenant. The Board of Directors of the Company may at any time designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such designation will be deemed to be an Incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of any outstanding Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary, and such designation will only be permitted if (1) such Indebtedness is permitted under Section 4.09 hereof, calculated on a pro forma basis as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the reference period; and (2) no Default or Event of Default would be in existence following such designation. On such designation, the Company shall deliver an Officer’s Certificate of the Company to the Trustee regarding such designation and certifying that such designation complies with the preceding conditions and the relevant covenants under this Indenture.

Section 4.19    Listing.

The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to list and maintain the listing and quotation of the Notes on the Official List of the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited or another comparable exchange.

Section 4.20    Limitations on Use of Proceeds

The Company will not, and will not cause or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, use the net proceeds from the sale of the Notes, in any amount, for any purpose other than as set forth under the caption “Use of Proceeds” in the Offering Memorandum.

Section 4.21    Special Put Option.

(a)    Upon a Special Put Option Triggering Event, each Holder will have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part of such Holder’s Notes pursuant to a Special Put Option Offer (as defined below) on the terms set forth in this Section 4.21. In the Special Put Option Offer, the Company will offer to purchase the Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, and Additional Amounts, if any, to but excluding the date of repurchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date), except to the extent the Company has previously or concurrently elected to redeem the Notes in full as described under Section 3.07 hereof.

(b)    Within ten days following the occurrence of a Special Put Option Triggering Event, except to the extent that the Company has exercised its right to redeem the Notes in full by delivery of a notice of redemption as described under Section 3.07 hereof the Company shall mail a notice (a “Special Put Option Offer”) to each Holder with a copy to the Trustee and the Paying Agent stating:

(1)    that a Special Put Option Triggering Event has occurred and that such holder has the right to require the Company to repurchase such Holder’s Notes at a repurchase price in cash equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, and Additional Amounts, if any, to but excluding the date of repurchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on a record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date);

(2)    the repurchase date (which shall be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed); and

(3)    the instructions determined by the Company, consistent with this Section 4.21, that a Holder must follow in order to have its Notes repurchased.

 

 

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(c)    On the date of repurchase pursuant to a Special Put Option Offer, the Company will, to the extent lawful:

(1)    accept for payment all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered pursuant to the Special Put Option Offer;

(2)    deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the repurchase price, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, and Additional Amounts, if any, to but excluding the date of repurchase (the “Special Put Option Payment”), in respect of all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered; and

(3)    deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee, the Notes properly accepted together with an Officers’ Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered and being purchased by the Company.

(d)    The Paying Agent will promptly mail to each Holder properly tendered the Special Put Option Payment for such Notes, and the Trustee, or its authenticating agent, will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, if any.

(e)    The provisions described in this Section 4.21 that require the Company to make a Special Put Option Offer following a Special Put Option Triggering Event will be applicable whether or not any other provisions of the Indenture are applicable. Except as described this Section 4.21 with respect to a Special Put Option Triggering Event, this Indenture does not contain provisions that permit the Holders to require that the Company repurchase or redeem the Notes in the event of a termination, rescission or expiration of any Gaming License.

(f)    The Company will not be required to make a Special Put Option Offer upon a Special Put Option Triggering Event if (1) a third party makes the Special Put Option Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in the Indenture applicable to a Special Put Option Offer made by the Company and purchases all Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under the Special Put Option Offer, or (2) notice of redemption has been given in accordance with Section 3.07 and Section 3.10 hereof pursuant to which the Company has exercised its right to redeem the Notes in full, unless and until there is a default in payment of the applicable redemption price.

(g)    Notes repurchased by the Company pursuant to a Special Put Option Offer will have the status of Notes issued but not outstanding or will be retired and cancelled at the option of the Company. Notes purchased by a third party pursuant to sub-clause (b)(3) of this Section 4.21 will have the status of Notes issued and outstanding.

(h)    The Company will comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of Notes pursuant to this provision. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with provisions of this provision, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this covenant by virtue thereof.

Section 4.22    Intercompany Note Proceeds Loans

The Company shall, and shall cause its Restricted Subsidiaries to, ensure that:

(1)    the Intercompany Note Proceeds Loans are subordinated in right of payment to the Guarantees provided by the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries party thereto;

(2)    the Company will receive interest payments under such Intercompany Note Proceeds Loans in amounts sufficient for the Company to make interest payments under the Notes as they become due; and

(3)    the maturity date of such Intercompany Note Proceeds Loans will be same as the maturity date of the Notes.

 

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Section 4.23    Suspension of Covenants

(a)    The following covenants (the “Suspended Covenants”) will not apply during any period during which the Notes have an Investment Grade Status (a “Suspension Period”): Section 4.07, Section 4.08, Section 4.09, Section 4.10, Section 4.11, Section 5.01(a)(3) and Section 4.17. Additionally, during any Suspension Period, the Company will not be permitted to designate any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

(b)    In the event that the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries are not subject to the Suspended Covenants for any period of time as a result of the foregoing, and on any subsequent date (the “Reversion Date”) the Notes cease to have Investment Grade Status, then the Suspended Covenants will apply with respect to events occurring following the Reversion Date (unless and until the Notes subsequently attain an Investment Grade Status, in which case the Suspended Covenants will again be suspended for such time that the Notes maintain an Investment Grade Status); provided, however, that no Default or Event of Default will be deemed to exist under the Indenture with respect to the Suspended Covenants, and none of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries will bear any liability for any actions taken or events occurring during a Suspension Period and before any related Reversion Date, or any actions taken at any time pursuant to any contractual obligation or binding commitment arising prior to such Reversion Date, regardless of whether those actions or events would have been permitted if the applicable Suspended Covenant had remained in effect during such period. The Company shall notify the Trustee should the Notes achieve Investment Grade Status; provided that such notification shall not be a condition for the suspension of the covenants set forth above to be effective. The Trustee shall be under no obligation to notify the holders of the Notes that the Notes have achieved Investment Grade Status.

(c)    On each Reversion Date, all Indebtedness Incurred during the Suspension Period prior to such Reversion Date will be deemed to be Indebtedness existing on the Issue Date. For purposes of calculating the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under Section 4.07(a)(4)(C) hereof on or after the Reversion Date, calculations under such covenant shall be made as though such covenant had been in effect during the entire period of time after the Issue Date (including the Suspension Period). Restricted Payments made during the Suspension Period not otherwise permitted pursuant to any of clauses (2) through (6) or (18) under Section 4.07(b) hereof will reduce the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under Section 4.07(a)(4)(C) hereof; provided, that the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments on the Reversion Date shall not be reduced to below zero solely as a result of such Restricted Payments. In addition, for purposes of the other Suspended Covenants, all agreements entered into and all actions taken during the Suspension Period, including, without limitation, the Incurrence of Indebtedness shall be deemed to have been taken or to have existed prior to the Issue Date.

ARTICLE 5

SUCCESSORS

Section 5.01    Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets.

(a)    The Company. The Company will not, directly or indirectly: (1) consolidate or merge with or into another Person (whether or not the Company survives); or (2) sell, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole, in one or more related transactions, to another Person unless:

(1)    either:

(A)    if the transaction or series of transactions is a consolidation of the Company with or a merger of the Company with or into any other Person, the Company shall be the surviving entity of such merger or consolidation; or

 

 

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(B)    the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia, and such Person shall expressly assume all the Obligations of the Company under the Notes and this Indenture, pursuant to supplemental indentures or other documents or agreements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee;

(2)    immediately after such transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists; and

(3)    the Company, or if applicable, the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company), or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made, would, on the date of such transaction after giving pro forma effect thereto and any related financing transactions as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, be permitted to Incur at least US$1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.09(a) hereof.

(b)    The Subsidiary Guarantors. Subject to the Section 11.08(c) hereof, no Subsidiary Guarantor will, and the Company will not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to, directly or indirectly: (1) consolidate or merge with or into another Person (whether or not such Subsidiary Guarantor survives); or (2) sell, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of such Subsidiary Guarantor in one or more related transactions, to another Person, unless:

(1)    either:

(A)    if the transaction or series of transactions is a consolidation of such Subsidiary Guarantor with or a merger of such Subsidiary Guarantor with or into any other Person, such Subsidiary Guarantor shall be the surviving entity of such consolidation or merger; or

(B)    the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than such Subsidiary Guarantor) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia, and such Person shall expressly assume all the Obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under its Note Guarantee and this Indenture, pursuant to a supplemental indenture; and

(2)    immediately after such transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists.

(c)    This Section 5.01 will not apply to:

(1)    a merger of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, with an Affiliate solely for the purpose of reincorporating the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, in another jurisdiction; or

(2)    any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, or other disposition of assets between or among the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors or between or among the Subsidiary Guarantors.

Upon consummation of any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, or other disposition of assets by a Subsidiary Guarantor with or into the Company or another Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with this Section 5.01 which results in a Subsidiary Guarantor distributing all of its assets (other than de minimis assets required by law to maintain its corporate existence) to the Company or another Subsidiary Guarantor, such transferring Subsidiary Guarantor may be wound up pursuant to a solvent liquidation or solvent reorganization, provided it shall have no third party recourse Indebtedness or be the obligor under any intercompany Indebtedness.

 

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Section 5.02    Successor Corporation Substituted.

Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company in a transaction that is subject to, and that complies with the provisions of, Section 5.01 hereof, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Company is merged or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition, the provisions of this Indenture referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the successor Person and not to the Company), and may exercise every right and power of the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein; provided, however, that the predecessor Company shall not be relieved from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes except in the case of a sale of all of the Company’s assets in a transaction that is subject to, and that complies with the provisions of, Section 5.01 hereof.

ARTICLE 6

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

Section 6.01    Events of Default.

(a)    Each of the following is an event of default (an “Event of Default”):

(1)    default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest or Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to the Notes;

(2)    default in the payment when due (at maturity, upon redemption, upon required repurchase, or otherwise) of the principal of, or premium, if any, on the Notes;

(3)    failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to comply with its obligations under the provisions of Section 3.09, 4.10, 4.15, 4.21 or 5.01 hereof;

(4)    failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for 60 days after notice to the Company by the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding voting as a single class to comply with any of the other agreements in this Indenture,;

(5)    default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), whether such Indebtedness or Guarantee now exists, or is created after the date of this Indenture, if that default:

(A)    is caused by a failure to pay principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, such Indebtedness prior to the expiration of the grace period provided in such Indebtedness on the date of such default (a “Payment Default”); or

(B)    results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its express maturity,

and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates US$20.0 million or more at any time outstanding;

(6)    failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay final judgments entered by a court or courts of competent jurisdiction (other than any judgment as to which a reputable third party insurer has accepted full responsibility and coverage) aggregating in excess of US$20.0 million, which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period of 60 days;

 

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(7)    the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of Bankruptcy Law:

(A)    commences a voluntary case or is the subject of a petition by a creditor to have it declared bankrupt,

(B)    consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,

(C)    consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property,

(D)    makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or

(E)    generally is not paying its debts as they become due;

(8)    a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

(A)    is for relief against the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case;

(B)    appoints a custodian of the Company or of any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary; or

(C)    orders the liquidation of the Company or of any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary;

(9)    except as permitted by this Indenture, (a) any Note Guarantee being held in any judicial proceeding in a competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable or invalid or ceases for any reason to be in full force and effect, or (b) any Person acting on behalf of any Subsidiary Guarantor, denying or disaffirming its Obligations under its Note Guarantee; and

(10)    the termination or rescission of any Gaming License or the Macau government takes any formal measure to do so (excluding any termination or rescission resulting from or in connection with any renewal, tender or other process conducted by the government of Macau in connection with the granting or renewal of any Gaming License; provided that such renewal, tender or other process results in the granting or renewal of the relevant Gaming License).

Section 6.02    Acceleration.

In the case of an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a)(7) or 6.01(a)(8) hereof, with respect to the Company, any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare all the Notes to be due and payable immediately. Upon any such declaration, the Notes shall become due and payable immediately.

 

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The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by written notice to the Trustee may, on behalf of all of the Holders, rescind an acceleration (including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration) and its consequences, if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default (except non-payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes).

Section 6.03    Other Remedies.

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal, premium and Additional Amounts, if any, and interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

Section 6.04    Waiver of Past Defaults.

Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by written notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive an existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences hereunder, except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, the Notes (including in connection with an offer to purchase); provided, however, that the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration. Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 6.05    Control by Majority.

Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct, in writing, the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders or that may involve the Trustee in personal liability.

Section 6.06    Limitation on Suits.

(a)     Subject to the provisions of this Indenture relating to the duties of the Trustee, in case an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under this Indenture at the request or direction of any Holders unless such Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity and/or security to its satisfaction against any loss, liability or expense. Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest or Additional Amounts, if any, when due, no Holder may pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes unless:

(1)    such Holder has previously given the Trustee written notice that an Event of Default is continuing;

(2)    Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes have made a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

 

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(3)    such Holders have offered the Trustee security and/or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

(4)    the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt of the request and the offer of security and/or indemnity to its satisfaction; and

(5)    during such 60-day period, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes have not given the Trustee a written direction inconsistent with such request.

(b)     A Holder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder.

Section 6.07    Rights of Holders to Receive Payment.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal, premium, Additional Amounts, if any, and interest on the Notes, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Note (including in connection with an offer to purchase), or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder; provided that a Holder shall not have the right to institute any such suit for the enforcement of payment if and to the extent that the institution or prosecution thereof or the entry of judgment therein would, under applicable law, result in the surrender, impairment, waiver or loss of the Lien of this Indenture upon any property subject to such Lien.

Section 6.08    Collection Suit by Trustee.

If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a)(1) or (a)(2) hereof occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company for the whole amount of principal of, premium, Additional Amounts, if any, and interest remaining unpaid on, the Notes and interest on overdue principal and premium, if any and, to the extent lawful, interest and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

Section 6.09    Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company (or any other obligor upon the Notes), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.08 hereof. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.08 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

 

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Section 6.10    Priorities.

If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article 6, it shall pay out the money in the following order:

First: to the Trustee, the Agents, and their respective agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 7.08 hereof, including payment of all compensation, expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee or any Agent, and the costs and expenses of collection;

Second: to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium, Additional Amounts, if any, and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal, premium, Additional Amounts, if any, and interest, respectively; and

Third: to the Company or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct.

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 6.10.

Section 6.11    Undertaking for Costs.

In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.11 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.07 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.

ARTICLE 7

TRUSTEE

Section 7.01    Duties of Trustee.

(a)    If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee will exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

(b)     Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

(1)     the duties of the Trustee will be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

(2)    in the absence of willful misconduct on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, the Trustee will examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture.

(3)    other than with respect to a payment default, the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any Default or Event of Default unless written notice has been delivered to a Responsible Officer at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee referencing the applicable provision of this Indenture.

 

 

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(c)     The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own grossly negligent action, its own grossly negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(1)     this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section 7.01;

(2)    the Trustee will not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer; and

(3)    the Trustee will not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05 hereof.

(d)    Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this Section 7.01.

(e)    No provision of this Indenture will require the Trustee, to expend or risk its own funds or incur any liability.

(f)    The Trustee will not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

Section 7.02    Rights of Trustee.

(a)    The Trustee may conclusively rely upon any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

(b)    Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may engage and consult with professional advisors and counsel selected by it at the reasonable expense of the Company, and the Trustee may rely conclusively upon advice of such professional advisors and counsel or any Opinion of Counsel will be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon by the Trustee and any of its directors, officers, employees or agents duly appointed.

(c)    The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and will not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care. The Trustee shall have no duty to monitor the performance of such agents.

(d)    The Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture. The Trustee shall not be required to take action at the direction of the Company or Holders which conflicts with the requirements of this Indenture or for which it is not indemnified to its satisfaction, or which involves undue risk or would be contrary to applicable law or regulation.

(e)    Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Company will be sufficient if signed by an Officer or a director of the Company.

(f)     The Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless such Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity and/or security satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against the losses, liabilities and expenses that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

(g)     In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, epidemic, pandemic (or any government restrictions imposed in response to an epidemic or pandemic) work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services and the unavailability of the Federal Reserve Bank wire or facsimile or other communication facility; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

 

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(h)    The recitals contained herein and in the Notes are made by the Company and not by the Trustee, and the Trustee, does not assume any responsibility for the correctness thereof. The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or the Notes.

(i)    The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records, and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney at the sole cost of the Company and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.

(j)     In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

(k)     The rights, privileges, indemnity, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder provided, however any such agent or custodian shall not be deemed to be a fiduciary;

(l)    The Trustee may request that the Company deliver a certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture;

(m)    In the event that the Trustee and Agents shall be uncertain as to their respective duties or rights hereunder or shall receive instructions, claims or demands from the Company, which in their opinion, conflict with any of the provisions of this Indenture, they shall be entitled to refrain from taking action until directed in writing by a final order or judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction;

(n)    So long as any of the Notes remains outstanding, the Company shall provide the Agents with a sufficient number of copies of this Indenture and each of the documents sent to the Trustee or which are required to be made available by stock exchange regulations or stated in the Offering Memorandum relating to the Notes, to be available and, subject to being provided with such copies, each of the Agents will procure that such copies shall be available at its specified office during normal office hours for examination by the Holders and that copies thereof will be furnished to the Holders upon written request at their own expense;

(o)    Whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officer’s Certificate and/or an Opinion of Counsel;

(p)    In the event the Trustee receives inconsistent or conflicting requests and indemnity from two or more groups of Holders, each representing less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee, in its sole discretion, may determine what action, if any, will be taken and shall not incur any liability for its failure to act until such inconsistency or conflict is, in its reasonable opinion, resolved;

 

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(q)    The Trustee may, before commencing (or at any time during the continuance of) any act, action or proceeding, require the Holders at whose instance it is acting to deposit with the Trustee the Notes held by them, for which Notes the Trustee to which such Notes are deposited shall issue receipts to such Holders;

(r)    Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the Trustee and the Paying Agent shall be entitled to make a deduction or withholding from any payment which they make under this Indenture for or on account of any present or future taxes, duties or charges if and to the extent so required by applicable law, in which event the Trustee or the Paying Agent, as applicable, shall make such payment after such withholding or deduction has been made and shall account to the relevant authorities for the amount so withheld or deducted;

(s)    The Trustee shall (except as expressly otherwise provided herein) as regards all the trusts, powers, authorities and discretions vested in it by this Indenture or by applicable law, have absolute and uncontrolled discretion as to the exercise or non-exercise thereof and, absent any wilful misconduct, gross negligence or fraud on the part of the Trustee the Trustee shall not be responsible for any loss, damage, cost, claim or any other liability or inconvenience that may result from the exercise or non-exercise thereof;

(t)    Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced if in writing and signed by an Officer of the Company and any resolution of the Board of Directors shall be sufficiently evidenced by a board resolution;

(u)     The Trustee shall have no duty to inquire as to the performance of the covenants of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries. Delivery of reports, information and documents to the Trustee under Section 4.03 hereof shall be for informational purposes only as regards the Trustee and the Trustee’s receipt of such reports, information and documents shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates);

(v)    The Trustee shall not have any obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance, and shall not be responsible or liable for compliance with restrictions on transfer, exchange, redemption, purchase or repurchase, as applicable, of minimum denominations imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law or regulation with respect to any transfer, exchange, redemption, purchase or repurchase, as applicable, of any interest in any Notes;

(w)    The Trustee is not required to give any bond or surety with respect to the performance of its duty or the exercise of its power under this Indenture or the Notes;

(x)    No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to do anything which, in its opinion, may be illegal or contrary to applicable law or regulation;

(y)    The Trustee may assume without inquiry in the absence of actual knowledge that the Company is duly complying with its obligations contained in this Indenture required to be performed and observed by them, and that no Default or Event of Default or other event which would require repayment of the Notes has occurred; and

(z)    The permissive right of the Trustee to take the actions permitted by this Indenture shall not be construed as an obligation or duty to do so.

Section 7.03 [Intentionally Omitted.]

Section 7.04 Individual Rights of Trustee.

(a)     The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Company or any Affiliate of the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. The Trustee is also subject to Section 7.11 hereof.

 

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(b)    If the Trustee becomes a creditor of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor, this Indenture limits its right to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The Trustee will be permitted to engage in other transactions; however, if it acquires actual knowledge that it has any conflicting interest it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days or resign.

Section 7.05    Trustee’s Disclaimer.

The Trustee will not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to the Company or upon the Company’s direction under any provision of this Indenture, it will not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it will not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this Indenture other than the certificate of authentication. The Trustee shall not be deemed to be required to calculate any Fixed Charges, Treasury Rates, Additional Amounts, any make-whole amount, any Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio or other coverage ratio, or otherwise.

Section 7.06    Notice of Defaults.

If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing and if it is known to the Trustee, the Trustee will mail to Holders a notice of the Default or Event of Default within ninety (90) days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of, premium, Additional Amounts, if any, or interest on, any Note, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have such actual knowledge and may withhold the notice if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the Holders.

Section 7.07 [Intentionally Omitted.]

Section 7.08 Compensation and Indemnity.

(a)     The Company will pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder pursuant to a written fee agreement executed or as otherwise agreed by the Trustee and the Company. The Trustee’s compensation will not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company will reimburse the Trustee promptly upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses properly incurred or made by it in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses will include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

(b)     The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors will indemnify the Trustee and its officers, directors, employees and agents against any and all losses, liabilities or expenses (including the fees and expenses of counsel) incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties under this Indenture, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors (including this Section 7.08) and defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors, any Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent any such loss, liability or expense may be attributable solely to its gross negligence, willful misconduct or fraud as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final non-appealable order. The Trustee will notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company will not relieve the Company or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors of their obligations hereunder. The Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor will defend the claim and the Trustee will cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company will pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary Guarantor need to pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld.

 

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(c)    The obligations of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors under this Section 7.08 will survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, and the resignation or removal of the Trustee and/or any Agent.

(d)    To secure the Company’s and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ payment obligations in this Section 7.08, the Trustee will have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, in its capacity as Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal and interest on particular Notes. Such Lien will survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

(e)    When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a)(7) or Section 6.01(a)(8) hereof occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

Section 7.09    Replacement of Trustee.

(a)     A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee will become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.09.

(b)    The Trustee may resign in writing at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Company. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Company in writing. The Company may remove the Trustee if:

(1)     the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.11 hereof;

(2)    the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

(3)     a custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

(4)     the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

(c)    If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Company will promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one (1) year after the successor Trustee takes office, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.

(d)    If a successor Trustee does not take office within sixty (60) days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company, or the Holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee at the sole expense of the Company.

(e)    If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder who has been a Holder for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.11 hereof, such Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

(f)     A successor Trustee will deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee will become effective, and the successor Trustee will have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee will mail a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee will promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee; provided all sums owing to the Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.08 hereof. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.09, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.08 hereof will continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

 

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Section 7.10    Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.

If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act will be the successor Trustee.

Section 7.11    Eligibility; Disqualification.

There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is entitled to carry out the activities of a trustee under the laws of England and Wales, or Hong Kong or the State of New York or is a corporation organized or doing business under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power and that is a corporation which is generally recognized as a corporation which customarily performs such corporate trustee roles and provides such corporate trustee services in transactions similar in nature to the offering of the Notes. No obligor under the Notes or Person directly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with such obligor shall serve as trustee under the Notes.

Section 7.12 Appointment of Co-Trustee.

(a)     Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, at any time, for the purpose of meeting any legal requirement of any jurisdiction or otherwise, the Trustee shall have the power and may execute and deliver all instruments necessary to appoint one or more Persons to act as a co-trustee or co-trustees, or separate trustees, of all or any part of this Indenture, and to vest in such Person or Persons, in such capacity and for the benefit of the Holders, such powers, duties, obligations, rights and trusts as the Trustee may consider necessary or desirable. No co-trustee or separate trustee hereunder shall be required to meet the terms of eligibility as a successor trustee under Section 7.09 hereof and no notice to the Holders of the appointment of any co-trustee or separate trustee shall be required.

(b)     Every separate trustee and co- trustee shall, to the extent permitted by law, be appointed and act subject to the following provisions and conditions:

(1)     All rights, powers, duties and obligations conferred or imposed upon the Trustee shall be conferred or imposed upon and exercised or performed by the Trustee and such separate trustee or co-trustee jointly (it being understood that such separate trustee or co- trustee is not authorized to act separately without the Trustee joining in such act), except to the extent that under any law of any jurisdiction in which any particular act or acts are to be performed the Trustee shall be incompetent or unqualified to perform such act or acts, in which event such rights, powers, duties and obligations shall be exercised and performed singly by such separate trustee or co-trustee, but solely at the direction of the Trustee.

(2)    No trustee hereunder shall be personally liable by reason of any act or omission of any other trustee hereunder; and

(3)    The Trustee may at any time accept the resignation of or remove any separate trustee or co-trustee.

(c)    Any notice, request or other writing given to the Trustee shall be deemed to have been given to each of the then separate trustees and co-trustees, as effectively as if given to each of them. Every instrument appointing any separate trustee or co-trustee shall refer to this Indenture and the conditions of this Section 7.12. Each separate trustee and co-trustee, upon its acceptance of the trusts conferred, shall be vested with the estates or property specified in its instrument of appointment, either jointly with the Trustee or separately, as may be provided therein, subject to all the provisions of this Indenture, specifically including every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct of, affecting the liability of, or affording protection or rights (including the rights to compensation, reimbursement and indemnification hereunder) to, the Trustee. Every such instrument shall be filed with the Trustee.

 

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(d)     Any separate trustee or co-trustee may at any time constitute the Trustee its agent or attorney-in-fact with full power and authority, to the extent not prohibited by law, to do any lawful act under or in respect of this Indenture on its behalf and in its name. If any separate trustee or co-trustee shall die, become incapable of acting, resign or be removed, all of its estates, properties, rights, remedies, and trusts shall vest in and be exercised by the Trustee, to the extent permitted by law, without the appointment of a new or successor trustee.

Section 7.13     Resignation of Agents.

Any Agent may resign and be discharged from its duties under this Indenture at any time by giving thirty (30) days’ prior written notice of such resignation to the Trustee and the Company. The Trustee or the Company may remove any Agent at any time by giving thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to such Agent. Upon such notice, a successor Agent shall be appointed by the Company, who shall provide written notice of such to the Trustee. Such successor Agent shall become the Agent hereunder upon the resignation or removal date specified in such notice. If the Company is unable to replace the resigning Agent within thirty (30) days after such notice, the Agent shall deliver any funds then held hereunder in its possession to the Trustee or (i) such Agent may appoint as its successor Agent, any reputable and experienced financial institution acceptable to the Trustee and the Company or (ii) apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Agent or for other appropriate relief. The reasonable costs and expenses (including its counsels’ fees and expenses) incurred by the Agent in connection with such proceeding shall be paid by the Company. Upon receipt of the identity of the successor Agent, the Agent shall deliver any funds then held hereunder to the successor Agent, less the Agent’s fees, costs and expenses or other obligations owed to the Agent. Upon its resignation and delivery of any funds, the Agent shall be discharged of and from any and all further obligations arising in connection with this Indenture, but shall continue to enjoy the benefit of Section 7.08 hereof.

Section 7.14     Agents General Provisions.

(a)    The rights, powers, duties and obligations and actions of each Agent under this Indenture are several and not joint or joint and several.

(b)    The Company and the Agents acknowledge and agree that in the event of a Default or Event of Default, the Trustee may, by notice in writing to the Company and the Agents, require that the Agents act as agents of, and take instructions exclusively from, the Trustee. Until they have received such written notice from the Trustee, the Agents shall act solely as agents of the Company and need have no concern for the interests of the Holders.

(c)    In the event that instructions given to any Agent are not reasonably clear, then such Agent shall be entitled to seek clarification from the Company or other party entitled to give the Agents instructions under this Indenture. If an Agent has sought clarification in accordance with this Section 7.14(c), then such Agent shall be entitled to take no action until such clarification is provided, and shall not incur any liability for not taking any action pending receipt of such clarification.

(d)     The Agents shall only have such duties as expressly set out in this Indenture.

(e)     The Company shall provide the Agents with a certified list of authorized signatories.

Section 7.15    Rights of Trustee in Other Roles.

All rights, powers and indemnities contained in this Article 7 shall apply to the Trustee in its other roles hereunder and to the Agents.

 

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ARTICLE 8

LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

Section 8.01    Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

The Company may at any time, at the option of its Board of Directors evidenced by a resolution set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, elect to have either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof be applied to all outstanding Notes upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article 8.

Section 8.02    Legal Defeasance and Discharge.

Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.02, the Company and each of the Subsidiary Guarantors will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from their Obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes (including the Note Guarantees) on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors will be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes (including the Note Guarantees), which will thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.05 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (1) and (2) below, and to have satisfied all their other obligations under such Notes, the Note Guarantees and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which will survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:

(1)    the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes to receive payments in respect of the principal of, or interest or premium and Additional Amounts, if any, on, such Notes when such payments are due from the trust referred to in Section 8.04 hereof;

(2)    the Company’s Obligations with respect to the Notes under Article 2 and Section 4.02 hereof;

(3)    the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee, the Paying Agent and Transfer Agent and the Registrar, and the Company’s and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ Obligations in connection therewith; and

(4)     this Article 8.

Subject to compliance with this Article 8, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 8.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.03 hereof.

Section 8.03    Covenant Defeasance.

Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, the Company and each of the Subsidiary Guarantors will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be released from each of their obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13, 4.15, 4.16, 4.17, 4.18, 4.19 and 4.21 hereof and Section 5.01(a)(3) hereof with respect to the outstanding Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and the Notes will thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but will continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes will not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes and Note Guarantees, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors may omit to comply with and will have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply will not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes and Note Guarantees will be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof and Section 6.01(a)(3) through 6.01(a)(5) hereof will not constitute Events of Default.

 

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Section 8.04 Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance.

In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance under either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof:

(1)     the Company must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable U.S. Government Obligations, or a combination of cash in U.S. dollars and non-callable U.S. Government Obligations, in amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of an internationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm or firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, or interest and premium, if any, on, the outstanding Notes on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and the Company must specify whether the Notes are being defeased to such stated date for payment or to a particular redemption date;

(2)     in the case of an election under Section 8.02 hereof, the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that:

(A)    the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service a ruling; or

(B)    since the date of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law,

in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

(3)    in the case of an election under Section 8.03 hereof, the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that the holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

(4)    no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit) and the deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other instrument to which the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor is a party or by which the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor is bound;

(5)    such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound;

(6)    the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate of the Company stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders over the other creditors of the Company with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any creditors of the Company or others; and

 

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(7)    the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.

(8)    The Trustee shall be entitled to its usual fees and, in addition, any fees and expenses incurred or charged by the Trustee and its counsel in connection with defeasance, satisfaction and discharge, and investment or custody services provided hereunder.

Section 8.05     Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

Subject to Section 8.06 hereof, all money and non- callable U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.05, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes will be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, and Additional Amounts, if any, and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

The Company will pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the holders of the outstanding Notes.

Notwithstanding anything in this Article 8 to the contrary, the Trustee will deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon the request of the Company any money or non- callable U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 8.04 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.04(1) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

Section 8.06    Repayment to Company.

Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any Note and remaining unclaimed for two (2) years after such principal, premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on its request or (if then held by the Company) will be discharged from such trust; and the holder of such Note will thereafter be permitted to look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, will thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which will not be less than thirty (30) days from the date of such notification or publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.

Section 8.07    Reinstatement.

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any U.S. dollars or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company’s and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ obligations under this Indenture and the Notes and the Note Guarantees will be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be; provided, however, that, if the Company makes any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company will be subrogated to the rights of the holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

 

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ARTICLE 9

AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

Section 9.01    Without Consent of Holders of Notes.

Notwithstanding Section 9.02 of this Indenture, the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee (as applicable and to the extent each is a party to the relevant document) may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Notes, and/or the Note Guarantees without the consent of any Holder:

(1)     to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

(2)     to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes;

(3)     to provide for the assumption of the Company’s or a Subsidiary Guarantor’s Obligations under the Notes or the Note Guarantees in the case of a merger or consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s or such Subsidiary Guarantor’s assets, as applicable;

(4)    to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under this Indenture of any such Holder;

(5)    to conform the text of the Notes, this Indenture or the Note Guarantees to any provision of the “Description of Notes” section of the Offering Memorandum, to the extent that such provision in that “Description of Notes” section of the Offering Memorandum was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of the Notes, this Indenture or the Note Guarantees, which intent shall be evidenced by an Officer’s Certificate of the Company to that effect;

(6)    to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the limitations set forth in this Indenture as of the date of this Indenture; or

(7)    to allow any Subsidiary Guarantor to execute a supplemental indenture and/or a Note Guarantee with respect to the Notes or to release any Subsidiary Guarantor from its Note Guarantee in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.

Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02 hereof, the Trustee, will join with the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors in the execution of any amended or supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but neither the Trustee nor any Agent will be obligated to (although they may at their discretion) enter into such amended or supplemental indenture that affects their own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

 

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Section 9.02     With Consent of Holders of Notes.

Except as provided below in this Section 9.02, the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture (including, without limitation, Section 3.09, 4.10 and 4.15 hereof) and the Notes, and the Company, the Trustee and the Subsidiary Guarantors, may amend or supplement the Note Guarantees with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including Additional Notes, if any) voting as a single class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, the Notes), and, subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, any existing Default or Event of Default (other than a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium or Additional Amounts, if any, or interest on, the Notes, except a payment default resulting from an acceleration that has been rescinded) or compliance with any provision of this Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including Additional Notes, if any) voting as a single class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, the Notes).

Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02, 9.06, 13.04 and 13.05 hereof, the Trustee, will join with the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors in the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture unless such amended or supplemental indenture directly affects the Trustee’s or any Agent’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee and/or each Agent may in their discretion, but will not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental indenture.

It is not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it is sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Company will mail to the Holders affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, will not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amended or supplemental indenture or waiver. Subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding voting as a single class may waive compliance in a particular instance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture or the Notes. However, without the consent of each Holder (including the Additional Notes) affected, an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not (with respect to any Notes (including the Additional Notes) held by a non-consenting Holder):

(1)    reduce the principal amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

(2)    reduce the principal of, premium, if any, or change the fixed maturity of any Note or alter the provisions with respect to the redemption of the Notes (except as provided above with respect to Sections 3.09, 4.10, 4.21 and 4.15 hereof);

(3)    reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest, including default interest, on any Note;

(4)    waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, the Notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

(5)     make any Note payable in money other than that stated in the Notes;

(6)    make any change in the provisions of this Indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults or the rights of Holders to receive payments of principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, the Notes;

 

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(7)    waive a redemption payment with respect to any Note (other than a payment required by Section 3.09, 4.10, 4.21 or 4.15 hereof);

(8)    release any Subsidiary Guarantor from any of its Obligations under its Note Guarantee or this Indenture, except in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; or

(9)     make any change in the preceding amendment and waiver provisions.

For the avoidance of doubt, no amendment to or deletion of, or actions taken in compliance with, the covenants described under Article 4 shall be deemed to impair or affect any rights of Holders to receive payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, the Notes.

Section 9.03     Supplemental Indenture.

Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Notes will be set forth in an amended or supplemental indenture.

Section 9.04    Revocation and Effect of Consents.

Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder is a continuing consent by such Holder and every subsequent holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note. However, any such Holder or subsequent holder of a Note may revoke the consent as to its Note if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.

Section 9.05    Notation on or Exchange of Notes.

The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any Note thereafter authenticated. The Company in exchange for all Notes may issue and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate new Notes that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver.

Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note will not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

Section 9.06    Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.

The Trustee will sign any amended or supplemental indenture authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. The Company may not sign an amended or supplemental indenture until the Board of Directors of the Company approves it. In executing any amended or supplemental indenture, the Trustee will be entitled to receive security and/or indemnity to its reasonable satisfaction. The Trustee (subject to Section 7.01 hereof) will be fully protected in relying upon, in addition to the documents required by Section 13.04 hereof, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture, that the supplemental indenture is legal, valid, binding and enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms and such other matters as the Trustee may request. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

 

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ARTICLE 10

[INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]

ARTICLE 11

NOTE GUARANTEES

Section 11.01    Guarantee.

(a)     Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby jointly and severally, irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees to each Holder and to the Trustee, successors and assigns (1) the full and punctual payment when due, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, of all obligations of the Company under this Indenture (including obligations to the Trustee) and the Notes, whether for payment of principal of, interest, premium or Additional Amounts, if any, on the Notes and all other monetary obligations of the Company under this Indenture and the Notes and (2) the full and punctual performance within applicable grace periods of all other obligations of the Company whether for fees, expenses, indemnification or otherwise under this Indenture and the Notes (all the foregoing being hereinafter collectively called the “Guaranteed Obligations”). Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that the Guaranteed Obligations may be extended or renewed, in whole or in part, without notice or further assent from each such Subsidiary Guarantor, and that each such Subsidiary Guarantor shall remain bound under this Article 11 notwithstanding any extension or renewal of any Guaranteed Obligation.

(b)     Each Subsidiary Guarantor waives presentation to, demand of payment from and protest to the Company of any of the Guaranteed Obligations and also waives notice of protest for non-payment. Each Subsidiary Guarantor waives notice of any default under the Notes or the Guaranteed Obligations. The obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder shall not be affected by (1) the failure of any Holder or the Trustee to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any right or remedy against the Company or any other Person under this Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement or otherwise; (2) any extension or renewal of any thereof; (3) any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement; (4) the release of any security held by any Holder or the Trustee for the Guaranteed Obligations or any of them; (5) the failure of any Holder or the Trustee to exercise any right or remedy against any other guarantor of the Guaranteed Obligations; or (6) any change in the ownership of such Subsidiary.

(c)     Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby waives any right to which it may be entitled to have its obligations hereunder divided among the Subsidiary Guarantors, such that such Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations would be less than the full amount claimed. Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby waives any right to which it may be entitled to have the assets of the Company first be used and depleted as payment of the Company’s or such Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations hereunder prior to any amounts being claimed from or paid by such Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder. Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby waives any right to which it may be entitled to require that the Company be sued prior to an action being initiated against such Subsidiary Guarantor.

(d)    Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that its Note Guarantee herein constitutes a guarantee of payment, performance and compliance when due (and not a guarantee of collection) and waives any right to require that any resort be had by any Holder or the Trustee to any security held for payment of the Guaranteed Obligations.

(e)     Except as expressly set forth in Sections 8.02, 11.02 and 11.08, the obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason, including any claim of waiver, release, surrender, alteration or compromise, and shall not be subject to any defense of setoff, counterclaim, recoupment or termination whatsoever or by reason of the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of the Guaranteed Obligations or otherwise. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor herein shall not be discharged or impaired or otherwise affected by the failure of any Holder or the Trustee to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any remedy under this Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement, by any waiver or modification of any thereof, by any default, failure or delay, willful or otherwise, in the performance of the obligations, or by any other act or thing or omission or delay to do any other act or thing which may or might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of any Subsidiary Guarantor or would otherwise operate as a discharge of any Subsidiary Guarantor as a matter of law or equity.

 

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(f)     Except as expressly set forth in Sections 8.02, 11.02 and 11.08, each Subsidiary Guarantor agrees that its Note Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect until payment in full of all the Guaranteed Obligations. Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that its Note Guarantee herein shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of principal of or interest on any Guaranteed Obligation is rescinded or must otherwise be restored by any Holder or the Trustee upon the bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company or otherwise.

(g)     In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other right which any Holder or the Trustee has at law or in equity against any Subsidiary Guarantor by virtue hereof, upon the failure of the Company to pay the principal of or interest on any Guaranteed Obligation when and as the same shall become due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, or to perform or comply with any other Guaranteed Obligation, each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby promises to and shall, upon receipt of written demand by the Trustee, forthwith pay, or cause to be paid, in cash, to the Holders or the Trustee an amount equal to the sum of (1) the unpaid principal amount of such Guaranteed Obligations, (2) accrued and unpaid interest on such Guaranteed Obligations (but only to the extent not prohibited by law) and (3) all other monetary obligations of the Company to the Holders and the Trustee.

(h)    Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that, as between it, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (1) the maturity of the Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 for the purposes of any Note Guarantee herein, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereby, and (2) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such Guaranteed Obligations as provided in Article 6, such Guaranteed Obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by such Subsidiary Guarantor for the purposes of Section 11.01.

(i)    Each Subsidiary Guarantor also agrees to pay any and all costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by the Trustee in enforcing any rights under Section 11.01.

(j)    Upon request of the Trustee, each Subsidiary Guarantor shall execute and deliver such further instruments and do such further acts as may be reasonably necessary or proper to carry out more effectively the purpose of this Indenture.

Section 11.02    Limitation on Liability.

Any term or provision of this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, the maximum aggregate amount of the Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereunder by any Subsidiary Guarantor shall not exceed the maximum amount that can be hereby guaranteed by the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor without rendering the Note Guarantee, as it relates to such Subsidiary Guarantor, voidable under applicable law relating to ultra vires, fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer, corporate benefit, financial assistance or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally or other considerations under applicable law.

Section 11.03    Successors and Assigns.

This Article 11 shall be binding upon each Subsidiary Guarantor and its successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Trustee and the Holders and, in the event of any transfer or assignment of rights by any Holder or the Trustee, the rights and privileges conferred upon that party in this Indenture and in the Notes shall automatically extend to and be vested in such transferee or assignee, all subject to the terms and conditions of this Indenture.

 

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Section 11.04    No Waiver.

Neither a failure nor a delay on the part of either the Trustee or the Holders in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Article 11 shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall a single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise of any right, power or privilege. The rights, remedies and benefits of the Trustee and the Holders herein expressly specified are cumulative and not exclusive of any other rights, remedies or benefits which either may have under this Article 11 at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise.

Section 11.05    Modification.

No modification, amendment or waiver of any provision of this Article 11, nor the consent to any departure by any Subsidiary Guarantor therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Trustee, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice to or demand on any Subsidiary Guarantor in any case shall entitle such Subsidiary Guarantor to any other or further notice or demand in the same, similar or other circumstances.

Section 11.06    Execution of Supplemental Indenture for Future Subsidiary Guarantors.

Each Restricted Subsidiary which is required to become a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to Section 4.17 hereof shall promptly execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which such Subsidiary shall become a Subsidiary Guarantor under this Article 11 and shall guarantee the Guaranteed Obligations. Concurrently with the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel and an Officer’s Certificate to the effect that such supplemental indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Restricted Subsidiary and that, subject to the application of bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or transfer and other similar laws relating to creditors’ rights generally and to the principles of equity, whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity, the Note Guarantee of such Subsidiary Guarantor is a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Subsidiary Guarantor, enforceable against such Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with its terms and/or to such other matters as the Trustee may reasonably request.

Section 11.07     Non-Impairment.

The failure to endorse a Note Guarantee on any Note shall not affect or impair the validity thereof.

Section 11.08    Release of Guarantees.

(a)    Subject to paragraphs (b) and (c), each Note Guarantee, once it becomes due, is a continuing guarantee and shall (i) remain in full force and effect until payment in full of all the Guaranteed Obligations, (ii) be binding upon each Subsidiary Guarantor and its successors and (iii) inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the Trustee, the Holders and their successors, transferees and assigns.

(b)    The Note Guarantee of a Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to the Notes will be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged:

(1)    in connection with any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of that Subsidiary Guarantor (including by way of merger or, consolidation) to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, if the sale or other disposition does not violate Section 5.01 hereof;

(2)    in connection with any sale or other disposition of the Capital Stock of that Subsidiary Guarantor to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, if the sale or other disposition does not violate Section 4.10 or 5.01 hereof and such Subsidiary Guarantor ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as a result of such sale or other disposition;

 

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(3)    if the Company designates any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Subsidiary Guarantor to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with Section 4.18 hereof;

(4)    upon Legal Defeasance or satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture as provided by Articles 8 and 12 of this Indenture;

(5)    upon payment in full of the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on, the Notes and all other Obligations that are then due and payable thereunder;

(6)    upon the merger or consolidation of any Subsidiary Guarantor with and into the Company or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary Guarantor (or a Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary that becomes a Subsidiary Guarantor concurrently with the transaction) that is the surviving Person in such merger or consolidation, or upon the liquidation of such Subsidiary Guarantor following the transfer of all or substantially all of its assets to the Company or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary Guarantor (or a Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary that becomes a Subsidiary Guarantor concurrently with the transaction); or

(7)     as described under Article 9 hereof.

(c)    Each Holder hereby authorizes the Trustee to take all actions to effectuate any release in accordance with the provisions of this Section 11.08, subject to customary and reasonably satisfactory protections and indemnifications provided by the Company to the Trustee.

ARTICLE 12

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

Section 12.01    Satisfaction and Discharge.

This Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect as to all Notes issued hereunder, when:

(1) either:

(A)    all Notes that have been authenticated, except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes that have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to the Company, have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(B)     all Notes that have not been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the mailing of a notice of redemption or otherwise or will become due and payable within one (1) year and the Company has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable U.S. Government Obligations, or a combination of cash in U.S. dollars and non-callable U.S. Government Obligations, in amounts as will be sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire Indebtedness on the Notes not delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest to the date of maturity or redemption;

(2)    no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit) and the deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other instrument to which the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor is a party or by which the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor is bound;

 

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(3)    the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by it under this Indenture; and

(4)    the Company has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee under this Indenture to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes at maturity or on the redemption date, as the case may be.

In addition, the Company must deliver an Officer’s Certificate of the Company and an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, if money has been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to sub clause (b) of clause (1) of this Section 12.01, the provisions of Sections 12.02 and 8.06 hereof will survive.

Section 12.02    Application of Trust Money.

Subject to the provisions of Section 8.06 hereof, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 12.01 hereof shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any cash in U.S. dollars or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 12.01 hereof by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 12.01 hereof; provided that if the Company has made any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any Notes because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the cash in U.S. dollars or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE 13

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 13.01    [Intentionally Omitted].

Section 13.02    Notices.

Any notice or communication by the Company or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing, in the English language, and delivered in Person or by first class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), facsimile transmission, electronic mail (in pdf format) or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others’ address:

If to the Company, Studio City Investments Limited, Studio City Company Limited, Studio City Holdings Two Limited, Studio City Holdings Three Limited, Studio City Holdings Four Limited, SCP Holdings Limited, SCIP Holdings Limited, SCP One Limited and/or SCP Two Limited:

Jayla Place, Wickhams Cay I

Road Town, Tortola

British Virgin Islands

 

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With a copy to:

Studio City (HK) Limited

36th Floor, The Centrium

60 Wyndham Street

Central, Hong Kong

Facsimile No.: +852 2537 3618

Attention: Company Secretary

If to Studio City Services Limited, Studio City Entertainment Limited, Studio City Hotels Limited, Studio City Hospitality and Services Limited, Studio City Retail Services Limited and/or Studio City Developments Limited:

Avenida da Praia Grande

nº 594, 15º andar A

Macau

With a copy to:

Studio City (HK) Limited

36th Floor, The Centrium

60 Wyndham Street

Central, Hong Kong

Facsimile No.: +852 2537 3618

Attention: Company Secretary

With a copy to:

Ashurst Hong Kong

11/F Jardine House

1 Connaught Place

Central, Hong Kong

Facsimile No.: +852 2868 0898

Attention: Anna-Marie Slot

If to Studio City (HK) Two Limited:

36th Floor, The Centrium

60 Wyndham Street

Central, Hong Kong

Facsimile No.: +852 2537 3618

Attention: Company Secretary

If to the Trustee, the Paying Agent, Registrar and Transfer Agent:

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas

60 Wall Street, 24^th Floor

MS NYC60-2405

New York, NY 10005

United States

Facsimile No.: (732) 578-4635

Attention: Corporates Team – Studio City Finance Limited Deal ID: SF2716

The Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor, the Trustee and any Agent, by notice to the others, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) will be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five (5) Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt acknowledged, if transmitted by facsimile; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.

 

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Any notice or communication to a Holder will be electronically delivered, mailed by first class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery to its address shown on the register kept by the Registrar. All notices to the Holders (while any Notes are represented by one or more Global Notes) shall be delivered to DTC, for communication to entitled account Holders, and any obligation to give notice to the Holders will be discharged upon delivery of such notice to DTC. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it will not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders. If a notice or communication is mailed or delivered in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

If the Company mails or delivers a notice or communication to Holders, it will mail or deliver a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

Section 13.03    Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes.

Holders may communicate with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes.

Section 13.04    Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.

Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:

(1)    an Officer’s Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which must include the statements set forth in Section 13.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been satisfied; and

(2)    an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which must include the statements set forth in Section 13.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been satisfied.

Section 13.05    Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture must include:

(1)    a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

(2)    a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

(3)    a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been satisfied; and

(4)    a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been satisfied.

Section 13.06    Rules by Trustee and Agents.

The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

 

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Section 13.07    No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders.

No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors under the Notes, this Indenture or the Note Guarantees, or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.

Section 13.08    Governing Law.

THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WILL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE NOTE GUARANTEES WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.

Section 13.09    No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.

This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or its Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

Section 13.10    Successors.

All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Notes will bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee and each Agent in this Indenture will bind their respective successors. All agreements of each Subsidiary Guarantor in this Indenture will bind their respective successors, except as otherwise provided in Section 11.05 hereof.

Section 13.11    Severability.

In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 13.12    Counterpart Originals.

The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy will be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

Facsimile, documents executed, scanned and transmitted electronically and electronic signatures, including those created or transmitted through a software platform or application, shall be deemed original signatures for purposes of this Indenture, and all matters and agreements related thereto (including the Notes), with such facsimile, scanned and electronic signatures having the same legal effect as original signatures. The parties agree that this Indenture, the Notes or any instrument, agreement or document necessary for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Indenture, the Notes or related hereto or thereto (including, without limitation, supplements, addendums, amendments, notices, instructions, communications with respect to the delivery of securities or the wire transfer of funds or other communications) (“Executed Documentation”) may be accepted, executed or agreed to through the use of an electronic signature in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations in effect from time to time applicable to the effectiveness and enforceability of electronic signatures. Any Executed Documentation accepted, executed or agreed to in conformity with such laws, rules and regulations will be binding on all parties hereto to the same extent as if it were physically executed and each party hereby consents to the use of any third party electronic signature capture service providers as may be reasonably chosen by a signatory hereto or thereto. When the Trustee or any Agent acts on any Executed Documentation sent by electronic transmission, the Trustee or any Agent will not be responsible or liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from its reliance upon and compliance with such Executed Documentation, notwithstanding that such Executed Documentation (a) may not be an authorized or authentic communication of the party involved or in the form such party sent or intended to send (whether due to fraud, distortion or otherwise) or (b) may conflict with, or be inconsistent with, a subsequent written instruction or communication; it being understood and agreed that the Trustee or any Agent shall conclusively presume that Executed Documentation that purports to have been sent by an authorized officer of a Person has been sent by an authorized officer of such Person. The party providing Executed Documentation through electronic transmission or otherwise with electronic signatures agrees to assume all risks arising out of such electronic methods, including, without limitation, the risk of the Trustee or any Agent acting on unauthorized instructions and the risk of interception and misuse by third parties.

 

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Section 13.13    Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and Headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and will in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

Section 13.14    Patriot Act

In order to comply with the laws, rules, regulations and executive orders in effect from time to time applicable to banking institutions, including, without limitation, those relating to the funding of terrorist activities and money laundering, including Section 326 of the USA Patriot Act of the United States (“Applicable Law”), the Trustee and Agents are required to obtain, verify, record and update certain information relating to individuals and entities which maintain a business relationship with the Trustee and Agents. Accordingly, each of the parties agree to provide to the Trustee and Agents, upon their request from time to time such identifying information and documentation as may be available for such party in order to enable the Trustee and Agents to comply with Applicable Law.

Section 13.15    Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial

THE COMPANY AND EACH SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR HEREBY SUBMITS TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE FEDERAL AND STATE COURTS IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK IN ANY SUIT OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. THE COMPANY AND EACH SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY SUIT OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTE GUARANTEES, THE NOTES AND ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY IN FEDERAL AND STATE COURTS IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK AND IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES AND AGREES NOT TO PLEAD OR CLAIM IN ANY SUCH COURT THAT ANY SUCH SUIT OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM. NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF THE TRUSTEE OR ANY HOLDER OF THE NOTES TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO COMMENCE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS OR OTHERWISE PROCEED AGAINST THE COMPANY IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION. THE COMPANY AND EACH SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR IRREVOCABLY APPOINTS LAW DEBENTURE CORPORATE SERVICES INC., 801 2^ND AVENUE, SUITE 403, NEW YORK, NEW YORK, 10017 , AS ITS AUTHORIZED AGENT IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK UPON WHICH PROCESS MAY BE SERVED IN ANY SUCH SUIT OR PROCEEDING, AND AGREES THAT SERVICE OF PROCESS UPON SUCH AGENT, AND WRITTEN NOTICE OF SAID SERVICE TO THE COMPANY BY THE PERSON SERVING THE SAME TO THE ADDRESS PROVIDED IN SECTION 13.02, SHALL BE DEEMED IN EVERY RESPECT EFFECTIVE SERVICE OF PROCESS UPON THE COMPANY OR ANY SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR, AS THE CASE MAY BE, IN ANY SUCH SUIT OR PROCEEDING. THE COMPANY AND EACH SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR FURTHER AGREES TO TAKE ANY AND ALL ACTION AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN SUCH DESIGNATION AND APPOINTMENT OF SUCH AGENT IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT FOR SO LONG AS THE NOTES ARE OUTSTANDING FROM THE DATE OF THIS INDENTURE.

 

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EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES ITS RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES, THE NOTE GUARANTEES, OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY. THE SCOPE OF THIS WAIVER IS INTENDED TO BE ALL-ENCOMPASSING OF ANY AND ALL DISPUTES THAT MAY BE FILED IN ANY COURT AND THAT RELATE TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS TRANSACTION, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS, BREACH OF DUTY CLAIMS, AND ALL OTHER COMMON LAW AND STATUTORY CLAIMS. THIS SECTION 13.15 HAS BEEN FULLY DISCUSSED BY EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AND THESE PROVISIONS SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY EXCEPTIONS. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY FURTHER WARRANTS AND REPRESENTS THAT SUCH PARTY HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER WITH ITS LEGAL COUNSEL, AND THAT SUCH PARTY KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL. THIS WAIVER IS IRREVOCABLE, MEANING THAT IT MAY NOT BE MODIFIED EITHER ORALLY OR IN WRITING, AND THIS WAIVER SHALL APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS TO (OR ASSIGNMENTS OF) THIS INDENTURE. IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, THIS INDENTURE MAY BE FILED AS A WRITTEN CONSENT TO A TRIAL (WITHOUT A JURY) BY THE COURT.

[Signatures on following page]

 

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SIGNATURES

Dated as of July 15, 2020

 

STUDIO CITY FINANCE LIMITED
By:		/s/ Geoffry Philip Andres
		Name: Geoffry Philip Andres
		Title:   Authorized Signatory
STUDIO CITY INVESTMENTS LIMITED
By:		/s/ Geoffry Philip Andres
		Name: Geoffry Philip Andres
		Title:   Authorized Signatory
STUDIO CITY COMPANY LIMITED
By:		/s/ Geoffry Philip Andres
		Name: Geoffry Philip Andres
		Title:   Authorized Signatory
STUDIO CITY HOLDINGS TWO LIMITED
By:		/s/ Geoffry Philip Andres
		Name: Geoffry Philip Andres
		Title:   Authorized Signatory
STUDIO CITY HOLDINGS THREE LIMITED
By:		/s/ Geoffry Philip Andres
		Name: Geoffry Philip Andres
		Title:   Authorized Signatory
STUDIO CITY HOLDINGS FOUR LIMITED
By:		/s/ Geoffry Philip Andres
		Name: Geoffry Philip Andres
		Title:   Authorized Signatory

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE – INDENTURE]

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STUDIO CITY ENTERTAINMENT LIMITED
By:		/s/ Geoffry Philip Andres
		Name: Geoffry Philip Andres
		Title: Authorized Signatory
STUDIO CITY SERVICES LIMITED
By:
		Name:
		Title:
STUDIO CITY HOTELS LIMITED
By:		/s/ Geoffry Philip Andres
		Name: Geoffry Philip Andres
		Title: Authorized Signatory
SCP HOLDINGS LIMITED
By:		/s/ Geoffry Philip Andres
		Name: Geoffry Philip Andres
		Title: Authorized Signatory
STUDIO CITY HOSPITALITY AND SERVICES LIMITED
By:
		Name:
		Title:
SCP ONE LIMITED
By:		/s/ Geoffry Philip Andres
		Name: Geoffry Philip Andres
		Title: Authorized Signatory

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE – INDENTURE]

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STUDIO CITY ENTERTAINMENT LIMITED
By:
		Name:
		Title:
STUDIO CITY SERVICES LIMITED
By:		/s/ Inês Nolasco Antunes
		Name: Inês Nolasco Antunes
		Title: Authorized Signatory
STUDIO CITY HOTELS LIMITED
By:
		Name:
		Title:
SCP HOLDINGS LIMITED
By:
		Name:
		Title:
STUDIO CITY HOSPITALITY AND SERVICES LIMITED
By:		/s/ Inês Nolasco Antunes
		Name: Inês Nolasco Antunes
		Title: Authorized Signatory
SCP ONE LIMITED
By:
		Name:
		Title:

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE – INDENTURE]

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SCP TWO LIMITED
By:		/s/ Geoffry Philip Andres
		Name: Geoffry Philip Andres
		Title: Authorized Signatory
STUDIO CITY DEVELOPMENT LIMITED
By:		/s/ Geoffry Philip Andres
		Name: Geoffry Philip Andres
		Title: Authorized Signatory
SCIP HOLDINGS LIMITED
By:		/s/ Geoffry Philip Andres
		Name: Geoffry Philip Andres
		Title: Authorized Signatory
STUDIO CITY RETAIL SERVICES LIMITED
By:		/s/ Geoffry Philip Andres
		Name: Geoffry Philip Andres
		Title: Authorized Signatory
STUDIO CITY (HK) TWO LIMITED
By:		/s/ Geoffry Philip Andres
		Name: Geoffry Philip Andres
		Title: Authorized Signatory

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE – INDENTURE]

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DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMETICAS, as Trustee
By:		/s/ Bridgette Casasnovas
		Name: Bridgette Casasnovas
		Title: Vice President
By:		/s/ Annie Jaghatspanyan
		Name: Annie Jaghatspanyan
		Title: Vice President
DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMETICAS, as Paying Agent, Registrar and Transfer Agent
By:		/s/ Bridgette Casasnovas
		Name: Bridgette Casasnovas
		Title: Vice President
By:		/s/ Annie Jaghatspanyan
		Name: Annie Jaghatspanyan
		Title: Vice President

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE – INDENTURE]

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EXHIBIT A

[Face of Note]

 

[Insert the Global Note Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

[Insert the Private Placement Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

 

		CUSIP: ISIN: COMMON CODE:

6.500% Senior Notes due 2028

 

No.

STUDIO CITY FINANCE LIMITED

Promises to pay to Cede & Co. or its registered assigns, the principal sum of                      [NUMBER IN WORDS] on January 15, 2028.

Interest Payment Dates: January 15 and July 15

Record Dates: December 31 and June 30

Dated:             , 20    

 

A-1

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be signed manually or by facsimile by the duly authorized officers referred to below.

Dated:             , 20    

 

STUDIO CITY FINANCE LIMITED, as Company
By:
		Name:
		Title:

 

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Certificate of Authentication

This is one of the Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

Dated:             , 20    

DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as Trustee

 

By:
Name:
Title:

 

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[Back of Note]

STUDIO CITY FINANCE LIMITED

6.500% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2028

Capitalized terms used herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

(1)    INTEREST. Studio City Finance Limited, a BVI business company with limited liability incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands (the “Company”), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at 6.500% per annum from July 15, 2020 until maturity. The Company will pay interest and Additional Amounts, if any, semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year, or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each, an “Interest Payment Date”). Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of issuance; provided that if there is no existing Default in the payment of interest, and if this Note is authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date; provided further that the first Interest Payment Date shall be January 15, 2021. The Company will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, at the rate equal to 1% per annum in excess of the then applicable interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; it will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and Additional Amounts (without regard to any applicable grace period) at the same rate to the extent lawful. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

(2)    METHOD OF PAYMENT. The Company will pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) and Additional Amounts, if any, to the Persons who are registered Holders of Notes at the close of business on December 31 or June 30 next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. The Notes will be payable as to principal, premium, and Additional Amounts, if any, and interest at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose within or without the City and State of New York, or, at the option of the Company, payment of interest and Additional Amounts, if any, may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders; provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds will be required with respect to principal of and interest, premium and Additional Amounts, if any, on, all Global Notes and all other Notes, the Holders of which will have provided wire transfer instructions to the Company or the Paying Agent, and shall so notify the Trustee and the Paying Agent thereof. Such payment will be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

(3)    PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR. Initially, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas will act as Paying Agent, Registrar and Transfer Agent. The Company may change any Paying Agent, Transfer Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent and Registrar.

(4)    INDENTURE. The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of July 15, 2020 (the “Indenture”) among the Company, each Subsidiary Guarantor, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar and other persons from time to time party thereto. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling. The Indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be issued thereunder.

 

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(5)    OPTIONAL REDEMPTION.

(a)    On or after July 15, 2023, the Company may redeem all or a part of the Notes upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes redeemed, to the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the periods indicated below, subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date:

 

Period		Redemption Price
Twelve-month period on or after July 15, 2023			103.250	%
Twelve-month period on or after July 15, 2024			101.625	%
On or after July 15, 2025			100.000	%

(b)    Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph (5), at any time prior to July 15, 2023, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes at a redemption price equal to 106.500% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Amounts, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the rights of the Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date), with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings; provided that at least 65% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes originally issued under the Indenture (excluding Notes held by the Company and its Subsidiaries) remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption and that such redemption occurs within 45 days of the date of the closing of such Equity Offering.

(c)    At any time prior to July 15, 2023, the Company may also redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed by first-class mail to each Holder’s registered address, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Amounts, if any, to the date of redemption, subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date.

(d)    Any redemption pursuant to subparagraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Paragraph (5) may, at the discretion of the Company, be subject to the satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent. If such redemption is so subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, such notice shall describe each such condition, and if applicable, shall state that, at the Company’s discretion, the redemption date may be delayed until such time (provided, however, that any delayed redemption date shall not be more than 60 days after the date the relevant notice of redemption was sent) as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied, or such redemption may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied by the redemption date or by the redemption date as delayed. In addition, the Company may provide in such notice that payment of the redemption price and performance of the Company’s obligations with respect to such redemption may be performed by another Person.

(e)    Unless the Company defaults in the payment of the redemption price, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption on the applicable redemption date.

 

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(f)    The Notes may also be redeemed in the circumstances described in Sections 3.10 and 3.11 of the Indenture.

(6)    MANDATORY REDEMPTION. The Company is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

(7)    REPURCHASE AT THE OPTION OF HOLDER. The Notes may be subject to a Change of Control Offer, a Special Put Option or an Asset Sale Offer, as further described in Sections 3.09, 4.10, 4.15 and 4.21 of the Indenture.

(8)    NOTICE OF REDEMPTION. Notice of redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction or discharge of the Indenture. Notes in denominations larger than US$200,000 may be redeemed in part but only in integral multiples of US$1,000 provided that the unredeemed part has a minimum denomination of US$200,000, unless all of the Notes held by a Holder are to be redeemed.

(9)    DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE. The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of US$200,000 and integral multiples of US$1,000 in excess thereof. The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar, the Transfer Agent and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part. Also, the Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed or during the period between a record date and the corresponding Interest Payment Date.

(10)    PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS. The registered Holder may be treated as its owner for all purposes.

(11)    AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER. The Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be amended as set forth in the Indenture.

(12)    DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES. The events listed in Section 6.01 of the Indenture shall constitute “Events of Default” for the purpose of this Note.

(13)    TRUSTEE DEALINGS WITH COMPANY. The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee.

(14)    NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS. A director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Company, as such, will not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Notes or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the Notes.

(15)    AUTHENTICATION. This Note will not be valid until authenticated by the manual or electronic signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.

 

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(16)    ABBREVIATIONS. Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).

(17)    CUSIP NUMBERS. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes, and the Trustee may use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption, and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

(18)    GOVERNING LAW. THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WILL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THE INDENTURE AND THIS NOTE WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.

The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture. Requests may be made to:

Studio City Finance Limited

Jayla Place, Wickhams Cay I

Road Town, Tortola

British Virgin Islands

Attention: Company Secretary

With a copy to:

Studio City (HK) Limited

36th Floor, The Centrium

60 Wyndham Street

Central, Hong Kong

Facsimile No.: +852 2537 3618

Attention: Company Secretary

 

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ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

 

(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to:
		(Insert assignee’s legal name)
(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)
(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

and irrevocably appoint
to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

Date:                     

 

Your Signature:
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

Signature Guarantee*:                                                  

 

*	Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

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OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10, Section 4.15 or Section 4.21 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box below:

 

☐  Section 4.10		☐  Section 4.15		☐  Section 4.21

If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10, Section 4.15 or Section 4.21 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:

US$        

Date:                     

 

Your Signature:
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

 

Tax Identification No.:

Signature Guarantee*:                     

 

*	Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

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SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE

The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global Note or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:

 

Date of Exchange

Amount of decrease in Principal Amount of this Global Note

Amount of increase in Principal Amount of this Global Note

Principal Amount of this Global Note following such decrease (or increase)

Signature of authorized officer of Trustee or Custodian

 

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EXHIBIT B

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

[Company address block]

[Registrar address block]

Re: 6.500% Senior Notes due 2028 of Studio City Finance Limited

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of July 15, 2020 (the “Indenture”), among Studio City Finance Limited, as issuer (the “Company”), each Subsidiary Guarantor and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

                    , (the “Transferor”) owns and proposes to transfer the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified in Annex A hereto, in the principal amount of US$         in such Note[s] or interests (the “Transfer”), to                      (the “Transferee”), as further specified in Annex A hereto. In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that:

[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]

1.    ☐ Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note or a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to Rule 144A. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial interest or Definitive Note is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believes is purchasing the beneficial interest or Definitive Note for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and such Transfer is in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the 144A Global Note and/or the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

2.    ☐Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note or a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to Regulation S. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that (i) the Transfer is not being made to a Person in the United States and (x) at the time the buy order was originated, the Transferee was outside the United States or such Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and believes that the Transferee was outside the United States or (y) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither such Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States, (ii) no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (iii) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act and (iv) if the proposed transfer is being made prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, the transfer is not being made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on Transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Regulation S Global Note and/or the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

 

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3.    ☐ Check and complete if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to any provision of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A or Regulation S. The Transfer is being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States, and accordingly the Transferor hereby further certifies that (check one):

(a)    ☐ such Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act;

or

(b)    ☐ such Transfer is being effected to the Company or a subsidiary thereof;

or

(c)    ☐ such Transfer is being effected pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and in compliance with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act.

4.    ☐ Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or of an Unrestricted Definitive Note.

(a)     ☐ Check if Transfer is pursuant to Rule 144. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

(b)     ☐ Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Regulation S. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

(c)     ☐ Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Other Exemption. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in compliance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904 and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will not be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes or Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.

 

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[Insert Name of Transferor]
By:
		Name:
		Title:

Dated:                     

 

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ANNEX A TO CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

 

1.	The Transferor owns and proposes to transfer the following:

[CHECK ONE OF (a) OR (b)]

 

(a)

☐ a beneficial interest in the:

 

(i)

☐ 144A Global Note (CUSIP                     ), or

 

(ii)

☐ Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP                     ); or

 

(b)

☐ a Restricted Definitive Note.

 

2.	After the Transfer the Transferee will hold:

[CHECK ONE]

 

(a)

☐ a beneficial interest in the:

 

(i)

☐ 144A Global Note (CUSIP                     ), or

 

(ii)

☐ Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP                     ), or

 

(iii)

☐ Unrestricted Global Note (CUSIP                     ); or

 

(b)

☐ a Restricted Definitive Note; or

 

(c)

☐ an Unrestricted Definitive Note,

in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

 

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EXHIBIT C

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE

[Company address block]

[Registrar address block]

Re: 6.500% Senior Notes due 2028 of Studio City Finance Limited

(CUSIP                     )

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of July 15, 2020 (the “Indenture”), among Studio City Finance Limited, as issuer (the “Company”), each Subsidiary Guarantor and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

                    , (the “Owner”) owns and proposes to exchange the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified herein, in the principal amount of US$         in such Note[s] or interests (the “Exchange”). In connection with the Exchange, the Owner hereby certifies that:

1.     Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Unrestricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note

(a)     ☐ Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note in an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

(b)     ☐ Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

(c)     ☐ Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

 

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(d)    ☐ Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

2.    Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes for Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes

(a)     ☐ Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Restricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a Restricted Definitive Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies that the Restricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the Restricted Definitive Note issued will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

(b)     ☐ Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in the [CHECK ONE] ☐ 144A Global Note, ☐ Regulation S Global Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer and (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, and in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the beneficial interest issued will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the relevant Restricted Global Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.

 

 

[Insert Name of Transferor]
By:
		Name:
		Title:
		Dated:

 

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EXHIBIT D

FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “Supplemental Indenture”) dated as of                     , among [name of New Subsidiary Guarantor[s]] (the “New Subsidiary Guarantor”), Studio City Finance Limited, a BVI business company with limited liability incorporated under the laws of British Virgin Islands (the “Company”) and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Trustee (in such role, the “Trustee”).

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS the Company, the Trustee and each of the parties described above are parties to an Indenture, dated as of July 15, 2020, as amended (as amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified, the “Indenture”), providing for the issuance of the Company’s 6.500% Senior Notes due 2028;

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.03 of the Indenture, each New Subsidiary Guarantor is required to execute a supplemental Indenture;

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the New Subsidiary Guarantor, the Company, the Trustee and the other parties hereto mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders as follows:

1.    Definitions. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

2.    Agreement to Guarantee. Pursuant to, and subject to the provisions of, Article 11 of the Indenture, [each][the] New Subsidiary Guarantor (which term includes each other New Subsidiary Guarantor that hereinafter guarantees the Notes pursuant to the terms of the Indenture) hereby unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees, jointly and severally with each other New Subsidiary Guarantor and all Subsidiary Guarantors, to each Holder and to the Trustee and their successors and assigns to the extent set forth in the Indenture and subject to the provisions thereof (a) the full and punctual payment when due, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, of all obligations of the Company under the Indenture (including obligations to the Trustee) and the Notes, whether for payment of principal of, or interest, premium, if any, on, the Notes and all other monetary obligations of the Company under the Indenture and the Notes and (b) the full and punctual performance within applicable grace periods of all other obligations of the Company whether for fees, expenses, indemnification or otherwise under the Indenture and the Notes (all the foregoing being hereinafter collectively called the “Guaranteed Obligations”). [Each][The] New Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that the Guaranteed Obligations may be extended or renewed, in whole or in part, without notice or further assent from such New Subsidiary Guarantor and that such New Subsidiary Guarantor[s] will remain bound under Article 11 of the Indenture, notwithstanding any extension or renewal of any Guaranteed Obligation.

The Guaranteed Obligations of [each][the] New Subsidiary Guarantor to the Holders of Notes and to the Trustee pursuant to the Indenture as supplemented hereby, are expressly set forth in Article 11 of the Indenture and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for the precise terms of the Note Guarantee.

[ Relevant limitations imposed by local law analogous to Section 11.02 of the Indenture to be inserted, if and as applicable].

 

D-1

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3.    Ratification of Indenture: Supplemental Indentures Part of Indenture. Except as expressly amended hereby, the Indenture is in all respects ratified and confirmed and all the terms, conditions and provisions thereof shall remain in full force and effect. This Supplemental Indenture shall form a part of the Indenture for all purposes, and each Holder, by accepting the Notes whether heretofore or hereafter authenticated and delivered (a) agrees to and shall be bound by such provisions, (b) authorizes and directs the Trustee, on behalf of such Holder, to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination as provided in the Indenture and (c) appoints the Trustee attorney-in-fact of such Holder for such purpose; provided, however, that [the][each] New Subsidiary Guarantor and each Subsidiary Guarantor shall be released from all its obligations with respect to this Guarantee in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, including Section 11.08 of the Indenture and upon any defeasance of the Notes in accordance with Article 8 of the Indenture.

4.    Governing Law. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

5.    Trustee Makes No Representation. The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture. The recitals of fact contained herein shall be treated as statements of the other parties hereto and not the Trustee.

6.    Counterparts. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

7.    Effect of Headings. The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction thereof.

 

D-2

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

[NAME OF NEW SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR], as New Subsidiary Guarantor,
By:
		Name:
		Title:
STUDIO CITY FINANCE LIMITED, as Company
By:
		Name:
		Title:
DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as Trustee
By:
		Name:
		Title:
By:
		Name:
		Title:

 

D-3

Exhibit 2.18

Execution Version

STUDIO CITY FINANCE LIMITED,

as Company

THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS PARTIES HERETO,

5.000% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2029

 

 

INDENTURE

January 14, 2021

 

 

DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS,

as Trustee, Paying Agent, Registrar and Transfer Agent

and

THE OTHER PERSONS FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY HERETO

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Table of Contents

 

				Page
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.01		Definitions			1
Section 1.02		Other Definitions			26
Section 1.03		Rules of Construction			26
ARTICLE 2
THE NOTES
Section 2.01		Form and Dating			27
Section 2.02		Execution and Authentication			27
Section 2.03		Registrar, Paying Agent and Transfer Agent			28
Section 2.04		Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust			28
Section 2.05		Holder Lists			28
Section 2.06		Transfer and Exchange			29
Section 2.07		Replacement Notes			38
Section 2.08		Outstanding Notes			39
Section 2.09		Treasury Notes			39
Section 2.10		Temporary Notes			39
Section 2.11		Cancellation			39
Section 2.12		Defaulted Interest			40
Section 2.13		Additional Amounts			40
Section 2.14		Forced Sale or Redemption for Non-QIBs			42
ARTICLE 3
REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT
Section 3.01		Notices to Trustee			43
Section 3.02		Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed or Purchased			43
Section 3.03		Notice of Redemption			43
Section 3.04		Effect of Notice of Redemption			44
Section 3.05		Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price			44
Section 3.06		Notes Redeemed or Purchased in Part			45
Section 3.07		Optional Redemption			45
Section 3.08		Mandatory Redemption			46
Section 3.09		Offer to Purchase by Application of Excess Proceeds			46
Section 3.10		Redemption for Taxation Reasons			47
Section 3.11		Gaming Redemption			48
ARTICLE 4
COVENANTS
Section 4.01		Payment of Notes			50
Section 4.02		Maintenance of Office or Agency			50
Section 4.03		Reports			50
Section 4.04		Compliance Certificate			52
Section 4.05		Taxes			52
Section 4.06		Stay, Extension and Usury Laws			52
Section 4.07		Limitation on Restricted Payments			53
Section 4.08		Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries			56
Section 4.09		Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock			58
Section 4.10		Asset Sales			62
Section 4.11		Transactions with Affiliates			63

 

(i)

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Section 4.12		Liens			66
Section 4.13		Business Activities			66
Section 4.14		Corporate Existence			66
Section 4.15		Offer to Repurchase upon Change of Control			66
Section 4.16		Payments for Consents			68
Section 4.17		Future Subsidiary Guarantors			68
Section 4.18		Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries			69
Section 4.19		Listing			70
Section 4.20		Limitations on Use of Proceeds			70
Section 4.21		Special Put Option			70
Section 4.22		Intercompany Note Proceeds Loans			71
Section 4.23		Suspension of Covenants			71
ARTICLE 5
SUCCESSORS
Section 5.01		Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets			72
Section 5.02		Successor Corporation Substituted			73
ARTICLE 6
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
Section 6.01		Events of Default			74
Section 6.02		Acceleration			75
Section 6.03		Other Remedies			76
Section 6.04		Waiver of Past Defaults			76
Section 6.05		Control by Majority			76
Section 6.06		Limitation on Suits			76
Section 6.07		Rights of Holders to Receive Payment			77
Section 6.08		Collection Suit by Trustee			77
Section 6.09		Trustee May File Proofs of Claim			77
Section 6.10		Priorities			77
Section 6.11		Undertaking for Costs			78
ARTICLE 7
TRUSTEE
Section 7.01		Duties of Trustee			78
Section 7.02		Rights of Trustee			79
Section 7.03		[Intentionally Omitted.]			81
Section 7.04		Individual Rights of Trustee			81
Section 7.05		Trustee’s Disclaimer			82
Section 7.06		Notice of Defaults			82
Section 7.07		[Intentionally Omitted.]			82
Section 7.08		Compensation and Indemnity			82
Section 7.09		Replacement of Trustee			83
Section 7.10		Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.			83
Section 7.11		Eligibility; Disqualification			84
Section 7.12		Appointment of Co-Trustee			84
Section 7.13		Resignation of Agents			85
Section 7.14		Agents General Provisions			85
Section 7.15		Rights of Trustee in Other Roles			85
ARTICLE 8
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
Section 8.01		Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance			85
Section 8.02		Legal Defeasance and Discharge			86
Section 8.03		Covenant Defeasance			86

 

(ii)

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Section 8.04		Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance			86
Section 8.05		Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions			88
Section 8.06		Repayment to Company			88
Section 8.07		Reinstatement			88
ARTICLE 9
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER
Section 9.01		Without Consent of Holders of Notes			89
Section 9.02		With Consent of Holders of Notes			89
Section 9.03		Supplemental Indenture			91
Section 9.04		Revocation and Effect of Consents			91
Section 9.05		Notation on or Exchange of Notes			91
Section 9.06		Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.			91
ARTICLE 10
[Intentionally omitted]
ARTICLE 11
NOTE GUARANTEES
Section 11.01		Guarantee			91
Section 11.02		Limitation on Liability			93
Section 11.03		Successors and Assigns			93
Section 11.04		No Waiver			93
Section 11.05		Modification			93
Section 11.06		Execution of Supplemental Indenture for Future Subsidiary Guarantors			94
Section 11.07		Non-Impairment			94
Section 11.08		Release of Guarantees			94
ARTICLE 12
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
Section 12.01		Satisfaction and Discharge			95
Section 12.02		Application of Trust Money			96
ARTICLE 13
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 13.01		[Intentionally Omitted]			96
Section 13.02		Notices			96
Section 13.03		Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes			98
Section 13.04		Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent			98
Section 13.05		Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion			98
Section 13.06		Rules by Trustee and Agents			98
Section 13.07		No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders			98
Section 13.08		Governing Law			98
Section 13.09		No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements			99
Section 13.10		Successors			99
Section 13.11		Severability			99
Section 13.12		Counterpart Originals			99
Section 13.13		Table of Contents, Headings, etc.			100
Section 13.14		Patriot Act			100
Section 13.15		Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial			100

 

(iii)

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EXHIBITS
Exhibit A		FORM OF NOTE			A-1
Exhibit B		FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER			B-1
Exhibit C		FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE			C-1
Exhibit D		FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE			D-1

 

(iv)

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INDENTURE dated as of January 14, 2021 among Studio City Finance Limited, a BVI business company with limited liability incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands with company number 1673307 (the “Company”), the Subsidiary Guarantors named herein (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”) and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, a New York banking corporation as Trustee, Paying Agent, Registrar and Transfer Agent.

Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of each other and for the other parties hereto and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders (as defined herein) of the 5.000% Senior Notes due 2029 (the “Notes”):

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.01    Definitions.

“144A Global Note” means a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee, that will be issued in a denomination equal (subject to a maximum denomination of US$500 million) to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold in reliance on Rule 144A.

“Acquired Indebtedness” means, with respect to any specified Person:

(1)    Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is merged with or into or became a Subsidiary of such specified Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is Incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person merging with or into, or becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of, such specified Person; and

(2)    Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified Person.

“Additional Notes” means additional Notes (other than the Initial Notes) issued under this Indenture in accordance with Section 2.02 and Section 4.09 hereof, as part of the same series as the Initial Notes; provided that any Additional Notes that are not fungible with the Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes shall have a separate CUSIP, ISIN or other identifying number than any previously issued Notes, but shall otherwise be treated as a single class with all other Notes issued under this Indenture.

“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control,” as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise; provided that beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the Voting Stock of a Person will be deemed to be control. For purposes of this definition, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with” have correlative meanings.

“Agent” means any Registrar, co-registrar, Paying Agent, Transfer Agent or additional paying agents or transfer agents.

“Applicable Premium” means, with respect to any Note on any redemption date, the greater of:

 

1.

1.0% of the principal amount of the Note; or

 

2.

the excess of:

 

(a)

the present value at such redemption date of (i) the redemption price of the Note at January 15, 2024 (such redemption price being set forth in the table appearing in Section 3.07 hereof) plus (ii) all required interest payments due on the Note through January 15 , 2024 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to but excluding the redemption date), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such redemption date plus 50 basis points; over

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(b)

the principal amount of the Note, if greater,

as calculated by the Company or on behalf of the Company by such Person as the Company may engage. For the avoidance of doubt, calculation of the Applicable Premium shall not be a duty or obligation of the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Transfer Agent, or the Registrar.

“Applicable Procedures” means, with respect to any transfer or exchange of or for beneficial interests in any Global Note, the rules and procedures of the Depositary, Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg that apply to such transfer or exchange.

“Asset Sale” means:

(1)    the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of any assets or rights; provided that the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole will be governed by the provisions of this Indenture described in Section 4.15 hereof and/or the provisions described in Section 5.01 hereof and not by the provisions of Section 4.10 hereof;

(2)    the issuance of Equity Interests in any of the Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company or the sale of Equity Interests in any of the Company’s Subsidiaries; and

(3)    any Event of Loss.

Notwithstanding the preceding, none of the following items will be deemed to be an Asset Sale:

(1)    any single transaction or series of related transactions that involves assets having a Fair Market Value of less than US$5.0 million;

(2)    a transfer of assets between or among the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(3)    an issuance of Equity Interests by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

(4)    the sale, license, transfer, lease (including the right to use) or other disposal of products, services, rights, accounts receivable, undertakings, establishments or other current assets or cessation of any undertaking or establishment in the ordinary course of business (including pursuant to any shared services agreements (including the MSA), Revenue Sharing Agreement or any construction and development activities) and any sale or other disposition of damaged, worn-out, surplus or obsolete assets (or the dissolution of any Dormant Subsidiary) in the ordinary course of business;

(5)    the sale or other disposition of cash or Cash Equivalents;

(6)    any transfer, termination or unwinding or other disposition of Hedging Obligations in the ordinary course of business;

(7)    a transaction covered under Section 5.01 or Section 4.15;

(8)    the lease of, right to use or equivalent interest under Macau law on that portion of real property granted to Studio City Developments Limited pursuant to the applicable land concession granted by the government of the Macau SAR in connection with the development of the Phase II Project in accordance with such applicable land concession;

 

2

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(9)    a Restricted Payment that does not violate the provisions of Section 4.07 hereof or a Permitted Investment, and any other payment under the Services and Right to Use Agreement, the Reinvestment Agreement or the MSA and any transactions or arrangements involving contractual rights under, pursuant to or in connection with the Services and Right to Use Agreement, the Reinvestment Agreement or the MSA, including any amendments, modifications, supplements, extensions, replacements, terminations or renewals thereof;

(10)    the (i) lease, sublease, license or right to use of any portion of the Property to persons who, either directly or through Affiliates of such persons, intend to develop, operate or manage gaming, hotel, nightclubs, bars, restaurants, malls, amusements, attractions, recreation, spa, pool, exercise or gym facilities, or entertainment facilities or venues or retail shops or venues or similar or related establishments or facilities within the Property and (ii) the grant of declarations of covenants, conditions and restrictions and/or easements or other rights to use with respect to common area spaces and similar instruments benefiting such tenants of such lease, subleases licenses and rights to use generally and/or entered into connection with the Property (collectively, the “Venue Easements”); provided that no Venue Easements or operations conducted pursuant thereto would reasonably be expected to materially interfere with, or materially impair or detract from, the operation of the Property;

(11)    the dedication of space or other dispositions of property in connection with and in furtherance of constructing structures or improvements reasonably related to the development, construction and operation of the Property; provided, that in each case such dedication or other disposition is in furtherance of, and does not materially impair or interfere with the use or operations (or intended use or operations) of, the Property;

(12)    the granting of easements, rights of way, rights of access and/or similar rights to any governmental authority, utility providers, cable or other communication providers and/or other parties providing services or benefits to the Property, the real property held by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or the public at large that would not reasonably be expected to interfere in any material respect with the construction, development or operation of the Property;

(13)    the granting of a lease, right to use or equivalent interest to Melco Resorts Macau or Melco Resorts or any of its Affiliates for purposes of operating a gaming facility at Studio City, including under the Services and Right to Use Agreement and any related agreements, or any transactions or arrangements contemplated thereby;

(14)    the grant of licenses to intellectual property rights to third Persons (other than Affiliates of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company) on an arm’s length basis in the ordinary course of business or to Melco Resorts Macau, Melco Resorts and its Affiliates in the ordinary course of business;

(15)    transfers, assignments or dispositions constituting an Incurrence of a Permitted Lien (but not the actual sale or other disposition of the property subject to such Lien); and

(16)    any surrender or waiver of contractual rights or settlement, release, recovery on or surrender of contract, tort or other claims in the ordinary course of business.

“Bankruptcy Law” means (i) the United States Bankruptcy Code of 1978 or any similar U.S. federal or state law for the relief of debtors, (ii) the provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure of Macau that deal with the placement of a debtor into liquidation, the administration and disposal of its assets, the distribution of the proceeds thereof and the alternatives to such liquidation, or any laws of similar effect, and (iii) those laws included, principally within (but not limited to) the BVI Business Companies Act, 2004 (as amended) and the Insolvency Act, 2007 (as amended) concerning the solvency and insolvency of BVI companies.

“Beneficial Owner” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), such “person” will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such “person” has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only after the passage of time. The terms “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” have a corresponding meaning.

 

3

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“Board of Directors” means:

(1)    with respect to a corporation, the board of directors of the corporation or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such board;

(2)    with respect to a partnership, the Board of Directors of the general partner of the partnership;

(3)    with respect to a limited liability company, the managing member or members or any controlling committee of managing members thereof; and

(4)    with respect to any other Person, the board or committee of such Person serving a similar function.

“Business Day” means any day other than a Legal Holiday.

“Capital Lease Obligation” means, at the time any determination is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a finance or capital lease that would at that time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and the Stated Maturity thereof shall be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date upon which such lease may be prepaid by the lessee without payment of a penalty.

“Capital Stock” means:

(1)    in the case of a corporation, corporate stock or shares;

(2)    in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;

(3)    in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited); and

(4)    any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person, but excluding from all of the foregoing any debt securities convertible into Capital Stock, whether or not such debt securities include any right of participation with Capital Stock.

“Cash Equivalents” means:

(1)    securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality of the United States government (provided that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support of those securities) having maturities of not more than six months from the date of acquisition;

(2)    demand deposits, certificates of deposit, time deposits and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of 12 months or less from the date of acquisition, bankers’ acceptances with maturities not exceeding six months and overnight bank deposits, in each case, with any commercial bank organized under the laws of Macau, Hong Kong, a member state of the European Union or of the United States of America or any state thereof having capital and surplus in excess of US$500.0 million (or the foreign currency equivalent thereof as of the date of such investment) and whose long-term debt is rated “A-3” or higher by Moody’s or “A-” or higher by S&P or the equivalent rating category or another internationally recognized rating agency;

 

4

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(3)    repurchase obligations with a term of not more than seven days for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (1) and (2) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (2) above;

(4)    commercial paper having one of the two highest ratings obtainable from Moody’s or S&P and, in each case, maturing within 12 months after the date of acquisition; and

(5)    money market funds at least 95% of the assets of which constitute Cash Equivalents of the kinds described in clauses (1) through (4) of this definition.

“Casualty” means any casualty, loss, damage, destruction or other similar loss with respect to real or personal property or improvements.

“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:

(1)    the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole to any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) (other than Melco Resorts or a Related Party of Melco Resorts);

(2)    the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or

(3)    the first day on which:

 

(A)

Melco Resorts ceases to own, directly or indirectly, (i) a majority, or (ii) if Melco Resorts is authorized by the relevant Gaming Authority or is otherwise permitted to hold less than 50.1% of Equity Interest in Studio City International, the greater of (x) such lesser percentage and (y) 35%, of the outstanding Equity Interests and/or Voting Stock of each of the Company and Studio City Holdings Five Limited (or any Person which becomes a “Golden Shareholder” and/or a “Preference Holder” under the Direct Agreement pursuant to the terms thereof, if any);

 

(B)

Melco Resorts ceases to own, directly or indirectly, less than 50.1% of Equity Interest in Melco Resorts Macau (or another operator of the Studio City Casino); or

 

(C)

Melco Resorts ceases to have, directly or indirectly (through a Subsidiary), the power to nominate a number of directors on the Board of Directors of the Company who are entitled to cast a majority of the votes which may be cast at a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Company.

“Clearstream, Luxembourg” means Clearstream Banking S.A.

“Company” means Studio City Finance Limited, and any and all successors thereto.

“Condemnation” means any taking by a Governmental Authority of assets or property, or any part thereof or interest therein, for public or quasi-public use under the power of eminent domain, by reason of any public improvement or condemnation or in any other manner.

 

5

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“Consolidated Net Income” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis, determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP; provided that:

(1)    the Net Income (or loss) of any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting will be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or similar distributions actually paid in cash to, or the amount of loss actually funded in cash by, the specified Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Person;

(2)    the Net Income of any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor will be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of that Net Income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (that has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders provided, however, that Consolidated Net Income of the specified Person will be increased by the amount of dividends or similar contributions actually paid in cash (or to the extent converted into cash) to the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Subsidiary Guarantor, to the extent not already included therein;

(3)     the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles will be excluded; and

(4)    charges or expenses related to deferred financing fees and Indebtedness issuance costs, including related commissions, fees and expenses, premiums paid or other expenses incurred directly in connection with any early extinguishment of Indebtedness and any net gain (loss) from any write-off, extinguishment, repurchase, cancellation or forgiveness of Indebtedness will be excluded.

“Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee” means the address of the Trustee specified in Section 13.02 hereof or such other address as to which the Trustee may give notice to the Company.

“Credit Facilities” means one or more debt facilities, indentures or commercial paper facilities, in each case, with banks or other lenders providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders against such receivables), letters of credit or other forms of Indebtedness, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced (whether upon or after termination or otherwise) or refinanced (including by means of sales of debt securities to investors) in whole or in part from time to time.

“Credit Facilities Documents” means the collective reference to any Credit Facilities, any notes issued pursuant thereto and the guarantees thereof, and the collateral or other documents relating thereto, as amended, supplemented, restated, renewed, refunded, replaced, restructured, repaid, refinanced or otherwise modified, in whole or in part, from time to time.

“Custodian” means Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as custodian with respect to the Notes in global form, or any successor entity thereto.

“Default” means any event that is, or with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would be, an Event of Default.

“Definitive Note” means a certificated Note registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 2.06 hereof, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, except that such Note shall not bear the Global Note Legend and shall not have the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto.

“Depositary” means, with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.03 hereof as the Depositary with respect to the Notes, and any and all successors thereto appointed as depositary hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provision of this Indenture.

 

6

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“Direct Agreement” means the direct agreement dated November 26, 2013, in relation to (a) the Services and Right to Use Agreement and (b) the Reinvestment Agreement.

“Disqualified Stock” means any Capital Stock that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible, or for which it is exchangeable, in each case, at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or redeemable at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the date on which the Notes mature. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any Capital Stock that would constitute Disqualified Stock solely because the holders of the Capital Stock have the right to require the Company to repurchase such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a change of control or an asset sale will not constitute Disqualified Stock if the terms of such Capital Stock provide that the Company may not repurchase or redeem any such Capital Stock pursuant to such provisions unless such repurchase or redemption complies with Section 4.07 hereof. The amount of Disqualified Stock deemed to be outstanding at any time for purposes of this Indenture will be the maximum amount that the Company may become obligated to pay upon the maturity of, or pursuant to any mandatory redemption provisions of, such Disqualified Stock, exclusive of accrued dividends.

“Dormant Subsidiary” means a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company which does not trade (for itself or as agent for any other person) and does not own, legally or beneficially, assets (including, without limitation, Indebtedness owed to it) which in aggregate have a book value greater than US$100,000 and has no third-party recourse Indebtedness or intercompany Indebtedness with the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary.

“EBITDA” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period plus, without duplication:

(1)    an amount equal to any extraordinary loss plus any net loss realized by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with an Asset Sale, to the extent such losses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(2)    provision for taxes based on income or profits of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent that such provision for taxes was deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(3)    the Fixed Charges of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent that such Fixed Charges were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(4)    depreciation, amortization (including amortization of intangibles but excluding amortization of prepaid cash expenses that were paid in a prior period) and other non-cash expenses (excluding any such non-cash expense to the extent that it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash expenses in any future period or amortization of a prepaid cash expense that was paid in a prior period), of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period to the extent that such depreciation, amortization and other non-cash expenses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(5)    any non-cash compensation charge arising from any grant of stock, stock options or other equity based awards; plus

(6)    Pre-Opening Expenses, to the extent such expense were deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income; plus

(7)     any goodwill or other intangible asset impairment charge; plus

 

 

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(8)     non-cash items increasing such Consolidated Net Income for such period, other than the accrual of revenue in the ordinary course of business,

in each case, on a consolidated basis and determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Notwithstanding the preceding, the provision for taxes based on the income or profits of, and the depreciation and amortization and other non-cash expenses of, a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company will be added to Consolidated Net Income to compute EBITDA of the Company only to the extent that a corresponding amount was included in the calculation of Consolidated Net Income.

“Equity Interests” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).

“Equity Offering” means any public sale or private issuance of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of (1) the Company or (2) a direct or indirect parent of the Company to the extent the net proceeds from such issuance are contributed in cash to the common equity capital of the Company (in each case other than pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-8 or otherwise relating to equity securities issuable under any employee benefit plan of the Company).

“Euroclear” means Euroclear Bank SA/NV.

“Event of Loss” means, with respect to the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is a Significant Subsidiary, any (1) Casualty, (2) Condemnation or seizure (other than pursuant to foreclosure) or (3) settlement in lieu of clause (2) above, in each case having a fair market value in excess of US$20.0 million.

“Exchange Act” means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

“Excluded Contributions” means the net cash proceeds received by the Company subsequent to the Issue Date from:

(1)     contributions to its common equity capital; and

(2)    the issuance or sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company or to any Company or Subsidiary management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement) by the Company of shares of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) or a share capital increase;

in each case, designated as Excluded Contributions on the date on which such Excluded Contributions were received pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate, and excluded from the calculation set forth in Section 4.07(a)(4)(C)(ii) hereof.

“Excluded Subsidiary” means a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company which (a) is incorporated solely for the purpose of complying with the requirements of the government of Macau in connection with the conduct of the Permitted Business by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, and (b) does not own, legally or beneficially, assets (including, without limitation, Indebtedness owed to it) which in aggregate have a book value greater than US$100,000 and has no third-party recourse Indebtedness or intercompany Indebtedness with the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary.

“Fair Market Value” means the value that would be paid by a willing buyer to an unaffiliated willing seller in a transaction not involving distress or necessity of either party, determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company (unless otherwise provided in this Indenture).

 

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“Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means with respect to any specified Person for any period, the ratio of EBITDA of such Person for such period to the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period. In the event that the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries incurs, assumes, guarantees, repays, repurchases, redeems, defeases or otherwise discharges any Indebtedness (other than ordinary working capital borrowings) or issues, repurchases or redeems Preferred Stock subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated and on or prior to the date on which the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the “Calculation Date”), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio will be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, assumption, Guarantee, repayment, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other discharge of Indebtedness, or such issuance, repurchase or redemption of Preferred Stock, and the use of the proceeds therefrom, as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter reference period.

In addition, for purposes of calculating the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio:

(1)    acquisitions that have been made by the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including through mergers or consolidations, or any Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries acquired by the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, and including any related financing transactions and including increases in ownership of Restricted Subsidiaries, during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to the Calculation Date will be given pro forma effect (in accordance with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act) as if they had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period;

(2)    the EBITDA attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and operations or businesses (and ownership interests therein) disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, will be excluded;

(3)    the Fixed Charges attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and operations or businesses (and ownership interests therein) disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, will be excluded, but only to the extent that the Obligations giving rise to such Fixed Charges will not be Obligations of the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries following the Calculation Date;

(4)    any Person that is a Restricted Subsidiary on the Calculation Date will be deemed to have been a Restricted Subsidiary at all times during such four-quarter period;

(5)    any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary on the Calculation Date will be deemed not to have been a Restricted Subsidiary at any time during such four-quarter period; and

(6)    if any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest, the interest expense on such Indebtedness will be calculated as if the rate in effect on the Calculation Date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Hedging Obligation applicable to such Indebtedness if such Hedging Obligation has a remaining term as at the Calculation Date in excess of 12 months).

“Fixed Charges” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of:

(1)    the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued, including, without limitation, amortization of debt discount (but not (i) debt issuance costs, commissions, fees and expenses or (ii) amortization of discount on the Intercompany Note Proceeds Loans, if any), non-cash interest payments, the interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges Incurred in respect of letter of credit or bankers’ acceptance financings, and net of the effect of all payments made or received pursuant to Hedging Obligations in respect of interest rates; plus

(2)    the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such period; plus

 

 

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(3)    any interest on Indebtedness of another Person that is guaranteed by such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Indebtedness secured by a Lien of the type specified in clause (22) of the definition of “Permitted Liens”), whether or not such Guarantee or Lien is called upon; plus

(4)    the product of (a) all dividends, whether paid or accrued and whether or not in cash, on any series of Preferred Stock of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than dividends on Equity Interests payable solely in Equity Interests of such Person (other than Disqualified Stock) or to such Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person, times (b) a fraction, the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is one minus the then current combined federal, state and local statutory tax rate of such Person, expressed as a decimal, in each case, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

“Gaming Authorities” means the applicable gaming board, commission, or other governmental gaming regulatory body or agency which (a) has, or may at any time after issuance of the Notes have, jurisdiction over the gaming activities (i) at the Studio City Casino, (ii) of Melco Resorts Macau (or any other operator of the Studio City Casino including Melco Resorts or any of its Affiliates), or (iii) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any successor to such authority or (b) is, or may at any time after the issuance of the Notes be, responsible for interpreting, administering and enforcing the Gaming Laws.

“Gaming Laws” means all applicable constitutions, treatises, resolutions, laws, regulations, instructions and statutes pursuant to which any Gaming Authority possesses regulatory, licensing or permit authority over gaming, gambling or casino activities, and all rules, rulings, orders, ordinances, regulations of any Gaming Authority applicable to the gambling, casino, gaming businesses or activities (i) at Studio City Casino, (ii) of Melco Resorts Macau (or any other operator of the Studio City Casino including Melco Resorts or any of its Affiliates), or (iii) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in any jurisdiction, as in effect from time to time, including the policies, interpretations and administration thereof by the Gaming Authorities.

“Gaming Licenses” means any concession, subconcession, license, permit, franchise or other authorization at any time required under any Gaming Laws to own, lease, operate or otherwise conduct the gaming business (i) at Studio City Casino or (ii) of Melco Resorts Macau.

“Global Note Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(f)(2) hereof, which is required to be placed on all Global Notes issued under this Indenture.

“Global Notes” means, individually and collectively, each of the Restricted Global Notes and the Unrestricted Global Notes deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depository or its nominee, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto and that bears the Global Note Legend and that has the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto, issued in accordance with Section 2.01, 2.06(b)(3), 2.06(b)(4), and with Section 2.06(d)(2) or 2.06(f) hereof.

“Governmental Authority” means the government of the Macau SAR or any other territory, nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

“Guarantee” means a guarantee other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business, direct or indirect, in any manner including, without limitation, by way of a pledge of assets or through letters of credit or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof, of all or any part of any Indebtedness (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreements to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take or pay or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise).

 

 

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“Hedging Obligations” means, with respect to any specified Person, the obligations of such Person under:

(1)    interest rate swap agreements (whether from fixed to floating or from floating to fixed), interest rate cap agreements and interest rate collar agreements;

(2)     other agreements or arrangements designed to manage interest rates or interest rate risk; and

(3)    other agreements or arrangements designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in currency exchange rates or commodity prices.

“Holder” means a Person in whose name a Note is registered.

“Incur” means, with respect to any Indebtedness, Capital Stock or other Obligation of any Person, to create, issue, assume, guarantee, incur (by conversion, exchange, or otherwise) or otherwise become liable in respect of such Indebtedness, Capital Stock or other Obligation or the recording, as required pursuant to U.S. GAAP or otherwise, of any such Indebtedness or other Obligation on the balance sheet of such Person. Indebtedness or Capital Stock otherwise Incurred by a Person before it becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company shall be deemed to be Incurred at the time at which such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company. The accretion of original issue discount, the accrual of interest, the accrual of dividends, the payment of interest in the form of additional Indebtedness and the payment of dividends on Preferred Stock in the form of additional shares of Preferred Stock shall not be considered an Incurrence of Indebtedness.

“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any specified Person, any indebtedness of such Person (excluding accrued expenses and trade payables), whether or not contingent:

(1)     in respect of borrowed money;

(2)    evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit (or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof);

(3)     in respect of banker’s acceptances;

(4)     representing Capital Lease Obligations;

(5)    representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property or services due more than one year after such property is acquired or such services are completed; or

(6)     representing any Hedging Obligations,

if and to the extent any of the preceding items (other than letters of credit and Hedging Obligations) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of the specified Person prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In addition, the term “Indebtedness” includes all Indebtedness of others secured by a Lien on any asset of the specified Person (whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by the specified Person) and, to the extent not otherwise included, the Guarantee by the specified Person of any Indebtedness of any other Person.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Indebtedness” will not include (i) any capital commitments, deposits or advances from customers or any contingent obligations to refund payments (including deposits) to customers (or any guarantee thereof), (ii) obligations of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to pay the deferred and unpaid purchase price of property or services due to suppliers of equipment or other assets (including parts thereof) not more than one year after such property is acquired or such services are completed and the amount of unpaid purchase price retained by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business in connection with an acquisition of equipment or other assets (including parts thereof) pending full operation or contingent on certain conditions during a warranty period of such equipment or assets in accordance with the terms of the acquisition; provided that, in each case of clause (i) and (ii), such Indebtedness is not reflected as borrowings on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company (contingent obligations and commitments referred to in a footnote to financial statements and not otherwise reflected as borrowings on the balance sheet will not be deemed to be reflected on such balance sheet), or (iii) any lease of property which would be considered an operating lease under U.S. GAAP and any guarantee given by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business solely in connection with, or in respect of, the obligations of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary under any operating lease.

 

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The amount of Indebtedness of any Person at any time shall be the outstanding balance at such time of all unconditional obligations as described above and, with respect to contingent obligations, the maximum liability upon the occurrence of the contingency giving rise to the obligation; provided that:

 

(A)

the amount outstanding at any time of any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount is the face amount of such Indebtedness less the remaining unamortized portion of the original issue discount of such Indebtedness at such time as determined in conformity with U.S. GAAP;

 

(B)

money borrowed and set aside at the time of the Incurrence of any Indebtedness in order to prefund the payment of the interest on such Indebtedness shall not be deemed to be “Indebtedness” so long as such money is held to secure the payment of such interest; and

 

(C)

that the amount of or the principal amount of Indebtedness with respect to any Hedging Obligation shall be equal to the net amount payable if such Hedging Obligation terminated at or prior to that time due to a default by such Person.

“Indenture” means this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time.

“Independent Financial Advisor” means accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of international standing.

“Indirect Participant” means a Person who holds a beneficial interest in a Global Note through a Participant.

“Initial Notes” means the first US$750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under this Indenture on the date hereof.

“Initial Purchasers” means Deutsche Bank AG, Singapore Branch, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Bank of China Limited, Macau Branch, Bank of Communications Co., Ltd. Macau Branch, BOCI Asia Limited, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Macau) Limited and Mizuho Securities Asia Limited.

“Intercompany Note Proceeds Loans” means one or more intercompany loans, if any, between the Company and its Subsidiaries pursuant to which the Company on-lends to its Subsidiaries the net proceeds from the issuance of the Notes in accordance with the terms of the definitive documents with respect to the Notes, as amended from time to time, including in connection with any extension, additional issuance or refinancing thereof.

“Investment Grade Status” shall apply at any time the Notes receive (i) a rating equal to or higher than BBB- (or the equivalent) from S&P and (ii) a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) from Moody’s.

 

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“Investments” means, with respect to any Person, all direct or indirect investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the forms of loans (including Guarantees or other obligations), advances or capital contributions (excluding commission, travel and similar advances to officers and employees and consultants made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities, together with all items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. If the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company sells or otherwise disposes of any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company such that, after giving effect to any such sale or disposition, such Person is no longer a Subsidiary of the Company, the Company will be deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or disposition equal to the Fair Market Value of the Company’s Investments in such Subsidiary that were not sold or disposed of in an amount determined as provided in the final paragraph of Section 4.07 hereof. The acquisition by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company of a Person that holds an Investment in a third Person will be deemed to be an Investment by the Company or such Subsidiary in such third Person in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the Investments held by the acquired Person in such third Person in an amount determined as provided in the final paragraph of Section 4.07 hereof. Except as otherwise provided in this Indenture, the amount of an Investment will be determined at the time the Investment is made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value.

“Issue Date” means the date on which the Notes (other than any Additional Notes) are originally issued.

“Land Concession” means the land concession by way of lease, for a period of 25 years, subject to renewal as of October 17, 2001 for a plot of land situated in Cotai, Macau, described with the Macau Immovable Property Registry under No. 23059 and registered in Studio City Developments Limited’s name under inscription no. 26642 of Book F, titled by Dispatch of the Secretary for Public Works and Transportation no. 100/2001 of October 9, 2001, published in the Macau Official Gazette no. 42 of October 17, 2001, as amended by Dispatch of the Secretary for Public Works and Transportation no. 31/2012 of July 19, 2012, published in the Macau Official Gazette no. 30 of July 25, 2012, and by Dispatch of Secretary for Public Works and Transportation no. 92/2015 of September 10, 2015, published in the Macau Official Gazette no. 38 of September 23, 2015 and including any other amendments from time to time to such land concession.

“Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the City of New York, New York, Hong Kong, Macau, the British Virgin Islands or at a place of payment are authorized by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue on such payment for the intervening period.

“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction).

“Measurement Date” means February 11, 2019.

“Melco Resorts” means Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited, an exempted company incorporated with limited liability under the laws of the Cayman Islands.

“Melco Resorts Macau” means Melco Resorts (Macau) Limited, a Macau company.

“Melco Resorts Parties” means COD Resorts Limited, Altira Resorts Limited, Melco Resorts (Macau) Limited, MPEL Services Limited, Golden Future (Management Services) Limited, MPEL Properties (Macau) Limited, Melco Resorts Security Services Limited, Melco Resorts Travel Limited, MCE Transportation Limited, MCE Transportation Two Limited and any other Person which accedes to the MSA as a “Melco Crown Party” pursuant to terms thereof; and a “Melco Resorts Party” means any of them.

 

 

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“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

“MSA” means the master services agreement dated December 21, 2015, including any work agreements entered into pursuant to the master services agreement, entered into between the Studio City Parties on the one part and the Melco Resorts Parties on the other part, as amended, modified, supplemented, extended, replaced or renewed from time to time, and any other master services agreement or equivalent agreement or contract, including any work agreements entered into pursuant to any such master services agreement, in each case entered into in connection with the conduct of Permitted Business and on terms that are no less favorable to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in an arm’s length commercial transaction, as amended, modified, supplemented, extended, replaced or renewed from time to time.

“Net Income” means, with respect to any Person, the net income (loss) of such Person, determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP and before any reduction in respect of Preferred Stock dividends, excluding, however:

(1)    any gain (or loss), together with any related provision for taxes on such gain (or loss), realized in connection with: (a) any Asset Sale; or (b) the disposition of any securities by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or the extinguishment, repurchase or cancellation of any Indebtedness of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; and

(2)    any extraordinary gain (or loss), together with any related provision for taxes on such extraordinary gain (or loss).

“Net Proceeds” means the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale (including, without limitation, any cash received upon the sale or other disposition of any non-cash consideration received in any Asset Sale), net of the costs relating to such Asset Sale, including, without limitation, legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and sales commissions, and any relocation expenses incurred as a result of the Asset Sale, taxes paid or payable as a result of the Asset Sale, in each case, after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements and any reserve for adjustment in respect of the sale price of such asset or assets established in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

“Non-Recourse Debt” means Indebtedness:

(1)    as to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (a) provides credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness), (b) is directly or indirectly liable as a guarantor or otherwise, or (c) constitutes the lender, other than, in the case of (a) and (b), Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(b)(15) hereof; and

(2)    as to which the lenders have been notified in writing that they will not have any recourse to the stock or assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than to the Equity Interests of any Unrestricted Subsidiary).

“Non-U.S. Person” means a Person who is not a U.S. Person.

“Note Guarantee” means the Guarantee by each Subsidiary Guarantor of the Company’s Obligations under this Indenture and the Notes.

“Notes” has the meaning assigned to it in the preamble to this Indenture. The Initial Notes and the Additional Notes shall be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture, and unless the context otherwise requires, all references to the Notes shall include the Initial Notes and any Additional Notes.

“Obligations” means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.

 

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“Offering Memorandum” means the offering memorandum dated January 5, 2021 in respect of the Notes.

“Officer” means the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Property Chief Financial Officer, President, any Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President or Vice President, Treasurer or Secretary of the Company or any Directors of the Board or any Person acting in that capacity.

“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed on behalf of the Company by an Officer of the Company which meets the requirements of Section 13.05 hereof.

“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee that meets the requirements of Section 13.05 hereof. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company.

“Participant” means, with respect to the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg, a Person who has an account with the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg, respectively (and, with respect to DTC, shall include Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg).

“Permitted Business” means (1) any businesses, services or activities engaged in by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries on the Issue Date, including, without limitation, the construction, development and operation of the Property, (2) any gaming, hotel, accommodation, hospitality, transport, tourism, resort, food and beverage, retail, entertainment, cinema / cinematic venue, audio-visual production (including provision of sound stage, recording studio and similar facilities), performance, cultural or related business, development, project, undertaking or venture of any kind in the Macau SAR, and (3) any other businesses, services, activities or undertaking that are necessary for, supportive of, or connected, related, complementary, incidental, ancillary or similar to, any of the foregoing or are extensions or developments of any thereof (including in support of the businesses, services, activities and undertakings of the Melco Resorts group as a whole or any member thereof including through participation in shared and centralized services and activities).

“Permitted Investments” means:

(1)     any Investment in the Company or in a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

(2)     any Investment in cash or Cash Equivalents;

(3)    any Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in a Person, if as a result of such Investment:

 

(A)

such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; or

 

(B)

such Person is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

(4)    any Investment made as a result of the receipt of non-cash consideration from an Asset Sale that was made pursuant to and in compliance with Section 4.10 hereof;

(5)    any acquisition of assets or Capital Stock in exchange for the issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company;

(6)    any Investments received in compromise or resolution of (A) obligations of trade creditors or customers that were incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of any trade creditor or customer; or (B) litigation, arbitration or other disputes with Persons who are not Affiliates;

(7)     Investments represented by Hedging Obligations;

 

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(8)    loans or advances to employees, officers, or directors made in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed US$2.0 million at any one time outstanding;

(9)     repurchases of the Notes;

(10)    any Investments consisting of gaming credit extended to customers and junket operators in the ordinary course of business and consistent with applicable law and any Investments made or deemed to be made in connection with or through any transactions or arrangements involving contractual rights under, pursuant to or in connection with (i) the Services and Right to Use Agreement, the Reinvestment Agreement or the MSA and (ii) any transaction or arrangements made pursuant to clause (10) of the definition of “Asset Sale”, including any amendments, modifications, supplements, extensions, replacements, terminations or renewals;

(11)    advances to contractors and suppliers and accounts, trade and notes receivables created or acquired in the ordinary course of business;

(12)    receivables owing to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries if created or acquired in the ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary trade terms;

(13)    any Investment existing on the Issue Date or made pursuant to binding commitments in effect on the Issue Date or an Investment consisting of any extension, modification or renewal of any Investment existing on the Issue Date; provided that the amount of any such Investment may be increased (x) as required by the terms of such Investment as in existence on the Issue Date or (y) as otherwise permitted under this Indenture;

(14)    Investments in prepaid expenses, negotiable instruments held for collection, deposits made in connection with self-insurance, and performance and other similar deposits and prepayments made in connection with an acquisition of assets or property in the ordinary course of business by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

(15)    deposits made by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in the ordinary course of business to comply with statutory or regulatory obligations (including land grants) to maintain deposits for the purposes specified by the applicable statute or regulation (including land grants) from time to time;

(16)    any Investment consisting of a Guarantee permitted by Section 4.09 hereof and performance guarantees that do not constitute Indebtedness entered into by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in the ordinary course of business;

(17)    to the extent constituting an Investment, licenses of intellectual property rights granted by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in the ordinary course of business; provided, that such grant does not interfere in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of the business of such Person;

(18)    Investments consisting of purchases and acquisitions of inventory, supplies, materials, services or equipment or purchases of contract rights or licenses or leases of intellectual property, in each case, in the ordinary course of business;

(19)    Investments held by a Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; provided, however, that such Investments were not acquired in contemplation of the acquisition of such Person;

(20)    an Investment in an Unrestricted Subsidiary consisting solely of an Investment in another Unrestricted Subsidiary;

 

 

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(21)    pledges or deposits (x) with respect to leases or utilities provided to third parties in the ordinary course of business or (y) otherwise described in the definition of “Permitted Liens”;

(22)    Investments (other than Permitted Investments) made with Excluded Contributions; provided, however, that any amount of Excluded Contributions made will not be included in the calculation of Section 4.07(a)(4)(C)(ii) hereof;

(23)    Investments consisting of the licensing or contribution of intellectual property pursuant to joint marketing arrangements with other Persons; and

(24)    other Investments in any Person having an aggregate Fair Market Value (measured on the date each such Investment was made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (24) under the Indenture that are at the time outstanding not to exceed US$5.0 million.

“Permitted Liens” means:

(1)    Liens to secure Indebtedness permitted by Section 4.09(b)(1)(i)(x) and Section 4.09(b)(3)(a) hereof;

(2)    Liens created for the benefit of (or to secure) the Notes (including any Additional Notes) or the Note Guarantees;

(3) Liens in favor of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors;

(4)    Liens on property of a Person existing at the time such Person is merged with or into or consolidated with the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such Liens were not created in connection with, or in contemplation of, such merger or consolidation and do not extend to any assets other than those of the Person merged into or consolidated with the Company or the Subsidiary;

(5)    Liens on property (including Capital Stock) existing at the time of acquisition of the property by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such Liens were in existence prior to, such acquisition, and not incurred in contemplation of, such acquisition;

(6)    Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of business in connection with workmen’s compensation or employment obligations or other obligations of a like nature, including any Lien securing letters of credit issued in the ordinary course of business in connection therewith, or to secure the performance of tenders, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, bids, leases, government contracts, performance and return-of-money bonds and other similar obligations (exclusive of obligations for the payment of borrowed money);

(7)    Liens to secure Indebtedness (including Capital Lease Obligations) permitted by Section 4.09(b)(4) covering only the assets acquired with or financed by such Indebtedness and directly related assets such as proceeds (including insurance proceeds), improvements, replacements and substitutions thereto;

(8)     Liens existing on the Issue Date;

(9)    Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims that are not yet delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently concluded; provided that any reserve or other appropriate provision as is required in conformity with U.S. GAAP has been made therefor;

(10)    Liens imposed by law, such as carriers, warehousemen’s, landlord’s, suppliers’ and mechanics’ Liens, in each case, incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

 

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(11)    survey exceptions, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights-of-way, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar purposes, or zoning or other restrictions as to the use of real property that were not incurred in connection with Indebtedness and that do not in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of said properties or materially impair their use in the operation of the business of such Person;

(12)    Liens to secure any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness permitted to be Incurred under this Indenture; provided, however, that:

 

(A)

the new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same property and assets that secured or, under the written agreements pursuant to which the original Lien arose, could secure the original Lien (plus improvements and accessions to, such property or proceeds or distributions thereof); and

 

(B)

the Indebtedness secured by the new Lien is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of (x) the outstanding principal amount, or, if greater, committed amount, of the Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness and (y) an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums, related to such renewal, refunding, refinancing, replacement, defeasance or discharge;

(13)    Liens securing Hedging Obligations so long as the related Indebtedness is, and is permitted to be under this Indenture, secured by a Lien on the same assets or property securing such Hedging Obligations;

(14)    Liens that are contractual rights of set-off (i) relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks not given in connection with the money borrowed, (ii) relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries or (iii) relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

(15)    Liens arising out of judgments against such Person not giving rise to an Event of Default, with respect to which such Person shall then be proceeding with an appeal or other proceedings for review, provided that any reserve or other appropriate provision as shall be required in conformity with U.S. GAAP shall have been made therefor;

(16)     Liens granted to the Trustee for its compensation and indemnities pursuant to this Indenture;

(17)    Liens arising out of or in connection with licenses, sublicenses, leases (other than capital leases) and subleases (including rights to use) of assets (including, without limitation, intellectual property) entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(18)    Liens upon specific items of inventory or other goods and proceeds of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries securing obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances issued or created to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods in the ordinary course of business;

(19)    Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, hire purchase, consignment or similar arrangement for the sale of goods in the ordinary course of business;

(20)    Liens arising under customary provisions limiting the disposition or distribution of assets or property or any related restrictions thereon in operating agreements, joint venture agreements, partnership agreements, contracts for sale and other agreements arising in the ordinary course of business; provided, that such Liens do not extend to any assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries other than the assets subject to such agreements or contracts;

 

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(21)    Liens on deposits made in the ordinary course of business to secure liability to insurance carriers;

(22)     Liens on the Equity Interests of Unrestricted Subsidiaries;

(23)    Liens created or Incurred under, pursuant to or in connection with the Services and Right to Use Agreement or the Reinvestment Agreement, including Liens on any revenues or receipts thereunder or any accounts created or maintained thereunder;

(24)    limited recourse Liens in respect of the ownership interests in, or assets owned by, any joint ventures which are not Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company securing obligations of such joint ventures;

(25)     Liens securing Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(b)(17) hereof;

(26)    Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company with respect to Obligations that do not exceed US$5.0 million at any one time outstanding; and

(27)    Liens securing obligations under a debt service reserve account or interest reserve account (including all dividends, instruments, cash and Cash Equivalents and other property, as applicable, on deposit in such account) established for the benefit of creditors securing Indebtedness to the extent such debt service reserve account or interest reserve account is established in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice.

“Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge other Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than intercompany Indebtedness); provided that:

(1)    the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged (plus all accrued interest on the Indebtedness and the amount of all fees and expenses, including premiums, Incurred in connection therewith);

(2)    such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date later than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged;

(3)    if the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the Note Guarantees, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date later than the final maturity date of, and is subordinated in right of payment to, the Notes and the Note Guarantees on terms at least as favorable to the Holders as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged; and

(4)    such Indebtedness is Incurred either by the Company or by the Restricted Subsidiary who is the obligor on the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged.

 

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“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.

“Phase I” means the approximately 477,110 gross square-meter complex on the Site which contains retail, hotel, gaming, entertainment, food and beverage outlets and entertainment studios and other facilities.

“Phase II Project” means the development of the remainder of the Site, which is expected to include one or more types of Permitted Business and will be developed in accordance with the applicable governmental requirements regarding the Site.

“Preferred Stock” means any Equity Interest with preferential right of payment of dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding up.

“Pre-Opening Expenses” means, with respect to any fiscal period, the amount of expenses (other than interest expense) incurred with respect to capital projects that are classified as “pre-opening expenses” on the applicable financial statements of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

“Private Placement Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(f)(1) hereof to be placed on all Notes issued under this Indenture except where otherwise permitted by the provisions of this Indenture.

“Property” means Phase I and the Phase II Project.

“QIB” means a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A.

“Regulation S” means Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.

“Regulation S Global Note” means a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, issued in a denomination equal (subject to a maximum denomination of US$500 million) to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold in reliance on Rule 903 of Regulation S.

“Reinvestment Agreement” means the reimbursement agreement dated June 15, 2012, between Melco Resorts Macau and Studio City Entertainment Limited, as amended, restated, modified, supplemented, extended, replaced (whether upon or after termination or otherwise or whether with the original or other relevant parties) or renewed, in whole or in part from time to time, including pursuant to the Direct Agreement.

“Related Party” means:

(1)     any controlling stockholder or majority-owned Subsidiary of Melco Resorts; or

(2)     any trust, corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity, the beneficiaries, stockholders, partners, members, owners or Persons beneficially holding at least 50.1% interest of which consist of Melco Resorts and/or such other Persons referred to in the immediately preceding clause (1).

“Responsible Officer,” when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee (or any successor group of the Trustee) with direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

 

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“Restricted Definitive Note” means a Definitive Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.

“Restricted Global Note” means a Global Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.

“Restricted Investment” means an Investment other than a Permitted Investment.

“Restricted Period” means the 40-day distribution compliance period as defined in Regulation S.

“Restricted Subsidiary” of a Person means any Subsidiary of the referent Person that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

“Revenue Sharing Agreement” means any joint venture, development, management, operating or similar agreement or arrangement for the sharing of revenues, profits, losses, costs or expenses entered into in connection with developments or services complementary or ancillary to the Property in the ordinary course of business (including, for the avoidance of doubt, such agreements or arrangements reasonably necessary to conduct a Permitted Business) and on arms’ length terms.

“Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.

“Rule 144A” means Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.

“Rule 903” means Rule 903 promulgated under the Securities Act.

“Rule 904” means Rule 904 promulgated under the Securities Act.

“S&P” means S&P Global Ratings or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

“SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Securities Act” means the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

“Senior Secured Credit Facilities” means the amended and restated senior secured credit facilities dated November 30, 2016 among Studio City Company Limited, the guarantors named therein, the financial institutions named as lenders therein and the agent for such lenders, including any related notes, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, as such facilities may be amended, restated, modified, renewed, supplemented, replaced or refinanced from time to time.

“Services and Right to Use Agreement” means the services and right to use agreement originally dated May 11, 2007 and as amended and restated on June 15, 2012, executed with Studio City Entertainment Limited (formerly named MSC Diversões, Limitada and New Cotai Entertainment (Macau) Limited), a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of the Company, as amended, restated, modified, supplemented, extended, replaced (whether upon or after termination or otherwise or whether with the original or other relevant parties) or renewed, in whole or in part from time to time, including pursuant to the Direct Agreement.

“SGX-ST” means the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited or its successor.

“Shareholder Subordinated Debt” means, collectively, any debt provided to the Company by any direct or indirect parent holding company of the Company (or Melco Resorts), in exchange for or pursuant to any security, instrument or agreement other than Capital Stock, together with any such security, instrument or agreement and any other security or instrument other than Capital Stock issued in payment of any obligation under any Shareholder Subordinated Debt; provided that such Shareholder Subordinated Debt:

(1)     does not (including upon the happening of any event) mature or require any amortization or other payment of principal prior to the first anniversary of the maturity of the Notes (other than through conversion or exchange of any such security or instrument for Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or for any other security or instrument meeting the requirements of the definition);

 

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(2)    does not (including upon the happening of any event) require the payment of cash interest prior to the first anniversary of the maturity of the Notes;

(3)    does not (including upon the happening of any event) provide for the acceleration of its maturity nor confer on its shareholders any right (including upon the happening of any event) to declare a default or event of default or take any enforcement action, in each case, prior to the first anniversary of the maturity of the Notes;

(4)    is not secured by a Lien on any assets of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and is not guaranteed by any Subsidiary of the Company;

(5)    is subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full in cash of the Notes in the event of any default, bankruptcy, reorganization, liquidation, winding up or other disposition of assets of the Company;

(6)    does not (including upon the happening of any event) restrict the payment of amounts due in respect of the Notes or compliance by the Company with its obligations under the Notes, the Note Guarantees, and this Indenture;

(7)    does not (including upon the happening of an event) constitute Voting Stock; and

(8)    is not (including upon the happening of any event) mandatorily convertible or exchangeable, or convertible or exchangeable at the option of the holder, in whole or in part, prior to the date on which the Notes mature other than into or for Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company.

“Significant Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such regulation is in effect on the Issue Date.

“Site” means an approximately 130,789 square meter parcel of land in the reclaimed area between Taipa and Coloane Island (Cotai), Lotes G300, G310 and G400, registered with the Macau Real Estate Registry under no. 23059.

“Special Put Option Triggering Event” means:

(1)    any event after which the Gaming License or other permits or authorizations as are necessary for the operation of the Studio City Casino in substantially the same manner and scope as operations are conducted at the Issue Date cease to be in full force and effect, for a period of ten consecutive days or more, and such event has a material adverse effect on the financial condition, business, properties, or results of operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; or

(2)    the termination, rescission, revocation or modification of any Gaming License which has had a material adverse effect on the financial condition, business, properties, or results of operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, excluding any termination or rescission resulting from or in connection with any renewal, tender or other process conducted by the government of Macau in connection with the granting or renewal of any Gaming License; provided that such renewal, tender or other process results in the granting or renewal of the relevant Gaming License.

“Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any installment of interest or principal on any series of Indebtedness, the date on which the payment of interest or principal was scheduled to be paid in the documentation governing such Indebtedness as of the Issue Date, and will not include any contingent obligations to repay, redeem or repurchase any such interest or principal prior to the date originally scheduled for the payment thereof.

 

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“Studio City Casino” means any casino, gaming business or activities conducted at the Site.

“Studio City International” means Studio City International Holdings Limited, an exempted company incorporated with limited liability under the laws of the Cayman Islands.

“Studio City Parties” means Studio City International, Studio City Entertainment Limited, Studio City Hotels Limited, Studio City Retail Services Limited, Studio City Developments Limited, Studio City Ventures Limited, Studio City Services Limited and any other Person which accedes to the MSA as a “Studio City Party” pursuant to terms thereof.

“Subordinated Indebtedness” means (a) with respect to the Company, any Indebtedness of the Company which is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to the Notes, and (b) with respect to any Subsidiary Guarantor, any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor which is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to such Subsidiary Guarantor’s Obligations in respect of its Note Guarantee.

“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any specified Person:

(1)    any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees of the corporation, association or other business entity is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and

(2)    any partnership (a) the sole general partner or the managing general partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person or (b) the only general partners of which are that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person (or any combination thereof).

“Subsidiary Guarantor” means each of (1) Studio City Investments Limited, Studio City Company Limited, Studio City Holdings Two Limited, Studio City Holdings Three Limited, Studio City Holdings Four Limited, Studio City Entertainment Limited, Studio City Services Limited, Studio City Hotels Limited, SCP Holdings Limited, Studio City Hospitality and Services Limited, SCIP Holdings Limited, SCP One Limited, SCP Two Limited, Studio City Developments Limited, Studio City Retail Services Limited and Studio City (HK) Two Limited and (2) any other Subsidiary of the Company that provides a Note Guarantee in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, and their respective successors and assigns, in each case, until the Note Guarantee of such Person has been released in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

“Total Assets” means, as of any date, the consolidated total assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with U.S. GAAP as shown on the most recent balance sheet of such Person.

“Transactions” means the offering of the Notes and the offer to purchase and/or redemption, as the case may be, of the Company’s US$600,000,000 7.250% senior notes due 2024 as described in the Offering Memorandum.

“Treasury Rate” means, as of any redemption date, the yield to maturity as of such redemption date of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H. 15 (519) that has become publicly available at least two business days prior to the redemption date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from the redemption date to January 15, 2024; provided, however, that if the period from the redemption date to January 15, 2024 is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year will be used.

 

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“Trustee” means Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor serving hereunder.

“Unrestricted Definitive Note” means a Definitive Note that does not bear and is not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.

“Unrestricted Global Note” means a Global Note that does not bear and is not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.

“Unrestricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company that is designated by the Board of Directors of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors, but only to the extent that such Subsidiary:

(1)     has no Indebtedness other than Non-Recourse Debt;

(2)    except as permitted by Section 4.11 hereof, is not party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company unless the terms of any such agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding are no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons who are not Affiliates of the Company;

(3)    is a Person with respect to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has any direct or indirect obligation (a) to subscribe for additional Equity Interests or (b) to maintain or preserve such Person’s financial condition or to cause such Person to achieve any specified levels of operating results; and

(4)    has not guaranteed or otherwise directly or indirectly provided credit support for any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

“U.S. GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are in effect from time to time.

“U.S. Government Obligations” means securities that are:

(1)    direct obligations of the United States of America for the timely payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged, or

(2)    obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America, the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America,

which, in each case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act) as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligations or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such U.S. Government Obligations held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligations or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the U.S. Government Obligations evidenced by such depository receipt.

“U.S. Person” means a U.S. Person as defined in Rule 902(k) promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

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“Voting Stock” of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.

“Weighted Average Life to Maturity” means, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing:

(1)    the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect of the Indebtedness, by (b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment; by

(2)     the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.

“Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary” is any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary.

“Wholly-Owned Subsidiary” of any Person means a Subsidiary of such Person 100% of the outstanding Capital Stock or other ownership interests of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares) shall at the time be owned by such Person or by one or more Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

 

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Section 1.02     Other Definitions.

 

Term		Defined in Section
“Additional Amounts”		2.13
“Affiliate Transaction”		4.11
“Asset Sale Offer”		3.09
“Authentication Order”		2.02
“Change of Control Offer”		4.15
“Change of Control Payment”		4.15
“Change of Control Payment Date”		4.15
“Covenant Defeasance”		8.03
“Designated Subsidiary Guarantor Enforcement Sale”		11.08
“direct parent companies”		4.20
“DTC”		2.03
“Event of Default”		6.01
“Excess Proceeds”		4.10
“Guaranteed Obligations”		11.01
“Legal Defeasance”		8.02
“Offer Amount”		3.09
“Offer Period”		3.09
“Paying Agent”		2.03
“Permitted Debt”		4.09
“Payment Default”		6.01
“Purchase Date”		3.09
“Redemption Date”		3.07
“Registrar”		2.03
“Relevant Jurisdiction”		2.13
“Restricted Payments”		4.07
“Reversion Date”		4.21
“Special Put Option Offer”		4.21
“Special Put Option Payment”		4.21
“Suspended Covenants”		4.21
“Suspension Period”		4.21
“Taxes”		2.13

Section 1.03     Rules of Construction.

Unless the context otherwise requires:

(1)     a term has the meaning assigned to it;

(2)    an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with U.S. GAAP;

(3)     “or” is not exclusive;

(4)     words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;

(5)     “will” shall be interpreted to express a command;

(6)     provisions apply to successive events and transactions; and

(7)    references to sections of or rules under the Securities Act will be deemed to include substitute, replacement of successor sections or rules adopted by the SEC from time to time.

 

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ARTICLE 2

THE NOTES

Section 2.01    Form and Dating.

(a) General. The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication will be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or usage. Each Note will be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes shall be in denominations of US$200,000 and integral multiples of US$1,000 in excess thereof.

The terms and provisions contained in the Notes will constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. However, to the extent any provision of any Note conflicts with the express provisions of this Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

(b)    Global Notes. Notes issued in global form will be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (including the Global Note Legend thereon and the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Notes issued in definitive form will be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (but without the Global Note Legend thereon and without the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Each Global Note will represent such of the outstanding Notes as will be specified therein and each shall provide that it represents the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges and redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby will be made by the Paying Agent, Trustee or the Registrar, at the direction of the Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.06 hereof.

(c)    Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg Procedures Applicable. The provisions of the “Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System” and “Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear” and the “General Terms and Conditions—Clearstream Banking, Luxembourg” and “Customer Handbook” of Clearstream, Luxembourg will be applicable to transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Note that are held by Participants through Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg.

Section 2.02    Execution and Authentication.

At least one Officer must sign the Notes for the Company by manual or facsimile signature.

If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time a Note is authenticated, the Note will nevertheless be valid.

A Note will not be valid until authenticated by the manual or electronic signature of the Trustee. The signature will be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this Indenture.

The Company may issue additional notes under the Indenture from time to time after the Issue Date. Any issuance of Additional Notes shall be subject to all of the covenants described under Article 4 of this Indenture, including Section 4.09 hereof. The Notes and any Additional Notes subsequently issued under this Indenture will be treated as a single class for all purposes under the Indenture, including, without limitation, waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase; provided, however if the Additional Notes are not fungible with the Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such Additional Notes will have a separate CUSIP, ISIN or other identifying number.

The Trustee will, upon receipt of a written order of the Company signed by an Officer (an “Authentication Order”), authenticate Notes for original issue that may be validly issued under this Indenture, including any Additional Notes. The aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding at any time may not exceed the aggregate principal amount of Notes authorized for issuance by the Company pursuant to one or more Authentication Orders, except as provided in Section 2.07 hereof.

 

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The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Company to authenticate Notes. An authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with Holders or an Affiliate of the Company.

Section 2.03    Registrar, Paying Agent and Transfer Agent.

The Company will maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“Registrar”) and an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”). The Company will also maintain a transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”). The Registrar will keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange. The Transfer Agent shall perform the functions of a transfer agent. The Company may appoint one or more co-registrars, one or more additional transfer agents and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent. The Company may change any Paying Agent, the Transfer Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder and shall so notify the Trustee and each Paying Agent thereof in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. If the Company fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar, Transfer Agent or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

The Company initially appoints The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Notes.

The Company initially appoints Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas to act as the Registrar, Transfer Agent and Paying Agent and to act as Custodian, with respect to the Global Notes.

Section 2.04    Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.

The Company will require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal, premium or Additional Amounts, if any, or interest on the Notes, and will notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a Subsidiary) will have no further liability for the money. If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it will segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to the Company, the Trustee will serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.

Section 2.05    Holder Lists.

The Registrar will preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of all Holders. If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company will furnish to the Trustee at least seven Business Days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders of Notes.

 

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Section 2.06    Transfer and Exchange.

(a)     Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. A Global Note may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary, by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or to another nominee of the Depositary, or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary. All Global Notes will be exchanged by the Company for Definitive Notes if:

(1)    the Company delivers to the Trustee notice from the Depositary that it is unwilling or unable to continue to act as Depositary or that it is no longer a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 120 days after the date of such notice from the Depositary;

(2)    the Company in its sole discretion determines that the Global Notes (in whole but not in part) should be exchanged for Definitive Notes and delivers a written notice to such effect to the Trustee; or

(3)     there has occurred and is continuing a Default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes.

Upon the occurrence of either of the preceding events in (1) or (2) above, Definitive Notes shall be issued in such names as the Depositary shall instruct the Trustee. Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Sections 2.07 and 2.10 hereof. Every Note authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Note or any portion thereof, pursuant to this Section 2.06 or Section 2.07 or 2.10 hereof, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Note. A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as provided in this Section 2.06(a), however, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.06(b), (c) or (f) hereof.

(b) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global Notes. The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the Applicable Procedures. Beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes will be subject to restrictions on transfer comparable to those set forth herein to the extent required by the Securities Act. Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes also will require compliance with either subparagraph (1) or (2) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following subparagraphs, as applicable:

(1)    Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note. Beneficial interests in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Restricted Global Note in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Private Placement Legend; provided, however, that prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Note may not be made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Beneficial interests in any Unrestricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. No written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers described in this Section 2.06(b)(1).

(2)    All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes. In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests that are not subject to Section 2.06(b)(1) above, the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar either:

(A)     both:

(i)    a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in another Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged; and

(ii)    instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the Participant account to be credited with such increase; or

 

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(B)     both:

(i)    a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to cause to be issued a Definitive Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged; and

(ii)    instructions given by the Depositary to the Registrar containing information regarding the Person in whose name such Definitive Note shall be registered to effect the transfer or exchange referred to in (1) above.

Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes contained in this Indenture and the Notes or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act, the Trustee shall adjust the principal amount of the relevant Global Note(s) pursuant to Section 2.06(g) hereof.

(3)    Transfer of Beneficial Interests to Another Restricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Restricted Global Note if the transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(2) above and the Registrar receives the following:

(A)    if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof; and

(B)    if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof.

(4)    Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be exchanged by any Holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(2) above and the Registrar receives the following:

(i)    if the Holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(a) thereof; or

(ii)    if the Holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case set forth, if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

 

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If any such transfer is effected pursuant to the paragraph above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of beneficial interests transferred pursuant to the paragraph above.

Beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of, a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note.

(c)     Transfer or Exchange of Beneficial Interests for Definitive Notes.

(1)     Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. If any Holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

(A)    if the Holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(a) thereof;

(B)    if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(C)    if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

(D)    if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;

(E)    if such beneficial interest is being transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

(F)    if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,

the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(g) hereof, and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the Holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(1) shall bear the Private Placement Legend and shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer contained therein.

 

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(2)     Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A Holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note may exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or may transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note only if the Registrar receives the following:

(i)    if the Holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(b) thereof; or

(ii)    if the Holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in such case set forth in this paragraph, if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

(3)     Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. If any Holder of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note, then, upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.06(b)(2) hereof, the Trustee will cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(g) hereof, and the Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(3) will be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the Holder of such beneficial interest requests through instructions to the Registrar from or through the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee will deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(3) will not bear the Private Placement Legend.

(d)     Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Beneficial Interests.

(1)     Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes. If any Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note or to transfer such Restricted Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

(A)    if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(b) thereof;

(B)    if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(C)    if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

 

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(D)    if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;

(E)    if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

(F)    if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,

the Trustee will cancel the Restricted Definitive Note, increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the appropriate Restricted Global Note.

(2)     Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note only if the Registrar receives the following:

(i)    if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(c) thereof; or

(ii)    if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in such case set forth in this paragraph, if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

Upon satisfaction of the conditions in this Section 2.06(d)(2), the Trustee will cancel the Definitive Notes and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note.

(3)     Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of an Unrestricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note at any time. Upon receipt of a request for such an exchange or transfer, the Trustee will cancel the applicable Unrestricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of one of the Unrestricted Global Notes.

If any such exchange or transfer from a Definitive Note to a beneficial interest is effected pursuant to subparagraphs (1)(B), (1)(D) or (3) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company will issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee will authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of Definitive Notes so transferred.

 

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(e)     Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes. Upon request by a Holder of Definitive Notes and such Holder’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.06(e), the Registrar will register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder must present or surrender to the Registrar the Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing. In addition, the requesting Holder must provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 2.06(e).

(1)    Restricted Definitive Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be transferred to and registered in the name of Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following:

(A)    if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 144A, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(B)    if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 903 or Rule 904, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof; and

(C)    if the transfer will be made pursuant to any other exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications and certificates required by item (3) thereof, if applicable.

(2)    Restricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be exchanged by the Holder thereof for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or transferred to a Person or Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following:

(i)    if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(d) thereof; or

(ii)    if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in such case set forth in this paragraph, if the Registrar so requests, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

(3)     Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A Holder of Unrestricted Definitive Notes may transfer such Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note. Upon receipt of a request to register such a transfer, the Registrar shall register the Unrestricted Definitive Notes pursuant to the instructions from the Holder thereof.

 

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(f)     Legends. The following legends will appear on the face of all Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued under this Indenture unless specifically stated otherwise in the applicable provisions of this Indenture.

(1)     Private Placement Legend.

(A)    Except as permitted by subparagraph (C) below, each 144A Global Note and each Definitive Note (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear the legend in substantially the following form:

“THE NOTES MAY BE PURCHASED AND TRANSFERRED ONLY IN MINIMUM PRINCIPAL AMOUNTS OF US$200,000 AND INTEGRAL MULTIPLES OF US$1,000 IN EXCESS THEREOF.

IF AT ANY TIME THE COMPANY DETERMINES IN GOOD FAITH THAT A HOLDER OR BENEFICIAL OWNER OF THIS SECURITY OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS HEREIN IS IN BREACH, AT THE TIME GIVEN, OF ANY OF THE TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH HEREIN AND IN THE INDENTURE, THE COMPANY SHALL REQUIRE SUCH HOLDER TO TRANSFER THIS SECURITY (OR INTEREST HEREIN) TO A TRANSFEREE ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMPANY WHO IS ABLE TO AND WHO DOES SATISFY ALL OF THE REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH HEREIN AND IN THE INDENTURE. PENDING SUCH TRANSFER, SUCH HOLDER WILL BE DEEMED NOT TO BE THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY (OR INTEREST HEREIN) FOR ANY PURPOSE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO RECEIPT OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST PAYMENTS ON THE SECURITY, AND SUCH HOLDER WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE NO INTEREST WHATSOEVER IN THE SECURITY EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE REQUIRED TO SELL ITS INTEREST THEREIN AS DESCRIBED HEREIN.

THE NOTES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.

THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH NOTE, PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE “RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE”) WHICH IS ONE YEAR AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE COMPANY OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE COMPANY WAS THE OWNER OF THIS NOTE (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF THIS NOTE) ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY, THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE SECURITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (“RULE 144A”), TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (E) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT IN EACH OF THE FOREGOING CASES TO ANY REQUIREMENT OF LAW THAT THE DISPOSITION OF ITS PROPERTY OR THE PROPERTY OF SUCH INVESTOR ACCOUNT OR ACCOUNTS BE AT ALL TIMES WITHIN ITS OR THEIR CONTROL AND TO COMPLIANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND ANY APPLICABLE LOCAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS AND FURTHER SUBJECT TO THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE’S RIGHTS PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER (I) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (E) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM, (II) IN EACH OF THE FOREGOING CASES, TO REQUIRE THAT A CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER IN THE FORM APPEARING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS NOTE IS COMPLETED AND DELIVERED BY THE TRANSFEROR TO THE TRUSTEE AND (III) AGREES THAT IT WILL GIVE TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS NOTE IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND. THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED UPON THE REQUEST OF THE HOLDER AFTER THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE.”

 

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(B)    Except as permitted by subparagraph (C) below, each Regulation S Global Note and each Definitive Note (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear the legend in substantially the following form:

“THE NOTES MAY BE PURCHASED AND TRANSFERRED ONLY IN MINIMUM PRINCIPAL AMOUNTS OF US$200,000 AND INTEGRAL MULTIPLES OF US$1,000 IN EXCESS THEREOF.

THE NOTES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.

THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH NOTE, PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE “RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE”) WHICH IS 40 DAYS AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE COMPANY OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE COMPANY WAS THE OWNER OF THIS NOTE (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF THIS NOTE) ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY, THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE SECURITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (“RULE 144A”), TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (E) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT IN EACH OF THE FOREGOING CASES TO ANY REQUIREMENT OF LAW THAT THE DISPOSITION OF ITS PROPERTY OR THE PROPERTY OF SUCH INVESTOR ACCOUNT OR ACCOUNTS BE AT ALL TIMES WITHIN ITS OR THEIR CONTROL AND TO COMPLIANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND ANY APPLICABLE LOCAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS AND FURTHER SUBJECT TO THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE’S RIGHTS PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER (I) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (E) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM, (II) IN EACH OF THE FOREGOING CASES, TO REQUIRE THAT A CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER IN THE FORM APPEARING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS NOTE IS COMPLETED AND DELIVERED BY THE TRANSFEROR TO THE TRUSTEE AND (III) AGREES THAT IT WILL GIVE TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS NOTE IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND. THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED UPON THE REQUEST OF THE HOLDER AFTER THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE.”

 

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(C)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Global Note or Definitive Note issued pursuant to subparagraphs (b)(4), (c)(2), (d)(2), (d)(3), (e)(2) or (e)(3) of this Section 2.06 (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) will not bear the Private Placement Legend.

(2)    Global Note Legend. Each Global Note will bear a legend in substantially the following form:

“THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (1) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06 OF THE INDENTURE, (2) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (3) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE INDENTURE AND (4) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE COMPANY.

UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) (“DTC”), TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.”

(g)    Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes. At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Definitive Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note will be returned to or retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.11 hereof. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive Notes, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note will be reduced accordingly and an endorsement will be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Registrar at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note will be increased accordingly and an endorsement will be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Registrar at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.

 

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(h)    General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges.

(1)    To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof or at the Registrar’s request.

(2)    No service charge will be made to a Holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note or to a Holder of a Definitive Note for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.06, 3.06, 3.09, 4.10, 4.15 and 9.05 hereof).

(3)    The Registrar will not be required to register the transfer of or exchange of any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part.

(4)    All Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Global Notes or Definitive Notes will be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Global Notes or Definitive Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

(5)    Neither the Registrar nor the Company will be required:

(A)    to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange any Notes during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of any selection of Notes for redemption under Section 3.02 hereof and ending at the close of business on the day of selection;

(B)    to register the transfer of or to exchange any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part; or

(C)    to register the transfer of or to exchange a Note between a record date and the next succeeding interest payment date.

(6)    Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any Note, the Trustee, any Agent and the Company may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest on such Notes and for all other purposes, and none of the Trustee, any Agent or the Company shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

(7)    The Trustee will authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.02 hereof.

(8)    All certifications, certificates and Opinions of Counsel required to be submitted to the Registrar pursuant to this Section 2.06 to effect a registration of transfer or exchange may be submitted by facsimile or electronic mail (in pdf format).

Section 2.07    Replacement Notes.

If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee or the Company and the Trustee receives evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Note, the Company will issue and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, will authenticate a replacement Note if the Trustee’s requirements are met. If required by the Trustee or the Company, an indemnity bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Company to protect the Company, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Company and the Trustee may charge the Holder for their expenses in replacing a Note, including but not limited to the reasonable expenses of counsel and any tax that may be imposed with respect to replacement of such Note.

 

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Every replacement Note is an additional obligation of the Company and will be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Notes duly issued hereunder.

Section 2.08    Outstanding Notes.

The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof, and those described in this Section 2.08 as not outstanding. Except as set forth in Section 2.09 hereof, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Note; however, Notes held by the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company shall not be deemed to be outstanding for purposes of Section 3.07(a) hereof.

If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a protected purchaser.

If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section 4.01 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.

If the Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of any thereof) holds, in accordance with this Indenture, on a redemption date or maturity date, money sufficient to pay Notes payable on that date, then on and after that date such Notes will be deemed to be no longer outstanding and will cease to accrue interest.

Section 2.09    Treasury Notes.

In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, will be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee will be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes that the Trustee actually knows are so owned will be so disregarded.

Section 2.10    Temporary Notes.

Until certificates representing Notes are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, will authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes will be substantially in the form of certificated Notes but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Notes and as may be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Without unreasonable delay, the Company will prepare and the Trustee will authenticate definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes.

Holders of temporary Notes will be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture.

Section 2.11    Cancellation.

The Company at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent will forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee, in accordance with its customary procedures, and no one else will cancel (subject to the Trustee’s retention policy) all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and will dispose of such cancelled Notes in its customary manner (subject to the record retention requirement of the Exchange Act). At the request of the company, the Trustee will confirm the cancellation of the Notes delivered to it. The Company may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that it has paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

 

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Section 2.12    Defaulted Interest.

If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, it will pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof. The Company will notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the proposed payment. The Company will fix or cause to be fixed each such special record date and payment date; provided that no such special record date may be less than ten (10) days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted interest. At least fifteen (15) days before the special record date, the Company (or, upon the written request of the Company, the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company) will mail or cause to be mailed to Holders a notice that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.

Section 2.13    Additional Amounts.

(a)    All payments of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes and all payments under the Note Guarantees will be made without withholding or deduction for, or on account of, any present or future taxes, duties, assessments or governmental charges of whatever (“Taxes”) nature imposed or levied by or within any jurisdiction in which the Company or any applicable Subsidiary Guarantor is organized or resident for tax purposes (or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein) or any jurisdiction from or through which payment is made by or on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor (including the jurisdiction of any Paying Agent) (or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein) (each, as applicable, a “Relevant Jurisdiction”), unless such withholding or deduction is required by law or by regulation or governmental policy having the force of law. In such event, the Company or the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, will make such deduction or withholding, make payment of the amount so withheld to the appropriate governmental authority and will pay such additional amounts (“Additional Amounts”) as will result in receipt by the Holder of such amounts as would have been received by such holder had no such withholding or deduction been required, provided that no Additional Amounts will be payable for or on account of:

(1)    any tax, duty, assessment or other governmental charge that would not have been imposed but for:

(A)    the existence of any present or former connection between the Holder or beneficial owner of such Note or Note Guarantee, as the case may be, and the Relevant Jurisdiction including, without limitation, such holder or beneficial owner being or having been a citizen or resident of such Relevant Jurisdiction or treated as a resident thereof or being or having been physically present or engaged in a trade or business therein or having or having had a permanent establishment therein, other than merely holding such Note or the receipt of payments thereunder or under the Note Guarantee;

(B)    the presentation of such Note (where presentation is required) more than thirty (30) days after the later of the date on which the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, such Note became due and payable pursuant to the terms thereof or was made or duly provided for, except to the extent that the holder thereof would have been entitled to such Additional Amounts if it had presented such Note for payment on any date within such 30-day period;

 

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(C)    the failure of the holder or beneficial owner to comply with a timely request of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor addressed to the holder or beneficial owner, as the case may be, to provide information concerning such holder’s or beneficial owner’s nationality, residence, identity or connection with any Relevant Jurisdiction, if and to the extent that due and timely compliance with such request would have reduced or eliminated any withholding or deduction as to which Additional Amounts would have otherwise been payable to such holder; or

(D)    the presentation of such Note (where presentation is required) for payment in the Relevant Jurisdiction, unless such Note could not have been presented for payment elsewhere;

(2)    any estate, inheritance, gift, sale, transfer, excise or personal property or similar tax, assessment or other governmental charge;

(3)    any tax, duty, assessment or other governmental charge which is payable other than (i) by deduction or withholding from payments of principal of or interest on the Note or payments under the Note Guarantees, or (ii) by direct payment by the Company or applicable Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of claims made against the Company or the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor;

(4)    any tax arising pursuant to Sections 1471 - 1474 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any successor or amended version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with, any official interpretations thereof, current or future regulations or agreements entered pursuant thereto, any agreement entered pursuant thereto, any U.S. or non-U.S. law enacted in connection with an intergovernmental agreement related thereto, or any rules, regulations, or administrative guidance of any kind relating to any of the foregoing; or

(5)    any combination of taxes, duties, assessments or other governmental charges referred to in the preceding clauses (1), (2), (3) and (4); or

(b)    with respect to any payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, such Note or any payment under any Note Guarantee to such holder, if the holder is a fiduciary, partnership or person other than the sole beneficial owner of any payment to the extent that such payment would be required to be included in the income under the laws of a Relevant Jurisdiction, for tax purposes, of a beneficiary or settlor with respect to the fiduciary, or a member of that partnership or a beneficial owner who would not have been entitled to such Additional Amounts had that beneficiary, settlor, partner, or beneficial owner been the holder thereof.

In addition to the foregoing, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors will also pay and indemnify the holder of a Note for any present or future stamp, issue, registration, court or documentary taxes, or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies (including penalties, interest and other reasonable expenses related thereto) which are levied by any Relevant Jurisdiction on the execution, delivery, issuance, or registration of any of the Notes, the Indenture, any Note Guarantee or any other document or instrument referred to therein, or the receipt of any payments with respect thereto, or enforcement of, any of the Notes or any Note Guarantee. The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors will use all reasonable efforts to obtain certified copies of tax receipts evidencing the payment of any taxes so deducted or withheld from each Relevant Jurisdiction imposing such taxes, in such form as provided in the ordinary course by the Relevant Jurisdiction and as is reasonably available to the Company, and will provide such certified copies to the Trustees and the Paying Agent. Such copies shall be made available to the Holders upon request and will be made available at the offices of the Paying Agent. The Company or the Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, will attach to each certified copy a certificate stating (x) that the amount of withholding taxes evidenced by the certified copy was paid in connection with payments in respect of the principal amount of Notes then outstanding and (y) the amount of such withholding taxes paid per $1,000 principal amount of the Notes.

(c)    Whenever there is mentioned in any context the payment of principal of, and any premium or interest, on any Note or under any Note Guarantee, such mention will be deemed to include payment of Additional Amounts provided for in this Indenture to the extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof.

 

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Section 2.14    Forced Sale or Redemption for Non-QIBs.

(a)    The Company has the right to require any Holder of a Note (or beneficial interest therein) that is a U.S. Person and is determined not to have been a QIB at the time of acquisition of such Note or is otherwise determined to be in breach, at the time given, of any of the representations and agreements required to be made pursuant to the transfer restrictions set forth herein, to transfer such Security (or beneficial interest therein) to a transferee acceptable to the Company who is able to and who does make all of the representations and agreements required to be made pursuant to the transfer restrictions set forth herein, or to redeem such Note (or beneficial interest therein) within 30 days of receipt of notice of the Company’s election to so redeem such Holder’s Notes on the terms set forth in paragraph (b) below. Pending such transfer or redemption, such Holder will be deemed not to be the Holder of such Note for any purpose, including but not limited to receipt of interest and principal payments on such Note, and such Holder will be deemed to have no interest whatsoever in such Note except as otherwise required to sell or redeem its interest therein.

(b)    Any such redemption occurring pursuant to paragraph (a) above shall be at a redemption price equal to the lesser of (i) the Person’s cost, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date and (ii) 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of any such redemption as soon as practicable.

 

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ARTICLE 3

REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT

Section 3.01    Notices to Trustee.

If the Company elects to redeem Notes pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of Section 3.07 hereof, it must furnish to the Trustee, the Registrar and the Paying Agent, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, an Officer’s Certificate setting forth:

(1)    the clause of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur;

(2)    the redemption date;

(3)    the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed; and

(4)    the redemption price.

Section 3.02    Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed or Purchased.

If fewer than all of the Notes are to be redeemed or purchased at any time, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar will select Notes for redemption or purchase (i) in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which Notes are listed and any applicable Depositary procedures, (ii) by lot or such other similar method in accordance with the applicable procedures of the Depositary or any other applicable clearing system (if the Notes are Global Notes), or (iii) if there are no such requirements of such exchange or the Notes are not then listed on a national securities exchange or cleared through the Depositary or any other applicable clearing system, on a pro rata basis. No Notes of a principal amount of US$200,000 or less may be redeemed or purchased in part, and if Notes are redeemed or purchased in part, the remaining outstanding amount must be at least equal to US$200,000 and integral multiples of US$ 1,000 in excess thereof. None of the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar will be liable for any selections made under this paragraph.

In the event of partial redemption or purchase by lot, the particular Notes to be redeemed or purchased will be selected, unless otherwise provided herein, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption or purchase date by the Registrar from the outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption or purchase.

The Registrar will promptly notify the Company in writing of any Definitive Notes selected for redemption or purchase and, in the case of any such Note selected for partial redemption or purchase, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed or purchased. Notes and portions of Notes selected will be in amounts of US$ 200,000 or integral multiples of US$ 1,000 in excess thereof; except that if all of the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed or purchased, the entire outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder, even if not a multiple of US$1,000, shall be redeemed or purchased. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption or purchase also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption or purchase.

Section 3.03    Notice of Redemption.

Subject to the provisions of Section 3.09 hereof, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Company will mail or cause to be mailed, by first class mail, a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date (with prior notice to the Trustee) if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture pursuant to Article 8 or 11 hereof.

The notice will identify the Notes to be redeemed and will state:

(1)    the redemption date;

 

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(2)    the redemption price;

(3)    if any Note is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Note to be redeemed and that, after the redemption date upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion will be issued upon cancellation of the original Note, provided that the unredeemed portion has a minimum denomination of US$200,000;

(4)    the name and address of the Paying Agent;

(5)    that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;

(6)    that, unless the Company defaults in making such redemption payment, interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;

(7)    the paragraph of the Notes and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed;

(8)    that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes;

(9)    if applicable, any condition to such redemption; and

(10)    if applicable, that payment of the redemption price and performance of the Company’s obligations with respect to such redemption is to be performed by another Person and the identity of such other Person.

At the Company’s request, the Trustee will give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at its expense; provided, however, that the Company has delivered to the Trustee, at least three Business Days prior to the date that the notice of redemption is to be delivered to Holders, an Officer’s Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in the preceding paragraph.

Section 3.04    Effect of Notice of Redemption.

Once notice of redemption is mailed in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof, Notes called for redemption become due and payable on the redemption date at the redemption price stated in such notice, provided, that any redemption pursuant to Paragraph 5 of the Notes may, at the Company’s discretion, be subject to the satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent.

Section 3.05    Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price.

No later than 10 a.m. New York time one Business Days prior to the redemption or purchase date, the Company will deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption or purchase price of and accrued interest and Additional Amounts, if any, on all Notes to be redeemed or purchased on that date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent will promptly return to the Company any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Company in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption or purchase price of, and accrued interest and Additional Amounts, if any, on all Notes to be redeemed or purchased.

If the Company complies with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, on and after the redemption or purchase date, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes called for redemption or purchase. If a Note is redeemed or purchased on or after an interest record date but on or prior to the related interest payment date, then any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note was registered at the close of business on such record date. If any Note called for redemption or purchase is not so paid upon surrender for redemption or purchase because of the failure of the Company to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal, from the redemption or purchase date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof.

 

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Section 3.06    Notes Redeemed or Purchased in Part.

In the case of Definitive Notes, upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed or purchased in part, the Company will issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, the Trustee will authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Company a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed or unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered.

Section 3.07    Optional Redemption.

(a)    At any time prior to January 15, 2024, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes at a redemption price of 105.000% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the rights of the Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date), with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings; provided that:

(1)    at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes originally issued under this Indenture (excluding Notes held by the Company and its Subsidiaries) remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption; and

(2)    the redemption occurs within 45 days of the date of the closing of such Equity Offering.

Any redemption notice given in respect of the redemption referred to in the preceding paragraph may be given prior to completion of the related Equity Offering, and any such redemption or notice may, at the discretion of the Company, be subject to the satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, including the completion of the Equity Offering.

(b)    At any time prior to January 15, 2024, the Company may redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest to, the date of redemption, subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date. Any such redemption and notice may, at the discretion of the Company, be subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent.

(c)    Except pursuant to the two preceding paragraphs and the provisions under Section 3.10 and Section 3.11 hereof, the Notes will not be redeemable at the Company’s option prior to January 15, 2024.

(d)    On or after January 15, 2024, the Company may redeem all or a part of the Notes upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount) set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes redeemed, to the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the periods indicated below, subject to the rights of holders of the Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date:

 

Period		Redemption Price
Twelve-month period on or after January 15, 2024			102.500	%
Twelve-month period on or after January 15, 2025			101.250	%
On or after January 15, 2026			100.000	%

Unless the Company defaults in the payment of the redemption price, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption on the applicable redemption date.

 

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(e)     Any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01 through Section 3.06 hereof and may, at the discretion of the Company, be subject to the satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent. If such redemption is so subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, such notice shall describe each such condition, and if applicable, shall state that, at the Company’s discretion, the redemption date may be delayed until such time (provided, however, that any delayed redemption date shall not be more than 60 days after the date the relevant notice of redemption was sent) as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied, or such redemption may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied by the redemption date or by the redemption date as delayed. In addition, the Company may provide in such notice that payment of the redemption price and performance of the Company’s obligations with respect to such redemption may be performed by another Person.

Section 3.08    Mandatory Redemption.

The Company is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes. However, under certain circumstances, the Company may be required to offer to purchase Notes as described in Section 4.15 and Section 4.10 hereof. The Company may at any time and from time to time purchase Notes in the open market or otherwise.

Section 3.09    Offer to Purchase by Application of Excess Proceeds.

In the event that, pursuant to Section 4.10 hereof, the Company is required to commence an offer to all Holders to purchase Notes (an “Asset Sale Offer”), it will follow the procedures specified below.

The Asset Sale Offer shall be made to all Holders and all holders of other Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes containing provisions similar to those set forth in this Indenture with respect to offers to purchase or redeem with the proceeds of sales of assets. The Asset Sale Offer will remain open for a period of at least 20 Business Days following its commencement and not more than 30 Business Days, except to the extent that a longer period is required by applicable law (the “Offer Period”). No later than five Business Days after the termination of the Offer Period (the “Purchase Date”), the Company will apply all Excess Proceeds (the “Offer Amount”) to the purchase of Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness (on a pro rata basis, if applicable) or, if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes and other Indebtedness tendered in response to the Asset Sale Offer. Payment for any Notes so purchased will be made in the same manner as interest payments are made.

If the Purchase Date is on or after an interest record date and on or before the related interest payment date, any accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Amounts, if any, will be paid to the Person in whose name a Note is registered at the close of business on such record date, and no additional interest will be payable to Holders who tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer.

Upon the commencement of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company will send, by first class mail, a notice to the Trustee and each of the Holders, with a copy to the Trustee. The notice will contain all instructions and materials necessary to enable such Holders to tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer. The notice, which will govern the terms of the Asset Sale Offer, will state:

(1)    that the Asset Sale Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 3.09 and Section 4.10 hereof and the length of time the Asset Sale Offer will remain open;

(2)     the Offer Amount, the purchase price and the Purchase Date;

(3)     that any Note not tendered or accepted for payment will continue to accrue

interest;

(4)    that, unless the Company defaults in making such payment, any Note accepted for payment pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer will cease to accrue interest after the Purchase Date;

 

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(5)    that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer may elect to have Notes purchased in integral multiples of US$200,000 and integral multiples of US$1,000 in excess thereof only;

(6)    that Holders electing to have Notes purchased pursuant to any Asset Sale Offer will be required to surrender the Note, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” attached to the Notes completed, or transfer by book-entry transfer, to the Company, a Depositary, if appointed by the Company, or a Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice at least three days before the Purchase Date;

(7)    that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the Company, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, receives, not later than the expiration of the Offer Period, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Note the Holder delivered for purchase and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Note purchased;

(8)    that, if the aggregate principal amount of Notes and other pari passu Indebtedness surrendered by holders thereof exceeds the Offer Amount, the Company will select the Notes and other pari passu Indebtedness to be purchased in accordance with Section 3.02 based on the principal amount of Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness surrendered (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Company so that only Notes in denominations of US$200,000, or integral multiples of US$1,000 in excess thereof, will be purchased); and

(9)    that Holders whose Notes were purchased only in part will be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered (or transferred by book-entry transfer), provided that the unpurchased portion has a minimum denomination of US$200,000.

On or before the Purchase Date, the Company will, to the extent lawful, accept for payment, on a pro rata basis to the extent necessary (but subject to Section 3.02), the Offer Amount of Notes or portions thereof tendered pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer, or if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered, and will deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes properly accepted together with an Officer’s Certificate stating that such Notes or portions thereof were accepted for payment by the Company in accordance with the terms of this Section 3.09. The Company, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, will promptly (but in any case not later than five days after the Purchase Date) mail or deliver to each tendering Holder an amount equal to the purchase price of the Notes tendered by such Holder and accepted by the Company for purchase, and the Company will promptly issue a new Note, and the Trustee, upon written request from the Company, will authenticate and mail or deliver (or cause to be transferred by book entry) such new Note to such Holder, in a principal amount equal to any unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered, provided that the unpurchased portion has a minimum denomination of US$200,000. Any Note not so accepted shall be promptly mailed or delivered by the Company to the Holder thereof. The Company will publicly announce the results of the Asset Sale Offer on the Purchase Date.

Other than as specifically provided in this Section 3.09, any purchase pursuant to this Section 3.09 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01 through Section 3.06 hereof.

Section 3.10    Redemption for Taxation Reasons.

The Notes may be redeemed, at the option of the Company, as a whole but not in part, upon giving not less than 30 days’ nor more than 60 days’ notice to Holders (which notice will be irrevocable), at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest (including any Additional Amounts), if any, to the date fixed by the Company for redemption (the “Tax Redemption Date”) if, as a result of:

 

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(1)    any change in, or amendment to, the laws (or any regulations or rulings promulgated thereunder) of a Relevant Jurisdiction affecting taxation; or

(2)    any change in, or amendment to, an official position regarding the application or interpretation of such laws, regulations or rulings (including a holding, judgment or order by a court of competent jurisdiction),

which change or amendment becomes effective on or after the date of this Indenture with respect to any payment due or to become due under the Notes, this Indenture or a Note Guarantee, the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, is, or on the next Interest Payment Date would be, required to pay Additional Amounts, and such requirement cannot be avoided by the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, taking reasonable measures available to it; provided that for the avoidance of doubt, changing the jurisdiction of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor is not a reasonable measure for the purposes of this Section 3.10; provided, further, that no such notice of redemption will be given earlier than 90 days prior to the earliest date on which the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, would be obligated to pay such Additional Amounts if a payment in respect of the Notes were then due.

Prior to the mailing of any notice of redemption of the Notes pursuant to the foregoing, the Company will deliver to the Trustee:

(1)    an Officer’s Certificate stating that such change or amendment referred to in the prior paragraph has occurred, and describing the facts related thereto and stating that such requirement cannot be avoided by the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, taking reasonable measures available to it; and

(2)    an Opinion of Counsel or an opinion of a tax consultant of recognized international standing stating that the requirement to pay such Additional Amounts results from such change or amendment referred to in the prior paragraph.

The Trustee will accept and shall be entitled to rely on such Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel or opinion of tax consultant as sufficient evidence of the satisfaction of the conditions precedent described above, in which event it will be conclusive and binding on the Holders.

Any Notes that are redeemed pursuant to this Section 3.10 will be cancelled.

Section 3.11     Gaming Redemption.

Each Holder, by accepting a Note, shall be deemed to have agreed that if the Gaming Authority of any jurisdiction in which the Company or any of its Affiliates (including Melco Resorts Macau) conducts or proposes to conduct gaming requires that a person who is a holder or the beneficial owner of Notes be licensed, qualified or found suitable under applicable Gaming Laws, such holder or beneficial owner, as the case may be, shall apply for a license, qualification or a finding of suitability within the required time period. If such Person fails to apply or become licensed or qualified or is found unsuitable, the Company shall have the right, at its option:

(1)    to require such Person to dispose of its Notes or beneficial interest therein within 30 days of receipt of notice of the Company’s election or such earlier date as may be requested or prescribed by such Gaming Authority; or

(2)    to redeem such Notes, which redemption may be less than 30 days following the notice of redemption if so requested or prescribed by the applicable gaming authority, at a redemption price equal to:

 

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(A)     the lesser of:

 

(1)

the Person’s cost, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the earlier of the redemption date or the date of the finding of unsuitability or failure to comply; and

 

(2)

100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the earlier of the redemption date or the date of the finding of unsuitability or failure to comply; or

(B)    such other amount as may be required by applicable law or order of the applicable Gaming Authority.

The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of any such redemption as soon as practicable. Neither the Company nor the Trustee shall be responsible for any costs or expenses any Holder may incur in connection with such Holder’s application for a license, qualification or a finding of suitability.

 

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ARTICLE 4

COVENANTS

Section 4.01    Payment of Notes.

The Company will pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, and interest and Additional Amounts, if any, on, the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes. Principal, premium, if any, and interest and Additional Amounts, if any, will be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Company or a Subsidiary thereof, holds as of 10:00 a.m. New York Time two Business Days prior to the due date money deposited by the Company in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, interest and Additional Amounts, if any, then due. All the funds provided to the Paying Agent must be in U.S. Dollars.

The Company will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, at the rate equal to 1% per annum in excess of the then applicable interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; it will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and Additional Amounts (without regard to any applicable grace period) at the same rate to the extent lawful.

Section 4.02    Maintenance of Office or Agency.

The Company will maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York, an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee, Registrar or co-registrar) where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company fails to maintain any such required office or agency or fails to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission will in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

The Company hereby designates Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas as one such office or agency of the Company in accordance with Section 2.03 hereof.

Section 4.03    Reports.

(a)     The Company will provide to the Trustee and the Holders and make available to potential investors:

(1)     within 120 days after the end of the Company’s fiscal year, annual reports of the Company containing: (a) information with a level of detail that is substantially comparable to the sections in the Offering Memorandum entitled “Selected Consolidated Financial and Operational Data,” “Business,” “Management,” “Related Party Transactions” and “Description of Other Material Indebtedness;” (b) the Company’s audited consolidated (i) balance sheet as of the end of the two most recent fiscal years and (ii) income statement and statement of cash flow for the two most recent fiscal years, in each case prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and including complete footnotes to such financial statements and the report of the independent auditors on the financial statements; (c) an operating and financial review of the two most recent fiscal years for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, including a discussion of (i) the financial condition and results of operations of the Company on a consolidated basis and any material changes between such two fiscal years and (ii) any material developments in the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; and (d) pro forma income statement and balance sheet information of the Company, together with explanatory footnotes, for any Change of Control or material acquisitions, dispositions or recapitalizations that have occurred since the beginning of the most recently completed fiscal year, unless pro forma information has been provided in a previous report pursuant to paragraph (2)(c) below; provided that no pro forma information shall be required to be provided for any material acquisitions or dispositions relating solely to the Phase II Project;

 

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(2)    within 60 days after the end of each day of the first three fiscal quarters in each fiscal year of the Company, quarterly reports containing: (a) the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated (i) balance sheet as of the end of such quarter and (ii) statement of income and cash flow for the quarterly and year to date periods ending on the most recent balance sheet date, and the comparable prior year periods, in each case prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP; (b) an operating and financial review of such periods for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries including a discussion of (i) the financial condition and results of operations of the Company on a consolidated basis and material changes between the current period and the period of the prior year and (ii) any material developments in the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; (c) pro forma income statement and balance sheet information of the Company, together with explanatory footnotes, for any Change of Control or material acquisitions, dispositions or recapitalizations that have occurred since the beginning of the most recently completed fiscal quarter, provided that no pro forma information shall be required to be provided for any material acquisitions or dispositions relating solely to the Phase II Project, and provided further that the Company may provide any such pro forma information relating to a material acquisition within 75 days following such quarterly report in the form of a report provided pursuant to clause (3) below; and

(3)     promptly from time to time after the occurrence of any of the events listed in (a) to (d) of this clause (3) information with respect to (a) any change in the independent accountants of the Company or any of the Significant Subsidiaries of the Company, (b) any material acquisition or disposition, (c) any material event that the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company announces publicly and (d) any information that the Company is required to make publicly available under the requirements of the SGX-ST or such other exchanges on which the securities of the Company or its Subsidiaries are then listed.

(b)    If the Company has designated any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries and any such Unrestricted Subsidiary or group of Unrestricted Subsidiaries constitute Significant Subsidiaries of the Company, then the annual and quarterly information required by the paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) hereof shall include a reasonably detailed presentation of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of such Unrestricted Subsidiaries of the Company.

(c)    In addition, so long as the Notes are “restricted securities” within the meaning of Rule 144(a)(3) of the Securities Act and in any period during which the Company is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act nor exempt therefrom pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b), the Company shall furnish to the holders of the Notes, securities analysts and prospective investors, upon their request, any information that Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act would require the Company to provide to such parties.

(d)    The Company may elect to satisfy its obligations under this Section 4.03 with respect to all such financial information relating to the Company by furnishing, or making available on the SEC’s website, provided that the Trustee shall have no responsibility whatsoever to determine whether such filing has occurred, such financial information relating to Studio City International, or by furnishing or making available on the SGX’s website such financial information relating to Studio City Company Limited; provided that the same is accompanied by consolidating information that explains in reasonable detail the differences between the information relating to Studio City International or Studio City Company Limited (as the case may be), on the one hand, and the information relating to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a stand-alone basis, on the other hand; provided further that the Company shall make no more than two such elections.

 

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(e)    All financial statement information required under this covenant shall be prepared on a consistent basis in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In addition, all financial statement information and all reports required under this covenant shall be presented in the English language.

(f)     [Intentionally Omitted].

(g)    Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee shall be for informational purposes only as regards the Trustee and the Trustee’s receipt of such reports, information and documents shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on the Officer’s Certificates).

Section 4.04    Compliance Certificate.

(a)    The Company shall deliver to the Trustee within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, an Officer’s Certificate stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default or Event of Default has occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto) and that to the best of his or her knowledge no event has occurred and remains in existence by reason of which payments on account of the principal of or interest, if any, on the Notes is prohibited or if such event has occurred, a description of the event and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

(b)     [Intentionally Omitted].

(c)    So long as any of the Notes are outstanding, the Company will deliver to the Trustee, as soon as possible and in any event within five (5) Business Days after the Company becomes aware of any Default or Event of Default, an Officer’s Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto. The Trustee shall not be deemed to have a duty to monitor compliance by the Company, nor to have knowledge of a Default or an Event of Default (other than a payment default on a scheduled interest payment date) unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee receives written notice thereof, stating that it is a notice of default and referencing the applicable section of this Indenture.

Section 4.05    Taxes.

The Company will pay, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay, prior to delinquency, all material taxes, assessments, and governmental levies required to be paid by the Company or such Subsidiaries except such as are contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings or where the failure to effect such payment is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders.

Section 4.06    Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.

The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.

 

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Section 4.07    Limitation on Restricted Payments.

(a)     The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:

(1)    declare or pay any dividend or make any other payment or distribution on account of the Company’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests (including, without limitation, any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) or to the direct or indirect holders of the Company’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests in their capacity as such (other than dividends or distributions payable in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company and other than dividends or distributions payable to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company);

(2)    purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value (including, without limitation, in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company) any Equity Interests of the Company or any of its direct or indirect parents;

(3)    make any payment on or with respect to, or purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor (excluding any intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), except a payment of interest or principal at the Stated Maturity thereof; or

(4)     make any Restricted Investment,

(all such payments and other actions set forth in clauses (1) through (4) above being collectively referred to as “Restricted Payments”),

unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment:

(A)    no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof;

(B)    the Company would, at the time of such Restricted Payment and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Restricted Payment had been made at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, have been permitted to Incur at least US$1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.09(a) hereof; and

(C)    such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries since the Measurement Date (excluding Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (2) through (12) of Section 4.07(b)) pursuant to this Indenture, is less than the sum, without duplication, of:

(i)    75% of the EBITDA of the Company less 2.00 times Fixed Charges for the period (taken as one accounting period) from January 1, 2019 to the end of the Company’s most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment (or, if such EBITDA for such period is a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit); plus

(ii)    100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds received by the Company since the Measurement Date as a contribution to its common equity capital or from the issue or sale of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company (in each case, other than in connection with any Excluded Contribution) or from the issue or sale of convertible or exchangeable Disqualified Stock or convertible or exchangeable debt securities of the Company that have been converted into or exchanged for such Equity Interests (other than Equity Interests (or Disqualified Stock or debt securities) sold to a Subsidiary of the Company); plus

 

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(iii)    to the extent that any Restricted Investment that was made after the Measurement Date (x) is reduced as a result of payments of dividends to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or (y) is sold for cash or otherwise liquidated or repaid for cash, (in the case of sub-clauses (x) and (y)) the lesser of (i) the cash return of capital with respect to such Restricted Investment (less the cost of disposition, if any) and (ii) the initial amount of such Restricted Investment or (z) is reduced upon the release of a Note Guarantee granted by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that constituted a Restricted Investment, to the extent that the initial granting of such Note Guarantee reduced the restricted payments capacity under Section 4.07(a)(4)(C); plus

(iv)    to the extent that any Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company designated as such after the Measurement Date is re-designated as a Restricted Subsidiary after the Measurement Date, the lesser of (i) the Fair Market Value of the Company’s Restricted Investment in such Subsidiary as of the date of such re-designation or (ii) the Fair Market Value of the net aggregate Investments made by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in such Unrestricted Subsidiary from the date such entity was originally designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary through the date of such re-designation; plus

(v)    100% of the aggregate amount received from the sale of the stock of any Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company after the Measurement Date or 100% of any dividends received by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company after the Measurement Date from an Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company.

(b)     The provisions of Section 4.07(a) hereof will not prohibit:

(1)    the payment of any dividend or the consummation of any irrevocable redemption within 60 days after the date of declaration of the dividend or giving of the redemption notice, as the case may be, if at the date of declaration or notice, the dividend or redemption payment would have complied with the provisions of this Indenture;

(2)    the making of any Restricted Payment in exchange for, or out of the net cash proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company) of, Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or from the substantially concurrent contribution of common equity capital to the Company (in each case, other than in connection with any Excluded Contribution); provided that the amount of any such net cash proceeds that are utilized for any such Restricted Payment will be excluded from Section 4.07(a)(4)(C)(ii) hereof;

(3)    the repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor with the net cash proceeds from a substantially concurrent Incurrence of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness;

(4)    the payment of any dividend (or, in the case of any partnership or limited liability company, any similar distribution) by a Restricted Subsidiary to the holders of its Equity Interests on a pro rata basis;

 

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(5)    the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Equity Interests of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company held by any current or former officer, director or employee of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to any equity subscription agreement, stock option agreement, shareholders’ agreement or similar agreement; provided that the aggregate price paid for all such repurchased, redeemed, acquired or retired Equity Interests may not exceed US$1.0 million in any twelve-month period;

(6)    the repurchase of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon the exercise of stock options to the extent such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of those stock options;

(7)    the declaration and payment of regularly scheduled or accrued dividends to holders of any class or series of Disqualified Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company issued on or after the Issue Date in accordance with the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test described in Section 4.09(a) hereof;

(8)    any Restricted Payment made or deemed to be made by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company under, pursuant to or in connection with the Services and Right to Use Agreement, the Reinvestment Agreement or the MSA;

(9)     [RESERVED];

(10)     Restricted Payments that are made with Excluded Contributions;

(11)    payments to any parent entity in respect of directors’ fees, remuneration and expenses (including director and officer insurance (including premiums therefore)) to the extent relating to the Company and its Subsidiaries, in an aggregate amount not to exceed US$2.0 million per annum;

(12)     the making of Restricted Payments, if applicable:

(A)    in amounts required for any direct or indirect parent of the Company to pay fees and expenses (including franchise or similar taxes) required to maintain its corporate existence, customary salary, bonus and other benefits payable to, and indemnities provided on behalf of, officers and employees of any direct or indirect parent of the Company and general corporate operating and overhead expenses of any direct or indirect parent of the Company in each case to the extent such fees and expenses are attributable to the ownership or operation of the Company, if applicable, and its Subsidiaries, in an aggregate amount not to exceed US$2.0 million per annum;

(B)    in amounts required for any direct or indirect parent of the Company, if applicable, to pay interest and/or principal on Indebtedness the proceeds of which have been contributed to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries prior to the Issue Date and that has been guaranteed by, or is otherwise considered Indebtedness of, the Company Incurred in accordance with Section 4.09; provided that the amount of any such proceeds will be excluded from Section 4.07(a)(4)(C)(ii);

(C)    in amounts required for any direct or indirect parent of the Company to pay fees and expenses, other than to Affiliates of the Company, related to any unsuccessful equity or debt offering of such parent; and

(D)    payments for services under any Revenue Sharing Agreement that would constitute or be deemed to constitute a Restricted Payment;

 

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(13)    any Restricted Payment used to fund the Transactions and the payment of fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Transactions or owed by the Company or any direct or indirect parent of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries to Affiliates, and any other payments made, including any such payments made to any direct or indirect parent of the Company to enable it to make payments, in connection with the consummation of the Transactions, whether payable on the Issue Date or thereafter, in each case on terms described in the Offering Memorandum under “Use of Proceeds” and to the extent permitted by Section 4.11;

(14)    any Restricted Payments, to the extent required to be made by any Gaming Authority having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or Melco Resorts Macau (or any other operator of the Studio City Casino);

(15)    cash payments in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares in connection with the exercise of warrants, options or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that any such cash payment shall not be for the purpose of evading the limitation of this Section 4.07;

(16)    the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to provisions similar to those described under Section 4.15, provided that all Notes tendered by holders of the Notes in connection with a Change of Control Offer have been repurchased, redeemed or acquired for value;

(17)    payments or distributions to dissenting stockholders of Capital Stock of the Company pursuant to applicable law in connection with a consolidation, merger or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, that complies with Section 5.01; provided that as a result of such consolidation, merger or transfer of assets, the Company shall have made a Change of Control Offer (if required by this Indenture) and that all Notes tendered by holders in connection with such Change of Control Offer have been repurchased, redeemed or acquired for value; and

(18)    other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed US$15.0 million since the Issue Date,

provided, however, that at the time of, and after giving effect to, any Restricted Payment permitted under clauses (12), (13) and (18) of this Section 4.07(b), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof.

The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) will be the Fair Market Value on the date of the Restricted Payment of the asset(s) or securities proposed to be transferred or issued by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to the Restricted Payment. The Fair Market Value of any assets or securities that are required to be valued by this Section 4.07 will be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company whose resolution with respect thereto will be delivered to the Trustee as set forth in an Officer’s Certificate of the Company. The Company’s Board of Directors’ determination must be based upon an opinion or appraisal issued by an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of international standing (an “Independent Financial Advisor”) if the Fair Market Value exceeds US$45.0 million.

Section 4.08    Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries.

(a)     The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause, permit or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to:

(1)     pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits, or pay any Indebtedness owed to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

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(2)     make loans or advances to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; or

(3)    sell, lease or transfer any of its properties or assets to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

(b)    The restrictions in Section 4.08(a) hereof will not apply to encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:

(1)    agreements governing Indebtedness or any other agreements in existence on the Issue Date as in effect on the Issue Date and any amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of those agreements; provided that the amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such dividend and other restrictions than those contained in those agreements on the Issue Date;

(2)    the Credit Facilities Documents (other than the Senior Secured Credit Facilities), and any amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of those agreements; provided that such Credit Facilities Documents and the amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings thereof are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such dividend and the other restrictions than those contained in the Senior Secured Credit Facilities;

(3)     the Indenture, the Notes and the Note Guarantees;

(4)     applicable law, rule, regulation or order, or governmental license, permit or concession;

(5)    any agreement or instrument governing Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person or assets acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as in effect at the time of such acquisition (except to the extent such Indebtedness or Capital Stock was Incurred in connection with or in contemplation of such acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person, or the property or assets of the Person, so acquired (and any amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of those agreements or instruments; provided that the amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such dividend and other restrictions than those contained in those agreements or instruments at the time of such acquisition); provided further, that, in the case of Indebtedness, such Indebtedness was permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be Incurred;

(6)    customary non-assignment provisions in contracts and licenses including, without limitation, with respect to any intellectual property, entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(7)    purchase money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary course of business and Capital Lease Obligations that impose restrictions on the property purchased or leased of the nature described in Section 4.08(a)(3);

(8)    any agreement for the sale or other disposition of Equity Interests or property or assets of a Restricted Subsidiary that restricts distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary pending the sale or other disposition;

(9)    Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness; provided that the restrictions contained in the agreements governing such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those contained in the agreements governing the Indebtedness being refinanced;

 

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(10)    Liens permitted to be incurred under the provisions of Section 4.12 hereof that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets subject to such Liens;

(11)    provisions limiting dividends or the disposition or distribution of assets, property or Equity Interests in joint venture or operating agreements, asset sale agreements, sale-leaseback agreements, stock sale agreements, merger agreements and other similar agreements entered into with the approval of the Company’s Board of Directors, which limitation is applicable only to the assets, property or Equity Interests that are the subject of such agreements;

(12)    restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers or suppliers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business; and

(13)    any agreement or instrument with respect to any Unrestricted Subsidiary or the property or assets of such Unrestricted Subsidiary that is designated as a Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Indenture at the time of such designation and not incurred in contemplation of such designation, which encumbrances or restrictions are not applicable to any Person or the property or assets of any Person other than such Subsidiary or its subsidiaries or the property or assets of such Subsidiary or its subsidiaries, and any extensions, refinancing, renewals, supplements or amendments or replacements thereof; provided that the encumbrances and restrictions in any such extension, refinancing, renewal, supplement, amendment or replacement, taken as a whole, are no more restrictive in any material respect than those encumbrances or restrictions that are then in effect and that are being extended, refinanced, renewed, supplemented, amended or replaced.

Section 4.09     Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock.

(a)    The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, Incur any Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) and the Company will not issue any shares of Disqualified Stock and the Company will not, and the Company will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, to issue any shares of Preferred Stock; provided, however, that the Company may Incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) or issue Disqualified Stock, and the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor may Incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) or issue Preferred Stock, if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is Incurred or such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is issued, as the case may be, would have been at least 2.00 to 1.00 determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been Incurred, or the Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock had been issued, as the case may be, and the application of proceeds therefrom had occurred at the beginning of such four-quarter period.

(b)    The provisions of Section 4.09(a) hereof do not apply to the following (collectively, “Permitted Debt”):

(1)    the Incurrence by the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors of Indebtedness under Credit Facilities; provided that on the date of the Incurrence of any such Indebtedness and after giving effect thereto, the aggregate principal amount outstanding of all such Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (1) (together with any refinancing thereof) does not exceed the sum of: (i)(x) US$35.0 million; plus (y) US$100.0 million Incurred in respect of the Phase II Project; less (ii), in the case of clause (i)(y), the aggregate amount of all Net Proceeds of Asset Sales applied since the Issue Date to repay any term Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (1)(i)(y) or to repay any revolving credit indebtedness Incurred under this clause (1)(i)(y) and effect a corresponding commitment reduction thereunder pursuant to Section 4.10 hereof;

 

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(2)    the Incurrence of Indebtedness represented by the Notes (other than Additional Notes) and the Note Guarantees (other than Note Guarantees for Additional Notes) and the Intercompany Note Proceeds Loans (if any);

(3)    (a) the Incurrence by the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors of Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (3)(a), not to exceed the greater of (x) an amount equal to 3.5 times the EBITDA of the Company for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the relevant time of determination and (y) US$1,200,000,000, and (b) Indebtedness existing on the Issue Date (other than the Indebtedness described in clauses (1) and (2));

(4)    the Incurrence of Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries represented by Capital Lease Obligations, mortgage financings or purchase money obligations, in each case, Incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or cost of design, construction, installation or improvement of property, plant or other assets (including through the acquisition of Capital Stock of any person that owns property, plant or other assets which will, upon acquisition, become a Restricted Subsidiary) used in the business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, in an aggregate principal amount, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (4), not to exceed the greater of (x) US$50.0 million and (y) 2.0% of Total Assets at any time outstanding;

(5)    the Incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge Indebtedness (other than intercompany Indebtedness) that was permitted by this Indenture to be Incurred under Section 4.09(a) or clauses (2), (3)(b), (4), (5) or (15) of this Section 4.09(b);

(6)    (a) Obligations in respect of workers’ compensation claims, self-insurance obligations, bankers’ acceptances, performance, bid, appeal and surety bonds and completion or performance guarantees (including the guarantee of any land grant) provided by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with the Property or in the ordinary course of business and (b) Indebtedness constituting reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit or trade or bank guarantees (including for land grants) issued in the ordinary course of business to the extent that such letters of credit, trade or bank guarantees (including for land grants) are not drawn upon or, if drawn upon, to the extent such drawing is reimbursed no later than thirty (30) days following receipt of a demand for reimbursement;

(7)    the Incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, however, that:

(A)    if the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor is the obligor on such Indebtedness and the payee is not the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor, such Indebtedness must be expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all Obligations then due with respect to the Notes, in the case of the Company, or the Note Guarantee, in the case of a Subsidiary Guarantor; and

(B)    (i) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such Indebtedness being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and (ii) any sale or other transfer of any such Indebtedness to a Person that is not the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, will be deemed, in each case, to constitute an Incurrence of such Indebtedness by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, that was not permitted by this clause (7);

 

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(8)    shares of Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary issued to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; provided that

(A)    any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such Preferred Stock being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; and

(B)    any sale or other transfer of any such Preferred Stock to a Person that is not the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, will be deemed, in each case, to constitute an issuance of such Preferred Stock by such Restricted Subsidiary that was not permitted by this clause (8).

(9)    the Incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Hedging Obligations in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes;

(10)    the guarantee by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that was permitted to be Incurred by another provision of this Section 4.09; provided that if the Indebtedness being guaranteed is subordinated to or pari passu with the Notes, then the guarantee shall be subordinated or pari passu, as applicable, to the same extent as the Indebtedness guaranteed;

(11)    Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument inadvertently drawn against insufficient funds, so long as such Indebtedness is extinguished within five (5) Business Days of its Incurrence;

(12)    to the extent constituting Indebtedness, agreements to pay service fees to professionals (including architects, engineers, contractors and designers) in furtherance of and/or in connection with the Property or agreements to pay fees and expenses or other amounts pursuant to the Services and Right to Use Agreement or the MSA or otherwise arising under the Services and Right to Use Agreement or the MSA in the ordinary course of business (provided, that no such agreements shall give rise to Indebtedness for borrowed money);

(13)    Indebtedness arising from agreements providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations, or from guarantees or letters of credit, surety bonds, or performance bonds securing any obligation of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company pursuant to such agreements, in each case, incurred or assumed in connection with the acquisition or disposition of any business, assets or Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary, other than guarantees of Indebtedness incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or Subsidiary for the purpose of financing such acquisition; provided, that the maximum aggregate liability in respect of all such Indebtedness shall at no time exceed the gross proceeds actually received in connection with such disposition;

(14)     Obligations in respect of Shareholder Subordinated Debt;

(15)    any guarantees made solely in connection with (and limited in scope to) the giving of a Lien of the type specified in clause (22) of “Permitted Liens” to secure Indebtedness of an Unrestricted Subsidiary, the only recourse of which to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries is to the Equity Interests subject to the Liens;

(16)    the Incurrence by the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors of additional Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, as applicable) at any time outstanding, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (16), not to exceed US$50.0 million; and

 

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(17)     the Incurrence by the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors of additional Indebtedness in respect of the Phase II Project in an aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, as applicable) at any time outstanding, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (17), not to exceed the greater of (x) 75% of the EBITDA of the Company for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available (which figure shall be based on audited financial information, if for an annual period) and (y) US$350.0 million.

The Company will not Incur, and will not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to Incur, any Indebtedness (including Permitted Debt) that is contractually subordinated in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor unless such Indebtedness is also contractually subordinated in right of payment to the Notes and the applicable Note Guarantee on substantially identical terms; provided, however, that no Indebtedness will be deemed to be contractually subordinated in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor solely by virtue of being unsecured or by virtue of being secured on a first or junior Lien basis.

For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.09, in the event that an item of proposed Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Debt described in clauses (1) through (17) above, or is entitled to be Incurred pursuant to the first paragraph of this covenant, the Company will be permitted to classify such item of Indebtedness on the date of its Incurrence, or later reclassify all or a portion of such item of Indebtedness, in any manner that complies with this Section 4.09. Indebtedness incurred under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities will be deemed to have been incurred in reliance on the exception provided by clause (1)(x) of the definition of Permitted Debt and may not be reclassified. The accrual of interest, the accretion or amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest on any Indebtedness in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms, the reclassification of Preferred Stock as Indebtedness due to a change in accounting principles, and the payment of dividends on Disqualified Stock in the form of additional shares of the same class of Disqualified Stock will not be deemed to be an Incurrence of Indebtedness or an issuance of Disqualified Stock for purposes of this Section 4.09; provided, in each such case, that the amount of any such accrual, accretion or payment is included in Fixed Charges of the Company as accrued. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 4.09, the maximum amount of Indebtedness that the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company may Incur pursuant to this Section 4.09 shall not be deemed to be exceeded solely as a result of fluctuations in exchange rates or currency values.

Further, for purposes of determining compliance with this covenant, to the extent the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries guarantees Indebtedness of a direct or indirect parent entity to the extent otherwise permitted by this covenant, the on-loan by such direct or indirect parent entity to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of all or a portion of the principal amount of such Indebtedness will not be double counted.

The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date will be:

(1)    the accreted value of the Indebtedness, in the case of any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount;

(2)     the principal amount of the Indebtedness, in the case of any other Indebtedness; and

(3)    in respect of Indebtedness of another Person secured by a Lien on the assets of the specified Person, the lesser of:

 

(A)

the Fair Market Value of such assets at the date of determination; and

 

(B)

the face amount of the Indebtedness of the other Person.

 

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Section 4.10    Asset Sales.

(a)    The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, consummate an Asset Sale (other than an Event of Loss), unless:

(1)    the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, receives consideration at the time of such Asset Sale at least equal to the Fair Market Value of the assets or Equity Interests issued or sold or otherwise disposed of; and

(2)    at least 75% of the consideration received in the Asset Sale by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is in the form of cash. For purposes of this provision, each of the following will be deemed to be cash:

(A)    any liabilities, as shown on the Company’s most recent consolidated balance sheet, of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than contingent liabilities and liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes or any Note Guarantee) that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets pursuant to a customary novation agreement that releases the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from further liability;

(B)    any securities, notes or other Obligations received by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are, within 30 days of the receipt thereof, converted by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash, to the extent of the cash received in that conversion; and

(C)    any stock or assets of the kind referred to in Section 4.10(b)(2) or Section 4.10(b)(4).

(b)    Within 360 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale (including an Event of Loss), the Company or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be may apply such Net Proceeds:

(1)    to repay (a) Indebtedness Incurred under Section 4.09(b)(1) and Section 4.09(b)(17), (b) other Indebtedness of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor secured by property and assets that are the subject of such Asset Sale, and, in each case, if the Indebtedness repaid is revolving credit Indebtedness, to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto, (c) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor or (d) the Notes pursuant to the redemption provisions of this Indenture;

(2)    to acquire all or substantially all of the assets of another Permitted Business, or any Capital Stock of, a Person undertaking another Permitted Business, if, after giving effect to any such acquisition of Capital Stock, the Permitted Business is or becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (provided that (a) such acquisition funded with any proceeds from an Event of Loss occurs within the date that is 545 days after receipt of the Net Proceeds from the relevant Event of Loss to the extent that a binding agreement to acquire such assets or Capital Stock is entered into on or prior to the date that is 360 days after receipt of the Net Proceeds from the relevant Event of Loss, and (b) if such acquisition is not consummated within the period set forth in clause (a), the Net Proceeds not so applied will be deemed to be Excess Proceeds);

(3)    to make a capital expenditure (provided that any such capital expenditure funded with any proceeds from an Event of Loss occurs within the date that is 545 days after receipt of the Net Proceeds from the relevant Event of Loss to the extent that a binding agreement to make such capital expenditure is entered into on or prior to the date that is 360 days after receipt of the Net Proceeds from the relevant Event of Loss); or

 

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(4)    to acquire other assets that are not classified as current assets under U.S. GAAP and that are used or useful in a Permitted Business (provided that (a) such acquisition funded from an Event of Loss occurs within the date that is 545 days after receipt of the Net Proceeds from the relevant Event of Loss to the extent that a binding agreement to acquire such assets is entered into on or prior to the date that is 360 days after receipt of the Net Proceeds from the relevant Event of Loss, and (b) if such acquisition is not consummated within the period set forth in clause (a), the Net Proceeds not so applied will be deemed to be Excess Proceeds); or

(5)     enter into a binding commitment regarding clauses (2), (3) or (4) above (in addition to the binding commitments expressly referenced in those clauses); provided that such binding commitment shall be treated as a permitted application of Net Proceeds from the date of such commitment until the earlier of (x) the date on which such acquisition or expenditure is consummated and (y) the 180th day following the expiration of the aforementioned 360-day period. To the extent such acquisition or expenditure is not consummated on or before such 180th day and the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary shall not have applied such Net Proceeds pursuant to clauses (2), (3) or (4) above on or before such 180th day, such commitment shall be deemed not to have been a permitted application of Net Proceeds, and such Net Proceeds will constitute Excess Proceeds.

(c)    Pending the final application of any Net Proceeds, the Company may temporarily reduce revolving credit borrowings or otherwise invest the Net Proceeds in any manner that is not prohibited by this Indenture.

(d)    Any Net Proceeds from Asset Sales that are not applied or invested as provided in the second paragraph of this Section 4.10 will constitute “Excess Proceeds.” When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds US$5.0 million, within ten (10) days thereof, the Company shall make an Asset Sale Offer to all Holders with respect to offers to purchase or redeem with the proceeds of sales of assets to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes. The offer price in any Asset Sale Offer will be equal to 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase, and will be payable in cash. If any Excess Proceeds remain after consummation of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company may use those Excess Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes tendered into such Asset Sale Offer exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Company will purchase all tendered Notes on a pro rata basis. Upon completion of each Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds will be reset at zero.

(e)    The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations to the extent such laws or regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of Section 3.09 hereof or this Section 4.10, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under Section 3.09 hereof or this Section 4.10 by virtue thereof.

Section 4.11    Transactions with Affiliates.

(a)     The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of the Company (each, an “Affiliate Transaction”), unless:

(1)     the Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are no less favorable to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary with a Person that is not an Affiliate of the Company; and

 

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(2)     the Company delivers to the Trustee:

(A)    with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of US$55.0 million, a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company set forth in an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with this Section 4.11(a) and that such Affiliate Transaction has been approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors of the Company or, if the Board of Directors of the Company has no disinterested directors, approved in good faith by a majority of the members (or in the case of a single member, the sole member) of the Board of Directors of the Company; and

(B)    with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of US$70.0 million, an opinion as to the fairness to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary of such Affiliate Transaction from a financial point of view issued by an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of international standing, or other recognized independent expert of national standing with experience appraising the terms and conditions of the type of transaction or series of related transactions.

(b)    The following items will not be deemed to be Affiliate Transactions and, therefore, will not be subject to the provisions of Section 4.11(a) hereof:

(1)    any employment agreement, employee benefit plan (including compensation, retirement, disability, severance and other similar plan), officer or director indemnification, stock option or incentive plan or agreement, employee equity subscription agreement or any similar arrangement entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and payments pursuant thereto;

(2)     transactions between or among the Company and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(3)    transactions with a Person (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary) that is an Affiliate of the Company solely because the Company owns directly or through a Restricted Subsidiary, an Equity Interest in, or controls, such Person;

(4)    payment of reasonable officers’ and directors’ fees and reimbursement of expenses (including the provision of indemnity to officers and directors) to Persons who are not otherwise Affiliates of the Company;

(5)    any issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company to Affiliates of the Company or contribution to the common equity capital of the Company;

(6)    Restricted Payments (including any payments made under, pursuant to or in connection with the Services and Right to Use Agreement, the Reinvestment Agreement or the MSA) that do not violate Section 4.07 hereof;

(7)    any agreement or arrangement existing on the Issue Date, including any amendments, modifications, supplements, extensions, replacements, terminations or renewals (so long as any such agreement or arrangement together with all such amendments, modifications, supplements, extensions, replacements, terminations and renewals, taken as a whole, is not materially more disadvantageous to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, than the original agreement or arrangement as in effect on the Issue Date, unless any such amendments, modifications, supplements, extensions, replacements, terminations or renewals are imposed by any Gaming Authority or any other public authority, in each case having jurisdiction over the Studio City Casino, Melco Resorts Macau (or any other operator of the Studio City Casino), the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including, but not limited to, the government of the Macau SAR);

 

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(8)    loans or advances to employees (including personnel who provide services to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to the MSA) in the ordinary course of business not to exceed US$2.0 million in the aggregate at any one time outstanding;

(9)     [RESERVED];

(10)    (a) transactions or arrangements under, pursuant to or in connection with the Services and Right to Use Agreement, the Reinvestment Agreement or the MSA, including any amendments, modifications, supplements, extensions, replacements, terminations or renewals thereof (so long as the Services and Right to Use Agreement and the Reinvestment Agreement, taken as a whole, or the MSA, respectively, together with all such amendments, modifications, supplements, extensions, replacements, terminations and renewals, taken as a whole, is not materially more disadvantageous to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, than the Services and Right to Use Agreement and the Reinvestment Agreement, taken as a whole, or the MSA, respectively, as in effect on the Issue Date or, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, would not materially and adversely affect the Company’s ability to make payments of principal of and interest on the Notes) and (b) other than with respect to transactions or arrangements subject to clause (a) above, transactions or arrangements with customers, clients, suppliers or sellers of goods or services in the ordinary course of business, on terms that are fair to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as applicable, or are no less favorable than those that might reasonably have been obtained in a comparable transaction at such time on an arms-length basis from a Person that is not an Affiliate of the Company, in the case of each of (a) and (b), unless any such amendments, modifications, supplements, extensions, replacements, terminations or renewals are imposed by any Gaming Authority or any other public authority having jurisdiction over Melco Resorts Macau (or any other operator of the Studio City Casino), the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including, but not limited to, the government of the Macau SAR;

(11)    the execution of the Transactions, and the payment of all fees and expenses relating to the Transactions described in the Offering Memorandum;

(12)    transactions or arrangements to be entered into in connection with the Property in the ordinary course of business (including, for the avoidance of doubt, transactions or arrangements necessary to conduct a Permitted Business) including any amendments, modifications, supplements, extensions, replacements, terminations or renewals thereof; provided that such transactions or arrangements must comply with clauses 4.11(a)(1) and (a)(2)(A) hereof;

(13)    transactions or arrangements duly approved by the Audit and Risk Committee of Studio City International (or any other committee of the Board of Directors of Studio City International so long as such committee consists entirely of independent directors) and the Company delivers to the Trustee a copy of the resolution of the Audit and Risk Committee of Studio City International (or, if applicable, such other committee) annexed to an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with this clause (13) and that such Affiliate Transaction has been duly approved by the Audit and Risk Committee of Studio City International (or, if applicable, such other committee);

(14)    execution, delivery and performance of any tax sharing agreement or the formation and maintenance of any consolidated group for tax, accounting or cash pooling or management purposes; and

(15)    provision by, between, among, to or from Persons who may be deemed Affiliates of group administrative, treasury, legal, accounting and similar services.

 

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Section 4.12    Liens.

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any Lien of any kind securing Indebtedness on any asset now owned or hereafter acquired or any proceeds, income or profits therefrom or assign or convey any right to receive income therefrom, except Permitted Liens, or, if such Lien is not a Permitted Lien, unless the Notes and the Note Guarantees are secured on a pari passu basis with the obligations so secured until such time as such obligations are no longer secured by a Lien.

Section 4.13    Business Activities.

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, engage in any business other than Permitted Business, except to such extent as would not be material to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (taken as a whole).

Section 4.14    Corporate Existence.

Subject to Article 5 hereof, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect:

(1)    its corporate existence, and the corporate, partnership or other existence of each of its Subsidiaries, in accordance with the respective organizational documents (as the same may be amended from time to time) of the Company or any such Subsidiary; and

(2)    the rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises of the Company and its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right, license or franchise, or the corporate, partnership or other existence of any of its Subsidiaries, if the Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and that the loss thereof is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders.

Section 4.15    Offer to Repurchase upon Change of Control.

(a)    Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each Holder will have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part of such Holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Amounts, if any, to the date of repurchase (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date), except to the extent the Company has previously or concurrently elected to redeem the Notes in full pursuant to Section 3.07 hereof. Within ten (10) days following any Change of Control, except to the extent that the Company has exercised its right to redeem the Notes by delivery of a notice of redemption pursuant to Section 3.03 hereof, the Company shall mail a notice (a “Change of Control Offer”) to each Holder with a copy to the Trustee stating:

(1)    that a Change of Control has occurred and that such Holder has the right to require the Company to repurchase such Holder’s Notes at a repurchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of repurchase (subject to the right of holders of record on a record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date (the “Change of Control Payment”));

(2)    the circumstances and relevant facts and financial information regarding such Change of Control;

(3)    the repurchase date (which shall be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed) (the ”Change of Control Payment Date”);

(4)    that any Note not tendered will continue to accrue interest;

 

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(5)    that, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Change of Control Payment, all Notes accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer will cease to accrue interest after the Change of Control Payment Date;

(6)    the Holders electing to have any Notes purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will be required to surrender the Notes, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” attached to the Notes completed, or transfer by book-entry transfer, to the Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date;

(7)    the Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the Paying Agent receives, not later than the close of business on the second Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Notes delivered for purchase, and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have the Notes purchased, and

(8)    that Holders whose Notes are being purchased only in part will be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, provided that the unpurchased portion has a minimum denomination of US$200,000.

(b)    On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company will, to the extent lawful:

(1)    accept for payment all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;

(2)    deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered; and

(3)    deliver or cause to be delivered to the Paying Agent the Notes properly accepted together with an Officer’s Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered and being purchased by the Company.

The Paying Agent will promptly mail (but in any case not later than five (5) days after the Change of Control Payment Date) to each Holder properly tendered the Change of Control Payment for such Notes, and the Trustee will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, if any, provided that the unpurchased portion has a minimum denomination of US$200,000. The Company will publicly announce the results of the Change of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Change of Control Payment Date.

(c)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4.15, the Company will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if (1) a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Section 4.15 hereof and purchases all Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under the Change of Control Offer, or (2) notice of redemption has been given pursuant to Section 3.03 hereof, unless and until there is a default in payment of the applicable redemption price.

(d)    A Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, and conditioned upon such Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time of making of the Change of Control Offer.

(e)    Notes repurchased by the Company pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will be retired and cancelled at the option of the Company. Notes purchased by a third party pursuant to the preceding paragraph will have the status of Notes issued and outstanding.

(f)    The Company will comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of the Notes pursuant to this Section 4.15. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Section 4.15, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 4.15 by virtue of such compliance.

 

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Section 4.16    Payments for Consents.

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration to or for the benefit of any Holder for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees unless such consideration is (1) offered to be paid; and (2) is paid to all Holders that consent, waive or agree to amend within the time frame and on the terms set forth in the solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in any offer or payment of consideration for, or as an inducement to, any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture or the Notes in connection with an exchange offer, the Company and any of the Restricted Subsidiaries may exclude (a) in connection with an exchange offer, holders or beneficial owners of the Notes that are not “qualified institutional buyers” as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act, and (b) in connection with any consent, waiver or amendment, holders or beneficial owners of the Notes in any jurisdiction where the inclusion of such holders or beneficial owners would require the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to (i) file a registration statement, prospectus or similar document or subject the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to ongoing periodic reporting or similar requirements under any securities laws (including but not limited to, the United States federal securities laws and the laws of the European Union or its member states), (ii) qualify as a foreign corporation or other entity as a dealer in securities in such jurisdiction if it is not otherwise required to so qualify, (iii) generally consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction or (iv) subject the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to taxation in any such jurisdiction if it is not otherwise so subject, or the solicitation of such consent, waiver or amendment from, or the granting of such consent or waiver, or the approval of such amendment by, holders or beneficial owners in such jurisdiction would be unlawful, in each case as determined by the Company in its sole discretion.

Section 4.17    Future Subsidiary Guarantors.

(a)    If the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries acquires or creates another Subsidiary after the Issue Date, then the Company shall cause such newly acquired or created Subsidiary to become a Subsidiary Guarantor (in the event that such Subsidiary provides a guarantee of any other Indebtedness of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor of the type specified under clauses (1) or (2) of the definition of “Indebtedness”), at which time such Subsidiary shall:

(1)    execute a supplemental indenture in the form attached as Exhibit D hereto pursuant to which such Subsidiary shall unconditionally guarantee, on a senior basis, all of the Company’s Obligations under this Indenture and the Notes on the terms set forth in this Indenture;

(2)    take such further action and execute and deliver such other documents as otherwise may be reasonably requested by the Trustee to give effect to the foregoing; and

(3)    deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel that (i) such supplemental indenture and any other documents required to be delivered have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Subsidiary and constitute legal, valid, binding and enforceable Obligations of such Subsidiary.

 

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(b)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Guarantee of the Notes created pursuant to the provisions described in paragraph (a) above may provide by its terms that it will be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon:

(1)    (with respect to any Guarantee created after the date of this Indenture) the release by the holders of the Company’s or the Subsidiary Guarantor’s Indebtedness described in paragraph (a) above, of their guarantee by such Restricted Subsidiary (including any deemed release upon payment in full of all obligations under such Indebtedness other than as a result of payment under such guarantee), at a time when:

(A)    no other Indebtedness of either the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor has been guaranteed by such Restricted Subsidiary; or

(B)    the holders of all such other Indebtedness that is guaranteed by such Restricted Subsidiary also release their guarantee by such Restricted Subsidiary (including any deemed release upon payment in full of all obligations under such Indebtedness other than as a result of payment under such guarantee); or

(2)    the release of the Note Guarantees on the terms and conditions and in the circumstances described in Section 11.08 hereof.

(c)    Each additional Note Guarantee will be limited as necessary to recognize certain defences generally available to guarantors (including those that relate to fraudulent conveyance or transfer, voidable preference, financial assistance, corporate purpose, capital maintenance or similar laws, regulations or defences affecting the rights of creditors generally) or other considerations under applicable law. Notwithstanding Section 4.17(a) hereof, the Company shall not be obligated to cause such Restricted Subsidiary to Guarantee the Notes to the extent that such Guarantee by such Restricted Subsidiary would reasonably be expected to give rise to or result in (i) any liability for the officers, directors or shareholders of such Restricted Subsidiary or (ii) any significant cost, expense, liability or obligation (including with respect of any Taxes, but excluding any reasonable guarantee or similar fee payable to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company) other than reasonable out of pocket expenses.

Section 4.18    Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

The Board of Directors of the Company may designate any Restricted Subsidiary to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary if that designation would not cause a Default; provided that in no event will the business currently operated by the Company, Studio City Developments Limited, Studio City Entertainment Limited or Studio City Hotels Limited be transferred to or held by an Unrestricted Subsidiary. If a Restricted Subsidiary is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, the aggregate Fair Market Value of all outstanding Investments owned by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the Subsidiary designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be deemed to be an Investment made as of the time of the designation and will reduce the amount available for Restricted Payments under Section 4.07 hereof or under one or more clauses of the definition of Permitted Investments, as determined by the Company. That designation will only be permitted if the Investment would be permitted at that time and if the Restricted Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. The Board of Directors of the Company may re-designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary if that re-designation would not cause a Default.

Any designation of a Subsidiary of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a certified copy of a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company giving effect to such designation and an Officer’s Certificate of the Company certifying that such designation complied with the preceding conditions and was permitted by Section 4.07 hereof. If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the preceding requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it will thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of this Indenture and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary will be deemed to be Incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as of such date and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be Incurred as of such date under Section 4.09 hereof, the Company will be in Default of such covenant. The Board of Directors of the Company may at any time designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such designation will be deemed to be an Incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of any outstanding Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary, and such designation will only be permitted if (1) such Indebtedness is permitted under Section 4.09 hereof, calculated on a pro forma basis as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the reference period; and (2) no Default or Event of Default would be in existence following such designation. On such designation, the Company shall deliver an Officer’s Certificate of the Company to the Trustee regarding such designation and certifying that such designation complies with the preceding conditions and the relevant covenants under this Indenture.

 

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Section 4.19    Listing.

The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to list and maintain the listing and quotation of the Notes on the Official List of the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited or another comparable exchange.

Section 4.20    Limitations on Use of Proceeds

The Company will not, and will not cause or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, use the net proceeds from the sale of the Notes, in any amount, for any purpose other than as set forth under the caption “Use of Proceeds” in the Offering Memorandum.

Section 4.21    Special Put Option.

(a)    Upon a Special Put Option Triggering Event, each Holder will have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part of such Holder’s Notes pursuant to a Special Put Option Offer (as defined below) on the terms set forth in this Section 4.21. In the Special Put Option Offer, the Company will offer to purchase the Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, and Additional Amounts, if any, to but excluding the date of repurchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date), except to the extent the Company has previously or concurrently elected to redeem the Notes in full as described under Section 3.07 hereof.

(b)    Within ten days following the occurrence of a Special Put Option Triggering Event, except to the extent that the Company has exercised its right to redeem the Notes in full by delivery of a notice of redemption as described under Section 3.07 hereof the Company shall mail a notice (a “Special Put Option Offer”) to each Holder with a copy to the Trustee and the Paying Agent stating:

(1)    that a Special Put Option Triggering Event has occurred and that such holder has the right to require the Company to repurchase such Holder’s Notes at a repurchase price in cash equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, and Additional Amounts, if any, to but excluding the date of repurchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on a record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date);

(2)    the repurchase date (which shall be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed); and

(3)    the instructions determined by the Company, consistent with this Section 4.21, that a Holder must follow in order to have its Notes repurchased.

(c)    On the date of repurchase pursuant to a Special Put Option Offer, the Company will, to the extent lawful:

(1)    accept for payment all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered pursuant to the Special Put Option Offer;

(2)    deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the repurchase price, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, and Additional Amounts, if any, to but excluding the date of repurchase (the “Special Put Option Payment”), in respect of all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered; and

(3)    deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee, the Notes properly accepted together with an Officer’s Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered and being purchased by the Company.

 

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(d)    The Paying Agent will promptly mail to each Holder properly tendered the Special Put Option Payment for such Notes, and the Trustee, or its authenticating agent, will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, if any.

(e)    The provisions described in this Section 4.21 that require the Company to make a Special Put Option Offer following a Special Put Option Triggering Event will be applicable whether or not any other provisions of the Indenture are applicable. Except as described this Section 4.21 with respect to a Special Put Option Triggering Event, this Indenture does not contain provisions that permit the Holders to require that the Company repurchase or redeem the Notes in the event of a termination, rescission or expiration of any Gaming License.

(f)    The Company will not be required to make a Special Put Option Offer upon a Special Put Option Triggering Event if (1) a third party makes the Special Put Option Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in the Indenture applicable to a Special Put Option Offer made by the Company and purchases all Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under the Special Put Option Offer, or (2) notice of redemption has been given in accordance with Section 3.07 and Section 3.10 hereof pursuant to which the Company has exercised its right to redeem the Notes in full, unless and until there is a default in payment of the applicable redemption price.

(g)    Notes repurchased by the Company pursuant to a Special Put Option Offer will have the status of Notes issued but not outstanding or will be retired and cancelled at the option of the Company. Notes purchased by a third party pursuant to sub-clause (b)(3) of this Section 4.21 will have the status of Notes issued and outstanding.

(h)    The Company will comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of Notes pursuant to this provision. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with provisions of this provision, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this covenant by virtue thereof.

Section 4.22    Intercompany Note Proceeds Loans

The Company shall, and shall cause its Restricted Subsidiaries to, ensure that:

(1)    the Intercompany Note Proceeds Loans (if any) are subordinated in right of payment to the Guarantees provided by the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries party thereto;

(2)    the Company will receive interest payments under such Intercompany Note Proceeds Loans (if any) in amounts sufficient for the Company to make interest payments under the Notes as they become due; and

(3)    the maturity date of such Intercompany Note Proceeds Loans (if any) will be same as the maturity date of the Notes.

Section 4.23    Suspension of Covenants

(a)    The following covenants (the “Suspended Covenants”) will not apply during any period during which the Notes have an Investment Grade Status (a “Suspension Period”): Section 4.07, Section 4.08, Section 4.09, Section 4.10, Section 4.11, Section 5.01(a)(3) and Section 4.17. Additionally, during any Suspension Period, the Company will not be permitted to designate any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

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(b)    In the event that the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries are not subject to the Suspended Covenants for any period of time as a result of the foregoing, and on any subsequent date (the “Reversion Date”) the Notes cease to have Investment Grade Status, then the Suspended Covenants will apply with respect to events occurring following the Reversion Date (unless and until the Notes subsequently attain an Investment Grade Status, in which case the Suspended Covenants will again be suspended for such time that the Notes maintain an Investment Grade Status); provided, however, that no Default or Event of Default will be deemed to exist under the Indenture with respect to the Suspended Covenants, and none of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries will bear any liability for any actions taken or events occurring during a Suspension Period and before any related Reversion Date, or any actions taken at any time pursuant to any contractual obligation or binding commitment arising prior to such Reversion Date, regardless of whether those actions or events would have been permitted if the applicable Suspended Covenant had remained in effect during such period. The Company shall notify the Trustee should the Notes achieve Investment Grade Status; provided that such notification shall not be a condition for the suspension of the covenants set forth above to be effective. The Trustee shall be under no obligation to notify the holders of the Notes that the Notes have achieved Investment Grade Status.

(c)    On each Reversion Date, all Indebtedness Incurred during the Suspension Period prior to such Reversion Date will be deemed to be Indebtedness existing on the Issue Date. For purposes of calculating the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under Section 4.07(a)(4)(C) hereof on or after the Reversion Date, calculations under such covenant shall be made as though such covenant had been in effect during the entire period of time after the Issue Date (including the Suspension Period). Restricted Payments made during the Suspension Period not otherwise permitted pursuant to any of clauses (2) through (6) or (18) under Section 4.07(b) hereof will reduce the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under Section 4.07(a)(4)(C) hereof; provided, that the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments on the Reversion Date shall not be reduced to below zero solely as a result of such Restricted Payments. In addition, for purposes of the other Suspended Covenants, all agreements entered into and all actions taken during the Suspension Period, including, without limitation, the Incurrence of Indebtedness shall be deemed to have been taken or to have existed prior to the Issue Date.

ARTICLE 5

SUCCESSORS

Section 5.01    Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets.

(a)    The Company. The Company will not, directly or indirectly: (1) consolidate or merge with or into another Person (whether or not the Company survives); or (2) sell, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole, in one or more related transactions, to another Person unless:

(1)    either:

(A)    if the transaction or series of transactions is a consolidation of the Company with or a merger of the Company with or into any other Person, the Company shall be the surviving entity of such merger or consolidation; or

(B)    the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia, and such Person shall expressly assume all the Obligations of the Company under the Notes and this Indenture, pursuant to supplemental indentures or other documents or agreements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee;

(2)    immediately after such transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists; and

 

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(3)    the Company, or if applicable, the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company), or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made, would, on the date of such transaction after giving pro forma effect thereto and any related financing transactions as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, be permitted to Incur at least US$1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.09(a) hereof.

(b)    The Subsidiary Guarantors. Subject to the Section 11.08(c) hereof, no Subsidiary Guarantor will, and the Company will not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to, directly or indirectly: (1) consolidate or merge with or into another Person (whether or not such Subsidiary Guarantor survives); or (2) sell, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of such Subsidiary Guarantor in one or more related transactions, to another Person, unless:

(1)    either:

(A)    if the transaction or series of transactions is a consolidation of such Subsidiary Guarantor with or a merger of such Subsidiary Guarantor with or into any other Person, such Subsidiary Guarantor shall be the surviving entity of such consolidation or merger; or

(B)    the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than such Subsidiary Guarantor) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia, and such Person shall expressly assume all the Obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under its Note Guarantee and this Indenture, pursuant to a supplemental indenture; and

(2)    immediately after such transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists.

(c)    This Section 5.01 will not apply to:

(1)    a merger of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, with an Affiliate solely for the purpose of reincorporating the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, in another jurisdiction; or

(2)    any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, or other disposition of assets between or among the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors or between or among the Subsidiary Guarantors.

Upon consummation of any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, or other disposition of assets by a Subsidiary Guarantor with or into the Company or another Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with this Section 5.01 which results in a Subsidiary Guarantor distributing all of its assets (other than de minimis assets required by law to maintain its corporate existence) to the Company or another Subsidiary Guarantor, such transferring Subsidiary Guarantor may be wound up pursuant to a solvent liquidation or solvent reorganization, provided it shall have no third party recourse Indebtedness or be the obligor under any intercompany Indebtedness.

Section 5.02    Successor Corporation Substituted.

Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company in a transaction that is subject to, and that complies with the provisions of, Section 5.01 hereof, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Company is merged or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition, the provisions of this Indenture referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the successor Person and not to the Company), and may exercise every right and power of the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein; provided, however, that the predecessor Company shall not be relieved from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes except in the case of a sale of all of the Company’s assets in a transaction that is subject to, and that complies with the provisions of, Section 5.01 hereof.

 

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ARTICLE 6

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

Section 6.01    Events of Default.

(a)    Each of the following is an event of default (an “Event of Default”):

(1)    default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest or Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to the Notes;

(2)    default in the payment when due (at maturity, upon redemption, upon required repurchase, or otherwise) of the principal of, or premium, if any, on the Notes;

(3)    failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to comply with its obligations under the provisions of Section 3.09, 4.10, 4.15, 4.21 or 5.01 hereof;

(4)    failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for 60 days after notice to the Company by the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding voting as a single class to comply with any of the other agreements in this Indenture,;

(5)    default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), whether such Indebtedness or Guarantee now exists, or is created after the date of this Indenture, if that default:

(A)    is caused by a failure to pay principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, such Indebtedness prior to the expiration of the grace period provided in such Indebtedness on the date of such default (a “Payment Default”); or

(B)    results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its express maturity,

and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates US$20.0 million or more at any time outstanding;

(6)    failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay final judgments entered by a court or courts of competent jurisdiction (other than any judgment as to which a reputable third party insurer has accepted full responsibility and coverage) aggregating in excess of US$20.0 million, which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period of 60 days;

(7)    the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of Bankruptcy Law:

(A)    commences a voluntary case or is the subject of a petition by a creditor to have it declared bankrupt,

 

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(B)    consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,

(C)    consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property,

(D)    makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or

(E)    generally is not paying its debts as they become due;

(8)    a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

(A)    is for relief against the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case;

(B)    appoints a custodian of the Company or of any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary; or

(C)    orders the liquidation of the Company or of any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary;

(9)    except as permitted by this Indenture, (a) any Note Guarantee being held in any judicial proceeding in a competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable or invalid or ceases for any reason to be in full force and effect, or (b) any Person acting on behalf of any Subsidiary Guarantor, denying or disaffirming its Obligations under its Note Guarantee; and

(10)    the termination or rescission of any Gaming License or the Macau government takes any formal measure to do so (excluding any termination or rescission resulting from or in connection with any renewal, tender or other process conducted by the government of Macau in connection with the granting or renewal of any Gaming License; provided that such renewal, tender or other process results in the granting or renewal of the relevant Gaming License).

Section 6.02    Acceleration.

In the case of an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a)(7) or 6.01(a)(8) hereof, with respect to the Company, any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare all the Notes to be due and payable immediately. Upon any such declaration, the Notes shall become due and payable immediately.

The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by written notice to the Trustee may, on behalf of all of the Holders, rescind an acceleration (including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration) and its consequences, if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default (except non-payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes).

 

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Section 6.03    Other Remedies.

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal, premium and Additional Amounts, if any, and interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

Section 6.04    Waiver of Past Defaults.

Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by written notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive an existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences hereunder, except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, the Notes (including in connection with an offer to purchase); provided, however, that the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration. Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 6.05    Control by Majority.

Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct, in writing, the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders or that may involve the Trustee in personal liability.

Section 6.06    Limitation on Suits.

(a)    Subject to the provisions of this Indenture relating to the duties of the Trustee, in case an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under this Indenture at the request or direction of any Holders unless such Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity and/or security to its satisfaction against any loss, liability or expense. Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest or Additional Amounts, if any, when due, no Holder may pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes unless:

(1)    such Holder has previously given the Trustee written notice that an Event of Default is continuing;

(2)    Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes have made a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

(3)    such Holders have offered the Trustee security and/or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

(4)    the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt of the request and the offer of security and/or indemnity to its satisfaction; and

(5)    during such 60-day period, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes have not given the Trustee a written direction inconsistent with such request.

 

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(b)    A Holder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder.

Section 6.07    Rights of Holders to Receive Payment.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal, premium, Additional Amounts, if any, and interest on the Notes, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Note (including in connection with an offer to purchase), or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder; provided that a Holder shall not have the right to institute any such suit for the enforcement of payment if and to the extent that the institution or prosecution thereof or the entry of judgment therein would, under applicable law, result in the surrender, impairment, waiver or loss of the Lien of this Indenture upon any property subject to such Lien.

Section 6.08    Collection Suit by Trustee.

If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a)(1) or (a)(2) hereof occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company for the whole amount of principal of, premium, Additional Amounts, if any, and interest remaining unpaid on, the Notes and interest on overdue principal and premium, if any and, to the extent lawful, interest and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

Section 6.09    Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company (or any other obligor upon the Notes), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.08 hereof. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.08 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

Section 6.10    Priorities.

If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article 6, it shall pay out the money in the following order:

First: to the Trustee, the Agents, and their respective agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 7.08 hereof, including payment of all compensation, expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee or any Agent, and the costs and expenses of collection;

 

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Second: to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium, Additional Amounts, if any, and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal, premium, Additional Amounts, if any, and interest, respectively; and

Third: to the Company or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct.

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 6.10.

Section 6.11    Undertaking for Costs.

In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.11 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.07 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.

ARTICLE 7

TRUSTEE

Section 7.01    Duties of Trustee.

(a)    If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee will exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

(b)    Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

(1)    the duties of the Trustee will be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

(2)    in the absence of willful misconduct on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, the Trustee will examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture.

(3)    other than with respect to a payment default, the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any Default or Event of Default unless written notice has been delivered to a Responsible Officer at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee referencing the applicable provision of this Indenture.

(c)    The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own grossly negligent action, its own grossly negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(1)    this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section 7.01;

(2)    the Trustee will not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer; and

 

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(3)    the Trustee will not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05 hereof.

(d)    Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this Section 7.01.

(e)    No provision of this Indenture will require the Trustee, to expend or risk its own funds or incur any liability.

(f)    The Trustee will not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

Section 7.02    Rights of Trustee.

(a)    The Trustee may conclusively rely upon any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

(b)    Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may engage and consult with professional advisors and counsel selected by it at the reasonable expense of the Company, and the Trustee may rely conclusively upon advice of such professional advisors and counsel or any Opinion of Counsel will be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon by the Trustee and any of its directors, officers, employees or agents duly appointed.

(c)    The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and will not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care. The Trustee shall have no duty to monitor the performance of such agents.

(d)    The Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture. The Trustee shall not be required to take action at the direction of the Company or Holders which conflicts with the requirements of this Indenture or for which it is not indemnified to its satisfaction, or which involves undue risk or would be contrary to applicable law or regulation.

(e)    Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Company will be sufficient if signed by an Officer or a director of the Company.

(f)    The Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless such Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity and/or security satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against the losses, liabilities and expenses that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

(g)    In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, epidemic, pandemic (or any government restrictions imposed in response to an epidemic or pandemic) work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services and the unavailability of the Federal Reserve Bank wire or facsimile or other communication facility; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

 

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(h)    The recitals contained herein and in the Notes are made by the Company and not by the Trustee, and the Trustee, does not assume any responsibility for the correctness thereof. The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or the Notes.

(i)    The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records, and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney at the sole cost of the Company and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.

(j)    In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

(k)    The rights, privileges, indemnity, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder provided, however any such agent or custodian shall not be deemed to be a fiduciary;

(l)    The Trustee may request that the Company deliver a certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture;

(m)    In the event that the Trustee and Agents shall be uncertain as to their respective duties or rights hereunder or shall receive instructions, claims or demands from the Company, which in their opinion, conflict with any of the provisions of this Indenture, they shall be entitled to refrain from taking action until directed in writing by a final order or judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction;

(n)    So long as any of the Notes remains outstanding, the Company shall provide the Agents with a sufficient number of copies of this Indenture and each of the documents sent to the Trustee or which are required to be made available by stock exchange regulations or stated in the Offering Memorandum relating to the Notes, to be available and, subject to being provided with such copies, each of the Agents will procure that such copies shall be available at its specified office during normal office hours for examination by the Holders and that copies thereof will be furnished to the Holders upon written request at their own expense;

(o)    Whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officer’s Certificate and/or an Opinion of Counsel;

(p)    In the event the Trustee receives inconsistent or conflicting requests and indemnity from two or more groups of Holders, each representing less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee, in its sole discretion, may determine what action, if any, will be taken and shall not incur any liability for its failure to act until such inconsistency or conflict is, in its reasonable opinion, resolved;

(q)    The Trustee may, before commencing (or at any time during the continuance of) any act, action or proceeding, require the Holders at whose instance it is acting to deposit with the Trustee the Notes held by them, for which Notes the Trustee to which such Notes are deposited shall issue receipts to such Holders;

 

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(r)    Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the Trustee and the Paying Agent shall be entitled to make a deduction or withholding from any payment which they make under this Indenture for or on account of any present or future taxes, duties or charges if and to the extent so required by applicable law, in which event the Trustee or the Paying Agent, as applicable, shall make such payment after such withholding or deduction has been made and shall account to the relevant authorities for the amount so withheld or deducted;

(s)    The Trustee shall (except as expressly otherwise provided herein) as regards all the trusts, powers, authorities and discretions vested in it by this Indenture or by applicable law, have absolute and uncontrolled discretion as to the exercise or non-exercise thereof and, absent any wilful misconduct, gross negligence or fraud on the part of the Trustee the Trustee shall not be responsible for any loss, damage, cost, claim or any other liability or inconvenience that may result from the exercise or non-exercise thereof;

(t)    Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced if in writing and signed by an Officer of the Company and any resolution of the Board of Directors shall be sufficiently evidenced by a board resolution;

(u)    The Trustee shall have no duty to inquire as to the performance of the covenants of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries. Delivery of reports, information and documents to the Trustee under Section 4.03 hereof shall be for informational purposes only as regards the Trustee and the Trustee’s receipt of such reports, information and documents shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officer’s Certificates);

(v)    The Trustee shall not have any obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance, and shall not be responsible or liable for compliance with restrictions on transfer, exchange, redemption, purchase or repurchase, as applicable, of minimum denominations imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law or regulation with respect to any transfer, exchange, redemption, purchase or repurchase, as applicable, of any interest in any Notes;

(w)    The Trustee is not required to give any bond or surety with respect to the performance of its duty or the exercise of its power under this Indenture or the Notes;

(x)    No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to do anything which, in its opinion, may be illegal or contrary to applicable law or regulation;

(y)    The Trustee may assume without inquiry in the absence of actual knowledge that the Company is duly complying with its obligations contained in this Indenture required to be performed and observed by them, and that no Default or Event of Default or other event which would require repayment of the Notes has occurred; and

(z)    The permissive right of the Trustee to take the actions permitted by this Indenture shall not be construed as an obligation or duty to do so.

Section 7.03    [Intentionally Omitted.]

Section 7.04    Individual Rights of Trustee.

(a)    The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Company or any Affiliate of the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. The Trustee is also subject to Section 7.11 hereof.

(b)    If the Trustee becomes a creditor of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor, this Indenture limits its right to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The Trustee will be permitted to engage in other transactions; however, if it acquires actual knowledge that it has any conflicting interest it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days or resign.

 

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Section 7.05    Trustee’s Disclaimer.

The Trustee will not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to the Company or upon the Company’s direction under any provision of this Indenture, it will not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it will not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this Indenture other than the certificate of authentication. The Trustee shall not be deemed to be required to calculate any Fixed Charges, Treasury Rates, Additional Amounts, any make-whole amount, any Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio or other coverage ratio, or otherwise.

Section 7.06    Notice of Defaults.

If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing and if it is known to the Trustee, the Trustee will mail to Holders a notice of the Default or Event of Default within ninety (90) days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of, premium, Additional Amounts, if any, or interest on, any Note, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have such actual knowledge and may withhold the notice if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the Holders.

Section 7.07    [Intentionally Omitted.]

Section 7.08    Compensation and Indemnity.

(a)    The Company will pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder pursuant to a written fee agreement executed or as otherwise agreed by the Trustee and the Company. The Trustee’s compensation will not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company will reimburse the Trustee promptly upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses properly incurred or made by it in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses will include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

(b)    The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors will indemnify the Trustee and its officers, directors, employees and agents against any and all losses, liabilities or expenses (including the fees and expenses of counsel) incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties under this Indenture, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors (including this Section 7.08) and defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors, any Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent any such loss, liability or expense may be attributable solely to its gross negligence, willful misconduct or fraud as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final non-appealable order. The Trustee will notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company will not relieve the Company or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors of their obligations hereunder. The Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor will defend the claim and the Trustee will cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company will pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary Guarantor need to pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld.

(c)    The obligations of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors under this Section 7.08 will survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, and the resignation or removal of the Trustee and/or any Agent.

 

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(d)    To secure the Company’s and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ payment obligations in this Section 7.08, the Trustee will have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, in its capacity as Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal and interest on particular Notes. Such Lien will survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

(e)    When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a)(7) or Section 6.01(a)(8) hereof occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

Section 7.09    Replacement of Trustee.

(a)    A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee will become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.09.

(b)    The Trustee may resign in writing at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Company. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Company in writing. The Company may remove the Trustee if:

(1)    the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.11 hereof;

(2)    the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

(3)    a custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

(4)    the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

(c)    If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Company will promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one (1) year after the successor Trustee takes office, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.

(d)    If a successor Trustee does not take office within sixty (60) days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company, or the Holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee at the sole expense of the Company.

(e)    If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder who has been a Holder for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.11 hereof, such Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

(f)    A successor Trustee will deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee will become effective, and the successor Trustee will have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee will mail a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee will promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee; provided all sums owing to the Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.08 hereof. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.09, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.08 hereof will continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

Section 7.10    Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.

If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act will be the successor Trustee.

 

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Section 7.11    Eligibility; Disqualification.

There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is entitled to carry out the activities of a trustee under the laws of England and Wales, or Hong Kong or the State of New York or is a corporation organized or doing business under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power and that is a corporation which is generally recognized as a corporation which customarily performs such corporate trustee roles and provides such corporate trustee services in transactions similar in nature to the offering of the Notes. No obligor under the Notes or Person directly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with such obligor shall serve as trustee under the Notes.

Section 7.12    Appointment of Co-Trustee.

(a)    Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, at any time, for the purpose of meeting any legal requirement of any jurisdiction or otherwise, the Trustee shall have the power and may execute and deliver all instruments necessary to appoint one or more Persons to act as a co-trustee or co-trustees, or separate trustees, of all or any part of this Indenture, and to vest in such Person or Persons, in such capacity and for the benefit of the Holders, such powers, duties, obligations, rights and trusts as the Trustee may consider necessary or desirable. No co-trustee or separate trustee hereunder shall be required to meet the terms of eligibility as a successor trustee under Section 7.09 hereof and no notice to the Holders of the appointment of any co-trustee or separate trustee shall be required.

(b)    Every separate trustee and co-trustee shall, to the extent permitted by law, be appointed and act subject to the following provisions and conditions:

(1)    All rights, powers, duties and obligations conferred or imposed upon the Trustee shall be conferred or imposed upon and exercised or performed by the Trustee and such separate trustee or co-trustee jointly (it being understood that such separate trustee or co-trustee is not authorized to act separately without the Trustee joining in such act), except to the extent that under any law of any jurisdiction in which any particular act or acts are to be performed the Trustee shall be incompetent or unqualified to perform such act or acts, in which event such rights, powers, duties and obligations shall be exercised and performed singly by such separate trustee or co-trustee, but solely at the direction of the Trustee.

(2)    No trustee hereunder shall be personally liable by reason of any act or omission of any other trustee hereunder; and

(3)    The Trustee may at any time accept the resignation of or remove any separate trustee or co-trustee.

(c)    Any notice, request or other writing given to the Trustee shall be deemed to have been given to each of the then separate trustees and co-trustees, as effectively as if given to each of them. Every instrument appointing any separate trustee or co-trustee shall refer to this Indenture and the conditions of this Section 7.12. Each separate trustee and co-trustee, upon its acceptance of the trusts conferred, shall be vested with the estates or property specified in its instrument of appointment, either jointly with the Trustee or separately, as may be provided therein, subject to all the provisions of this Indenture, specifically including every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct of, affecting the liability of, or affording protection or rights (including the rights to compensation, reimbursement and indemnification hereunder) to, the Trustee. Every such instrument shall be filed with the Trustee.

(d)    Any separate trustee or co-trustee may at any time constitute the Trustee its agent or attorney-in-fact with full power and authority, to the extent not prohibited by law, to do any lawful act under or in respect of this Indenture on its behalf and in its name. If any separate trustee or co-trustee shall die, become incapable of acting, resign or be removed, all of its estates, properties, rights, remedies, and trusts shall vest in and be exercised by the Trustee, to the extent permitted by law, without the appointment of a new or successor trustee.

 

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Section 7.13    Resignation of Agents.

Any Agent may resign and be discharged from its duties under this Indenture at any time by giving thirty (30) days’ prior written notice of such resignation to the Trustee and the Company. The Trustee or the Company may remove any Agent at any time by giving thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to such Agent. Upon such notice, a successor Agent shall be appointed by the Company, who shall provide written notice of such to the Trustee. Such successor Agent shall become the Agent hereunder upon the resignation or removal date specified in such notice. If the Company is unable to replace the resigning Agent within thirty (30) days after such notice, the Agent shall deliver any funds then held hereunder in its possession to the Trustee or (i) such Agent may appoint as its successor Agent, any reputable and experienced financial institution acceptable to the Trustee and the Company or (ii) apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Agent or for other appropriate relief. The reasonable costs and expenses (including its counsels’ fees and expenses) incurred by the Agent in connection with such proceeding shall be paid by the Company. Upon receipt of the identity of the successor Agent, the Agent shall deliver any funds then held hereunder to the successor Agent, less the Agent’s fees, costs and expenses or other obligations owed to the Agent. Upon its resignation and delivery of any funds, the Agent shall be discharged of and from any and all further obligations arising in connection with this Indenture, but shall continue to enjoy the benefit of Section 7.08 hereof.

Section 7.14    Agents General Provisions.

(a)    The rights, powers, duties and obligations and actions of each Agent under this Indenture are several and not joint or joint and several.

(b)    The Company and the Agents acknowledge and agree that in the event of a Default or Event of Default, the Trustee may, by notice in writing to the Company and the Agents, require that the Agents act as agents of, and take instructions exclusively from, the Trustee. Until they have received such written notice from the Trustee, the Agents shall act solely as agents of the Company and need have no concern for the interests of the Holders.

(c)    In the event that instructions given to any Agent are not reasonably clear, then such Agent shall be entitled to seek clarification from the Company or other party entitled to give the Agents instructions under this Indenture. If an Agent has sought clarification in accordance with this Section 7.14(c), then such Agent shall be entitled to take no action until such clarification is provided, and shall not incur any liability for not taking any action pending receipt of such clarification.

(d)    The Agents shall only have such duties as expressly set out in this Indenture.

(e)    The Company shall provide the Agents with a certified list of authorized signatories.

Section 7.15    Rights of Trustee in Other Roles.

All rights, powers and indemnities contained in this Article 7 shall apply to the Trustee in its other roles hereunder and to the Agents.

ARTICLE 8

LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

Section 8.01    Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

The Company may at any time, at the option of its Board of Directors evidenced by a resolution set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, elect to have either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof be applied to all outstanding Notes upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article 8.

 

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Section 8.02    Legal Defeasance and Discharge.

Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.02, the Company and each of the Subsidiary Guarantors will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from their Obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes (including the Note Guarantees) on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors will be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes (including the Note Guarantees), which will thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.05 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (1) and (2) below, and to have satisfied all their other obligations under such Notes, the Note Guarantees and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which will survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:

(1)    the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes to receive payments in respect of the principal of, or interest or premium and Additional Amounts, if any, on, such Notes when such payments are due from the trust referred to in Section 8.04 hereof;

(2)    the Company’s Obligations with respect to the Notes under Article 2 and Section 4.02 hereof;

(3)    the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee, the Paying Agent and Transfer Agent and the Registrar, and the Company’s and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ Obligations in connection therewith; and

(4)    this Article 8.

Subject to compliance with this Article 8, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 8.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.03 hereof.

Section 8.03    Covenant Defeasance.

Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, the Company and each of the Subsidiary Guarantors will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be released from each of their obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13, 4.15, 4.16, 4.17, 4.18, 4.19 and 4.21 hereof and Section 5.01(a)(3) hereof with respect to the outstanding Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and the Notes will thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but will continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes will not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes and Note Guarantees, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors may omit to comply with and will have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply will not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes and Note Guarantees will be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof and Section 6.01(a)(3) through 6.01(a)(5) hereof will not constitute Events of Default.

Section 8.04    Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance.

In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance under either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof:

(1)    the Company must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable U.S. Government Obligations, or a combination of cash in U.S. dollars and non-callable U.S. Government Obligations, in amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of an internationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm or firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, or interest and premium, if any, on, the outstanding Notes on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and the Company must specify whether the Notes are being defeased to such stated date for payment or to a particular redemption date;

 

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(2)    in the case of an election under Section 8.02 hereof, the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that:

(A)    the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service a ruling; or

(B)    since the date of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law,

in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

(3)    in the case of an election under Section 8.03 hereof, the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that the holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

(4)    no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit) and the deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other instrument to which the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor is a party or by which the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor is bound;

(5)    such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound;

(6)    the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate of the Company stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders over the other creditors of the Company with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any creditors of the Company or others; and

(7)    the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.

(8)    The Trustee shall be entitled to its usual fees and, in addition, any fees and expenses incurred or charged by the Trustee and its counsel in connection with defeasance, satisfaction and discharge, and investment or custody services provided hereunder.

 

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Section 8.05    Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

Subject to Section 8.06 hereof, all money and non-callable U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.05, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes will be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, and Additional Amounts, if any, and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

The Company will pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the holders of the outstanding Notes.

Notwithstanding anything in this Article 8 to the contrary, the Trustee will deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon the request of the Company any money or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 8.04 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.04(1) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

Section 8.06    Repayment to Company.

Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any Note and remaining unclaimed for two (2) years after such principal, premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on its request or (if then held by the Company) will be discharged from such trust; and the holder of such Note will thereafter be permitted to look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, will thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which will not be less than thirty (30) days from the date of such notification or publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.

Section 8.07    Reinstatement.

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any U.S. dollars or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company’s and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ obligations under this Indenture and the Notes and the Note Guarantees will be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be; provided, however, that, if the Company makes any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company will be subrogated to the rights of the holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

 

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ARTICLE 9

AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

Section 9.01    Without Consent of Holders of Notes.

Notwithstanding Section 9.02 of this Indenture, the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee (as applicable and to the extent each is a party to the relevant document) may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Notes, and/or the Note Guarantees without the consent of any Holder:

(1)    to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

(2)    to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes;

(3)    to provide for the assumption of the Company’s or a Subsidiary Guarantor’s Obligations under the Notes or the Note Guarantees in the case of a merger or consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s or such Subsidiary Guarantor’s assets, as applicable;

(4)    to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under this Indenture of any such Holder;

(5)    to conform the text of the Notes, this Indenture or the Note Guarantees to any provision of the “Description of Notes” section of the Offering Memorandum, to the extent that such provision in that “Description of Notes” section of the Offering Memorandum was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of the Notes, this Indenture or the Note Guarantees, which intent shall be evidenced by an Officer’s Certificate of the Company to that effect;

(6)    to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the limitations set forth in this Indenture as of the date of this Indenture; or

(7)    to allow any Subsidiary Guarantor to execute a supplemental indenture and/or a Note Guarantee with respect to the Notes or to release any Subsidiary Guarantor from its Note Guarantee in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.

Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02 hereof, the Trustee, will join with the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors in the execution of any amended or supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but neither the Trustee nor any Agent will be obligated to (although they may at their discretion) enter into such amended or supplemental indenture that affects their own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

Section 9.02    With Consent of Holders of Notes.

Except as provided below in this Section 9.02, the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture (including, without limitation, Section 3.09, 4.10 and 4.15 hereof) and the Notes, and the Company, the Trustee and the Subsidiary Guarantors, may amend or supplement the Note Guarantees with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including Additional Notes, if any) voting as a single class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, the Notes), and, subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, any existing Default or Event of Default (other than a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium or Additional Amounts, if any, or interest on, the Notes, except a payment default resulting from an acceleration that has been rescinded) or compliance with any provision of this Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including Additional Notes, if any) voting as a single class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, the Notes).

 

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Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02, 9.06, 13.04 and 13.05 hereof, the Trustee, will join with the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors in the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture unless such amended or supplemental indenture directly affects the Trustee’s or any Agent’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee and/or each Agent may in their discretion, but will not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental indenture.

It is not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it is sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Company will mail to the Holders affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, will not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amended or supplemental indenture or waiver. Subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding voting as a single class may waive compliance in a particular instance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture or the Notes. However, without the consent of each Holder (including the Additional Notes) affected, an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not (with respect to any Notes (including the Additional Notes) held by a non-consenting Holder):

(1)    reduce the principal amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

(2)    reduce the principal of, premium, if any, or change the fixed maturity of any Note or alter the provisions with respect to the redemption of the Notes (except as provided above with respect to Sections 3.09, 4.10, 4.21 and 4.15 hereof);

(3)    reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest, including default interest, on any Note;

(4)    waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, the Notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

(5)    make any Note payable in money other than that stated in the Notes;

(6)    make any change in the provisions of this Indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults or the rights of Holders to receive payments of principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, the Notes;

(7)    waive a redemption payment with respect to any Note (other than a payment required by Section 3.09, 4.10, 4.21 or 4.15 hereof);

(8)    release any Subsidiary Guarantor from any of its Obligations under its Note Guarantee or this Indenture, except in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; or

(9)    make any change in the preceding amendment and waiver provisions.

 

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For the avoidance of doubt, no amendment to or deletion of, or actions taken in compliance with, the covenants described under Article 4 shall be deemed to impair or affect any rights of Holders to receive payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, the Notes.

Section 9.03    Supplemental Indenture.

Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Notes will be set forth in an amended or supplemental indenture.

Section 9.04    Revocation and Effect of Consents.

Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder is a continuing consent by such Holder and every subsequent holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note. However, any such Holder or subsequent holder of a Note may revoke the consent as to its Note if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.

Section 9.05    Notation on or Exchange of Notes.

The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any Note thereafter authenticated. The Company in exchange for all Notes may issue and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate new Notes that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver.

Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note will not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

Section 9.06    Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.

The Trustee will sign any amended or supplemental indenture authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. The Company may not sign an amended or supplemental indenture until the Board of Directors of the Company approves it. In executing any amended or supplemental indenture, the Trustee will be entitled to receive security and/or indemnity to its reasonable satisfaction. The Trustee (subject to Section 7.01 hereof) will be fully protected in relying upon, in addition to the documents required by Section 13.04 hereof, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture, that the supplemental indenture is legal, valid, binding and enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms and such other matters as the Trustee may request. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

ARTICLE 10

[INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]

ARTICLE 11

NOTE GUARANTEES

Section 11.01    Guarantee.

(a) Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby jointly and severally, irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees to each Holder and to the Trustee, successors and assigns (1) the full and punctual payment when due, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, of all obligations of the Company under this Indenture (including obligations to the Trustee) and the Notes, whether for payment of principal of, interest, premium or Additional Amounts, if any, on the Notes and all other monetary obligations of the Company under this Indenture and the Notes and (2) the full and punctual performance within applicable grace periods of all other obligations of the Company whether for fees, expenses, indemnification or otherwise under this Indenture and the Notes (all the foregoing being hereinafter collectively called the “Guaranteed Obligations”). Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that the Guaranteed Obligations may be extended or renewed, in whole or in part, without notice or further assent from each such Subsidiary Guarantor, and that each such Subsidiary Guarantor shall remain bound under this Article 11 notwithstanding any extension or renewal of any Guaranteed Obligation.

 

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(b)    Each Subsidiary Guarantor waives presentation to, demand of payment from and protest to the Company of any of the Guaranteed Obligations and also waives notice of protest for non-payment. Each Subsidiary Guarantor waives notice of any default under the Notes or the Guaranteed Obligations. The obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder shall not be affected by (1) the failure of any Holder or the Trustee to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any right or remedy against the Company or any other Person under this Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement or otherwise; (2) any extension or renewal of any thereof; (3) any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement; (4) the release of any security held by any Holder or the Trustee for the Guaranteed Obligations or any of them; (5) the failure of any Holder or the Trustee to exercise any right or remedy against any other guarantor of the Guaranteed Obligations; or (6) any change in the ownership of such Subsidiary.

(c)    Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby waives any right to which it may be entitled to have its obligations hereunder divided among the Subsidiary Guarantors, such that such Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations would be less than the full amount claimed. Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby waives any right to which it may be entitled to have the assets of the Company first be used and depleted as payment of the Company’s or such Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations hereunder prior to any amounts being claimed from or paid by such Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder. Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby waives any right to which it may be entitled to require that the Company be sued prior to an action being initiated against such Subsidiary Guarantor.

(d)    Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that its Note Guarantee herein constitutes a guarantee of payment, performance and compliance when due (and not a guarantee of collection) and waives any right to require that any resort be had by any Holder or the Trustee to any security held for payment of the Guaranteed Obligations.

(e)    Except as expressly set forth in Sections 8.02, 11.02 and 11.08, the obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason, including any claim of waiver, release, surrender, alteration or compromise, and shall not be subject to any defense of setoff, counterclaim, recoupment or termination whatsoever or by reason of the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of the Guaranteed Obligations or otherwise. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor herein shall not be discharged or impaired or otherwise affected by the failure of any Holder or the Trustee to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any remedy under this Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement, by any waiver or modification of any thereof, by any default, failure or delay, willful or otherwise, in the performance of the obligations, or by any other act or thing or omission or delay to do any other act or thing which may or might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of any Subsidiary Guarantor or would otherwise operate as a discharge of any Subsidiary Guarantor as a matter of law or equity.

(f)    Except as expressly set forth in Sections 8.02, 11.02 and 11.08, each Subsidiary Guarantor agrees that its Note Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect until payment in full of all the Guaranteed Obligations. Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that its Note Guarantee herein shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of principal of or interest on any Guaranteed Obligation is rescinded or must otherwise be restored by any Holder or the Trustee upon the bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company or otherwise.

 

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(g)    In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other right which any Holder or the Trustee has at law or in equity against any Subsidiary Guarantor by virtue hereof, upon the failure of the Company to pay the principal of or interest on any Guaranteed Obligation when and as the same shall become due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, or to perform or comply with any other Guaranteed Obligation, each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby promises to and shall, upon receipt of written demand by the Trustee, forthwith pay, or cause to be paid, in cash, to the Holders or the Trustee an amount equal to the sum of (1) the unpaid principal amount of such Guaranteed Obligations, (2) accrued and unpaid interest on such Guaranteed Obligations (but only to the extent not prohibited by law) and (3) all other monetary obligations of the Company to the Holders and the Trustee.

(h)    Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that, as between it, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (1) the maturity of the Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 for the purposes of any Note Guarantee herein, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereby, and (2) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such Guaranteed Obligations as provided in Article 6, such Guaranteed Obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by such Subsidiary Guarantor for the purposes of Section 11.01.

(i)    Each Subsidiary Guarantor also agrees to pay any and all costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by the Trustee in enforcing any rights under Section 11.01.

(j)    Upon request of the Trustee, each Subsidiary Guarantor shall execute and deliver such further instruments and do such further acts as may be reasonably necessary or proper to carry out more effectively the purpose of this Indenture.

Section 11.02    Limitation on Liability.

Any term or provision of this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, the maximum aggregate amount of the Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereunder by any Subsidiary Guarantor shall not exceed the maximum amount that can be hereby guaranteed by the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor without rendering the Note Guarantee, as it relates to such Subsidiary Guarantor, voidable under applicable law relating to ultra vires, fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer, corporate benefit, financial assistance or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally or other considerations under applicable law.

Section 11.03    Successors and Assigns.

This Article 11 shall be binding upon each Subsidiary Guarantor and its successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Trustee and the Holders and, in the event of any transfer or assignment of rights by any Holder or the Trustee, the rights and privileges conferred upon that party in this Indenture and in the Notes shall automatically extend to and be vested in such transferee or assignee, all subject to the terms and conditions of this Indenture.

Section 11.04    No Waiver.

Neither a failure nor a delay on the part of either the Trustee or the Holders in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Article 11 shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall a single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise of any right, power or privilege. The rights, remedies and benefits of the Trustee and the Holders herein expressly specified are cumulative and not exclusive of any other rights, remedies or benefits which either may have under this Article 11 at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise.

Section 11.05    Modification.

No modification, amendment or waiver of any provision of this Article 11, nor the consent to any departure by any Subsidiary Guarantor therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Trustee, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice to or demand on any Subsidiary Guarantor in any case shall entitle such Subsidiary Guarantor to any other or further notice or demand in the same, similar or other circumstances.

 

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Section 11.06    Execution of Supplemental Indenture for Future Subsidiary Guarantors.

Each Restricted Subsidiary which is required to become a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to Section 4.17 hereof shall promptly execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which such Subsidiary shall become a Subsidiary Guarantor under this Article 11 and shall guarantee the Guaranteed Obligations. Concurrently with the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel and an Officer’s Certificate to the effect that such supplemental indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Restricted Subsidiary and that, subject to the application of bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or transfer and other similar laws relating to creditors’ rights generally and to the principles of equity, whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity, the Note Guarantee of such Subsidiary Guarantor is a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Subsidiary Guarantor, enforceable against such Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with its terms and/or to such other matters as the Trustee may reasonably request.

Section 11.07    Non-Impairment.

The failure to endorse a Note Guarantee on any Note shall not affect or impair the validity thereof.

Section 11.08    Release of Guarantees.

(a)    Subject to paragraphs (b) and (c), each Note Guarantee, once it becomes due, is a continuing guarantee and shall (i) remain in full force and effect until payment in full of all the Guaranteed Obligations, (ii) be binding upon each Subsidiary Guarantor and its successors and (iii) inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the Trustee, the Holders and their successors, transferees and assigns.

(b)    The Note Guarantee of a Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to the Notes will be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged:

(1)    in connection with any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of that Subsidiary Guarantor (including by way of merger or, consolidation) to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, if the sale or other disposition does not violate Section 5.01 hereof;

(2)    in connection with any sale or other disposition of the Capital Stock of that Subsidiary Guarantor to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, if the sale or other disposition does not violate Section 4.10 or 5.01 hereof and such Subsidiary Guarantor ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as a result of such sale or other disposition;

(3)    if the Company designates any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Subsidiary Guarantor to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with Section 4.18 hereof;

(4)    upon Legal Defeasance or satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture as provided by Articles 8 and 12 of this Indenture;

(5)    upon payment in full of the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on, the Notes and all other Obligations that are then due and payable thereunder;

 

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(6)    upon the merger or consolidation of any Subsidiary Guarantor with and into the Company or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary Guarantor (or a Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary that becomes a Subsidiary Guarantor concurrently with the transaction) that is the surviving Person in such merger or consolidation, or upon the liquidation of such Subsidiary Guarantor following the transfer of all or substantially all of its assets to the Company or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary Guarantor (or a Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary that becomes a Subsidiary Guarantor concurrently with the transaction); or

(7)    as described under Article 9 hereof.

(c)    Each Holder hereby authorizes the Trustee to take all actions to effectuate any release in accordance with the provisions of this Section 11.08, subject to customary and reasonably satisfactory protections and indemnifications provided by the Company to the Trustee.

ARTICLE 12

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

Section 12.01    Satisfaction and Discharge.

This Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect as to all Notes issued hereunder, when:

(1)    either:

(A)    all Notes that have been authenticated, except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes that have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to the Company, have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(B)    all Notes that have not been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the mailing of a notice of redemption or otherwise or will become due and payable within one (1) year and the Company has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable U.S. Government Obligations, or a combination of cash in U.S. dollars and non-callable U.S. Government Obligations, in amounts as will be sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire Indebtedness on the Notes not delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest to the date of maturity or redemption;

(2)    no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit) and the deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other instrument to which the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor is a party or by which the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor is bound;

(3)    the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by it under this Indenture; and

(4)    the Company has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee under this Indenture to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes at maturity or on the redemption date, as the case may be.

In addition, the Company must deliver an Officer’s Certificate of the Company and an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, if money has been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to sub clause (b) of clause (1) of this Section 12.01, the provisions of Sections 12.02 and 8.06 hereof will survive.

 

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Section 12.02    Application of Trust Money.

Subject to the provisions of Section 8.06 hereof, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 12.01 hereof shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any cash in U.S. dollars or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 12.01 hereof by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 12.01 hereof; provided that if the Company has made any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any Notes because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the cash in U.S. dollars or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE 13

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 13.01    [Intentionally Omitted].

Section 13.02    Notices.

Any notice or communication by the Company or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing, in the English language, and delivered in Person or by first class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), facsimile transmission, electronic mail (in pdf format) or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others’ address:

If to the Company, Studio City Investments Limited, Studio City Company Limited, Studio City Holdings Two Limited, Studio City Holdings Three Limited, Studio City Holdings Four Limited, SCP Holdings Limited, SCIP Holdings Limited, SCP One Limited and/or SCP Two Limited:

Jayla Place, Wickhams Cay I

Road Town, Tortola

British Virgin Islands

With a copy to:

Studio City (HK) Limited

36th Floor, The Centrium

60 Wyndham Street

Central, Hong Kong

Facsimile No.: +852 2537 3618

Attention: Company Secretary

If to Studio City Services Limited, Studio City Entertainment Limited, Studio City Hotels Limited, Studio City Hospitality and Services Limited, Studio City Retail Services Limited and/or Studio City Developments Limited:

Avenida da Praia Grande

nº 594, 15º andar A

Macau

 

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With a copy to:

Studio City (HK) Limited

36th Floor, The Centrium

60 Wyndham Street

Central, Hong Kong

Facsimile No.: +852 2537 3618

Attention: Company Secretary

With a copy to:

Ashurst Hong Kong

11/F Jardine House

1 Connaught Place

Central, Hong Kong

Facsimile No.: +852 2868 0898

Attention: Anna-Marie Slot

If to Studio City (HK) Two Limited:

36th Floor, The Centrium

60 Wyndham Street

Central, Hong Kong

Facsimile No.: +852 2537 3618

Attention: Company Secretary

If to the Trustee, the Paying Agent, Registrar and Transfer Agent:

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas

60 Wall Street, 24^th Floor

MS NYC60-2405

New York, NY 10005

United States

Facsimile No.: (732) 578-4635

Attention: Corporates Team – Studio City Finance Limited Deal ID: SF4033

The Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor, the Trustee and any Agent, by notice to the others, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) will be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five (5) Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt acknowledged, if transmitted by facsimile; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.

Any notice or communication to a Holder will be electronically delivered, mailed by first class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery to its address shown on the register kept by the Registrar. All notices to the Holders (while any Notes are represented by one or more Global Notes) shall be delivered to DTC, for communication to entitled account Holders, and any obligation to give notice to the Holders will be discharged upon delivery of such notice to DTC. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it will not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders. If a notice or communication is mailed or delivered in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

If the Company mails or delivers a notice or communication to Holders, it will mail or deliver a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

 

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Section 13.03    Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes.

Holders may communicate with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes.

Section 13.04    Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.

Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:

(1)    an Officer’s Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which must include the statements set forth in Section 13.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been satisfied; and

(2)    an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which must include the statements set forth in Section 13.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been satisfied.

Section 13.05    Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture must include:

(1)    a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

(2)    a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

(3)    a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been satisfied; and

(4)    a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been satisfied.

Section 13.06    Rules by Trustee and Agents.

The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

Section 13.07    No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders.

No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors under the Notes, this Indenture or the Note Guarantees, or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.

Section 13.08    Governing Law.

THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WILL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE NOTE GUARANTEES WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.

 

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Section 13.09    No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.

This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or its Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

Section 13.10    Successors.

All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Notes will bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee and each Agent in this Indenture will bind their respective successors. All agreements of each Subsidiary Guarantor in this Indenture will bind their respective successors, except as otherwise provided in Section 11.05 hereof.

Section 13.11    Severability.

In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 13.12    Counterpart Originals.

The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy will be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

Facsimile, documents executed, scanned and transmitted electronically and electronic signatures, including those created or transmitted through a software platform or application, shall be deemed original signatures for purposes of this Indenture, and all matters and agreements related thereto (including the Notes), with such facsimile, scanned and electronic signatures having the same legal effect as original signatures. The parties agree that this Indenture, the Notes or any instrument, agreement or document necessary for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Indenture, the Notes or related hereto or thereto (including, without limitation, supplements, addendums, amendments, notices, instructions, communications with respect to the delivery of securities or the wire transfer of funds or other communications) (“Executed Documentation”) may be accepted, executed or agreed to through the use of an electronic signature in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations in effect from time to time applicable to the effectiveness and enforceability of electronic signatures. Any Executed Documentation accepted, executed or agreed to in conformity with such laws, rules and regulations will be binding on all parties hereto to the same extent as if it were physically executed and each party hereby consents to the use of any third party electronic signature capture service providers as may be reasonably chosen by a signatory hereto or thereto. When the Trustee or any Agent acts on any Executed Documentation sent by electronic transmission, the Trustee or any Agent will not be responsible or liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from its reliance upon and compliance with such Executed Documentation, notwithstanding that such Executed Documentation (a) may not be an authorized or authentic communication of the party involved or in the form such party sent or intended to send (whether due to fraud, distortion or otherwise) or (b) may conflict with, or be inconsistent with, a subsequent written instruction or communication; it being understood and agreed that the Trustee or any Agent shall conclusively presume that Executed Documentation that purports to have been sent by an authorized officer of a Person has been sent by an authorized officer of such Person. The party providing Executed Documentation through electronic transmission or otherwise with electronic signatures agrees to assume all risks arising out of such electronic methods, including, without limitation, the risk of the Trustee or any Agent acting on unauthorized instructions and the risk of interception and misuse by third parties.

 

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Section 13.13    Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and Headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and will in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

Section 13.14    Patriot Act

In order to comply with the laws, rules, regulations and executive orders in effect from time to time applicable to banking institutions, including, without limitation, those relating to the funding of terrorist activities and money laundering, including Section 326 of the USA Patriot Act of the United States (“Applicable Law”), the Trustee and Agents are required to obtain, verify, record and update certain information relating to individuals and entities which maintain a business relationship with the Trustee and Agents. Accordingly, each of the parties agree to provide to the Trustee and Agents, upon their request from time to time such identifying information and documentation as may be available for such party in order to enable the Trustee and Agents to comply with Applicable Law.

Section 13.15    Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial

THE COMPANY AND EACH SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR HEREBY SUBMITS TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE FEDERAL AND STATE COURTS IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK IN ANY SUIT OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. THE COMPANY AND EACH SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY SUIT OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTE GUARANTEES, THE NOTES AND ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY IN FEDERAL AND STATE COURTS IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK AND IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES AND AGREES NOT TO PLEAD OR CLAIM IN ANY SUCH COURT THAT ANY SUCH SUIT OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM. NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF THE TRUSTEE OR ANY HOLDER OF THE NOTES TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO COMMENCE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS OR OTHERWISE PROCEED AGAINST THE COMPANY IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION. THE COMPANY AND EACH SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR IRREVOCABLY APPOINTS LAW DEBENTURE CORPORATE SERVICES INC., 801 2^ND AVENUE, SUITE 403, NEW YORK, NEW YORK, 10017, AS ITS AUTHORIZED AGENT IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK UPON WHICH PROCESS MAY BE SERVED IN ANY SUCH SUIT OR PROCEEDING, AND AGREES THAT SERVICE OF PROCESS UPON SUCH AGENT, AND WRITTEN NOTICE OF SAID SERVICE TO THE COMPANY BY THE PERSON SERVING THE SAME TO THE ADDRESS PROVIDED IN SECTION 13.02, SHALL BE DEEMED IN EVERY RESPECT EFFECTIVE SERVICE OF PROCESS UPON THE COMPANY OR ANY SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR, AS THE CASE MAY BE, IN ANY SUCH SUIT OR PROCEEDING. THE COMPANY AND EACH SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR FURTHER AGREES TO TAKE ANY AND ALL ACTION AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN SUCH DESIGNATION AND APPOINTMENT OF SUCH AGENT IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT FOR SO LONG AS THE NOTES ARE OUTSTANDING FROM THE DATE OF THIS INDENTURE.

 

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EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES ITS RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES, THE NOTE GUARANTEES, OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY. THE SCOPE OF THIS WAIVER IS INTENDED TO BE ALL-ENCOMPASSING OF ANY AND ALL DISPUTES THAT MAY BE FILED IN ANY COURT AND THAT RELATE TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS TRANSACTION, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS, BREACH OF DUTY CLAIMS, AND ALL OTHER COMMON LAW AND STATUTORY CLAIMS. THIS SECTION 13.15 HAS BEEN FULLY DISCUSSED BY EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AND THESE PROVISIONS SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY EXCEPTIONS. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY FURTHER WARRANTS AND REPRESENTS THAT SUCH PARTY HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER WITH ITS LEGAL COUNSEL, AND THAT SUCH PARTY KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL. THIS WAIVER IS IRREVOCABLE, MEANING THAT IT MAY NOT BE MODIFIED EITHER ORALLY OR IN WRITING, AND THIS WAIVER SHALL APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS TO (OR ASSIGNMENTS OF) THIS INDENTURE. IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, THIS INDENTURE MAY BE FILED AS A WRITTEN CONSENT TO A TRIAL (WITHOUT A JURY) BY THE COURT.

[Signatures on following page]

 

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SIGNATURES

Dated as of January 14, 2021

 

STUDIO CITY FINANCE LIMITED
By:		/s/ Kevin Richard Benning
		Name: Kevin Richard Benning
		Title:   Authorized Signatory
STUDIO CITY INVESTMENTS LIMITED
By:		/s/ Kevin Richard Benning
		Name: Kevin Richard Benning
		Title:   Authorized Signatory
STUDIO CITY COMPANY LIMITED
By:		/s/ Kevin Richard Benning
		Name: Kevin Richard Benning
		Title:   Authorized Signatory
STUDIO CITY HOLDINGS TWO LIMITED
By:		/s/ Kevin Richard Benning
		Name: Kevin Richard Benning
		Title:   Authorized Signatory
STUDIO CITY HOLDINGS THREE LIMITED
By:		/s/ Kevin Richard Benning
		Name: Kevin Richard Benning
		Title:   Authorized Signatory
STUDIO CITY HOLDINGS FOUR LIMITED
By:		/s/ Kevin Richard Benning
		Name: Kevin Richard Benning
		Title:   Authorized Signatory

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE – INDENTURE]

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STUDIO CITY ENTERTAINMENT LIMITED
By:		/s/ Kevin Richard Benning
		Name: Kevin Richard Benning
		Title:   Authorized Signatory
STUDIO CITY SERVICES LIMITED
By:
		Name: Inês Nolasco Antunes
		Title:   Authorized Signatory
STUDIO CITY HOTELS LIMITED
By:		/s/ Kevin Richard Benning
		Name: Kevin Richard Benning
		Title:   Authorized Signatory
SCP HOLDINGS LIMITED
By:		/s/ Kevin Richard Benning
		Name: Kevin Richard Benning
		Title:   Authorized Signatory
STUDIO CITY HOSPITALITY AND SERVICES LIMITED
By:
		Name: Inês Nolasco Antunes
		Title:   Authorized Signatory
SCP ONE LIMITED
By:		/s/ Kevin Richard Benning
		Name: Kevin Richard Benning
		Title:   Authorized Signatory

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE – INDENTURE]

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STUDIO CITY ENTERTAINMENT LIMITED
By:
		Name: Kevin Richard Benning
		Title:   Authorized Signatory
STUDIO CITY SERVICES LIMITED
By:		/s/ Inês Nolasco Antunes
		Name: Inês Nolasco Antunes
		Title:   Authorized Signatory
STUDIO CITY HOTELS LIMITED
By:
		Name: Kevin Richard Benning
		Title:   Authorized Signatory
SCP HOLDINGS LIMITED
By:
		Name: Kevin Richard Benning
		Title:   Authorized Signatory
STUDIO CITY HOSPITALITY AND SERVICES LIMITED
By:		/s/ Inês Nolasco Antunes
		Name: Inês Nolasco Antunes
		Title:   Authorized Signatory
SCP ONE LIMITED
By:
		Name: Kevin Richard Benning
		Title:   Authorized Signatory

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE – INDENTURE]

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SCP TWO LIMITED
By:		/s/ Kevin Richard Benning
		Name: Kevin Richard Benning
		Title:   Authorized Signatory
STUDIO CITY DEVELOPMENT LIMITED
By:		/s/ Kevin Richard Benning
		Name: Kevin Richard Benning
		Title:   Authorized Signatory
SCIP HOLDINGS LIMITED
By:		/s/ Kevin Richard Benning
		Name: Kevin Richard Benning
		Title:   Authorized Signatory
STUDIO CITY RETAIL SERVICES LIMITED
By:		/s/ Kevin Richard Benning
		Name: Kevin Richard Benning
		Title:   Authorized Signatory
STUDIO CITY (HK) TWO LIMITED
By:		/s/ Kevin Richard Benning
		Name: Kevin Richard Benning
		Title:   Authorized Signatory

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE – INDENTURE]

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DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMETICAS, as Trustee
By:		/s/ Bridgette Casasnovas
		Name: Bridgette Casasnovas
		Title:   Vice President
By:		/s/ Robert Peschler
		Name: Robert Peschler
		Title:   Vice President
DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as Paying Agent, Registrar and Transfer Agent
By:		/s/ Bridgette Casasnovas
		Name: Bridgette Casasnovas
		Title:   Vice President
By:		/s/ Robert Peschler
		Name: Robert Peschler
		Title:   Vice President

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE - INDENTURE]

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EXHIBIT A

[Face of Note]

 

[Insert the Global Note Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

[Insert the Private Placement Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

 

		CUSIP: ISIN: COMMON CODE:

5.000% Senior Notes due 2029

 

No.

STUDIO CITY FINANCE LIMITED

Promises to pay to Cede & Co. or its registered assigns, the principal sum of                      [NUMBER IN WORDS] on January 15, 2029.

Interest Payment Dates: January 15 and July 15

Record Dates: December 31 and June 30

Dated:             , 20    

 

A-1

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be signed manually or by facsimile by the duly authorized officers referred to below.

Dated:                     , 20    

 

STUDIO CITY FINANCE LIMITED, as Company
By:
		Name:
		Title:

 

A-2

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Certificate of Authentication

This is one of the Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

Dated:             , 20
DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as Trustee
By:
Name:
Title:

 

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[Back of Note]

STUDIO CITY FINANCE LIMITED

5.000% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2029

Capitalized terms used herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

(1)    INTEREST. Studio City Finance Limited, a BVI business company with limited liability incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands (the “Company”), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at 5.000% per annum from January 14, 2021 until maturity. The Company will pay interest and Additional Amounts, if any, semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year, or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each, an “Interest Payment Date”). Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of issuance; provided that if there is no existing Default in the payment of interest, and if this Note is authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date; provided further that the first Interest Payment Date shall be July 15, 2021. The Company will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, at the rate equal to 1% per annum in excess of the then applicable interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; it will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and Additional Amounts (without regard to any applicable grace period) at the same rate to the extent lawful. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

(2)    METHOD OF PAYMENT. The Company will pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) and Additional Amounts, if any, to the Persons who are registered Holders of Notes at the close of business on December 31 or June 30 next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. The Notes will be payable as to principal, premium, and Additional Amounts, if any, and interest at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose within or without the City and State of New York, or, at the option of the Company, payment of interest and Additional Amounts, if any, may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders; provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds will be required with respect to principal of and interest, premium and Additional Amounts, if any, on, all Global Notes and all other Notes, the Holders of which will have provided wire transfer instructions to the Company or the Paying Agent, and shall so notify the Trustee and the Paying Agent thereof. Such payment will be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

(3)    PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR. Initially, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas will act as Paying Agent, Registrar and Transfer Agent. The Company may change any Paying Agent, Transfer Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent and Registrar.

(4)    INDENTURE. The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of January 14, 2021 (the “Indenture”) among the Company, each Subsidiary Guarantor, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar and other persons from time to time party thereto. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling. The Indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be issued thereunder.

 

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(5)    OPTIONAL REDEMPTION.

(a)    On or after January 15, 2024, the Company may redeem all or a part of the Notes upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes redeemed, to the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the periods indicated below, subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date:

 

Period		Redemption Price
Twelve-month period on or after January 15, 2024			102.500	%
Twelve-month period on or after January 15, 2025			101.250	%
On or after January 15, 2026			100.000	%

(b)    Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph (5), at any time prior to January 15, 2024, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes at a redemption price equal to 105.000% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Amounts, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the rights of the Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date), with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings; provided that at least 65% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes originally issued under the Indenture (excluding Notes held by the Company and its Subsidiaries) remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption and that such redemption occurs within 45 days of the date of the closing of such Equity Offering.

(c)    At any time prior to January 15, 2024, the Company may also redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed by first-class mail to each Holder’s registered address, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Amounts, if any, to the date of redemption, subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date.

(d)    Any redemption pursuant to subparagraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Paragraph (5) may, at the discretion of the Company, be subject to the satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent. If such redemption is so subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, such notice shall describe each such condition, and if applicable, shall state that, at the Company’s discretion, the redemption date may be delayed until such time (provided, however, that any delayed redemption date shall not be more than 60 days after the date the relevant notice of redemption was sent) as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied, or such redemption may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied by the redemption date or by the redemption date as delayed. In addition, the Company may provide in such notice that payment of the redemption price and performance of the Company’s obligations with respect to such redemption may be performed by another Person.

 

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(e)    Unless the Company defaults in the payment of the redemption price, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption on the applicable redemption date.

(f)    The Notes may also be redeemed in the circumstances described in Sections 3.10 and 3.11 of the Indenture.

(6)    MANDATORY REDEMPTION. The Company is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

(7)    REPURCHASE AT THE OPTION OF HOLDER. The Notes may be subject to a Change of Control Offer, a Special Put Option or an Asset Sale Offer, as further described in Sections 3.09, 4.10, 4.15 and 4.21 of the Indenture.

(8)    NOTICE OF REDEMPTION. Notice of redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction or discharge of the Indenture. Notes in denominations larger than US$200,000 may be redeemed in part but only in integral multiples of US$1,000 provided that the unredeemed part has a minimum denomination of US$200,000, unless all of the Notes held by a Holder are to be redeemed.

(9)    DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE. The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of US$200,000 and integral multiples of US$1,000 in excess thereof. The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar, the Transfer Agent and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part. Also, the Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed or during the period between a record date and the corresponding Interest Payment Date.

(10)    PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS. The registered Holder may be treated as its owner for all purposes.

(11)    AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER. The Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be amended as set forth in the Indenture.

(12)    DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES. The events listed in Section 6.01 of the Indenture shall constitute “Events of Default” for the purpose of this Note.

(13)    TRUSTEE DEALINGS WITH COMPANY. The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee.

(14)    NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS. A director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Company, as such, will not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Notes or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the Notes.

(15)    AUTHENTICATION. This Note will not be valid until authenticated by the manual or electronic signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.

 

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(16)    ABBREVIATIONS. Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).

(17)    CUSIP NUMBERS. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes, and the Trustee may use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption, and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

(18)    GOVERNING LAW. THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WILL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THE INDENTURE AND THIS NOTE WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.

The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture. Requests may be made to:

Studio City Finance Limited

Jayla Place, Wickhams Cay I

Road Town, Tortola

British Virgin Islands

Attention: Company Secretary

With a copy to:

Studio City (HK) Limited

36th Floor, The Centrium

60 Wyndham Street

Central, Hong Kong

Facsimile No.: +852 2537 3618

Attention: Company Secretary

 

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ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

 

(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to:
		(Insert assignee’s legal name)
(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)
(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

and irrevocably appoint
to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

Date:                     

 

Your Signature:
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

Signature Guarantee*:                                                  

 

*	Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

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OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10, Section 4.15 or Section 4.21 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box below:

 

☐ Section 4.10		☐ Section 4.15		☐ Section 4.21

If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10, Section 4.15 or Section 4.21 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:

US$                    

Date:                     

 

Your Signature:
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

Tax Identification No.:

Signature Guarantee*:                                                  

 

*	Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

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SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE

The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global Note or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:

 

Date of Exchange

Amount of decrease in Principal Amount of this Global Note

Amount of increase in Principal Amount of this Global Note

Principal Amount of this Global Note following such decrease (or increase)

Signature of authorized officer of Trustee or Custodian

 

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EXHIBIT B

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

[Company address block]

Transfer Unit – Operations

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas

c/o DB Services Americas, Inc.

5022 Gate Parkway, Suite 200

Jacksonville, FL 32256

Attn: Transfer Department

Re:    5.000% Senior Notes due 2029 of Studio City Finance Limited

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of January 14, 2021 (the “Indenture”), among Studio City Finance Limited, as issuer (the “Company”), each Subsidiary Guarantor and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

                    , (the “Transferor”) owns and proposes to transfer the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified in Annex A hereto, in the principal amount of US$                     in such Note[s] or interests (the “Transfer”), to                      (the “Transferee”), as further specified in Annex A hereto. In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that:

[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]

1.    ☐ Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note or a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to Rule 144A. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial interest or Definitive Note is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believes is purchasing the beneficial interest or Definitive Note for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and such Transfer is in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the 144A Global Note and/or the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

2.    ☐ Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note or a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to Regulation S. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that (i) the Transfer is not being made to a Person in the United States and (x) at the time the buy order was originated, the Transferee was outside the United States or such Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and believes that the Transferee was outside the United States or (y) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither such Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States, (ii) no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (iii) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act and (iv) if the proposed transfer is being made prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, the transfer is not being made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on Transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Regulation S Global Note and/or the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

 

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3.    ☐ Check and complete if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to any provision of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A or Regulation S. The Transfer is being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States, and accordingly the Transferor hereby further certifies that (check one):

(a)    ☐    such Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act;

or

(b)    ☐    such Transfer is being effected to the Company or a subsidiary thereof;

or

(c)    ☐    such Transfer is being effected pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and in compliance with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act.

4.    ☐ Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or of an Unrestricted Definitive Note.

(a)    ☐ Check if Transfer is pursuant to Rule 144. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

(b)    ☐ Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Regulation S. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

(c)    ☐ Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Other Exemption. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in compliance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904 and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will not be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes or Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

 

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This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.

 

[Insert Name of Transferor]
By:
		Name:
		Title:

Dated:                     

 

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ANNEX A TO CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

 

1.	The Transferor owns and proposes to transfer the following:

[CHECK ONE OF (a) OR (b)]

 

		(a)		☐		a beneficial interest in the:
				(i)		☐ 144A Global Note (CUSIP                     ), or
				(ii)		☐ Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP                     ); or
		(b)		☐		a Restricted Definitive Note.

 

2.	After the Transfer the Transferee will hold:

[CHECK ONE]

 

		(a)		☐		a beneficial interest in the:
				(i)		☐ 144A Global Note (CUSIP                     ), or
				(ii)		☐ Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP                     ), or
				(iii)		☐ Unrestricted Global Note (CUSIP                     ); or
		(b)		☐		a Restricted Definitive Note; or
		(c)		☐		an Unrestricted Definitive Note,

in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

 

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EXHIBIT C

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE

[Company address block]

Transfer Unit – Operations

Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas

c/o DB Services Americas, Inc.

5022 Gate Parkway, Suite 200

Jacksonville, FL 32256

Attn: Transfer Department

Re:    5.000% Senior Notes due 2029 of Studio City Finance Limited

(CUSIP                     )

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of January 14, 2021 (the “Indenture”), among Studio City Finance Limited, as issuer (the “Company”), each Subsidiary Guarantor and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

                    , (the “Owner”) owns and proposes to exchange the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified herein, in the principal amount of US$                     in such Note[s] or interests (the “Exchange”). In connection with the Exchange, the Owner hereby certifies that:

1.    Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Unrestricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note

(a)    ☐ Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note in an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

(b)    ☐ Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

(c)    ☐ Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

 

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(d)    ☐ Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

2.    Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes for Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes

(a)    ☐ Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Restricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a Restricted Definitive Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies that the Restricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the Restricted Definitive Note issued will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

(b)    ☐ Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in the [CHECK ONE] ☐ 144A Global Note, ☐ Regulation S Global Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer and (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, and in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the beneficial interest issued will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the relevant Restricted Global Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.

 

[Insert Name of Transferor]
By:
		Name:
		Title:
		Dated:

 

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EXHIBIT D

FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “Supplemental Indenture”) dated as of                     , among [name of New Subsidiary Guarantor[s]] (the “New Subsidiary Guarantor”), Studio City Finance Limited, a BVI business company with limited liability incorporated under the laws of British Virgin Islands (the “Company”) and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Trustee (in such role, the “Trustee”).

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS the Company, the Trustee and each of the parties described above are parties to an Indenture, dated as of January 14, 2021, as amended (as amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified, the “Indenture”), providing for the issuance of the Company’s 5.000% Senior Notes due 2029;

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.03 of the Indenture, each New Subsidiary Guarantor is required to execute a supplemental Indenture;

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the New Subsidiary Guarantor, the Company, the Trustee and the other parties hereto mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders as follows:

1.    Definitions. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

2.    Agreement to Guarantee. Pursuant to, and subject to the provisions of, Article 11 of the Indenture, [each][the] New Subsidiary Guarantor (which term includes each other New Subsidiary Guarantor that hereinafter guarantees the Notes pursuant to the terms of the Indenture) hereby unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees, jointly and severally with each other New Subsidiary Guarantor and all Subsidiary Guarantors, to each Holder and to the Trustee and their successors and assigns to the extent set forth in the Indenture and subject to the provisions thereof (a) the full and punctual payment when due, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, of all obligations of the Company under the Indenture (including obligations to the Trustee) and the Notes, whether for payment of principal of, or interest, premium, if any, on, the Notes and all other monetary obligations of the Company under the Indenture and the Notes and (b) the full and punctual performance within applicable grace periods of all other obligations of the Company whether for fees, expenses, indemnification or otherwise under the Indenture and the Notes (all the foregoing being hereinafter collectively called the “Guaranteed Obligations”). [Each][The] New Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that the Guaranteed Obligations may be extended or renewed, in whole or in part, without notice or further assent from such New Subsidiary Guarantor and that such New Subsidiary Guarantor[s] will remain bound under Article 11 of the Indenture, notwithstanding any extension or renewal of any Guaranteed Obligation.

The Guaranteed Obligations of [each][the] New Subsidiary Guarantor to the Holders of Notes and to the Trustee pursuant to the Indenture as supplemented hereby, are expressly set forth in Article 11 of the Indenture and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for the precise terms of the Note Guarantee.

[Relevant limitations imposed by local law analogous to Section 11.02 of the Indenture to be inserted, if and as applicable].

 

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3.    Ratification of Indenture: Supplemental Indentures Part of Indenture. Except as expressly amended hereby, the Indenture is in all respects ratified and confirmed and all the terms, conditions and provisions thereof shall remain in full force and effect. This Supplemental Indenture shall form a part of the Indenture for all purposes, and each Holder, by accepting the Notes whether heretofore or hereafter authenticated and delivered (a) agrees to and shall be bound by such provisions,

(b) authorizes and directs the Trustee, on behalf of such Holder, to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination as provided in the Indenture and (c) appoints the Trustee attorney-in-fact of such Holder for such purpose; provided, however, that [the][each] New Subsidiary Guarantor and each Subsidiary Guarantor shall be released from all its obligations with respect to this Guarantee in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, including Section 11.08 of the Indenture and upon any defeasance of the Notes in accordance with Article 8 of the Indenture.

4.    Governing Law. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

5.    Trustee Makes No Representation. The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture. The recitals of fact contained herein shall be treated as statements of the other parties hereto and not the Trustee.

6.    Counterparts. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

7.    Effect of Headings. The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction thereof.

 

D-2

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

[NAME OF NEW SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR], as New Subsidiary Guarantor,
By:
		Name:
		Title:
STUDIO CITY FINANCE LIMITED, as Company
By:
		Name:
		Title:
DEUTSCHE AMERICAS, as Trustee BANK TRUST COMPANY
By:
		Name:
		Title:
By:
		Name:
		Title:

 

D-3

Exhibit 2.19

Description of rights of each class of securities registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)

American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”), each representing four Class A ordinary shares of Studio City International Holdings Limited (“we,” “our,” “our company,” or “us”), are listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange and, in connection therewith, the Class A ordinary shares are registered under Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). This exhibit contains a description of the rights of (i) the holders of Class A ordinary shares and (ii) the holders of the ADSs. Ordinary shares underlying the ADSs are held in Hong Kong by the custodian, Deutsche Bank AG, Hong Kong Branch, on behalf of Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas as depositary, and holders of ADSs will not be treated as holders of ordinary shares.

Description of Ordinary Shares

The following is a summary of material provisions of our currently effective amended and restated memorandum and articles of association (the “Memorandum and Articles of Association”), as well as the Companies Act (as amended) of the Cayman Islands (the “Companies Act”), insofar as they relate to the material terms of the Class A ordinary shares. Notwithstanding this, because it is a summary, it may not contain all the information that you may otherwise deem important. For more complete information, you should read the entire Memorandum and Articles of Association, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) as an exhibit to our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 (File No. 001-38699) filed with the SEC on March 29, 2019.

Type and Class of Securities

Each Class A ordinary share has US$0.0001 par value. The number of Class A ordinary shares that have been issued as of the last day of the financial year ended December 31, 2020 is provided on the cover of our annual report on Form 20-F filed on March 31, 2021 (the “2020 Form 20-F”).

Rights of Ordinary Shares

General

All of our outstanding ordinary shares, including our Class A ordinary shares, are fully paid and non-assessable. Some of the ordinary shares are issued in registered form only with no share certificates. Our shareholders who are non-residents of the Cayman Islands may freely hold and vote their ordinary shares. Under Article 4 of our memorandum of association, the objects for which we were established are unrestricted and we have full power and authority to carry out any object not prohibited by any law as provided by Section 7(4) of the Companies Act.

Dividends

The holders of our Class A ordinary shares are entitled to such dividends as may be declared by our board of directors subject to the Companies Act and our articles of association. Our articles of association require notice of any dividend that may have been declared to be given to each holder of our Class A ordinary shares and, pursuant to our articles of association, all dividends unclaimed for one year after having been declared may be forfeited by resolution of the directors for the benefit of the Company.

Voting Rights

Each of our Class A ordinary shares entitles its holder to one vote on all matters to be voted on by shareholders generally. Holders of our Class A and Class B ordinary shares vote together as a single class on all matters presented to our shareholders for their vote or approval, except as otherwise required by applicable law or our memorandum of association and articles of association. Voting at any meeting of shareholders is by show of hands unless a poll is demanded. A poll may be demanded by our chairman or one or more shareholders present in person or by proxy entitled to vote and who together hold not less than 20% of the paid up voting share capital of our company.

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A quorum required for a meeting of shareholders consists of one or more shareholders who hold at least 50 percent of our ordinary shares at the meeting present in person or by proxy or, if a corporation or other non-natural person, by its duly authorized representative. Shareholders’ meetings are held at least annually and may be convened by our board on its own initiative or, failing a request by our board, upon a request to the directors by shareholders holding in aggregate at least 20 percent of our ordinary shares. Advance notice of at least seven clear days is required for the convening of our annual general meeting and other shareholders meetings.

An ordinary resolution to be passed by the shareholders requires the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the votes attaching to the ordinary shares cast in a general meeting, while a special resolution requires the affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds of the votes cast attaching to the ordinary shares. A special resolution will be required for important matters such as changing our name or making changes to our memorandum and articles of association.

Transfer of Ordinary Shares

Subject to the restrictions in our memorandum and articles of association and the Participation Agreement, as applicable, any of our shareholders may transfer all or any of his or her ordinary shares by an instrument of transfer in the usual or common form or any other form approved by our board.

Our board of directors may, in its absolute discretion, decline to register any transfer of any ordinary share which is not fully paid up or on which we have a lien. Our directors may also decline to register any transfer of any ordinary share unless:

 

•

the instrument of transfer is lodged with us, accompanied by the certificate for the ordinary shares to which it relates and such other evidence as our board of directors may reasonably require to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer;

 

•

the instrument of transfer is in respect of only one class of shares;

 

•

the instrument of transfer is properly stamped, if required; or

 

•

in the case of a transfer to joint holders, the number of joint holders to whom the ordinary share is to be transferred does not exceed four.

Our board of directors is required to refuse to register any purported transfer of Class B ordinary shares made otherwise than in compliance with the Participation Agreement. If our directors refuse to register a transfer they must, within two months after the date on which the instrument of transfer was lodged, send to each of the transferor and the transferee notice of such refusal.

Exchange Right of New Cotai LLC (“New Cotai”)

Subject to certain conditions, New Cotai and its permitted transferees thereof may exchange their Participation Interest in MSC Cotai LLC for a number of Class A ordinary shares. If New Cotai exchanges all or a portion of the Participation Interest for Class A ordinary shares, it will also be deemed to have surrendered an equal number of Class B ordinary shares, and any Class B ordinary shares so surrendered will be canceled for no consideration.

Liquidation

On a return of capital on winding up or otherwise (other than on conversion, redemption or purchase of ordinary shares), assets available for distribution among the holders of Class A ordinary shares will be distributed among the holders of the Class A ordinary shares on a pro rata basis. If our assets available for distribution are insufficient to repay all of the paid-up capital, the assets will be distributed so that the losses are borne by our shareholders proportionately. Holders of our Class B ordinary shares do not have any right to receive a distribution upon a liquidation or winding up of the Company.

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Calls on Ordinary Shares and Forfeiture of Ordinary Shares

Our board may from time to time make calls upon shareholders for any amounts unpaid on their ordinary shares in a notice served to such shareholders at least 14 clear days prior to the specified time and place of payment. The ordinary shares that have been called upon and remain unpaid on the specified time are subject to forfeiture. Shareholders are not liable for any capital calls by the Company except to the extent there is an amount unpaid on their shares.

Redemption of Ordinary Shares

Subject to the provisions of the Companies Act, we may issue shares on terms that are subject to redemption, at our option or at the option of the holders, on such terms and in such manner as the directors may determine.

Prohibitions on the Receipt of Dividends, the Exercise of Voting or Other Rights or the Receipt of Other Remuneration

Our memorandum and articles of association prohibit anyone who is an unsuitable person or an affiliate of an unsuitable person from:

 

•

receiving dividends or interest with regard to our shares;

 

•

exercising voting or other rights conferred by our shares; and

 

•

receiving any remuneration in any form from us or an affiliated company for services rendered or otherwise.

Such unsuitable person or its affiliate must sell all of the shares, or allow us to redeem or repurchase the shares on such terms and manner as the directors may determine and agree with the shareholders, within such period of time as specified by a gaming authority.

These prohibitions commence on the date that a gaming authority serves notice of a determination of unsuitability or our board determines that a person or its affiliate is unsuitable and continue until the securities are owned or controlled by persons found suitable by a gaming authority or our board, as applicable, to own them. An “unsuitable person” is any person who is determined by a gaming authority to be unsuitable to own or control any of our shares or who causes us or any affiliated company to lose or to be threatened with the loss of any gaming license, or who, in the sole discretion of our board, is deemed likely to jeopardize our or any of our affiliates’ application for, receipt of approval for right to the use of, or entitlement to, any gaming license.

The terms “affiliated companies,” “gaming authority” and “person” have the meanings set forth in our articles of association.

Redemption of Securities Owned or Controlled by an Unsuitable Person or an Affiliate

Our memorandum and articles of association provide that shares owned or controlled by an unsuitable person or an affiliate of an unsuitable person are redeemable by us, out of funds legally available for that redemption, by appropriate action of our board to the extent required by the gaming authorities making the determination of unsuitability or to the extent deemed necessary or advisable by our board having regard to relevant gaming laws. From and after the redemption date, the securities will not be considered outstanding and all rights of the unsuitable person or affiliate will cease, other than the right to receive the redemption price and the right to receive any dividends declared prior to any receipt of any written notice from a gaming authority declaring the suitable person to be an unsuitable person but not yet paid. The redemption price will be the price, if any, required to be paid by the gaming authority making the finding of unsuitability or, if the gaming authority does not require a price to be paid, the sum deemed to be the fair value of the securities by our board. The price for the shares will not exceed the closing price per share of the shares on the principal national securities exchange on which the shares are then listed on the trading date on the day before the redemption notice is given. If the shares are not then listed, the redemption price will not exceed the closing sales price of the shares as quoted on an automated quotation system, or if the closing price is not then reported, the mean between the bid and asked prices, as quoted by any other generally recognized reporting system. Our right of redemption is not exclusive of any other rights that we may have or later acquire under any agreement, its bylaws or otherwise. The redemption price may be paid in cash, by promissory note, or both, as required by the applicable gaming authority and, if not, as we elect.

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Our memorandum and articles of association require any unsuitable person and any affiliate of an unsuitable person to indemnify us and our affiliated companies for any and all losses, costs and expenses, including legal fees, incurred by us and our affiliates as a result of, or arising out of, the unsuitable person’s or affiliate’s continuing ownership or control of shares, the neglect, refusal or other failure to comply with the provisions of our memorandum and articles of association relating to unsuitable persons, or failure to promptly divest itself of any shares in us when required by the relevant gaming laws or our memorandum and articles of association.

Requirements to Change the Rights of Holders of Ordinary Shares

Variations of Rights of Shares. All or any of the rights attached to any class of shares may, subject to the provisions of our memorandum and articles of association and the Companies Act, be varied or abrogated either with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority of the issued shares of that class or with the approval of the holders of at least a majority of the shares of that class present in person or by proxy at a separate general meeting of the holders of the shares of that class.

Changes in Capital

We may from time to time by ordinary resolution (but subject to other provisions of our memorandum and of articles of association):

 

•

increase the share capital by such sum, to be divided into shares of such classes and amount, as the resolution may prescribe

 

•

consolidate and divide all or any of our share capital into shares of a larger amount than our existing shares;

 

•

convert all or any of our paid-up shares into stock and reconvert that stock into paid up shares of any denomination;

 

•

sub-divide our existing shares, or any of them, into shares of a smaller amount provided that in the subdivision the proportion between the amount paid and the amount, if any, unpaid on each reduced share will be the same as it was in case of the share from which the reduced share is derived; or

 

•

cancel any shares which, at the date of the passing of the resolution, have not been taken or agreed to be taken by any person and diminish the amount of our share capital by the amount of the shares so canceled.

We may by special resolution (subject to our memorandum and articles) reduce our share capital and any capital redemption reserve in any manner authorized by law.

Exempted Company

We are an exempted company incorporated with limited liability under the Companies Act. The Companies Act distinguishes between ordinary resident companies and exempted companies. Any company that is registered in the Cayman Islands but conducts business mainly outside of the Cayman Islands may apply to be registered as an exempted company. The requirements for an exempted company are essentially the same as for an ordinary resident company except for the exemptions and privileges listed below:

 

•

annual reporting requirements are minimal and consist mainly of a statement that the company has conducted its operations mainly outside of the Cayman Islands and has complied with the provisions of the Companies Act;

 

•

an exempted company’s register of members is not open to inspection;

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•

an exempted company does not have to hold an annual general meeting;

 

•

an exempted company may issue shares with or without par value;

 

•

an exempted company may obtain an undertaking against the imposition of any future taxation (such undertakings are usually given for 20 years in the first instance);

 

•

an exempted company may register by way of continuation in another jurisdiction and be deregistered in the Cayman Islands;

 

•

an exempted company may register as a limited duration company; and

 

•

an exempted company may register as a segregated portfolio company.

Differences in Corporate Law

The Companies Act is modeled after that of England and Wales but does not follow recent statutory enactments in England. In addition, the Companies Act differs from laws applicable to Delaware corporations and their shareholders. Set forth below is a summary of the significant differences between the provisions of the Companies Act applicable to us and the laws applicable to Delaware corporations and their shareholders.

Mergers and Similar Arrangements. The Companies Act permits mergers and consolidations between Cayman Islands companies and between Cayman Islands companies and non-Cayman Islands companies. For these purposes: (i) a “merger” means the merging of two or more constituent companies and the vesting of their undertaking, property and liabilities in one of such companies as the surviving company; and (ii) a “consolidation” means the combination of two or more constituent companies into a consolidated company and the vesting of the undertaking, property and liabilities of such companies to the consolidated company. In order to effect a merger or consolidation, the directors of each constituent company must approve a written plan of merger or consolidation, which must then be authorized by: (i) a special resolution of the shareholders of each constituent company; and (ii) such other authorization, if any, as may be specified in such constituent company’s articles of association.

A merger between a parent company incorporated in the Cayman Islands and its subsidiary or subsidiaries incorporated in the Cayman Islands does not require authorization by a resolution of shareholders of the constituent companies provided a copy of the plan of merger is given to every shareholder of each subsidiary company to be merged unless that shareholder agrees otherwise. For this purpose, a subsidiary is a company of which at least ninety percent (90%) of the issued shares entitled to vote are owned by the parent company.

The plan of merger or consolidation must be filed with the Registrar of Companies in the Cayman Islands together with a declaration as to the solvency of the consolidated or surviving company, a declaration as to the assets and liabilities of each constituent company and an undertaking that a copy of the certificate of merger or consolidation will be given to the members and creditors of each constituent company and that notification of the merger and consolidation will be published in the Cayman Islands Gazette. Dissenting shareholders have the right to be paid the fair value of their shares if they follow the required procedures, subject to certain exceptions. The fair value of the shares will be determined by the Cayman Islands court if it cannot be agreed among the parties. Court approval is not required for a merger or consolidation effected in compliance with these statutory procedures.

In addition, there are statutory provisions that facilitate the reconstruction and amalgamation of companies, provided that the arrangement is approved by a majority in number of each class of shareholders and creditors with whom the arrangement is to be made, and who must in addition represent three-fourths in value of each such class of shareholders or creditors, as the case may be, that are present and voting either in person or by proxy at a meeting, or meetings, convened for that purpose. The convening of the meetings and subsequently the arrangement must be sanctioned by the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands.

While a dissenting shareholder has the right to express to the court the view that the transaction ought not to be approved, the court can be expected to approve the arrangement if it determines that:

 

•

the statutory provisions as to the required majority vote have been met;

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•

the shareholders have been fairly represented at the meeting in question and the statutory majority are acting bona fide without coercion of the minority to promote interests adverse to those of the class;

 

•

the arrangement is such that may be reasonably approved by an intelligent and honest man of that class acting in respect of his interest; and

 

•

the arrangement is not one that would more properly be sanctioned under some other provision of the Companies Act.

When a take-over offer is made and accepted by holders of not less than 90% of the shares within four months, the offeror may, within a two-month period commencing on the expiration of such four month period, require the holders of the remaining shares to transfer such shares on the terms of the offer. An objection can be made to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands but this is unlikely to succeed unless there is evidence of fraud, bad faith or collusion

If the arrangement and reconstruction is thus approved, the dissenting shareholder would have no rights comparable to appraisal rights, which would otherwise ordinarily be available to dissenting shareholders of Delaware corporations, providing rights to receive payment in cash for the judicially determined value of the shares.

Shareholders’ Suits. Derivative actions have been brought in the Cayman Islands courts. In most cases, the company will be the proper plaintiff in any claim based on a breach of duty owed to it, and a claim against (for example) the company’s officers or directors usually may not be brought by a shareholder. However, based on English authorities, which would in all likelihood be of persuasive authority and be applied by a court in the Cayman Islands, exceptions to the foregoing principle apply in circumstances in which:

 

•

a company is acting, or proposing to act, illegally or beyond the scope of its authority;

 

•

the act complained of, although not beyond the scope of the authority, could be effected if duly authorized by more than the number of votes which have actually been obtained; or

 

•

those who control the company are perpetrating a “fraud on the minority.”

A shareholder may have a direct right of action against the company where the individual rights of that shareholder have been infringed or are about to be infringed.

Directors’ Fiduciary Duties. Under Delaware corporate law, a director of a Delaware corporation has a fiduciary duty to the corporation and its shareholders. This duty has two components, the duty of care and the duty of loyalty. The duty of care requires that a director act in good faith, with the care that an ordinarily prudent person would exercise under similar circumstances. Under this duty, a director must inform himself of, and disclose to shareholders, all material information reasonably available regarding a significant transaction. The duty of loyalty requires that a director must act in a manner he or she reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the corporation. A director must not use his or her corporate position for personal gain or advantage. This duty prohibits self-dealing by a director and mandates that the best interests of the corporation and its shareholders take precedence over any interest possessed by a director, officer or controlling shareholder and not shared by the shareholders generally. In general, actions of a director are presumed to have been made on an informed basis, in good faith and in the honest belief that the action taken was in the best interests of the corporation. However, this presumption may be rebutted by evidence of a breach of one of the fiduciary duties. Should such evidence be presented concerning a transaction by a director, the director must prove the procedural fairness of the transaction and that the transaction was of fair value to the corporation.

As a matter of Cayman Islands law, a director of a Cayman Islands company is in the position of a fiduciary with respect to the company, and therefore it is considered that he or she owes the following duties to the company: a duty to act bona fide in the best interests of the company, a duty not to make a profit out of his or her position as director (unless the company permits him or her to do so), a duty not to put himself or herself in a position where the interests of the company conflict with his or her personal interests or his or her duty to a third party and a duty to exercise powers for the purpose for which such powers were intended. A director of a Cayman Islands company owes to the company a duty to act with skill and care. It was previously considered that a director need not exhibit in the performance of his or her duties a greater degree of skill than may reasonably be expected from a person of his or her knowledge and experience. However, there are indications that the courts are moving towards an objective standard with regard to the required skill and care.

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Under our memorandum and articles of association, directors who are in any way, whether directly or indirectly, interested in a contract or proposed contract with our company must declare the nature of their interest at a meeting of the board of directors. Following such declaration, a director may vote in respect of any contract or proposed contract notwithstanding his or her interest.

Shareholder Action by Written Resolution. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation’s certificate of incorporation may eliminate the right of shareholders to act by written consent. Our memorandum and articles of association allow shareholders to act by written resolutions.

Cumulative Voting. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, cumulative voting for elections of directors is not permitted unless the corporation’s certificate of incorporation specifically provides for it. Cumulative voting potentially facilitates the representation of minority shareholders on a board of directors since it permits the minority shareholder to cast all the votes to which the shareholder is entitled for a single director, which increases the shareholder’s voting interest with respect to electing such director. As permitted under Cayman Islands law, our memorandum and articles of association do not provide for cumulative voting.

Removal of Directors. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a director of a corporation may be removed with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Under our memorandum and articles of association, subject to the Shareholders’ Agreement, directors can be removed by special resolution of the shareholders.

Transactions with Interested Shareholders. The Delaware General Corporation Law contains a business combination statute applicable to Delaware public corporations whereby, unless the corporation has specifically elected not to be governed by such statute by amendment to its certificate of incorporation, it is prohibited from engaging in certain business combinations with an “interested shareholder” for three years following the date on which such person becomes an interested shareholder. An interested shareholder generally is one which owns or owned 15% or more of the target’s outstanding voting stock within the past three years. This has the effect of limiting the ability of a potential acquirer to make a two-tiered bid for the target in which all shareholders would not be treated equally. The statute does not apply if, among other things, prior to the date on which such shareholder becomes an interested shareholder, the board of directors approves either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the person becoming an interested shareholder. This encourages any potential acquirer of a Delaware public corporation to negotiate the terms of any acquisition transaction with the target’s board of directors.

Cayman Islands law has no comparable statute. As a result, we cannot avail ourselves of the types of protections afforded by the Delaware business combination statute. However, although Cayman Islands law does not regulate transactions between a company and its significant shareholders, it does provide that such transactions entered into must be bona fide in the best interests of the company, for a proper corporate purpose and not with the effect of perpetrating a fraud on the minority shareholders.

Dissolution and Winding Up. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, unless the board of directors approves the proposal to dissolve, dissolution must be approved by shareholders holding 100% of the total voting interest of the corporation. Only if the dissolution is initiated by the board of directors may it be approved by a simple majority of the corporation’s outstanding shares. The Delaware General Corporation Law allows a Delaware corporation to include in its certificate of incorporation a supermajority voting requirement in connection with dissolutions initiated by the board of directors.

Under our memorandum and articles of association, if our company is wound up, the liquidator of our company may distribute the assets with the sanction of an ordinary resolution of the shareholders and any other sanction required by law.

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Variation of Rights of Shares. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation may vary the rights of a class of shares with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares of such class, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Under Cayman Islands law and our memorandum and articles of association, if our share capital is divided into more than one class of shares, we may (subject to qualifications in the memorandum and articles of association) vary the rights attached to any class with the consent in writing of the holders of a majority of the issued shares of the relevant class or with the sanction of a resolution passed at a separate meeting of the holders of the shares of such class by a majority of the votes cast at such a meeting.

Amendment of Governing Documents. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation’s governing documents may be amended with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Our memorandum and articles of association may be amended by a special resolution of shareholders.

Waiver of Certain Corporate Opportunities. Under our memorandum and articles of association, the Company has renounced any interest or expectancy of the Company in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, certain opportunities where such opportunities come into the possession of one of our directors other than in his or her capacity as a director (as more particularly described in our memorandum and articles of association). This is subject to applicable law and may be waived by the relevant director.

Inspection of Books and Records. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, any shareholder of a corporation may for any proper purpose inspect or make copies of the corporation’s stock ledger, list of shareholders and other books and records. Holders of our shares have no general right under Cayman Islands law to inspect or obtain copies of our register of members or our corporate records (other than the memorandum and articles of association). However, we intend to provide our shareholders with annual reports containing audited financial statements.

Anti-Takeover Provisions in our Memorandum and Articles of Association. Some provisions of our memorandum and articles of association may discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our company or management that shareholders may consider favorable, including a provision that authorizes our board of directors to issue preference shares in one or more series and to designate the price, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of such preference shares without any further vote or action by our shareholders. Such shares could be issued quickly with terms calculated to delay or prevent a change in control of our company or make removal of management more difficult. If our board of directors decides to issue these preference shares, the price of our ordinary shares may fall and the voting and other rights of the holders of our ordinary shares may be materially adversely affected. However, under Cayman Islands law, our directors may only exercise the rights and powers granted to them under our memorandum and articles of association for a proper purpose and for what they believe in good faith to be in the best interests of our company.

Rights of Non-Resident or Foreign Shareholders. There are no limitations imposed by our memorandum and articles of association on the rights of non-resident or foreign shareholders to hold or exercise voting rights on our shares. In addition, there are no provisions in our memorandum and articles of association governing the ownership threshold above which shareholder ownership must be disclosed.

Description of American Depositary Shares

For information regarding our ADSs, please refer to the  Description of American Depositary Shares (incorporated by reference to our registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-227232), as amended, initially filed with the SEC on September 7, 2018).

Exhibit 2.20

Execution Version

 

                

Dated 15 March 2021

Amendment and Restatement Agreement

in respect of the HKD10,855,880,000 Senior Secured Term Loan and Revolving Facilities Agreement

originally dated 28 January 2013 (as amended and restated from time to time)

between

Studio City Investments Limited

as Parent

Studio City Company Limited

as Borrower

Bank of China Limited, Macau Branch

as Agent

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Macau) Limited

as Common Security Agent

and others

White & Case

9th Floor Central Tower

28 Queen’s Road Central

Hong Kong

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Table of Contents

 

				Page
1.		Interpretation			1
2.		Amendment to the Facilities Agreement			3
3.		Representations			3
4.		Continuity and further assurance			6
5.		Costs and expenses			6
6.		Enforcement			6
7.		Miscellaneous			7
8.		Counterparts			7
9.		Governing law			7
Schedule 1         Amended and Restated Facilities Agreement					8
Schedule 2         Conditions Precedent					9
Schedule 3         Confirmatory Security Documents					11
Part 1                  Offshore Confirmatory Security					11
Part 2                  Confirmations for Onshore Security					15

 

(i)

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This Amendment and Restatement Agreement is dated 15 March 2021 (this “Agreement”) and made

Between:

 

(1)	Studio City Investments Limited, a BVI business company incorporated with limited liability under the laws of the British Virgin Islands (registered number 1673083), whose registered office is at Jayla Place, Wickhams Cay 1, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands (the “Parent”);

 

(2)	Studio City Company Limited, a BVI business company incorporated with limited liability under the laws of the British Virgin Islands (registered number 1673603), whose registered office is at Jayla Place, Wickhams Cay 1, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands (the “Borrower”);

 

(3)	The Subsidiaries of the Borrower listed on the signing pages as Guarantors (together with the Parent and the Borrower, the “Obligors”);

 

(4)	Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Macau) Limited, incorporated with limited liability under the laws of the Macau SAR in its capacity as common security agent and trustee for the Secured Parties (the “Common Security Agent”);

 

(5)	Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Macau) Limited, incorporated with limited liability under the laws of the Macau SAR in its capacity as POA agent for the Common Security Agent under the Facilities Agreement (the “POA Agent”); and

 

(6)	Bank of China Limited, Macau Branch, incorporated with limited liability under the laws of the People’s Republic of China in its capacity as facility agent of the other Finance Parties under the Facilities Agreement (the “Agent”).

Whereas:

 

(A)

Certain of the parties hereto (among others) have entered into a HKD 10,855,880,000 Senior Secured Term Loan and Revolving Facilities Agreement originally dated 28 January 2013 (as amended and restated by an amendment and restatement agreement dated 23 November 2016 and as further amended and restated from time to time) (the “Facilities Agreement”).

 

(B)	This Agreement is supplemental to the Facilities Agreement.

 

(C)	The Parent and the Borrower have requested that the Facilities Agreement be amended and restated as contemplated by this Agreement and the Agent consents to the making of those amendments, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

(D)	The Parties wish to enter into this Agreement to record their agreements in relation to the above.

It is agreed as follows:

 

1.	Interpretation

 

1.1	Definitions

In this Agreement:

“Amended and Restated Facilities Agreement” means the Facilities Agreement, as amended and restated pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement (as on the Effective Date, in the form set out in Schedule 1 (Amended and Restated Facilities Agreement)).

 

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“Amendment Transaction Documents” means:

 

(a)

this Agreement; and

 

(b)

each Confirmatory Security Document.

“Confirmatory Security Documents” means each agreement, deed, acknowledgement, confirmation, amendment or other instrument listed in Schedule 3 (Confirmatory Security Documents).

“Credit Facility Lenders” has the meaning given to that term in the Intercreditor Agreement.

“Creditor Representative” has the meaning given to that term in the Intercreditor Agreement.

“Effective Date” means the later of:

 

(a)

the date of this Agreement; and

 

(b)

the date on which the Agent confirms in writing to the Borrower that it has received all of the documents and other evidence listed in Schedule 2 (Conditions Precedent), and that each is in form and substance satisfactory to it.

“Intercreditor Agent” means DB Trustees (Hong Kong) Limited.

“Intercreditor Agreement” means the intercreditor agreement dated 1 December 2016 (30 November 2016, New York time) and entered into between (among others) the Parent, the Borrower, Bank of China Limited, Macau Branch as credit facility agent for the Finance Parties under the Facilities Agreement and as credit facility lender under the Facilities Agreement, the Intercreditor Agent as coordinating intercreditor agent for the Secured Parties and the Common Security Agent.

“Melco Resorts Macau” means Melco Resorts (Macau) Limited (formerly known as Melco Crown (Macau) Limited and previously as Melco Crown Gaming (Macau) Limited and Melco PBL Gaming (Macau) Limited), a company incorporated under the laws of the Macau SAR, registered with the Macau Commercial Registry under number 24325 SO, with registered office at Avenida da Praia Grande, no. 594, 15/Floor “A”, Macau.

“Required Pari Passu Creditors” has the meaning given to that term in the Intercreditor Agreement.

“SCH5” means Studio City Holdings Five Limited, a BVI business company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands (registered number 1789892), whose registered office is at Jayla Place, Wickhams Cay 1, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands.

“SCHK2” means Studio City (HK) Two Limited (新濠影匯(香港)第二有限公司), a limited liability company incorporated in Hong Kong with its registered office at 36/F, The Centrium, 60 Wyndham Street, Central and registration number 2720234.

“SCHK2 Accession Letter” means the accession letter dated 30 July 2018 and entered into between SCHK2, the Borrower, the Agent, the Intercreditor Agent and the Common Security Agent.

 

1.2	Construction

 

(a)

The principles of construction and rules of interpretation set out in the Facilities Agreement (including but not limited to clause 1.2 (Construction) of the Facilities Agreement) shall have effect as if set out in this Agreement.

 

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(b)

Unless a contrary indication appears, a term defined in or by reference in the Facilities Agreement has the same meaning in this Agreement. Words and expressions defined in this Agreement by reference to the Amended and Restated Facilities Agreement shall (at all times prior to the Effective Date) have the meaning attributed to them in the form of the Amended and Restated Facilities Agreement set out in Schedule 1 (Amended and Restated Facilities Agreement).

 

(c)

In this Agreement any reference to a “Clause”, a “Schedule” or a “Party” is, unless the context otherwise requires, a reference to a Clause, a Schedule or a Party to this Agreement.

 

1.3	Designation

The Borrower and the Agent designate this Agreement as a Finance Document by execution of this Agreement for the purposes of the definition of “Finance Document” in the Facilities Agreement.

 

2.	Amendment to the Facilities Agreement

 

2.1	Amendment to the Facilities Agreement

 

(a)

Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and pursuant to the Facilities Agreement, each Party consents to the amendments to the Facilities Agreement as contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(b)

Each Obligor and the Agent (on behalf of itself and on behalf of each Finance Party pursuant to paragraph (b) of clause 37.2 (Required consents) of the Facilities Agreement) agree, in accordance with clause 37 (Amendments and waivers) of the Facilities Agreement that with immediate and automatic effect from the Effective Date, the Facilities Agreement shall be amended and restated so that it shall be read and construed for all purposes as set out in Schedule 1 (Amended and Restated Facilities Agreement) and all references in the Amended and Restated Facilities Agreement to “this Agreement” shall include this Agreement.

 

2.2	Consent of the Required Pari Passu Creditors

Pursuant to paragraph (a) of clause 3.8 (Amendments and waivers: Credit Facility Agreement) of the Intercreditor Agreement, the Required Pari Passu Creditors (which as at the date of this Agreement comprises of the Agent (in its role as Creditor Representative acting on behalf of the Credit Facility Lenders)) hereby consent to the amendments to the Facilities Agreement as contemplated by this Agreement.

 

2.3	Administrative details

The address, fax number and attention details of each Party for the purposes of clause 33.2 (Addresses) of the Amended and Restated Facilities Agreement are (a) those identified with its name on the signing pages to the Intercreditor Agreement and (b) in the case of SCHK2 only, those set out in paragraph 3 of the SCHK2 Accession Letter.

 

3.	Representations

 

3.1	Representations

Each Obligor makes the representations and warranties set out in this Clause 3.1 to each Finance Party (by reference to the facts and circumstances then existing) on the date of this Agreement.

 

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(a)

Status

 

(i)

Each Obligor is a limited liability corporation or company duly incorporated or organised, as the case may be, and validly existing under the law of its jurisdiction of incorporation or organisation, as the case may be.

 

(ii)

Each Obligor has the power to own its assets and carry on its business as it is being conducted.

 

(iii)

Each Obligor is acting as principal for its own account and not as agent or trustee in any capacity on behalf of any person in relation to this Agreement and each Confirmatory Security Document.

 

(b)

Binding obligations

Subject to the Legal Reservations, the obligations expressed to be assumed by each Obligor in this Agreement and each Confirmatory Security Document are legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations.

 

(c)

Non-conflict with other obligations

The entry into and performance by each Obligor of, and the transactions contemplated by, this Agreement and each Confirmatory Security Document do not and will not conflict with:

 

(i)

any law or regulation applicable to such Obligor;

 

(ii)

its Constitutional Documents; or

 

(iii)

any agreement or instrument binding upon it or any of its assets or constitute a default or termination event (however described) under any such agreement or instrument, except where a Material Adverse Effect does not or would not be reasonably expected to occur).

 

(d)

Power and authority

Each Obligor has the power to enter into, perform and deliver, and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorise its entry into, performance and delivery of, this Agreement and each Confirmatory Security Document to which it is or will be a party and the transactions contemplated therein.

 

(e)

Validity and admissibility in evidence

 

(i)

All Authorisations required:

 

(A)

to enable each Obligor lawfully to enter into, exercise its rights and comply with its obligations under this Agreement and each Confirmatory Security Document to which it is or will be a party; and

 

(B)

to make this Agreement and each Confirmatory Security Document to which it is or will be a party admissible in evidence in its Relevant Jurisdictions,

have been obtained or effected and are in full force and effect.

 

(ii)

All Authorisations necessary for it to carry out its business, where failure of obtaining such Authorisations has or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, have been obtained or effected and are in full force and effect.

 

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(f)

Governing law and enforcement

Subject to the Legal Reservations:

 

(i)

the choice of English law as the governing law of this Agreement and, in the case of each Confirmatory Security Document, English law, Hong Kong law or Macau SAR law (as the case may be) will be recognised and enforced in each Obligor’s Relevant Jurisdiction; and

 

(ii)

any judgment obtained in relation to this Agreement or any Confirmatory Security Document in England, the Hong Kong SAR or the Macau SAR (as the case may be) will be recognised and enforced in its Relevant Jurisdictions.

 

(g)

No filing or stamp taxes

Subject to the Legal Reservations, under the laws of each Obligor’s Relevant Jurisdictions it is not necessary that this Agreement or any Confirmatory Security Document be filed, recorded or enrolled with any court or other authority in that jurisdiction or that any stamp, registration, notarial or similar Taxes or fees be paid on or in relation to this Agreement or any Confirmatory Security Document or the transactions contemplated therein (save for any stamp, registration, notarial or similar Tax which is referred to in any legal opinion of legal counsel in the Macau SAR delivered to the Agent under this Agreement), which will be made or paid promptly after the date of this Agreement).

 

(h)

Deduction of Tax

No Obligor is required under the laws of its Relevant Jurisdiction or at its address specified in the Facilities Agreement or the Amended and Restated Facilities Agreement to make any deduction for or on account of Tax from any payment it may make under this Agreement or any Confirmatory Security Document.

 

(i)

Group Structure Chart

As at the date of this Agreement the Group Structure Chart delivered to the Agent pursuant to this Agreement is true, complete and accurate and shows each person that is a Subsidiary of an Obligor.

 

3.2	Repetition

The representations and warranties set out in clause 21 (Representations) of the Amended and Restated Facilities Agreement are deemed to be made by each Obligor by reference to the facts and circumstances then existing on the date of this Agreement and on the Effective Date and, in each case, as if any reference therein to any Finance Document in respect of which any amendment, acknowledgement, confirmation, consolidation, novation, restatement, replacement or supplement is expressed to be made by any Amendment Transaction Document included, to the extent relevant, such Amendment Transaction Document and the Finance Document as so amended, acknowledged, confirmed, consolidated, novated, restated, replaced or supplemented.

 

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4.	Continuity and further assurance

 

4.1	Continuing obligations

The Obligors agree and acknowledge that the provisions of the Facilities Agreement (including, without limitation, the guarantees, undertakings and indemnities provided under clause 20 (Guarantee and indemnity) thereof) and the other Finance Documents shall, save as amended by this Agreement, continue in full force and effect and extend to the liabilities and obligations of the Borrower and each of the Obligors under the Amended and Restated Facilities Agreement and the other Finance Documents (as amended from time to time), including as varied, amended, supplemented or extended by this Agreement and apply equally to the obligations of the Borrower under Clause 5 (Costs and expenses) as if set out in full in this Agreement. In particular, nothing in this Agreement shall affect the rights of the Secured Parties in respect of the occurrence of any Default which is continuing or which arises on or after the date of this Agreement (other than any Default which has occurred or may occur as a result of the entry into of this Agreement or the entry into, and performance of, the transactions contemplated by any of the foregoing).

 

4.2	Further assurance

Each Obligor shall, upon the written request of the Agent and at its own expense, do all such acts and things reasonably necessary to give effect to the amendments effected or to be effected pursuant to this Agreement.

 

5.	Costs and expenses

 

(a)

Notwithstanding clause 19 (Costs and expenses) of the Facilities Agreement, the Borrower shall, within five (5) Business Days of demand, pay (or shall procure that another member of the Group will pay) to the Agent all costs and expenses (together with any Indirect Tax) including without limitation (but subject to any agreed caps) the fees and expenses of the Agent’s legal advisers reasonably incurred in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution and performance of this Agreement (and the documents listed in Schedule 2 (Conditions Precedent)) and the transactions contemplated in this Agreement.

 

(b)

The Borrower shall pay (or shall procure that another member of the Group will pay) all stamp, registration and other taxes and notarisation expenses to which this Agreement (and the documents listed in Schedule 2 (Conditions Precedent) is or may at any time be subject and shall from time to time within, five (5) Business Days of demand of the Agent, indemnify the Agent, the Common Security Agent and the Lenders against any liabilities, costs, claims and expenses resulting from any failure to pay or delay in paying any such amounts.

 

6.	Enforcement

 

6.1	Jurisdiction of English courts

 

(a)

The courts of England have non-exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement (including a dispute regarding the existence, validity or termination of this Agreement or any non-contractual obligation arising out of or in connection with this Agreement) (a “Dispute”).

 

(b)

The Parties agree that the courts of England are the most appropriate and convenient courts to settle Disputes and accordingly no Party will argue to the contrary.

 

(c)

This Clause 6.1 is for the benefit of the Finance Parties and Secured Parties (in each case that are party to this Agreement), only and no other Party. As a result, no Finance Party or Secured Party that is party to this Agreement shall be prevented from taking proceedings relating to a Dispute in any other courts with jurisdiction. To the extent allowed by law, the Finance Parties and Secured Parties party to this Agreement may take concurrent proceedings in any number of jurisdictions.

 

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6.2	Service of process

 

(a)

Without prejudice to any other mode of service allowed under any relevant law, each Obligor:

 

(i)

irrevocably appoints Law Debenture Corporate Services Limited as its agent for service of process in relation to any proceedings before the English Courts in connection with any Finance Document governed by English law; and

 

(ii)

agrees that failure by an agent for service of process to notify the Obligor of the process will not invalidate the proceedings concerned.

 

(b)

If any person appointed as an agent for service of process is unable for any reason to act as agent of service of process, the Parent (on behalf of all the Obligors) must immediately (and in any event within three (3) Business Days of such event taking place) appoint another agent on terms acceptable to the Agent. Failing this, the Agent may appoint another agent for this purpose.

 

6.3	Waiver of Jury Trial

EACH OF THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT AGREES TO WAIVE IRREVOCABLY ITS RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE DOCUMENTS REFERRED TO IN THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED IN THIS AGREEMENT. This waiver is intended to apply to all Disputes. Each Party acknowledges that (a) this waiver is a material inducement to enter into this Agreement, (b) it has already relied on this waiver in entering into this Agreement and (c) it will continue to rely on this waiver in future dealings. Each Party represents that it has reviewed this waiver with its legal advisers and that it knowingly and voluntarily waives its jury trial fights after consultation with its legal advisers. In the event of litigation, this Agreement may be filed as a written consent to a trial by the court.

 

7.	Miscellaneous

 

7.1	Incorporation of terms

The provisions of clauses 1.3 (Third party rights), 33 (Notices), 35 (Partial invalidity) and 36 (Remedies and waivers) of the Facilities Agreement and, at and from the Effective Date, the corresponding clauses in the Amended and Restated Facilities Agreement shall be deemed incorporated into this Agreement as if set out in full herein and as if references in those clauses to “this Agreement” and “a Finance Document” are references to this Agreement and cross references to specified clauses thereof are references to the equivalent clauses set out or incorporated herein.

 

8.	Counterparts

This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of this Agreement.

 

9.	Governing law

This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it are governed by English law.

This Agreement has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this Agreement.

 

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Schedule 1

Amended and Restated Facilities Agreement

 

 

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Execution Version

 

            

Credit Facilities Agreement

originally dated 28 January 2013

(as amended and amended and restated from time to time)

and as further amended and restated pursuant to

an amendment and restatement agreement dated 23 November 2016 and

an amendment and restatement agreement dated 15 March 2021

between

Studio City Investments Limited

as Parent

Studio City Company Limited

as Borrower

Bank of China Limited, Macau Branch

(as the immediate replacement of Deutsche Bank AG, Hong Kong Branch)

as Agent

Bank of China Limited, Macau Branch

as Original Lender

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Macau) Limited

as Common Security Agent

and others

White & Case

9th Floor Central Tower

28 Queen’s Road Central

Hong Kong

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Table of Contents

 

				Page
1.		Definitions and interpretation			1
2.		The Facilities			33
3.		Purpose			36
4.		Conditions of utilisation			36
5.		Utilisation – Revolving Facility Loans			37
6.		Ancillary Facilities			38
7.		Repayment			43
8.		Illegality, voluntary prepayment and cancellation			44
9.		Mandatory prepayment			45
10.		Restrictions			47
11.		Interest			49
12.		Interest Periods			49
13.		Changes to the calculation of interest			50
14.		Fees			51
15.		Tax gross-up and indemnities			53
16.		Increased Costs			56
17.		Other indemnities			58
18.		Mitigation by the Lenders			59
19.		Costs and expenses			59
20.		Guarantee and indemnity			61
21.		Representations			64
22.		Information undertakings			69
23.		General undertakings			74
24.		Events of Default			81
25.		Changes to the Lenders			87
26.		Restriction on Debt Purchase Transactions			92
27.		Changes to the Obligors			94
28.		Role of the Agent and others			96
29.		Conduct of business by the Finance Parties			106
30.		Sharing among the Finance Parties			106
31.		Payment mechanics			108
32.		Set off			112
33.		Notices			112
34.		Calculations and certificates			116
35.		Partial invalidity			116

 

(i)

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				Page
36.		Remedies and waivers			116
37.		Amendments and waivers			117
38.		Disclosure of information			121
39.		Counterparts			125
40.		USA Patriot Act			125
41.		Governing law			126
42.		Enforcement			126

 

Schedule 1		Original Parties			127
Part 1		Original Facility A Lender			127
Part 2		Original Revolving Facility Lender			127
Part 3		Original Guarantors			128
Schedule 2		Conditions precedent required to be delivered by an Additional Guarantor			129
Schedule 3		Requests and notices			131
Part 1		Utilisation Request Revolving Facility			131
Part 2		Selection Notice			132
Schedule 4		Form of Transfer Certificate			133
Schedule 5		Form of Assignment Agreement and Lender Accession Undertaking			136
Schedule 6		Form of Accession Letter			139
Schedule 7		Form of Resignation Letter			143
Schedule 8		Forms of Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction Notice			144
Part 1		Form of Notice on Entering into Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction			144
Part 2		Form of Notice on Termination of Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction/Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction Ceasing to be with Sponsor Affiliate			145
Schedule 9		Form of Increase Confirmation			146
Schedule 10		Covenants			149
Schedule 11		Definitions			169

 

(ii)

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This Agreement is originally dated 28 January 2013, was amended and amended and restated from time to time and was further amended and restated on the 2016 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date and the 2021 Amendment Restatement Effective Date, respectively, and is made among:

Between:

 

(1)

STUDIO CITY INVESTMENTS LIMITED, a BVI business company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands (registered number 1673083), whose registered office is at Ocorian Corporate Services (BVI) Limited, Jayla Place, Wickhams Cay I, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands (the “Parent”);

 

(2)

STUDIO CITY COMPANY LIMITED, a BVI business company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands (registered number 1673603), whose registered office is at Ocorian Corporate Services (BVI) Limited, Jayla Place, Wickhams Cay I, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands (the “Borrower”);

 

(3)	THE PERSONS listed in Part 3 of Schedule 1 (Original Parties) as guarantors (the “Original Guarantors”);

 

(4)	THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTION listed in Part 1 and in Part 2 of Schedule 1 (Original Parties) as the Original Facility A Lender and the Original Revolving Facility Lender (the “Original Lender”);

 

(5)	BANK OF CHINA LIMITED, MACAU BRANCH (having immediately replaced Deutsche Bank AG, Hong Kong Branch) as facility agent of the other Finance Parties (the “Agent”);

 

(6)	INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL BANK OF CHINA (MACAU) LIMITED as security agent and trustee for the Secured Parties (the “Common Security Agent”); and

 

(7)	INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL BANK OF CHINA (MACAU) LIMITED as agent for the Common Security Agent under the Power of Attorney (the “POA Agent”).

It is agreed:

SECTION 1

INTERPRETATION

 

1.	Definitions and interpretation

 

1.1	Definitions

In this Agreement, having regard in particular to paragraphs (k) and (l) of Clause 1.2 (Construction):

“2016 Amendment and Restatement Agreement” means the amendment and restatement agreement dated 23 November 2016 between, among others, the Borrower, the Original Guarantors, the Agent and the Common Security Agent (as Security Agent, as it was then known).

“2016 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date” means the “Effective Date” as defined in the 2016 Amendment and Restatement Agreement.

“2021 Amendment and Restatement Agreement” means the amendment and restatement agreement dated 15 March 2021 between, among others, the Borrower, the Original Guarantors, the Agent and the Common Security Agent.

 

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“2021 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date” means the “Effective Date” as defined in the 2021 Amendment and Restatement Agreement.

“Acceleration Event” means an Event of Default in respect of which the Agent has taken any action pursuant to paragraphs (b) or (c) of Clause 24.19 (Acceleration) in respect of the full principal amount of each of the Utilisation(s) then outstanding in respect of the Revolving Facility.

“Acceptable Bank” means:

 

(a)

a bank or financial institution which has a rating for its long-term unsecured and non credit-enhanced debt obligations of A- or higher by Standard & Poor’s or Fitch or A3 or higher by Moody’s or a comparable rating from an internationally recognised credit rating agency;

 

(b)

each of Bank of China Limited, Macau Branch, Banco Nacional Ultramarino, S.A., China Construction Bank (Macau) Corporation Limited, Banco Comercial Português, S.A., Macau Branch, Banco Comercial de Macau, S.A., Tai Fung Bank Limited, Wing Lung Bank Limited, Macau Branch, The Bank of East Asia Limited, Macau Branch, Bank of Communications Co., Ltd. Macau Branch, First Commercial Bank, Macau, Ta Chong Bank;

 

(c)

any Finance Party or an Affiliate of any Finance Party; or

 

(d)

any other bank or financial institution approved by the Agent.

“Accession Letter” means a document substantially in the form set out in Schedule 6 (Form of Accession Letter).

“Account” has the meaning, for the purpose of any Continuing Document, given to that term in schedule 5 (Continuing Documents) of the Intercreditor Agreement.

“Additional Guarantor” means a company which becomes a Guarantor in accordance with Clause 27 (Changes to the Obligors).

“Additional High Yield Note Documents” means any indenture recording Additional High Yield Notes and each other document or instrument which relates to any Additional High Yield Notes or, as the case may be, Additional High Yield Note Refinancing Indebtedness.

“Additional High Yield Note Refinancing” has the meaning given to that term in the Intercreditor Agreement.

“Additional High Yield Note Refinancing Indebtedness” has the meaning given to that term in the Intercreditor Agreement.

“Additional High Yield Notes” has the meaning given to that term in the Intercreditor Agreement.

“Affiliate” means, in relation to any person, any other person which, directly or indirectly, is in control of, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such person. For purposes of this definition, “control” means, in relation to a person, the power, directly or indirectly, to (a) vote 20 per cent. or more of the shares or other securities having ordinary voting power for the election of the board of directors (or persons performing similar functions) of such person or (b) direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such person, whether by contract or otherwise.

“Agent” means the Agent, provided that for the purpose of any Continuing Document (only) the reserved meaning (if any) given to this term in connection with that Continuing Document pursuant to paragraph (l) of Clause 1.2 (Construction) and the Intercreditor Agreement shall apply.

 

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“Agent’s Spot Rate of Exchange” means the Agent’s spot rate of exchange for the purchase of one currency with HK dollars in the Hong Kong foreign exchange market at or about 11:00 a.m. on a particular day.

“Amended Land Concession” means the land concession of a plot of land with an area of 130,789 sq. meters located in the reclaimed land zone between Taipa and Coloane Island, designated as Lotes G300, G310 and G400 registered with the Macau Real Estate Registry under no. 23059, granted by way of lease by the Macau SAR to Propco pursuant to Dispatch no. 100/2001 of the Secretary for Transport and Public Works dated 9 October 2001 and published in the Macau Official Gazette no. 42, II Series on 17 October 2001, as amended in accordance with Dispatch no. 31/2012 of the Secretary for Public Works dated 19 July 2012 and published in the Macau Official Gazette No. 30. II Series on 25 July 2012, as further amended in accordance with Dispatch no. 92/2015 of the Secretary for Public Works dated 10 September 2015 and published in the Macau Official Gazette no. 38, II Series on 23 September 2015, and as may be further amended and supplemented from time to time).

“Ancillary Commencement Date” means, in relation to an Ancillary Facility, the date on which that Ancillary Facility is first made available, which date shall be a Business Day within the Availability Period for the Revolving Facility.

“Ancillary Commitment” means, in relation to an Ancillary Lender and an Ancillary Facility, the maximum amount which that Ancillary Lender has agreed (whether or not subject to satisfaction of conditions precedent) to make available from time to time under an Ancillary Facility and which has been authorised as such under Clause 6 (Ancillary Facilities), to the extent that amount is not cancelled or reduced under this Agreement or the Ancillary Documents relating to that Ancillary Credit Facility.

“Ancillary Document” means each document relating to or evidencing the terms of an Ancillary Facility.

“Ancillary Facility” means any ancillary facility made available by an Ancillary Lender in accordance with Clause 6 (Ancillary Facilities).

“Ancillary Lender” means each Lender (or Affiliate of a Lender) which makes available an Ancillary Facility in accordance with Clause 6 (Ancillary Facilities).

“Ancillary Outstandings” means, at any time, in relation to an Ancillary Lender and an Ancillary Facility then in force the aggregate of the equivalents (as calculated by that Ancillary Lender) in the Base Currency of the following amounts outstanding under that Ancillary Facility:

 

(a)

the principal amount under each overdraft facility and on-demand short term loan facility (net of any Available Credit Balance);

 

(b)

the face amount of each guarantee, bond and letter of credit under that Ancillary Facility; and

 

(c)

the amount fairly representing the aggregate exposure (excluding interest and similar charges) of that Ancillary Lender under each other type of accommodation provided under that Ancillary Facility,

in each case as determined by such Ancillary Lender, acting reasonably in accordance with its normal banking practice and in accordance with the relevant Ancillary Document.

 

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“Anti-Terrorism Law” means each of:

 

(a)

the Executive Order;

 

(b)

the USA Patriot Act;

 

(c)

the Money Laundering Control Act of 1986, Public Law 99-570 and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency;

 

(d)

the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, 50 U.S.C. §§ 1701 et seq, the Trading with the Enemy Act, 50 U.S.C. App. §§ 1 et seq, any executive order or regulation promulgated thereunder and administered by OFAC;

 

(e)

the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977;

 

(f)

the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 and the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability and Divestment Act of 2010; and

 

(g)

any similar sanctions, restrictions or embargoes enacted or imposed by Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Reserve Bank of Australia, the United Nations, the European Union, the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs of Switzerland, OFAC, HM Treasury of the United Kingdom, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, the Monetary Authority of Singapore, the Macau Monetary Authority or any other body notified in writing by the Agent (acting on behalf of any Lender) to the Borrower from time to time.

“Assignment Agreement and Lender Accession Undertaking” means an agreement substantially in the form set out in Schedule 5 (Form of Assignment Agreement and Lender Accession Undertaking) or any other form agreed between the relevant assignor and assignee.

“Auditors” means (a) any one of PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young, KPMG and Deloitte & Touche, (b) any Affiliate of any auditor referred to in (a) or any entity resulting from amalgamation of any auditor referred to in (a) or (c) any firm of independent public accountants with at established national repute, in each case that has the necessary skills and experience to audit a group of companies such as the Group.

“Authorisation” means an authorisation, consent, approval, resolution, licence, exemption, filing, notarisation or registration.

“Availability Period” means, in relation to the Revolving Facility, the period from and including 1 January 2017 up to and including the date falling one Month prior to the Final Repayment Date for the Revolving Facility. The Availability Period in respect of the commitments originally drawn on under this Agreement to fund the advance establishing the Facility A Loan concluded prior to the 2016 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date.

“Available Commitment” means, in relation to the Revolving Facility, a Lender’s Commitment under that Facility minus:

 

(a)

the amount of its participation in any outstanding Utilisations under that Facility and the aggregate amount of its (and its Affiliate’s) Ancillary Commitments; and

 

(b)

in relation to any proposed Utilisation, the amount of its participation in any other Utilisations that are due to be made under that Facility on or before the proposed Utilisation Date and the amount of its (and its Affiliate’s) Ancillary Commitment in relation to any new Ancillary Facility that is due to be made available on or before the proposed Utilisation Date.

For the purposes of calculating a Lender’s Available Commitment in relation to any proposed Utilisation under the Revolving Facility, that Lender’s participation in any Revolving Facility Loans that are due to be repaid or prepaid on or before the proposed Utilisation Date and that Lender’s (and its Affiliate’s) Ancillary Commitments to the extent that they are due to be reduced or cancelled on or before the proposed Utilisation Date shall not be deducted from a Lender’s Commitment under that Facility.

 

		4		Project Asgard (2020 A&R) – Amended and Restated Facilities Agreement

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“Available Credit Balance” means, in relation to an Ancillary Facility, credit balances on any account of the Borrower with the Ancillary Lender making available that Ancillary Facility to the extent that those credit balances are freely available to be set off by that Ancillary Lender against liabilities owed to it by the Borrower.

“Available Facility” means, in relation to a Facility, the aggregate for the time being of each Lender’s Available Commitment in respect of that Facility. The Available Facility in respect of Facility A is nil.

“Base Currency” means Hong Kong dollars.

“Bondco” has the meaning given to that term in the Intercreditor Agreement.

“Bondco Loan” has the meaning given to that term in the Intercreditor Agreement.

“Bondco Loan Agreement” has the meaning given to that term in the Intercreditor Agreement.

“Break Costs” means the amount (if any) by which:

 

(a)

the interest excluding the Margin which a Lender should have received for the period from the date of receipt of all or any part of its participation in a Loan or Unpaid Sum to the last day of the current Interest Period in respect of that Loan or Unpaid Sum, had the principal amount or Unpaid Sum received been paid on the last day of that Interest Period;

exceeds:

 

(b)

the amount which that Lender would be able to obtain by placing an amount equal to the principal amount or Unpaid Sum received by it on deposit with a leading bank in the Relevant Interbank Market for a period starting on the Business Day following receipt or recovery and ending on the last day of the current Interest Period.

“Business Day” means a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks are open for general business in the Macau SAR, the Hong Kong SAR and London.

“Cancellation Notice” has the meaning given to that term in paragraph (b) of Clause 37.5 (Replaceable Lenders).

“Cash” means, at any time, cash on hand or cash at bank credited to an account in the name of an Obligor with an Acceptable Bank and in each case to which an Obligor is alone (or with one or more other Obligors) beneficially entitled and for so long as:

 

(a)

that cash is repayable on demand;

 

(b)

repayment of that cash is not contingent on the prior discharge of any other indebtedness of any member of the Group or of any other person whatsoever or on the satisfaction of any other condition;

 

(c)

there is no Security over that cash except Transaction Security falling within paragraphs (8), (9), (10), (14)(i), (14)(ii), (21), (23), (26) and (27) of the definition of “Permitted Liens” in Schedule 11 (Definitions); and

 

(d)

subject to (a) above, such cash is freely and immediately available to be applied in repayment or prepayment of the Facilities.

 

		5		Project Asgard (2020 A&R) – Amended and Restated Facilities Agreement

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“Cash Equivalent Investments” means at any time:

 

(a)

certificates of deposit maturing within one year after the relevant date of calculation and issued by an Acceptable Bank;

 

(b)

any investment in marketable debt obligations issued or guaranteed by the government of the United States of America, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, the United Kingdom, Australia, any member state of the European Union or by an instrumentality or agency of any of them having an equivalent credit rating, maturing within one year after the relevant date of calculation and not convertible or exchangeable to any other security;

 

(c)

commercial paper not convertible or exchangeable to any other security:

 

(i)

for which a recognised trading market exists;

 

(ii)

issued by an issuer incorporated in the United States of America, the United Kingdom, any member of the European Economic Area or any Participating Member State;

 

(iii)

which matures within one year after the relevant date of calculation; and

 

(iv)

which has a credit rating of either A-1 or higher by Standard & Poor’s or F1 or higher by Fitch or P-1 by Moody’s, if no rating is available in respect of the commercial paper, the issuer of which has, in respect of its long-term unsecured and non credit-enhanced debt obligations, an equivalent rating;

 

(d)

any investment accessible within 30 days in money market funds which (i) have a credit rating of either A-1 or higher by Standard & Poor’s or F1 or higher by Fitch or P-1 by Moody’s and (ii) which invest substantially all their assets in securities of the types described in paragraphs (a) to (c) above; or

 

(e)

any other debt security approved by the Majority Lenders,

in each case, to which any member of the Group is beneficially entitled at that time and which is not issued or guaranteed by any member of the Group or subject to any Security (other than Security arising under the Transaction Security Documents).

“Change of Control” has the meaning given to that term in Schedule 11 (Definitions).

“Charged Property” has the meaning given to that term in the Intercreditor Agreement.

“Code” means the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

“Commitment” means a Revolving Facility Commitment.

“Competitor” means any of the following:

 

(a)

Genting Berhad;

 

(b)

Caesars Entertainment Corporation;

 

(c)

any gaming concessionaire or sub-concessionaire in the Macau SAR (other than Melco Resorts Macau);

 

(d)

any Subsidiary or Affiliate of any of the above;

 

(e)

any trust, fund or other entity controlled (as defined in the definition of “Affiliate” herein) by any of the above; and

 

		6		Project Asgard (2020 A&R) – Amended and Restated Facilities Agreement

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(f)

any entity which is agreed between the relevant Lender and the Borrower to be a “Competitor” in accordance with the requirements of Clause 25.2 (Conditions of assignment or transfer).

“Completion Support Release Date” means, for the purpose of any Continuing Document, 30 November 2015.

“Confidential Information” means all information relating to the Parent, the Borrower, any Obligor, any Grantor, the Site, the Property, the Services and Right to Use Agreement, the Reimbursement Agreement, the Finance Documents or a Facility of which a Finance Party becomes aware in its capacity as, or for the purpose of becoming, a Finance Party or which is received by a Finance Party in relation to, or for the purpose of becoming a Finance Party under, the Finance Documents or a Facility from either:

 

(a)

any member of the Group or any of its advisers; or

 

(b)

another Finance Party, if the information was obtained by that Finance Party directly or indirectly from any member of the Group or any of its advisers,

in whatever form, and includes information given orally and any document, electronic file or any other way of representing or recording information which contains or is derived or copied from such information but excludes information that:

 

(i)

is or becomes public information other than as a direct or indirect result of any breach by that Finance Party of Clause 38 (Disclosure of information); or

 

(ii)

is identified in writing at the time of delivery as non-confidential by any member of the Group or any of its advisers; or

 

(iii)

is known by that Finance Party before the date the information is disclosed to it in accordance with paragraphs (a) or (b) above or is lawfully obtained by that Finance Party after that date, from a source which is, as far as that Finance Party is aware, unconnected with the Group and which, as far as that Finance Party is aware, has not been obtained in breach of, and is not otherwise subject to, any obligation of confidentiality.

“Confidentiality Undertaking” means a confidentiality undertaking substantially in a recommended form of the LMA or in any other form agreed between the Borrower and the Agent.

“Conflicted Lender” means any Lender (which term, for the purposes of this definition shall include any Affiliate of that Lender) which is or is acting on behalf of (including in its capacity as the grantor of a participation or any other agreement pursuant to which such rights may pass) any of the following:

 

(a)

a Competitor;

 

(b)

any investor or equity holder in a Competitor; or

 

(c)

an advisor to any such person referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) above,

in each case, whether before or after such person becomes a Lender and including where a Lender notifies the Agent that it is such (in a Transfer Certificate, Assignment Agreement and Lender Accession Undertaking or otherwise) and where it has been notified as such to the Agent by the Borrower (acting reasonably and in good faith).

“Constitutional Documents” means, collectively, in relation to any person, any certificate of incorporation, memorandum and articles of association, bylaws, shareholders’ agreement, certificate of formation, limited liability company agreement, partnership agreement and any other formation or constituent documents applicable to such person.

 

		7		Project Asgard (2020 A&R) – Amended and Restated Facilities Agreement

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“Continuing Documents” means (i) the Continuing Macau Documents, the Continuing English Share Charges, the Continuing English Powers of Attorney, the Continuing English Debenture and the Continuing Hong Kong Accounts Charges (each as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement) and (ii) the Services and Right to Use Direct Agreement.

“Contractor” means the architects, consultants, designers, contractors, suppliers and other persons engaged by any Obligor in connection with the design, engineering, development, construction, installation, maintenance or operation of the Property.

“Debt Purchase Transaction” means, in relation to a person, a transaction where such person:

 

(a)

purchases by way of assignment or transfer;

 

(b)

enters into any sub-participation in respect of; or

 

(c)

enters into any other agreement or arrangement having an economic effect substantially similar to a sub-participation in respect of,

any Commitment or amount outstanding under this Agreement.

“Debt Service Accrual Account” has the meaning, for the purpose of any Continuing Document, given to that term in schedule 5 (Continuing Documents) of the Intercreditor Agreement.

“Debt Service Reserve Account” has the meaning, for the purpose of any Continuing Document, given to that term in Schedule 5 (Continuing Documents) of the Intercreditor Agreement.

“Default” means an Event of Default or any event or circumstance specified in Clause 24 (Events of Default) which would (with the expiry of a grace period, the giving of notice, the making of any determination in accordance with the Finance Documents or any combination of any of the foregoing) be an Event of Default.

“Defaulting Lender” means any Lender (other than a Lender which is a Sponsor Affiliate):

 

(a)

which has failed to make its participation in a Revolving Facility Loan available or has notified the Agent that it will not make its participation in a Revolving Facility Loan available by the Utilisation Date of that Loan in accordance with Clause 5.4 (Lenders’ participation);

 

(b)

which has otherwise rescinded or repudiated a Finance Document; or

 

(c)

with respect to which an Insolvency Event has occurred and is continuing,

unless, in the case of paragraph (a) above:

 

(i)

its failure to pay is caused by:

 

(A)

administrative or technical error; or

 

(B)

a Disruption Event; and

payment is made within three (3) Business Days of its due date; or

 

(ii)

the Lender is disputing in good faith whether it is contractually obliged to make the payment in question.

 

		8		Project Asgard (2020 A&R) – Amended and Restated Facilities Agreement

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“Delegate” means any delegate, agent, attorney or co-trustee appointed by the Common Security Agent.

“Direct Agreement” has the meaning, for the purpose of any Continuing Document, given to that term in Schedule 5 (Continuing Documents) of the Intercreditor Agreement.

“Disposal” means a sale, lease, licence, transfer, loan or other disposal by a person of any asset, undertaking or business (whether by a voluntary or involuntary single transaction or series of transactions).

“Disruption Event” means either or both of:

 

(a)

a material disruption to those payment or communications systems or to those financial markets which are, in each case, required to operate in order for payments to be made in connection with the Facilities (or otherwise in order for the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents to be carried out) which disruption is not caused by, and is beyond the control of, any of the Parties; or

 

(b)

the occurrence of any other event which results in a disruption (of a technical or systems-related nature) to the treasury or payments operations of a Party preventing that, or any other Party:

 

(i)

from performing its payment obligations under the Finance Documents; or

 

(ii)

from communicating with other Parties in accordance with the terms of the Finance Documents,

and which (in either such case) is not caused by, and is beyond the control of, the Party whose operations are disrupted.

“Enforcement Notice” has the meaning given to that term in the Intercreditor Agreement.

“Environmental Claim” means any claim, proceeding, formal notice or investigation by any person in respect of any Environmental Law.

“Environmental Law” means any applicable law or regulation which relates to:

 

(a)

the pollution or protection of the environment;

 

(b)

harm to or the protection of human health;

 

(c)

the conditions of the workplace; or

 

(d)

any emission or substance capable of causing harm to any living organism or the environment.

“Environmental Permits” means any permit and other Authorisation and the filing of any notification, report or assessment required under any Environmental Law for the operation of the business of any member of the Group conducted on or from the properties owned or used by any member of the Group.

“Equity” has the meaning, for the purpose of any Continuing Document, given to that term in schedule 5 (Continuing Documents) of the Intercreditor Agreement.

“Event of Default” means any event or circumstance specified as such in Clause 24 (Events of Default), provided that for the purpose of any Continuing Document (only) the reserved meaning (if any) given to this term in connection with that Continuing Document pursuant to paragraphs (k) and (l) of Clause 1.2 (Construction) and the Intercreditor Agreement shall apply.

 

		9		Project Asgard (2020 A&R) – Amended and Restated Facilities Agreement

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“Excess Cashflow” has the meaning, for the purpose of any Continuing Document, given to that term in schedule 5 (Continuing Documents) of the Intercreditor Agreement.

“Executive Order” means Executive Order No. 13224 of 23 September 2001 - Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions With Persons Who Commit, Threaten To Commit, or Support Terrorism.

“Facility” means each of Facility A and the Revolving Facility, provided that for the purpose of any Continuing Document (only) the reserved meaning (if any) given to this term (or, correspondingly, “Facilities”) in connection with that Continuing Document pursuant to paragraphs (k) and (l) of Clause 1.2 (Construction) and the Intercreditor Agreement shall apply.

“Facility A” means the term loan facility made available under this Agreement as described in paragraph (a)(i) of Clause 2.1 (The Facilities).

“Facility A Cash Collateral” means the Security in respect of the Facility A Cash Collateral Account referred to in paragraph (c) of the definition of Facility A Cash Collateral Account.

“Facility A Cash Collateral Account” means a Hong Kong dollar denominated account:

 

(a)

held in the Macau SAR or the Hong Kong SAR by the Borrower with a Facility A Lender;

 

(b)

identified in a letter between the Borrower and the Agent as the Facility A Cash Collateral Account; and

 

(c)

subject to Security in favour of the Facility A Lenders (whether directly or through the Common Security Agent) in respect of the Liabilities owed by the Obligors in respect of the principal amount outstanding on the Facility A Loan and in form and substance satisfactory to the Facility A Lenders,

as the same may (subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement) be redesignated, substituted or replaced from time to time.

“Facility A Cash Collateral Minimum Balance” means HK$1,012,500.

“Facility A Lender” means:

 

(a)

the Original Facility A lender identified as such in Part 1 of Schedule 1 (Original Parties); and

 

(b)

any bank, financial institution, trust, fund or other entity which has become a Party as a Lender under Facility A in accordance with Clause 25 (Changes to the Lenders),

which, in each case, has not ceased to be a Party as a Facility A Lender in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

“Facility A Loan” means the loan which is owed by the Borrower to the Facility A Lender in the Base Currency.

“Facility A Participation” means:

 

(a)

in relation to the Original Lender, the aggregate amount in HK dollars set opposite its name under the heading “Facility A Participation” in Part 1 of Schedule 1 (Original Parties) and the amount of any other Revolving Facility Commitment transferred to it under this Agreement; and

 

(b)

in relation to any other Lender, the amount in HK dollars of any Facility A Participation transferred to it under this Agreement,

 

		10		Project Asgard (2020 A&R) – Amended and Restated Facilities Agreement

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to the extent not cancelled, reduced or transferred by it under this Agreement.

“Facility Office” means:

 

(a)

in respect of a Lender, the office or offices notified by that Lender to the Agent in writing on or before the date it becomes a Lender (or, following that date, by not less than five (5) Business Days’ written notice) as the office or offices through which it will perform its obligations under this Agreement; or

 

(b)

in respect of any other Finance Party, the office in the jurisdiction in which it is resident for tax purposes.

“FATCA” means:

 

(a)

sections 1471 to 1474 of the Code or any associated regulations;

 

(b)

any treaty, law or regulation of any other jurisdiction, or relating to an intergovernmental agreement between the US and any other jurisdiction, which (in either case) facilitates the implementation of any law or regulation referred to in paragraph (a) above; or

 

(c)

any agreement pursuant to the implementation of any treaty, law or regulation referred to in paragraphs (a) or (b) above with the US Internal Revenue Service, the US government or any governmental or taxation authority in any other jurisdiction.

“FATCA Application Date” means:

 

(a)

in relation to a “withholdable payment” described in section 1473(1)(A)(i) of the Code (which relates to payments of interest and certain other payments from sources within the US), 1 July 2014;

 

(b)

in relation to a “withholdable payment” described in section 1473(1)(A)(ii) of the Code (which relates to “gross proceeds” from the disposition of property of a type that can produce interest from sources within the US), 1 January 2019; or

 

(c)

in relation to a “passthru payment” described in section 1471(d)(7) of the Code not falling within paragraphs (a) or (b) above, 1 January 2019,

or, in each case, such other date from which such payment may become subject to a deduction or withholding required by FATCA as a result of any change in FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

“FATCA Deduction” means a deduction or withholding from a payment under a Finance Document required by FATCA.

“FATCA Exempt Party” means a Party that is entitled to receive payments free from any FATCA Deduction.

“Fee Letter” means any letter or letters setting out any of the fees referred to in clause 21.29 (Common Security Agent’s fee) of the Intercreditor Agreement, clause 22.2 (POA Agent’s fee) of the Intercreditor Agreement or clause 23.23 (Intercreditor Agent’s fee) of the Intercreditor Agreement, any letter or letters between the Borrower and an Increase Lender setting out any fee referred to in paragraph (f) of Clause 2.2 (Increase) and any other letter or letters between a Finance Party and an Obligor setting out any of the fees referred to in Clause 14 (Fees).

“Final Repayment Date” means:

 

(a)

in relation to Facility A, 15 January 2028; and

 

(b)

in relation to the Revolving Facility, 15 January 2028,

 

		11		Project Asgard (2020 A&R) – Amended and Restated Facilities Agreement

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and, in each case, if any such date is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day.

“Finance Document” means:

 

(a)

this Agreement;

 

(b)

any Accession Letter;

 

(c)

any Fee Letter;

 

(d)

any Selection Notice;

 

(e)

the Intercreditor Agreement;

 

(f)

any Transaction Security Document;

 

(g)

any Transfer Certificate or Assignment Agreement and Lender Accession Undertaking;

 

(h)

any Utilisation Request;

 

(i)

the Mandate Documents;

 

(j)

the 2016 Amendment and Restatement Agreement;

 

(k)

the 2021 Amendment and Restatement Agreement;

 

(l)

any Ancillary Document; and

 

(m)

any other document designated as a “Finance Document” by the Agent and the Borrower,

provided that for the purpose of any Continuing Document (only) the reserved meaning (if any) given to this term in connection with that Continuing Document pursuant to paragraphs (k) and (l) of Clause 1.2 (Construction) and the Intercreditor Agreement shall apply.

“Finance Party” means the Agent, the Common Security Agent, the Intercreditor Agent, the Lenders, any Ancillary Lender and the POA Agent, provided that for the purpose of any Continuing Document (only) the reserved meaning (if any) given to this term in connection with that Continuing Document pursuant to paragraphs (k) and (l) of Clause 1.2 (Construction) and the Intercreditor Agreement shall apply.

“Financial Indebtedness” means any indebtedness for or in respect of:

 

(a)

monies borrowed;

 

(b)

any amount raised by acceptance under any acceptance credit facility or dematerialised equivalent;

 

(c)

any amount raised pursuant to any note purchase facility or the issue of bonds, notes, debentures, loan stock or any similar instrument;

 

(d)

the amount of any liability in respect of any lease or hire purchase contract which would, in accordance with the GAAP, be treated as a finance or capital lease;

 

(e)

receivables sold or discounted (other than any receivables to the extent they are sold or discounted on a non-recourse basis);

 

		12		Project Asgard (2020 A&R) – Amended and Restated Facilities Agreement

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(f)

any Treasury Transaction (and, when calculating the value of that Treasury Transaction, only the marked to market value as at the relevant date on which Financial Indebtedness is calculated (or, if any actual amount is due as a result of the termination or close-out of that Treasury Transaction, that amount) shall be taken into account);

 

(g)

any counter-indemnity obligation in respect of a guarantee, bond, standby or documentary letter of credit or any other instrument issued by a bank or financial institution;

 

(h)

any amount of any liability under an advance or deferred purchase agreement if (i) one of the primary reasons behind entering into the agreement is to raise finance or (ii) the agreement is in respect of the supply of assets or services and payment is due more than 180 days after the date of supply;

 

(i)

any amount raised by the issue of redeemable shares;

 

(j)

any amount raised under any other transaction (including any forward sale or purchase, sale and sale back or sale and leaseback agreement) having the commercial effect of a borrowing; and

 

(k)

the amount of any liability in respect of any guarantee for any of the items referred to in paragraphs (a) to (j) above.

“Financial Model” means the financial model in the agreed form provided to the Agent in connection with the 2016 Amendment and Restatement Agreement.

“Financial Quarter” has the meaning given to that term in Clause 22.3 (Definitions).

“Financial Year” has the meaning given to that term in Clause 22.3 (Definitions).

“First Utilisation” means, for the purpose of any Continuing Document, 28 July 2014.

“Fitch” means Fitch Ratings Ltd.

“GAAP” means the generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect from time to time.

“Gaming Area” means, for the purpose of any Continuing Document, the gaming area operated by Melco Resorts Macau within the Property under the terms of the Services and Right to Use Agreement.

“Gaming Subconcession” means the trilateral agreement dated 8 September 2006 entered into by and between the Macau SAR, Wynn Resorts (Macau), S.A. (as concessionaire for the operation of casino games of chance and other casino games in the Macau SAR, under the terms of a concession contract dated 24 June 2002 between the Macau SAR and Wynn Resorts (Macau), S.A.) and Melco Resorts Macau comprising a set of instruments from which shall flow an integrated web of rights, duties and obligations by and for all and each of the Macau SAR, Wynn Resorts (Macau), S.A. and Melco Resorts Macau (the nominative administrative contract known as the subconcession contract for the operation of casino games of chance and other casino games in the Macau SAR, executed by Wynn Resorts (Macau) Limited and Melco Resorts Macau, to be the most significant instrument thereof), pursuant to the terms of which Melco Resorts Macau is entitled to operate casino games of chance and other casino games in the Macau SAR as an autonomous subconcessionaire in relation to Wynn Resorts (Macau) Limited, and including any supplemental letters or agreements entered into or issued by Macau SAR and any member of Group or Melco Resorts Macau.

 

		13		Project Asgard (2020 A&R) – Amended and Restated Facilities Agreement

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“Golden Share” means any share in a company or corporation, the memorandum and/or articles of association in respect of which company or corporation designate as such or give the holder of such share any special pre-emptive rights relative to other shareholders.

“Governmental Authority” means, as to any person, the government of the Macau SAR, any other national, state, provincial or local government (whether domestic or foreign), any political subdivision thereof or any other governmental, quasi-governmental, judicial, public or statutory instrumentality, authority, body, agency, bureau or entity, any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government, in each case having jurisdiction over such person, or any arbitrator with authority to bind such person at law.

“Grantor” means:

 

(a)

each of Melco Resorts Macau and SCH5; and

 

(b)

each other person (other than an Obligor) that grants Security under any Transaction Security Document after the 2016 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date.

“Group” means the Parent and each of its Subsidiaries from time to time.

“Group Insured” has the meaning, for the purpose of any Continuing Document, given to that term in schedule 5 (Continuing Documents) of the Intercreditor Agreement.

“Gross Outstandings” means, in relation to a Multi-account Overdraft, the Ancillary Outstandings of that Multi-account Overdraft but calculated on the basis that the words “(net of any Available Credit Balance)” in paragraph (a) of the definition of Ancillary Outstandings were deleted.

“Guarantor” means an Original Guarantor or an Additional Guarantor.

“Hedge Counterparty” has the meaning given to that term in the Intercreditor Agreement.

“Hedging Agreement” has the meaning, for the purpose of any Continuing Document, given to that term in schedule 5 (Continuing Documents) of the Intercreditor Agreement.

“Hedging Liabilities” has the meaning, for the purpose of any Continuing Document, given to that term in schedule 5 (Continuing Documents) of the Intercreditor Agreement.

“HIBOR” means, in relation to any Loan denominated in HK dollars:

 

(a)

the applicable Screen Rate; or

 

(b)

if no Screen Rate is available for HK dollars for the Interest Period of that Loan, the Interpolated Screen Rate; or

 

(c)

if no Screen Rate is available for the Interest Period of that Loan and it is not possible to calculate an Interpolated Screen Rate for that Loan, the arithmetic mean of the rates (rounded upwards to four decimal places) as supplied to the Agent at its request quoted by the Reference Banks to leading banks in the Relevant Interbank Market,

at or about 11:00 a.m. on the Quotation Date for HK dollars for a period comparable to the Interest Period for that Loan, and if any such rate is less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero.

“High Yield Note Disbursement Agreement” means, for the purpose of any Continuing Document, the note disbursement and account agreement in respect of funds from time to time standing to the credit of the High Yield Note Proceeds Account dated 26 November 2012 and made between, among others, the Borrower, the Original Bondco and the High Yield Note Trustee.

 

		14		Project Asgard (2020 A&R) – Amended and Restated Facilities Agreement

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“High Yield Note Document” means each High Yield Note Indenture, each Bondco Loan Agreement and each other document or instrument which relates to any High Yield Notes or, as the case may be, High Yield Note Refinancing Indebtedness.

“High Yield Note Guarantees” means the guarantees provided by any Obligor:

 

(a)

to the High Yield Note Trustee in respect of the High Yield Notes issued prior to the original date of this Agreement; or

 

(b)

in respect of any Additional High Yield Note, Additional High Yield Note Refinancing Indebtedness or High Yield Note Refinancing Indebtedness.

“High Yield Note Indenture” means the indenture dated 26 November 2012 made between (among others) the Original Bondco and the High Yield Note Trustee or any equivalent High Yield Note Document in respect of any High Yield Note Refinancing Indebtedness issued by way of debt securities (in each case, as amended or supplemented from time to time).

“High Yield Note Interest Reserve Account” has the meaning, for the purpose of any Continuing Document, given to the term “Note Interest Reserve Account” in the High Yield Note Disbursement Agreement.

“High Yield Note Proceeds Account” has the meaning, for the purpose of any Continuing Document, given to the term “Note Proceeds Account” in the High Yield Note Disbursement Agreement.

“High Yield Note Refinancing” means a refinancing of any amount outstanding under or in connection with the High Yield Notes issued prior to the original date of this Agreement or a High Yield Note Refinancing from the proceeds of an issue by a Bondco of high yield notes or other Financial Indebtedness (each, “High Yield Note Refinancing Indebtedness”) where:

 

(a)

the terms thereof are no less favourable to the Finance Parties than the terms of the High Yield Notes issued prior to the original date of this Agreement (and do not have an adverse effect on the interests of the Finance Parties);

 

(b)

the terms thereof (including, without limitation, the terms of any related guarantees, security or other credit support) are no more onerous to any Obligor (for the avoidance of doubt, an increase in pricing payable by any Obligor when compared to the High Yield Notes shall be more onerous) and do not provide for any redemptions on a date falling prior to the last Termination Date applicable to the Facilities; and

 

(c)

the scope (including the assets subject to security, the persons giving security, guarantees or other credit support and the amount of financial obligations guaranteed, secured or supported by any Obligor) of any security, guarantees or credit support given in connection with such High Yield Notes Refinancing Indebtedness by any Obligor shall be no greater than the security, guarantees and credit support granted (and financial obligations guaranteed, secured or supported by any Obligor) pursuant to the High Yield Note Documents entered into prior to the original date of this Agreement.

“High Yield Note Trustee” means DB Trustees (Hong Kong) Limited (or its permitted successor or assign) as trustee for the High Yield Noteholders on the terms set out in the High Yield Note Indenture or its equivalent under any other High Yield Note Document.

“High Yield Noteholders” means the holders of the High Yield Notes or High Yield Note Refinancing Indebtedness from time to time issued by way of debt securities.

 

		15		Project Asgard (2020 A&R) – Amended and Restated Facilities Agreement

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“High Yield Notes” means the US$825,000,000 8.500% senior notes due 2020 issued by the Original Bondco and subject to the terms of the High Yield Note Indenture or any Financial Indebtedness incurred by way of High Yield Note Refinancing.

“HK$”, “Hong Kong dollars” or “HK dollars” denotes the lawful currency of the Hong Kong SAR.

“Holding Company” means, in relation to a company or corporation, any other company or corporation in respect of which it is a Subsidiary.

“Hong Kong SAR” means the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China.

“Illegal Lender” means a Lender whom an Obligor is or becomes obliged to repay or prepay pursuant to Clause 8.1 (Illegality).

“Impaired Agent” means the Agent at any time when:

 

(a)

it has failed to make (or has notified a Party that it will not make) a payment required to be made by it under the Finance Documents by the due date for payment;

 

(b)

it otherwise rescinds or repudiates a Finance Document;

 

(c)

(if the Agent is also a Lender) it is a Defaulting Lender under paragraph (a) or (b) of the definition of “Defaulting Lender”; or

 

(d)

an Insolvency Event has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Agent;

unless, in the case of paragraph (a) above:

 

(i)

its failure to pay is caused by:

 

(A)

administrative or technical error; or

 

(B)

a Disruption Event; and

payment is made within three (3) Business Days of its due date; or

 

(ii)

the Agent is disputing in good faith whether it is contractually obliged to make the payment in question.

“Increase Confirmation” means a confirmation substantially in the form set out in Schedule 9 (Form of Increase Confirmation).

“Increase Lender” has the meaning given to that term in paragraph (a)(i) of Clause 2.2 (Increase).

“Increased Costs Lender” means a Lender to whom the Borrower is required to pay Increased Costs under Clause 16 (Increased Costs), to make a tax gross-up under Clause 15.2 (Tax gross-up) or tax indemnity under Clause 15.3 (Tax indemnity).

“Indirect Tax” means any goods and services tax, consumption tax, value added tax or any tax of a similar nature.

“Insolvency Event” means, in relation to a Finance Party, that the Finance Party:

 

(a)

is dissolved (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger);

 

(b)

becomes insolvent or is unable to pay its debts or fails or admits in writing its inability generally to pay its debts as they become due;

 

		16		Project Asgard (2020 A&R) – Amended and Restated Facilities Agreement

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(c)

makes a general assignment, arrangement or composition with or for the benefit of its creditors;

 

(d)

institutes or has instituted against it, by a regulator, supervisor or any similar official with primary insolvency, rehabilitative or regulatory jurisdiction over it in the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organisation or the jurisdiction of its head or home office, a proceeding seeking a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or any other relief under any bankruptcy or insolvency law or other similar law affecting creditors’ rights, or a petition is presented for its winding-up or liquidation by it or such regulator, supervisor or similar official;

 

(e)

has instituted against it a proceeding seeking a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or any other relief under any bankruptcy or insolvency law or other similar law affecting creditors’ rights, or a petition is presented for its winding-up or liquidation, and, in the case of any such proceeding or petition instituted or presented against it, such proceeding or petition is instituted or presented by a person or entity not described in paragraph (d) above and:

 

(i)

results in a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or the entry of an order for relief or the making of an order for its winding-up or liquidation; or

 

(ii)

is not dismissed, discharged, stayed or restrained in each case within 30 days of the institution or presentation thereof;

 

(f)

has a resolution passed for its winding-up, official management or liquidation (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger);

 

(g)

seeks or becomes subject to the appointment of an administrator, provisional liquidator, conservator, receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or for all or substantially all its assets;

 

(h)

has a secured party take possession of all or substantially all its assets or has a distress, execution, attachment, sequestration or other legal process levied, enforced or sued on or against all or substantially all its assets and such secured party maintains possession, or any such process is not dismissed, discharged, stayed or restrained, in each case within 30 days thereafter;

 

(i)

causes or is subject to any event with respect to it which, under the applicable laws of any jurisdiction, has an analogous effect to any of the events specified in paragraphs (a) to (h) above; or

 

(j)

takes any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any of the foregoing acts.

“Insurance Policy” means, for the purpose of any Continuing Document, any policy of insurance (other than any public liability, third party liability, workers compensation or legal liability insurance or any other insurances the proceeds of which are payable to employees or officers of any Chargor or any other relevant third party) which any Obligor is required to effect or maintain under the Facilities Agreement and in which the relevant Chargor may from time to time have an interest and which is taken out, placed or effected with an insurer.

“Intellectual Property” means:

 

(a)

any patents, trademarks, service marks, designs, business names, copyrights, design rights, moral rights, inventions, confidential information, knowhow and other intellectual property rights and interests, whether registered or unregistered; and

 

		17		Project Asgard (2020 A&R) – Amended and Restated Facilities Agreement

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(b)

the benefit of all applications and rights to use any such assets referred to in paragraph (a) above,

of each member of the Group.

“Intercreditor Agreement” means the intercreditor agreement entered into between, among others, the Parent, the Borrower, the Original Guarantors, the Original Bondco, the Lenders, the Agent and the Common Security Agent on the 2016 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date.

“Interest Period” means, in relation to a Loan, each period determined in accordance with Clause 12 (Interest Periods) and, in relation to an Unpaid Sum, each period determined in accordance with Clause 11.3 (Default interest).

“Interpolated Screen Rate” means, in relation to HIBOR, the rate which results from interpolating on a linear basis (rounded to the same number of decimal places as the two relevant Screen Rates) between:

 

(a)

the applicable Screen Rate for the longest period (for which that Screen Rate is available) which is less than the Interest Period of a Loan; and

 

(b)

the applicable Screen Rate for the shortest period (for which that Screen Rate is available) which exceeds the Interest Period of that Loan,

as of 11:00 a.m. on the Quotation Date for HK dollars.

“Intra-Group Lender” has the meaning given to that term in the Intercreditor Agreement.

“Intra-Group Liabilities” has the meaning given to that term in the Intercreditor Agreement.

“Joint Venture” means any joint venture entity, whether a company, unincorporated firm, undertaking, association, joint venture or partnership or any other entity.

“Legal Opinion” means any legal opinion delivered to the Agent under or in connection with the conditions precedent referred to in clause 5.1 (Amendment to the Facilities Agreement) of the 2016 Amendment and Restatement Agreement, clause 2.1 (Amendment to the Facilities Agreement) of the 2021 Amendment and Restatement Agreement or Clause 27 (Changes to the Obligors).

“Legal Requirements” means all laws, statutes, orders, decrees, injunctions, licenses, permits, approvals, agreements and regulations of any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the matter in question.

“Legal Reservations” means:

 

(a)

the principle that equitable remedies may be granted or refused at the discretion of a court and the limitation of enforcement by laws relating to insolvency, reorganisation and other laws generally affecting the rights of creditors;

 

(b)

the time barring of claims under statutes of limitation;

 

(c)

similar principles, rights and defences under the laws of any Relevant Jurisdiction; and

 

(d)

any other matters which are set out as qualifications or reservations as to matters of law of general application in the Legal Opinions.

“Lender” means a Facility A Lender or a Revolving Facility Lender, provided that for the purpose of any Continuing Document (only) the reserved meaning (if any) given to this term in connection with that Continuing Document pursuant to paragraphs (k) and (l) of Clause 1.2 (Construction) and the Intercreditor Agreement shall apply.

 

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“Liabilities” means all present and future liabilities and obligations at any time of any Obligor to any Finance Party under the Finance Documents, both actual and contingent and whether incurred solely or jointly or as principal or surety or in any other capacity together with any of the following matters relating to or arising in respect of those liabilities and obligations:

 

(a)

any refinancing, novation, deferral or extension;

 

(b)

any claim for breach of representation, warranty or undertaking or on an event of default or under any indemnity given under or in connection with any document or agreement evidencing or constituting any other liability or obligation falling within this definition;

 

(c)

any claim for damages or restitution; and

 

(d)

any claim as a result of any recovery by any Obligor of a Payment on the grounds of preference or otherwise,

and any amounts which would be included in any of the above but for any discharge, non-provability, unenforceability or non-allowance of those amounts in any insolvency or other proceedings

“LMA” means the Loan Market Association.

“Loan” means a Facility A Loan or a Revolving Facility Loan.

“Macau Obligor” means any Obligor incorporated in the Macau SAR.

“Macau SAR” means the Macau Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China.

“Major Project Documents” has the meaning, for the purpose of any Continuing Document, given to that term in schedule 5 (Continuing Documents) of the Intercreditor Agreement.

“Majority Lenders” means:

 

(a)

(for the purposes of paragraph (a) of Clause 37.2 (Required consents) in the context of a waiver in relation to a proposed Utilisation of the Revolving Facility of the condition in Clause 4.1 (Utilisation conditions precedent)), a Lender or Lenders whose Revolving Facility Commitments aggregate more than 50 per cent. of the Total Revolving Facility Commitments; and

 

(b)

(in any other case) a Lender or Lenders whose Revolving Facility Commitments and participations in the Facility A Loan aggregate 50 per cent. or more of the sum of the Total Revolving Facility Commitments and the outstanding principal amount of the Facility A Loan.

“Mandate Documents” means the commitment letter entered into on 9 November 2016 between the Original Lender and the Borrower.

“Margin” means, in relation to any Loan or Unpaid Sum, 4.00 per cent. per annum.

“Material Adverse Effect” means any event or circumstance which (after taking into account all relevant circumstances) has a material adverse effect on:

 

(a)

the business, operations, property or financial condition of the Group (taken as a whole); or

 

		19		Project Asgard (2020 A&R) – Amended and Restated Facilities Agreement

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(b)

the ability of the Obligors (taken as a whole) to perform any of their payment obligations under the Finance Documents; or

 

(c)

subject to the Legal Reservations and the Perfection Requirements, the validity or enforceability of, or the effectiveness or ranking of any Transaction Security granted or purporting to be granted pursuant to any of, the Finance Documents or the rights or remedies of any Finance Party under any of the Finance Documents.

“MCO Cotai” means MCE Cotai Investments Limited, an exempted limited liability company incorporated with limited liability under the laws of the Cayman Islands (with registered number 254216) whose registered address is at Intertrust Corporate Services (Cayman) Limited, 190 Elgin Avenue, George Town, Grand Cayman, KY1-9005, Cayman Islands.

“Melco Resorts” means Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited (formerly known as Melco Crown Entertainment Limited), an exempted limited liability company incorporated with limited liability under the laws of the Cayman Islands (with registered number 143119) with registered address: Walker House, 87 Mary Street, George Town, Grand Cayman, KYI-9005, Cayman Islands.

“Melco Resorts Macau” means Melco Resorts (Macau) Limited (formerly known as Melco Crown (Macau) Limited and previously as Melco Crown Gaming (Macau) Limited and Melco PBL Gaming (Macau) Limited), a company incorporated under the laws of the Macau SAR, registered with the Macau Commercial Registry under number 24325 SO, with registered office at Avenida da Praia Grande, no. 594, 15/Floor “A”, Macau.

“Month” means a period starting on one day in a calendar month and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the next calendar month, except that:

 

(a)

if the numerically corresponding day is not a Business Day, that period shall end on the next Business Day in that calendar month in which that period is to end if there is one, or if there is not, on the immediately preceding Business Day;

 

(b)

if there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month in which that period is to end, that period shall end on the last Business Day in that calendar month; and

 

(c)

if an Interest Period begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month and, consistent with the terms of this Agreement, that Interest Period is to be of a duration equal to a whole number of Months, that Interest Period shall end on the last Business Day in the calendar month in which that Interest Period is to end.

The above rules will only apply to the last Month of any period. “Monthly” shall be construed accordingly.

“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.

“Multi-account Overdraft” means an Ancillary Facility which is an overdraft facility comprising more than one account.

“New Cotai, LLC” a limited liability company formed in Delaware, United States of America (with registered number 4114248), c/o New Cotai Holdings, LLC, of Two Greenwich Plaza, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830, United States of America.

“New Shareholder Injections” means the cash proceeds received by the Parent in respect of the aggregate amount subscribed for by any person (other than a member of the Group) for ordinary shares in the Parent or in respect of any Sponsor Group Loan, in each case, after the 2016 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date.

 

		20		Project Asgard (2020 A&R) – Amended and Restated Facilities Agreement

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“New Sponsor” means any person to whom Silverpoint or Oaktree assigns or transfers all or part of its indirect beneficial interest in the shares or other equity interests of SCIH in accordance with the Shareholders’ Agreement.

“Non-Consenting Lender” means any Lender which does not and continues not to consent to any decision requiring a waiver or amendment or other consent requested in respect of any of the Facilities, if:

 

(a)

the Borrower or the Agent (at the request of the Borrower) has requested the Lenders to give a consent in relation to, or to agree to a waiver or amendment of, any provisions of the Finance Documents;

 

(b)

the consent, waiver or amendment in question requires the approval of all the Lenders; and

 

(c)

Lenders whose Revolving Facility Commitments aggregate more than 80 per cent. of the Total Revolving Facility Commitments (or, if the Total Revolving Facility Commitments have been reduced to zero, aggregated more than 80 per cent. of the Total Revolving Facility Commitments immediately prior to that reduction) have consented or agreed to such waiver or amendment.

“Non-Market Lender” means any Lender whose Revolving Facility Commitment is being included to trigger a Market Disruption Event pursuant to paragraph (ii) of the definition of that term.

“Non-Responding Lender” means any Lender that fails to:

 

(a)

accept or reject a request by or on behalf of any of the Obligors for any waiver, amendment or other consent requested in relation to any of the Facilities within 10 Business Days (or, if the Borrower agrees to a longer time period in relation to that request or the Borrower specifies a longer period in that request during which a Lender may respond, on or prior to the expiry of such longer period so agreed or specified by the Borrower) of a written request; or

 

(b)

sign a Transfer Certificate within 10 Business Days of any request pursuant to paragraph (a) of Clause 37.5 (Replaceable Lenders).

“Notes Repurchase” means any repayment, prepayment, purchase, defeasance, redemption or acquisition or retirement of the principal amount of any component of the Senior Secured Debt by any member of the Group.

“Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction” has the meaning given to that term in paragraph (b) of Clause 26.2 (Disenfranchisement on Debt Purchase Transactions entered into by Sponsor Affiliates).

“Oaktree” means Oaktree Capital Management LLC and any successor to the investment management business thereof.

“Obligor” means the Borrower or a Guarantor.

“Obligors’ Agent” means the Parent, appointed to act on behalf of each Obligor in relation to the Finance Documents pursuant to Clause 2.4 (Obligors’ Agent).

“OFAC” means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the US Department of Treasury.

“Onshore Security Documents” means any Transaction Security Document governed by or expressed to be governed by the law of the Macau SAR.

 

		21		Project Asgard (2020 A&R) – Amended and Restated Facilities Agreement

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“Original Bondco” means Studio City Finance Limited, a BVI business company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands (registered number 1673307), whose registered office is at Ocorian Corporate Services (BVI) Limited, Jayla Place, Wickhams Cay I, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands.

“Original Financial Statements” means the audited consolidated financial statements of the Parent for the Financial Year ended 31 December 2015.

“Pari Passu Debt Creditor” has the meaning given to that term in the Intercreditor Agreement.

“Pari Passu Debt Document” has the meaning given to that term in the Intercreditor Agreement.

“Pari Passu Debt Liability” has the meaning given to that term in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

“Party”

means a party to this Agreement.

“Participation” means a Debt Purchase Transaction other than a purchase falling within paragraph (a) of the definition thereof.

“Patacas” or “MOP” denotes the lawful currency of the Macau SAR.

“Payment” means, in respect of any Liabilities (or any other liabilities or obligations), a payment, prepayment, repayment, redemption, defeasance or discharge of those Liabilities (or any other liabilities or obligations).

“Perfection Requirements” means the making or the procuring of the appropriate registrations, filing, endorsements, notarisation, stamping and notifications of the Transaction Security Documents or the Transaction Security created thereunder.

“Permits” means all approvals, licences, consents, permits, Authorisations, registrations and filings, necessary in connection with the execution, delivery, completion, implementation, perfection or performance, admission into evidence or enforcement of the Transaction Documents on the terms thereof and all material approvals, licences, consents, permits, Authorisations, registrations and filings required for the design, development, construction, ownership, maintenance, operation or management of the Property and business of the Group as contemplated under the Transaction Documents.

“Permitted Distribution” has the meaning, for the purpose of any Continuing Document, given to that term in schedule 5 (Continuing Documents) of the Intercreditor Agreement.

“Permitted Investment” means the following:

 

(a)

securities issued, or directly and fully guaranteed or insured, by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality of the United States government (as long as the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support of those securities) having maturities of not more than nine months from the date of acquisition;

 

(b)

securities issued, or directly and fully guaranteed or insured, by the government of the Hong Kong SAR or any agency or instrumentality of the government of the Hong Kong SAR (as long as the full faith and credit of the Hong Kong SAR is pledged in support of those securities) having maturities of not more than nine months from the date of acquisition;

 

(c)

interest bearing demand or time deposits (which may be represented by certificates of deposit) issued by Acceptable Banks or, if not issued by an Acceptable Bank, secured at all times, in the manner and to the extent provided by law, by collateral security in sub-paragraph (a) or (b) above, of a market value of no less than the amount of monies so invested;

 

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(d)

repurchase obligations with a term of not more than seven days for underlying securities of the types described in sub-paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in sub-paragraph (c) above;

 

(e)

commercial paper having a rating of A-2 or P-2 from S&P or Moody’s respectively and in each case maturing within nine months after the date of acquisition;

 

(f)

any investment in money market funds which (i) have a credit rating of either A-2 or higher by Standard & Poor’s Rating Services or F2 or higher by Fitch or P-2 or higher by Moody’s Investor Services Limited, (ii) which invest substantially all their assets in securities of the types described in sub-paragraphs (a) to (e) above and (iii) can be turned into cash on not more than 30 days’ notice; and

 

(g)

any other debt security approved by the Majority Lenders

“Permitted Lien” has the meaning given to that term in Schedule 11 (Definitions).

“Permitted Transferee” means, in relation to a Transfer, a bank, financial institution (including a trust), fund, vehicle or other entity which is regularly engaged in, or established for the purposes of making, purchasing or investing in, syndicated loans but excludes a Conflicted Lender.

“Pledge of Enterprise” has the meaning, for the purpose of any Continuing Document, given to that term in schedule 5 (Continuing Documents) of the Intercreditor Agreement.

“Power of Attorney” has the meaning given to that term in the Intercreditor Agreement.

“Phase I Construction Contract” means each contract entered into or proposed to be entered into between Propco or any other Obligor and a Contractor in respect of the Property.

“Phase II Project” the development of the remainder of the Site not comprising the Property after the 2016 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date.

“Propco” means Studio City Developments Limited (formerly known as MSC Desenvolvimentos, Limitada and previously as East Asia - Televisão por Satélite Limitada), a company incorporated under the laws of the Macau SAR, registered with the Mcacau Commercial Registry under number 14311 SO, with registered office at Avenida da Praia Grande, no. 594, 15/Floor “A”, Macau.

“Property” means the retail, hotel, gaming, entertainment, food and beverage and entertainment studio complex constructed on the Site as of the 2016 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date, known as “Studio City”.

“Property Valuation Report” means the report by Savills (Macau) Limited dated 17 October 2016 and delivered to the Agent in accordance with the 2016 Amendment and Restatement Agreement.

“Project” means the Site.

“Projections” has the meaning given to that term in paragraph (a) of Clause 21.13 (No misleading information).

“Quarter Date” has the meaning given to that term in Clause 22.3 (Definitions).

 

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“Quarterly Financial Statements” has the meaning given to that term in Clause 22.3 (Definitions).

“Quotation Date” means, in relation to any period for which an interest rate is to be determined, the first day of that period.

“Receiver” means a receiver, receiver and manager, administrative receiver or analogous person in any Relevant Jurisdiction of the whole or any part of the Charged Property.

“Reference Banks” means the principal office in the Hong Kong SAR or the Macau SAR of Citibank, N.A., Deutsche Bank AG and Bank of China Limited or such other banks as may be appointed by the Agent in consultation with the Borrower.

“Reimbursement Agreement” means the reimbursement agreement dated 15 June 2012 and entered into between SCE and Melco Resorts Macau (as may be amended, restated, modified, supplemented, extended, replaced (whether upon or after termination or otherwise or whether with the original or other relevant parties) or renewed, in whole or in part, from time to time, including pursuant to the Direct Agreement).

“Related Fund”, in relation to a fund (the “first fund”), means a fund which is managed or advised by the same investment manager or adviser or an Affiliate thereof as the first fund or, if it is managed by a different investment manager or investment adviser, a fund whose investment manager or investment adviser is an Affiliate of the investment manager or investment adviser of the first fund.

“Relevant Interbank Market” means the Hong Kong interbank market.

“Relevant Jurisdiction” means, in relation to an Obligor or Grantor:

 

(a)

its jurisdiction of incorporation;

 

(b)

any jurisdiction where any asset subject to or intended to be subject to the Transaction Security to be created by it is situated;

 

(c)

any jurisdiction where it conducts its business; and

 

(d)

the jurisdiction whose laws govern the perfection of any of the Transaction Security Documents entered into by it.

“Repayment Instalment” means, for the purpose of any Continuing Document, any instalment for repayment of the Facility A Loan (which, for the avoidance of doubt, there are none).

“Repeating Representations” means each of the representations set out in Clause 21 (Representations) other than Clause 21.9 (No filing or stamp taxes), Clause 21.10 (Deduction of Tax), paragraphs (a) and (b) of Clause 21.13 (No misleading information) and paragraphs (b) and (c) of Clause 21.14 (Financial statements).

“Replaceable Lender” means a Conflicted Lender, a Defaulting Lender, an Increased Costs Lender, an Illegal Lender, a Non-Consenting Lender or a Non-Market Lender but, in each case, shall not include any Lender that is a Sponsor Affiliate.

“Representative” means, for the purpose of any Continuing Document, any delegate, agent, manager, administrator, nominee, attorney, trustee or custodian.

“Resignation Letter” means a document substantially in the form set out in Schedule 7 (Form of Resignation Letter).

 

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“Restricted Party” means any person listed:

 

(a)

in the Annex to the Executive Order;

 

(b)

on the “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” list maintained by OFAC; or

 

(c)

in any successor list to either of the foregoing.

“Revolving Facility” means the revolving loan facility made available pursuant to this Agreement as described in paragraph (a)(b) of Clause 2.1 (The Facilities).

“Revolving Facility Commitment” means:

 

(a)

in relation to the Original Lender, the aggregate amount in HK dollars set opposite its name under the heading “Revolving Facility Commitment” in Part 2 of Schedule 1 (Original Parties) and the amount of any other Revolving Facility Commitment transferred to it under this Agreement or assumed by it in accordance with Clause 2.2 (Increase); and

 

(b)

in relation to any other Lender, the amount in HK dollars of any Revolving Facility Commitment transferred to it under this Agreement or assumed by it in accordance with Clause 2.2 (Increase),

to the extent not cancelled, reduced or transferred by it under this Agreement.

“Revolving Facility Lender” means:

 

(a)

the Original Revolving Facility Lender identified as such in Part 2 of Schedule 1 (Original Parties); and

 

(b)

any bank, financial institution, trust, fund or other entity which has become a Party as a Revolving Facility Lender in accordance with Clause 2.2 (Increase) or Clause 25 (Changes to the Lenders),

which, in each case, has not ceased to be a Party as a Revolving Facility Lender in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

“Revolving Facility Loan” means a loan made or to be made under the Revolving Facility or the principal amount outstanding for the time being of that loan.

“Rollover Loan” means one or more Revolving Facility Loans:

 

(a)

made or to be made on the same day that a maturing Revolving Facility Loan is due to be repaid;

 

(b)

the aggregate amount of which is equal to or less than the amount of the maturing Revolving Facility Loan; and

 

(c)

made or to be made to the Borrower for the purpose of refinancing a maturing Revolving Facility Loan.

“SCE” means Studio City Entertainment Limited (formerly known as MSC Diversões, Limitada and previously as New Cotai Entertainment (Macau) Limited), a company incorporated under the laws of the Macau SAR, registered with the Macau Commercial Registry number 27610 SO, with registered office at Avenida da Praia Grande, no. 594, 15/Floor “A”, Macau.

 

		25		Project Asgard (2020 A&R) – Amended and Restated Facilities Agreement

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“SCH5” means Studio City Holdings Five Limited, a BVI business company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands (registered number 1789892), whose registered office is at Jayla Place, Wickhams Cay I, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands.

“SCIH” means Studio City International Holdings Limited, an exempted company incorporated with limited liability under the laws of Cayman Islands (company number 343696), whose registered office is at Walkers Corporate Limited, Cayman Corporate Centre, 27 Hospital Road, George Town, Grand Cayman KY1-9008, Cayman Islands.

“Screen Rate” means, in relation to HIBOR, the Hong Kong interbank offered rate administered by Hong Kong Association of Banks (or any other person which takes over the administration of that rate) for the relevant period displayed on page HKABHIBOR of the Reuters screen (or any replacement Reuters page which displays the rate), or an appropriate page of such other information service which publishes that rate from time to time in place of Reuters. If such page or service ceases to be available, the Agent may specify another page or service displaying the relevant rate after consultation with the Borrower.

“Secured Obligations” has the meaning given to that term in the Intercreditor Agreement.

“Secured Obligations Document” has the meaning given to that term in the Intercreditor Agreement.

“Secured Parties” has the meaning given to that term in the Intercreditor Agreement.

“Security” means a mortgage, charge, pledge, lien or other security interest securing any obligation of any person or any other agreement or arrangement having a similar effect.

“Security Agent” means the Common Security Agent.

“Selection Notice” means a notice substantially in the form set out in Part 2 of Schedule 3 (Requests and notices) given in accordance with Clause 12 (Interest Periods) in relation to the Facility A Loan.

“Senior Secured Debt” means any Financial Indebtedness outstanding under any Pari Passu Debt Document.

“Services and Right to Use Agreement” means the services and right to use agreement dated 11 May 2007 and originally made between SCE, New Cotai Entertainment, LLC and Melco Resorts Macau as amended, restated and supplemented from time to time, including pursuant to a supplemental agreement dated 15 June 2012 made between SCE, Melco Resorts Macau and New Cotai Entertainment, LLC.

“Services and Right to Use Agreement Confidential Information” means any Confidential Information which relates to, which contains or is derived or copied from the Services and Right to Use Agreement and/or the Reimbursement Agreement.

“Services and Right to Use Direct Agreement” means the direct agreement dated 26 November 2013 and entered into between, among others, SCE, Melco Resorts Macau and the Common Security Agent in relation to the Services and Right to Use Agreement and the Reimbursement Agreement, as amended or modified from time to time.

“Shareholders’ Agreement” means the shareholders’ agreement dated 27 July 2011 and made between MCO Cotai, New Cotai, LLC and others (as amended from time to time).

“Silverpoint” means Silver Point Capital, L.P. and any successor to the investment management business thereof.

“Site” means the land described in the Amended Land Concession.

 

		26		Project Asgard (2020 A&R) – Amended and Restated Facilities Agreement

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“Specific Contracts” means, for the purpose of any Continuing Document, the Hedging Agreements (other than SA Hedging Agreements).

“Sponsor Affiliate” means:

 

(a)

in the case of Melco Resorts, Melco Resorts and its Subsidiaries (other than any member of the Group);

 

(b)

in the case of Silverpoint, Silverpoint, each of its Affiliates (other than any member of the Group), any trust of which Silverpoint or any of such Affiliates is a trustee, any partnership of which Silverpoint or any of such Affiliates is a partner and any trust, fund or other entity which is managed by, or is under the control of, Silverpoint or any of such Affiliates, provided that any such trust, fund or other entity which has been established for at least 6 months solely for the purpose of making, purchasing or investing in loans or debt securities and which is managed or controlled independently from all other trusts, funds or other entities managed or controlled by Silverpoint or any of such Affiliates which have been established for the primary or main purpose of investing in the share capital of companies shall not constitute a Sponsor Affiliate;

 

(c)

in the case of Oaktree, Oaktree, each of its Affiliates (other than any member of the Group), any trust of which Oaktree or any of such Affiliates is a trustee, any partnership of which Oaktree or any of its Affiliates is a partner and any trust, fund or other entity which is managed by, or is under the control of, Oaktree or any of such Affiliates, provided that any such trust, fund or other entity which has been established for at least 6 months solely for the purpose of making, purchasing or investing in loans or debt securities and which is managed or controlled independently from all other trusts, funds or other entities managed or controlled by Oaktree or any of such Affiliates which have been established for the primary or main purpose of investing in the share capital of companies shall not constitute a Sponsor Affiliate; and

 

(d)

in the case of a New Sponsor, the New Sponsor, each of its Affiliates (other than any member of the Group), any trust of which the New Sponsor or any of such Affiliates is a trustee, any partnership of which the New Sponsor or any of its Affiliates is a partner and any trust, fund or other entity which is managed by, or is under the control of, the New Sponsor or any of such Affiliates, provided that any such trust, fund or other entity which has been established for at least 6 months solely for the purpose of making, purchasing or investing in loans or debt securities and which is managed or controlled independently from all other trusts, funds or other entities managed or controlled by the New Sponsor or any of such Affiliates which have been established for the primary or main purpose of investing in the share capital of companies shall not constitute a Sponsor Affiliate.

“Sponsor Group Loans” means any Financial Indebtedness owed by the Parent to any Sponsor Group Shareholder pursuant to any document or instrument setting out the terms of any credit facility, loan, notes, indenture or debt security or, as the case may be, any undocumented arrangement or contract (whether by way of book entry or otherwise) establishing the same.

“Sponsor Group Shareholder” means any direct or indirect shareholder of the Parent which is a Sponsor Affiliate, a Subsidiary of a Sponsor Affiliate or which would be a Subsidiary of a Sponsor Affiliate were the rights and interests of each Sponsor Affiliate in respect thereof to be combined.

“Sponsors” means Melco Resorts, Silverpoint, Oaktree and any New Sponsor and “Sponsor” means each of them.

 

		27		Project Asgard (2020 A&R) – Amended and Restated Facilities Agreement

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“Standard & Poor’s” or “S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc..

“Subordinated Creditor” means, for the purpose of any Continuing Document, each person that was an original party, or who has acceded, to the Intercreditor Agreement as a Subordinated Creditor or Intra-Group Lender.

“Subordinated Debt” means, for the purpose of any Continuing Document, the Financial Indebtedness owed by any Obligor to another Obligor or a Sponsor Group Shareholder that is subordinated in accordance with the terms provided in respect thereof by the Intercreditor Agreement.

“Subordination Deed” means, for the purpose of any Continuing Document, the Intercreditor Agreement.

“Subsidiary” means, in relation to any company or corporation, a company or corporation:

 

(a)

which is controlled, directly or indirectly, by the first mentioned company or corporation;

 

(b)

more than half the issued share capital of which (or, in the case of any company or corporation in which SCH5 owns a Golden Share, more than half the issued share capital of which, excluding for these purposes that Golden Share from such issued share capital) is beneficially owned, directly or indirectly by the first mentioned company or corporation; or

 

(c)

which is a Subsidiary of another Subsidiary of the first mentioned company or corporation,

and for this purpose, a company or corporation shall be treated as being controlled by another if that other company or corporation is able to direct its affairs and/or to control the composition of its board of directors or equivalent body.

“Tax” means any tax, levy, impost, duty or other charge or withholding of a similar nature (including any penalty or interest payable in connection with any failure to pay or any delay in paying any of the same).

“Term Loan Facility” means, for the purpose of any Continuing Document, Facility A.

“Termination Date” means, in relation to a Facility, the Final Repayment Date of that Facility.

“Total Commitments” means the Total Revolving Facility Commitments.

“Total Facility A Participation” means the aggregate of the Facility A Participations, being HK$1,000,000 at the 2016 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date.

“Total Revolving Facility Commitments” means the aggregate of the Revolving Facility Commitments, being HK$233,000,000 at the 2016 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date.

“Transaction Documents” means:

 

(a)

the Finance Documents; and

 

(b)

the Constitutional Documents of each Obligor.

“Transaction Security” means the Security or other collateral created, evidenced or expressed to be created or evidenced pursuant to the Transaction Security Documents.

 

		28		Project Asgard (2020 A&R) – Amended and Restated Facilities Agreement

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“Transaction Security Documents” means the Services and Right to Use Direct Agreement and each of the other documents listed as being a Transaction Security Document in schedule 4 (Transaction Security Documents) of the Intercreditor Agreement together with any other document entered into by any Obligor or other person creating or expressed to create any Security or other collateral over all or any part of its assets in respect of the obligations of any of the Obligors under any of the Finance Documents, each as amended, supplemented and/or confirmed from time to time (including, without limitation, the Facility A Cash Collateral).

“Transfer” means a novation of rights and obligations, an assignment of rights, an assignment of rights combined with an assumption of certain obligations and release of certain obligations, a participation or sub-participation or a declaration of trust (or equivalent), in each case, in relation to, or any other arrangement under which payments are to be made or may be made by reference to, one or more Finance Documents, the Facilities or the Borrower or any other transfer howsoever described or arranged whereby rights or obligations under the Finance Documents or in relation to the Facilities or the Borrower are transferred from one person to another (and “transferred” (and similar expressions) will be construed accordingly).

“Transfer Certificate” means an agreement substantially in the form set out in Schedule 4 (Form of Transfer Certificate) or any other form agreed between the Agent and the Borrower.

“Transfer Date” means, in relation to an assignment or transfer, the later of:

 

(a)

the proposed Transfer Date specified in the relevant Transfer Certificate or Assignment Agreement and Lender Accession Undertaking; and

 

(b)

the date on which the Agent executes the relevant Transfer Certificate or Assignment Agreement and Lender Accession Undertaking.

“Treasury Transaction” means any derivative transaction entered into in connection with protection against or benefit from fluctuation in any rate or price.

“Unpaid Sum” means any sum due and payable but unpaid by an Obligor under the Finance Documents.

“US” and “United States” means the United States of America, its territories, possessions and other areas subject to the jurisdiction of the United States of America.

“USA Patriot Act” means the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, Public Law 107-56.

“US Bankruptcy Code” means Title 11 of The United States Code (entitled “Bankruptcy”), as amended from time to time and as now or hereafter in effect, or any successor thereto.

“US dollars” or “US$” denotes the lawful currency of the United States.

“US Person” means any person whose jurisdiction of organization is a state of the United States or the District of Columbia.

“Utilisation” means a Loan.

“Utilisation Date” means the date on which a Revolving Facility Loan is made.

“Utilisation Request” means a notice substantially in the form set out in Part 1 of Schedule 3 (Requests and notices).

“Voting Participation” means a Participation which involves a transfer of any voting rights, directly or indirectly, under, or in relation to, the Finance Documents (including arising as a result of being able to direct the way that another person exercises its voting rights).

 

		29		Project Asgard (2020 A&R) – Amended and Restated Facilities Agreement

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1.2	Construction

 

(a)

Unless a contrary indication appears a reference in this Agreement to:

 

(i)

the “Agent”, the “Common Security Agent”, any “Finance Party”, the “Intercreditor Agent”, any “Lender”, any “Obligor”, any “Party”, the “POA Agent”, any “Secured Party” or any other person shall be construed so as to include its successors in title, permitted assigns and permitted transferees and, in the case of the Common Security Agent, any person for the time being appointed as Common Security Agent or Common Security Agents in accordance with the Finance Documents;

 

(ii)

a document in “agreed form” is a document which is in a form previously agreed in writing by or on behalf of the Borrower and the Agent or, if not so agreed, is in the form specified by the Agent;

 

(iii)

“assets” includes present and future properties, revenues and rights of every description;

 

(iv)

a “Finance Document” or a “Transaction Document” or any other agreement or instrument is a reference to that Finance Document or Transaction Document or other agreement or instrument as amended, novated, supplemented, extended, replaced or restated (in each case, however fundamentally);

 

(v)

“guarantee” means (other than in Clause 20 (Guarantee and indemnity)) any guarantee, letter of credit, bond, indemnity or similar assurance against loss, or any obligation, direct or indirect, actual or contingent, to purchase or assume any indebtedness of any person or to make an investment in or loan to any person or to purchase assets of any person where, in each case, such obligation is assumed in order to maintain or assist the ability of such person to meet its indebtedness;

 

(vi)

“indebtedness” includes any obligation (whether incurred as principal or as surety) for the payment or repayment of money, whether present or future, actual or contingent;

 

(vii)

a “person” includes any person, firm, company, corporation, government, state or agency of a state or any association, trust or partnership (whether or not having separate legal personality) of two or more of the foregoing;

 

(viii)

a “regulation” includes any regulation, rule, official directive, request or guideline (whether or not having the force of law) of any governmental, intergovernmental or supranational body, agency, department or regulatory, self-regulatory or other authority or organisation;

 

(ix)

an “equivalent amount in other currencies”, “equivalent amount in HK$”, “equivalent amount in US$” or “its equivalent” means, in relation to an amount in one currency, that amount converted on any relevant date into the relevant currency, HK$ or US$ (as the case may be) at the Agent’s Spot Rate of Exchange on that date and other than for the purposes of determining compliance with any basket amount, threshold and any other exceptions to any undertaking under Clause 23 (General undertakings) and any Event of Default under Clause 24 (Events of Default), the equivalent to any amount in HK dollars or the equivalent to any amount in US dollars shall be determined as at the time of the applicable incurrence, disposal, acquisition, investment, lease, loan, guarantee or other relevant action;

 

		30		Project Asgard (2020 A&R) – Amended and Restated Facilities Agreement

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(x)

No breach of any undertaking under Clause 23 (General undertakings) and any Event of Default under Clause 24 (Events of Default) shall arise merely as a result of a subsequent change in the US dollar equivalent or HK dollar equivalent of any amount due to fluctuation in exchange rates;

 

(xi)

a provision of law is a reference to that provision as amended or re-enacted; and

 

(xii)

a time of day is a reference to Hong Kong time.

 

(b)

Any reference to the Agent “acting reasonably” shall, to the extent that the Agent seeks instructions from the Lenders or a group of Lenders in respect of any matter, be construed so as to require the Lenders or that group of Lenders to act reasonably in respect of that matter.

 

(c)

Section, Clause and Schedule headings are for ease of reference only.

 

(d)

Unless a contrary indication appears, (i) a term used in any other Finance Document or in any notice given under or in connection with any Finance Document has the same meaning in that Finance Document or notice as in this Agreement; and (ii) the word “including” shall be construed as “including without limitation” (and cognate expressions shall be construed similarly).

 

(e)

A Borrower providing “cash cover” for an Ancillary Facility means a Borrower paying an amount in the currency of the Ancillary Facility to an interest-bearing account in the name of a Borrower and the following conditions being met:

 

(i)

the account is with the Ancillary Lender for which that cash cover is to be provided;

 

(ii)

until no amount is or may be outstanding under that Ancillary Facility, withdrawals from the account may only be made to pay the relevant Finance Party amounts due and payable to it under this Agreement in respect of that Ancillary Facility; and

 

(iii)

a Borrower has executed a security document, in form and substance satisfactory to the Finance Party with which that account is held, creating a first ranking security interest over that account.

 

(f)

A Default (including, for the avoidance of doubt, an Event of Default) is “continuing” if it has not been remedied or waived and an Acceleration Event is “continuing” if the notice in relation to such Acceleration Event has not been withdrawn, cancelled or otherwise ceased to have effect.

 

(g)

A Borrower “repaying” or “prepaying” Ancillary Outstandings means:

 

(i)

that Borrower providing cash cover in respect of the Ancillary Outstandings;

 

(ii)

the maximum amount payable under the Ancillary Facility being reduced or cancelled in accordance with its terms; or

 

(iii)

the relevant Ancillary Lender being satisfied that it has no further liability under that Ancillary Facility,

and the amount by which the Ancillary Outstandings are repaid or prepaid under paragraphs (i) and (ii) above is the amount of the relevant cash cover, reduction or cancellation.

 

(h)

An amount borrowed includes any amount utilised under an Ancillary Facility.

 

		31		Project Asgard (2020 A&R) – Amended and Restated Facilities Agreement

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(i)

Notwithstanding any other provision of any Finance Document, none of the steps set out or described in, or any actions done or contemplated by, the Services and Right to Use Direct Agreement or the actions or intermediate steps necessary to implement any of those steps or actions shall constitute a breach of any representation or warranty, a breach of any undertaking or otherwise result in the occurrence of a Default or an Event of Default under a Finance Document.

 

(j)

References in this Agreement to “the original date hereof”, “the original date of this Agreement”, and any other like expressions shall mean 28 January 2013 and references in this Agreement to “the date hereof”, “the date of this Agreement”, and any other like expressions shall mean the 2016 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date.

 

(k)

The principles of construction and interpretation contained or referred to in paragraph (m) of clause 1.2 (Construction) of the Intercreditor Agreement shall apply to the construction and interpretation of the Services and Right to Use Direct Agreement, including to any capitalised term incorporated into the Services and Right to Use Direct Agreement by reference to this Agreement (whether or not such term is expressly defined in this Agreement). In the event of any inconsistency between the principles of construction contained or referred to in paragraph (m) of clause 1.2 (Construction) of the Intercreditor Agreement and a term defined in this Agreement, the principles of construction contained or referred to in paragraph (m) of clause 1.2 (Construction) of the Intercreditor Agreement shall take precedence.

 

(l)

The principles of construction and interpretation contained or referred to in paragraph (n) of clause 1.2 (Construction) of the Intercreditor Agreement shall apply to the construction and interpretation of any Continuing Document, including to any capitalised term incorporated into any Continuing Document by reference to this Agreement (whether or not such term is expressly defined in this Agreement). In the event of any inconsistency between the principles of construction contained or referred to in paragraph (n) of clause 1.2 (Construction) of the Intercreditor Agreement and a term defined in this Agreement, the principles of construction contained or referred to in paragraph (n) of clause 1.2 (Construction) of the Intercreditor Agreement shall take precedence.

 

1.3	Third party rights

 

(a)

Unless expressly provided to the contrary in a Finance Document a person who is not a Party has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 (the “Third Parties Act”) to enforce or enjoy the benefit of any term of any Finance Document.

 

(b)

Notwithstanding any term of any Finance Document, the consent of any person who is not a Party is not required to rescind or vary any Finance Document at any time.

 

1.4	Intercreditor Agreement

This Agreement is subject to the Intercreditor Agreement. In the event of any inconsistency between this Agreement and the Intercreditor Agreement, the Intercreditor Agreement shall prevail.

 

1.5	Terms defined in the covenants

Unless a contrary intention appears, capitalised terms used in this Agreement which are not defined in Clause 1.1 (Definitions) have the meaning given to them in Schedule 10 (Covenants) and Schedule 11 (Definitions).

 

		32		Project Asgard (2020 A&R) – Amended and Restated Facilities Agreement

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SECTION 2

THE FACILITIES

 

2.	The Facilities

 

2.1	The Facilities

 

(a)

The Original Lender has made available a Base Currency term loan in an aggregate amount equal to the Total Facility A Participation that has been re-designated as the Facility A Loan.

 

(b)

Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Revolving Facility Lenders make available to the Borrower a Base Currency revolving loan facility in an aggregate amount equal to the Total Revolving Facility Commitments.

 

2.2

Increase

 

(a)

The Borrower may by giving prior notice to the Agent by no later than the date falling 10 Business Days after the effective date of a cancellation of the Available Commitment or the Revolving Facility Commitment of an Illegal Lender in accordance with Clause 8.1 (Illegality) or Replaceable Lender in accordance with Clause 37.7 (Cancellation and repayment of a Replaceable Lender (other than an Illegal Lender)) (such Available Commitment or Revolving Facility Commitment so cancelled being the “Cancelled Commitment”) request that the Revolving Facility Commitments be increased (and the Revolving Facility Commitments shall be so increased) by an aggregate amount in Hong Kong dollars of up to the amount of the Cancelled Commitment as follows:

 

(i)

such increased Revolving Facility Commitments will be assumed by one or more Lenders or persons (other than a Group Member) (each an “Increase Lender”) selected by the Borrower and each of which confirms its willingness to assume and does assume all the obligations of a Lender corresponding to that part of such increased Revolving Facility Commitments under that Facility which it is to assume (the “Assumed Commitment” of such Increase Lender), as if it had been an Original Lender;

 

(ii)

each of the Obligors and any Increase Lender shall assume obligations towards one another and/or acquire rights against one another as the Obligors and the Increase Lender would have assumed and/or acquired had that Increase Lender been an Original Lender (with the Assumed Commitment in respect of such Increase Lender, in addition to any other Commitment which such Increase Lender may otherwise have in accordance with this Agreement);

 

(iii)

each Increase Lender shall become a Party as a “Lender” and any Increase Lender (with the Assumed Commitment in respect of such Increase Lender, in addition to any other Commitment which such Increase Lender may otherwise have in accordance with this Agreement) and each of the other Finance Parties shall assume obligations towards one another and acquire rights against one another as that Increase Lender and those Finance Parties would have assumed and/or acquired had the Increase Lender been an Original Lender;

 

(iv)

the Commitments of the other Lenders shall continue in full force and effect; and

 

		33		Project Asgard (2020 A&R) – Amended and Restated Facilities Agreement

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(v)

such increase in the Revolving Facility Commitments shall take effect on the later of (1) the date specified by the Borrower in the notice referred to above or (2) any later date on which the conditions set out in paragraph (b) below are satisfied in respect of such increase.

 

(b)

An increase in the Revolving Facility Commitments pursuant to this Clause 2.2 will only be effective on:

 

(i)

the execution by the Agent of an Increase Confirmation from each relevant Increase Lender in respect of such increase, which the Agent shall execute promptly on request;

 

(ii)

the Increase Lender entering into the documentation required for it to accede as a party to the Intercreditor Agreement; and

 

(iii)

in relation to an Increase Lender which is not a Lender immediately prior to the relevant increase, the Agent being satisfied that it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations in relation to the assumption of the Assumed Commitments by that Increase Lender. The Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Increase Lender upon being so satisfied.

 

(c)

Each Increase Lender, by executing an Increase Confirmation, confirms that the Agent has authority to execute on its behalf any amendment or waiver that has been approved by or on behalf of the requisite Lender or Lenders in accordance with this Agreement on or prior to the date on which the increase in Revolving Facility Commitments (to which such Increase Confirmation relates) becomes effective.

 

(d)

The Borrower shall promptly on demand pay the Agent and the Common Security Agent the amount of all costs and expenses (including legal fees) reasonably incurred by the Agent or the Common Security Agent (as applicable and, in the case of the Common Security Agent, by any Receiver or Delegate) in connection with any increase in Revolving Facility Commitments under this Clause 2.2.

 

(e)

An Increase Lender shall, on the date upon which its assumption of any Assumed Commitment takes effect, pay to the Agent (for its own account) a fee in an amount equal to the fee which would be payable under Clause 25.2 (Assignment or transfer fee) if such assumption was a transfer pursuant to Clause 25.5 (Procedure for transfer) and if the Increase Lender was a New Lender.

 

(f)

The Borrower may pay to an Increase Lender a fee in the amount and at the times agreed between the Borrower and that Increase Lender in a Fee Letter.

 

(g)

Clause 25.4 (Limitation of responsibility of Existing Lenders) shall apply mutatis mutandis in this Clause 2.2 in relation to an Increase Lender as if references in that Clause to:

 

(i)

an “Existing Lender” were references to all the Lenders immediately prior to the relevant increase in Revolving Facility Commitments;

 

(ii)

the “New Lender” were references to that “Increase Lender”; and

 

(iii)

a “re-transfer” and “re-assignment” were references to, respectively, a “transfer” and “assignment”.

 

2.3	Finance Parties’ rights and obligations

 

(a)

The obligations of each Finance Party under the Finance Documents are several. Failure by a Finance Party to perform its obligations under the Finance Documents does not affect the obligations of any other Party under the Finance Documents. No Finance Party is responsible for the obligations of any other Finance Party under the Finance Documents.

 

		34		Project Asgard (2020 A&R) – Amended and Restated Facilities Agreement

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(b)

The rights of each Finance Party under or in connection with the Finance Documents are separate and independent rights and any debt arising under the Finance Documents to a Finance Party from an Obligor shall be a separate and independent debt in respect of which a Finance Party shall be entitled to enforce its rights in accordance with paragraph (c) below. The rights of each Finance Party include any debt owing to that Finance Party under the Finance Documents and, for the avoidance of doubt, any part of a Loan or any other amount owed by an Obligor which relates to a Finance Party’s participation in a Facility or its role under a Finance Document (including any such amount payable to the Agent on its behalf) is a debt owing to that Finance Party by that Obligor.

 

(c)

A Finance Party may, except as otherwise stated in the Finance Documents, separately enforce its rights under or in connection with the Finance Documents.

 

2.4	Obligors’ Agent

 

(a)

Each Obligor (other than the Parent) by its execution of this Agreement or an Accession Letter irrevocably appoints the Parent to act on its behalf as its agent in relation to the Finance Documents and irrevocably authorises:

 

(i)

the Parent on its behalf to supply all information concerning itself contemplated by this Agreement to the Finance Parties and to give all notices and instructions (including, in the case of the Borrower, Utilisation Requests), to execute on its behalf any Accession Letter, to make such agreements and to effect the relevant amendments, supplements and variations capable of being given, made or effected by any Obligor notwithstanding that they may affect the Obligor, without further reference to or the consent of that Obligor; and

 

(ii)

each Finance Party to give any notice, demand or other communication to that Obligor pursuant to the Finance Documents to the Parent,

and in each case the Obligor shall be bound as though the Obligor itself had given the notices and instructions (including, without limitation, any Utilisation Request) or executed or made the agreements or effected the amendments, supplements or variations, or received the relevant notice, demand or other communication.

 

(b)

Every act, omission, agreement, undertaking, settlement, waiver, amendment, supplement, variation, notice or other communication given or made by the Obligors’ Agent or given to the Obligors’ Agent under any Finance Document on behalf of another Obligor or in connection with any Finance Document (whether or not known to any other Obligor and whether occurring before or after such other Obligor became an Obligor under any Finance Document) shall be binding for all purposes on that Obligor as if that Obligor had expressly made, given or concurred with it. In the event of any conflict between any notices or other communications of the Obligors’ Agent and any other Obligor, those of the Obligors’ Agent shall prevail.

 

		35		Project Asgard (2020 A&R) – Amended and Restated Facilities Agreement

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3.

Purpose

 

3.1

Purpose

Subject to Clause 5.5 (Limitations on Utilisations), the Borrower shall apply all amounts borrowed by it under the Revolving Facility to finance the general corporate and working capital purposes of the Group, including:

 

(a)

the payment of fees, costs and expenses; and

 

(b)

the financing and refinancing of amounts expended on permitted joint venture investments, capital expenditure and business reorganisations,

provided that no amounts utilised under the Revolving Facility (including any Ancillary Facility) may be applied, directly or indirectly, towards any Notes Repurchase or any payments of interest in respect of any Pari Passu Debt Liability.

 

3.2	Monitoring

No Finance Party is bound to monitor or verify the application of any amount borrowed pursuant to this Agreement.

 

4.	Conditions of utilisation

 

4.1	Utilisation conditions precedent

The Lenders will only be obliged to comply with Clause 5.4 (Lenders’ participation) in relation to a Utilisation under the Revolving Facility if on the date of the Utilisation Request and on the proposed Utilisation Date:

 

(a)

in the case of a Rollover Loan:

 

(i)

no Acceleration Event is continuing; and

 

(ii)

no Event of Default under Clause 24.5 (Insolvency) or Clause 24.6 (Insolvency proceedings) has occurred and is continuing;

 

(b)

in the case of any other Utilisation:

 

(i)

no Default is continuing or would result from the proposed Utilisation; and

 

(ii)

all the Repeating Representations are true and correct in all respects or (to the extent such Repeating Representations are not already subject to or qualified as to materiality) all material respects.

 

4.2	Maximum number of Utilisations

The Borrower may not deliver a Utilisation Request under the Revolving Facility if as a result of the proposed Utilisation more than eight (8) Revolving Facility Loans would be outstanding.

 

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SECTION 3

UTILISATION

 

5.	Utilisation – Revolving Facility Loans

 

5.1	Delivery of a Utilisation Request

The Borrower may utilise the Revolving Facility in accordance with Clause 2.1 (The Facilities) by delivery to the Agent of a duly completed Utilisation Request signed by an authorised signatory of the Borrower, not later than 11.00 a.m. on the fifth Business Day prior to the proposed Utilisation Date.

 

5.2	Completion of a Utilisation Request

 

(a)

Each Utilisation Request for a Revolving Facility Loan is irrevocable and will not be regarded as having been duly completed unless:

 

(i)

the proposed Utilisation Date is a Business Day within the Availability Period applicable to the Revolving Facility;

 

(ii)

the currency and amount of the Utilisation comply with Clause 5.3 (Currency and amount); and

 

(iii)

the proposed Interest Period complies with Clause 12 (Interest Periods).

 

(b)

Only one Utilisation may be requested in each Utilisation Request.

 

5.3	Currency and amount

 

(a)

The currency specified in a Utilisation Request must be HK dollars.

 

(b)

The amount of the proposed Utilisation must be a minimum of HK$10,000,000 or, if less, the Available Facility.

 

5.4	Lenders’ participation

 

(a)

Subject to Clause 7.2 (Revolving Facility), if the conditions set out in this Agreement have been met, and (in respect of Revolving Facility Loans), each Lender shall make its participation in each Revolving Facility Loan available by the Utilisation Date through its Facility Office.

 

(b)

The amount of each Lender’s participation in each Revolving Facility Loan will be equal to the proportion borne by its Available Commitment to the Available Facility immediately prior to making the Revolving Facility Loan.

 

(c)

The Agent shall, by 2.00 p.m. on the third Business Day prior to the proposed Utilisation Date, notify each Lender of the amount of each Revolving Facility Loan, the amount of its participation in that Revolving Facility Loan and, if different, the amount of that participation to be made available in cash.

 

5.5	Limitations on Utilisations

 

(a)

Amounts borrowed under or in respect of the Facilities (including the proceeds of the advance constituting the Facility A Loan under the original form of this Agreement) shall not be applied (directly or indirectly):

 

(i)

for business activities (1) relating to or involving (A) Cuba, Sudan, Iran, Myanmar (Burma), Syria or North Korea (in each case to the extent such country is subject to any economic and/or trade sanctions) or (B) any other countries that are subject to economic and/or trade sanctions as notified in writing by the Agent (acting on behalf of any Lender) to the Borrower from time to time (C) any Restricted Party or (2) which would otherwise result in a breach of any Anti-Terrorism Law; or

 

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(ii)

towards any purpose connected with the operation of casino games of chance or other forms of gaming.

 

(b)

Without prejudice to paragraph (a) above, the proceeds of the Revolving Facility shall not be applied towards any purpose other than a purpose specified in Clause 3 (Purpose).

 

5.6	Cancellation of Commitment

The Revolving Facility Commitments which, at that time, are unutilised shall be immediately cancelled at the end of the Availability Period.

 

6.	Ancillary Facilities

 

6.1	Type of Facility

An Ancillary Facility may be by way of:

 

(a)

an overdraft facility;

 

(b)

a guarantee, bonding, documentary or stand-by letter of credit facility;

 

(c)

a short term loan facility;

 

(d)

a derivatives facility;

 

(e)

a foreign exchange facility; or

 

(f)

any other facility or accommodation required in connection with the business of the Group and which is agreed by the Borrower with an Ancillary Lender.

 

6.2	Availability

 

(a)

If the Borrower and a Lender agree and except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Lender may provide all or part of its Revolving Facility Commitment as an Ancillary Facility.

 

(b)

An Ancillary Facility shall not be made available unless, not later than three (3) Business Days prior to the Ancillary Commencement Date for an Ancillary Facility, the Agent has received from the Borrower:

 

(i)

a notice in writing of the establishment of an Ancillary Facility and specifying:

 

(A)

the proposed Borrower which may use the Ancillary Facility;

 

(B)

the proposed Ancillary Commencement Date and expiry date of the Ancillary Facility;

 

(C)

the proposed type of Ancillary Facility to be provided;

 

(D)

the proposed Ancillary Lender;

 

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(E)

the proposed Ancillary Commitment and the maximum amount of the Ancillary Facility and, in the case of a Multi-account Overdraft, its Designated Gross Amount and its Designated Net Amount; and

 

(F)

the proposed currency of the Ancillary Facility (if not denominated in HK dollars); and

 

(ii)

any other information which the Agent may reasonably request in connection with the Ancillary Facility.

 

(c)

The Agent shall promptly notify the Ancillary Lender and the other Lenders of the establishment of an Ancillary Facility.

 

(d)

Subject to compliance with paragraph (b) above:

 

(i)

the Lender concerned will become an Ancillary Lender; and

 

(ii)

the Ancillary Facility will be available,

with effect from the date agreed by the Borrower and the Ancillary Lender.

 

6.3	Terms of Ancillary Facilities

 

(a)

Except as provided below, the terms of any Ancillary Facility will be those agreed by the Ancillary Lender and the Borrower.

 

(b)

Those terms:

 

(i)

must be based upon normal commercial terms at that time (except as varied by this Agreement);

 

(ii)

may allow only the Borrower to use the Ancillary Facility;

 

(iii)

may not allow the Ancillary Outstandings to exceed the Ancillary Commitment;

 

(iv)

may not allow a Lender’s Ancillary Commitment to exceed that Lender’s Available Commitment relating to the Revolving Facility (before taking into account the effect of the Ancillary Facility on that Available Commitment); and

 

(v)

must require that the Ancillary Commitment is reduced to zero, and that all Ancillary Outstandings are repaid not later than the Termination Date applicable to the Revolving Facility (or such earlier date as the Revolving Facility Commitment of the relevant Ancillary Lender (or its Affiliate) is reduced to zero).

 

(c)

If there is any inconsistency between any term of an Ancillary Facility and any term of this Agreement, this Agreement shall prevail except for:

 

(i)

Clause 34.3 (Day count convention) which shall not prevail for the purposes of calculating fees, interest or commission relating to an Ancillary Facility;

 

(ii)

an Ancillary Facility comprising more than one account where the terms of the Ancillary Documents shall prevail to the extent required to permit the netting of balances on those accounts; and

 

(iii)

where the relevant term of this Agreement would be contrary to, or inconsistent with, the law governing the relevant Ancillary Document, in which case that term of this Agreement shall not prevail.

 

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(d)

Interest, commission and fees on Ancillary Facilities are dealt with in Clause 14.3 (Interest, commission and fees on Ancillary Facilities).

 

6.4	Repayment of Ancillary Facility

 

(a)

An Ancillary Facility shall cease to be available on the Termination Date applicable to the Revolving Facility or such earlier date on which its expiry date occurs or on which it is cancelled in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

(b)

If an Ancillary Facility expires in accordance with its terms the Ancillary Commitment of the relevant Ancillary Lender shall be reduced to zero.

 

(c)

No Ancillary Lender may demand repayment or prepayment of any Ancillary Outstandings prior to the expiry date of the relevant Ancillary Facility unless:

 

(i)

required to reduce the Permitted Gross Outstandings of a Multi-account Overdraft to or towards an amount equal to its Designated Net Amount;

 

(ii)

the Total Revolving Facility Commitments have been cancelled in full or all outstanding Utilisations under the Revolving Facility have become due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Agreement;

 

(iii)

it becomes unlawful in any applicable jurisdiction for the Ancillary Lender to perform any of its obligations as contemplated by this Agreement or to fund, issue or maintain its participation in its Ancillary Facility (or it becomes unlawful for any Affiliate of the Ancillary Lender for the Ancillary Lender to do so); or

 

(iv)

both:

 

(A)

the Available Commitments relating to the Revolving Facility; and

 

(B)

the notice of the demand given by the Ancillary Lender,

would not prevent the relevant Borrower funding the repayment of those Ancillary Outstandings in full by way of Revolving Facility Utilisation.

 

(d)

If a Revolving Facility Utilisation is made to repay Ancillary Outstandings in full, the relevant Ancillary Commitment shall be reduced to zero.

 

6.5	Limitation on Ancillary Outstandings

Each Borrower shall procure that and each Ancillary Lender agrees that:

 

(a)

the Ancillary Outstandings under any Ancillary Facility shall not exceed the Ancillary Commitment applicable to that Ancillary Facility; and

 

(b)

in relation to a Multi-account Overdraft:

 

(i)

the Ancillary Outstandings shall not exceed the Designated Net Amount applicable to that Multi-account Overdraft; and

 

(ii)

the Gross Outstandings shall not exceed the Designated Gross Amount applicable to that Multi-account Overdraft.

 

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6.6	Adjustment for Ancillary Facilities upon acceleration

 

(a)

In this Clause 6.6:

“Revolving Outstandings” means, in relation to a Lender, the aggregate of the equivalent in HK dollars of:

 

(i)

its participation in each Revolving Facility Loan then outstanding (together with the aggregate amount of all accrued interest, fees and commission owed to it as a Lender under the Revolving Facility); and

 

(ii)

if the Lender is also an Ancillary Lender, the Ancillary Outstandings in respect of Ancillary Facilities provided by that Ancillary Lender (or by its Affiliate) (together with the aggregate amount of all accrued interest, fees and commission owed to it (or to its Affiliate) as an Ancillary Lender in respect of the Ancillary Facility); and

“Total Revolving Outstandings” means the aggregate of all Revolving Outstandings.

 

(b)

If a notice is served under Clause 24.19 (Acceleration) (other than a notice declaring Utilisations to be due on demand), each Lender and each Ancillary Lender shall (subject to paragraph (g) below) promptly adjust (by making or receiving (as the case may be) corresponding transfers of rights and obligations under the Finance Documents relating to Revolving Outstandings) their claims in respect of amounts outstanding to them under the Revolving Facility and each Ancillary Facility to the extent necessary to ensure that after such transfers the Revolving Outstandings of each Lender bear the same proportion to the Total Revolving Outstandings as such Lender’s Revolving Facility Commitment bears to the Total Revolving Facility Commitments, each as at the date the notice is served under Clause 24.19 (Acceleration).

 

(c)

If an amount outstanding under an Ancillary Facility is a contingent liability and that contingent liability becomes an actual liability or is reduced to zero after the original adjustment is made under paragraph (b) above, then each Lender and Ancillary Lender will make a further adjustment (by making or receiving (as the case may be) corresponding transfers of rights and obligations under the Finance Documents relating to Revolving Outstandings to the extent necessary) to put themselves in the position they would have been in had the original adjustment been determined by reference to the actual liability or, as the case may be, zero liability and not the contingent liability.

 

(d)

Any transfer of rights and obligations relating to Revolving Outstandings made pursuant to this Clause 6.6 shall be made for a purchase price in cash, payable at the time of transfer, in an amount equal to those Revolving Outstandings.

 

(e)

Prior to the application of the provisions of paragraph (b) above, an Ancillary Lender that has provided a Multi-account Overdraft shall set off any Available Credit Balance on any account comprised in that Multi-account Overdraft.

 

(f)

All calculations to be made pursuant to this Clause 6.6 shall be made by the Agent based upon information provided to it by the Lenders and Ancillary Lenders and the Agent’s Spot Rate of Exchange.

 

(g)

This Clause 6.6 shall not oblige any Lender to accept the transfer of a claim relating to an amount outstanding under an Ancillary Facility which is not denominated (pursuant to the relevant Finance Document) in HK dollars for the purpose of any Revolving Facility Loan or in another currency which is acceptable to that Lender.

 

6.7	Information

Each Borrower and each Ancillary Lender shall, promptly upon request by the Agent, supply the Agent with any information relating to the operation of an Ancillary Facility (including the Ancillary Outstandings) as the Agent may reasonably request from time to time. Each Borrower consents to all such information being released to the Agent and the other Finance Parties.

 

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6.8	Affiliates of Lenders as Ancillary Lenders

 

(a)

Subject to the terms of this Agreement, an Affiliate of a Lender may become an Ancillary Lender. In such case, the Lender and its Affiliate shall be treated as a single Lender whose Revolving Facility Commitment is the amount set out opposite the relevant Lender’s name in Schedule 1 (The Original Parties) and/or the amount of any Revolving Facility Commitment transferred to or assumed by that Lender under this Agreement, to the extent (in each case) not cancelled, reduced or transferred by it under this Agreement.

 

(b)

The Borrower shall specify any relevant Affiliate of a Lender in any notice delivered by the Borrower to the Agent pursuant to paragraph (b)(i) of Clause 6.2 (Availability).

 

(c)

An Affiliate of a Lender which becomes an Ancillary Lender shall accede to the Intercreditor Agreement as an Ancillary Lender and any person which so accedes to the Intercreditor Agreement shall, at the same time, become a Party as an Ancillary Lender in accordance with clause 25.14 (Creditor/Creditor Representative Accession Undertaking) of the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

(d)

If a Lender assigns all of its rights and benefits or transfers all of its rights and obligations to a New Lender, its Affiliate shall cease to have any obligations under this Agreement or any Ancillary Document.

 

(e)

Where this Agreement or any other Finance Document imposes an obligation on an Ancillary Lender and the relevant Ancillary Lender is an Affiliate of a Lender which is not a party to that document, the relevant Lender shall ensure that the obligation is performed by its Affiliate.

 

6.9	Revolving Facility Commitment amounts

Notwithstanding any other term of this Agreement, each Lender shall ensure that at all times its Revolving Facility Commitment is not less than the aggregate of:

 

(a)

its Ancillary Commitment; and

 

(b)

the Ancillary Commitment(s) of its Affiliate(s).

 

6.10	Amendments and waivers – Ancillary Facilities

No amendment or waiver of a term of any Ancillary Facility shall require the consent of any Finance Party other than the relevant Ancillary Lender unless such amendment or waiver itself relates to or gives rise to a matter which would require an amendment of or under this Agreement (including, for the avoidance of doubt, under this Clause 6). In such a case, Clause 37 (Amendments and waivers) will apply.

 

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SECTION 4

REPAYMENT, PREPAYMENT AND CANCELLATION

 

7.

Repayment

 

7.1	Facility A

Subject to clause 3.2 (Rolled Loan – restrictions) of the Intercreditor Agreement, the Borrower shall repay the Facility A Loan in full on the Termination Date applicable to Facility A. The Borrower may not reborrow any part of the Facility A Loan that is repaid.

 

7.2	Revolving Facility

 

(a)

The Borrower shall repay each Revolving Facility Loan in full on the last day of its Interest Period.

 

(b)

Without prejudice to the Borrower’s obligations under paragraph (a) above, if one or more Revolving Facility Loans are to be made available to the Borrower:

 

(i)

on the same day that a maturing Revolving Facility Loan is due to be repaid by the Borrower; and

 

(ii)

in whole or in part for the purpose of refinancing the maturing Revolving Facility Loan,

the aggregate amount of the new Revolving Facility Loans shall be treated as if applied in or towards repayment of the maturing Revolving Facility Loan so that:

 

(A)

if the amount of the maturing Revolving Facility Loan exceeds the aggregate amount of the new Revolving Facility Loans:

 

(1)

the Borrower will only be required to pay an amount in cash in the relevant currency equal to that excess; and

 

(2)

each Lender’s participation (if any) in the new Revolving Facility Loans shall be treated as having been made available and applied by the Borrower in or towards repayment of that Lender’s participation (if any) in the maturing Revolving Facility Loan and that Lender will not be required to make its participation in the new Revolving Facility Loans available in cash; and

 

(B)

if the amount of the maturing Revolving Facility Loan is equal to or less than the aggregate amount of the new Revolving Facility Loans:

 

(1)

the Borrower will not be required to make any payment in cash; and

 

(2)

each Lender will be required to make its participation in the new Revolving Facility Loans available in cash only to the extent that its participation (if any) in the new Revolving Facility Loans exceeds that Lender’s participation (if any) in the maturing Revolving Facility Loan and the remainder of that Lender’s participation in the new Revolving Facility Loans shall be treated as having been made available and applied by the Borrower in or towards repayment of that Lender’s participation in the maturing Revolving Facility Loan.

 

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(c)

At any time when a Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, the maturity date of each of the participations of that Lender in the Revolving Facility Loans then outstanding will be automatically extended to the Termination Date applicable to the Revolving Facility and will be treated as separate Revolving Facility Loans (the “Separate Loans”) denominated in the Base Currency.

 

(d)

A Separate Loan may be prepaid by giving five (5) Business Days’ prior notice to the Agent. The Agent will forward a copy of a prepayment notice received in accordance with this paragraph (d) to the Defaulting Lender concerned as soon as practicable on receipt.

 

(e)

Interest in respect of a Separate Loan will accrue for successive Interest Periods selected by the Borrower by the time and date specified by the Agent (acting reasonably) and will be payable by the Borrower to the Agent (for the account of that Defaulting Lender) on the last day of each Interest Period of that Loan.

 

(f)

The terms of this Agreement relating to Revolving Facility Loans generally shall continue to apply to Separate Loans other than to the extent inconsistent with paragraphs (c) to (e) above, in which case those paragraphs shall prevail in respect of any Separate Loan.

 

8.	Illegality, voluntary prepayment and cancellation

 

8.1	Illegality

If it becomes unlawful in any applicable jurisdiction for a Lender to perform any of its obligations as contemplated by this Agreement or to fund, issue or maintain its participation in any Utilisation:

 

(a)

that Lender shall promptly notify the Agent upon becoming aware of that event;

 

(b)

upon the Agent notifying the Borrower, the Commitment of that Lender will be immediately cancelled; and

 

(c)

to the extent that Lender’s participation has not been transferred pursuant to Clause 37.5 (Replaceable Lenders), the Borrower shall repay that Lender’s participation in each Utilisations on the last day of the Interest Period for each Utilisation occurring after the Agent has notified the Borrower or, if earlier, the date specified by the Lender in the notice delivered to the Agent (being no earlier than the last day of any applicable grace period permitted by law).

 

8.2	Voluntary cancellation

The Borrower may, if it gives the Agent not less than five (5) Business Days’ prior notice, cancel the whole or any part (being a minimum of HK$100,000,000) of the Available Facility in respect of the Revolving Facility. Any cancellation under this Clause 8.2 shall reduce the Commitments of the Lenders rateably under the Revolving Facility.

 

8.3	Voluntary prepayment of the Facility A Loan

Subject to clause 3.2 (Rolled Loan – restrictions) of the Intercreditor Agreement, the Borrower under a Facility may, if it gives the Agent not less than five (5) Business Days’ prior notice, prepay the whole or any part of the Facility A Loan (but, if in part, being an amount that reduces the Facility A Loan by a minimum amount of HK$500,000).

 

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8.4	Voluntary prepayment of Revolving Facility Loans

The Borrower may, if it gives the Agent not less than five (5) Business Days’ prior notice, prepay the whole or any part of a Revolving Facility Loan (but, if in part, being an amount that, whether alone or with any such prepayment made by any other Borrower at such time, reduces such Revolving Facility Loan by a minimum amount of HK$100,000,000).

 

9.	Mandatory prepayment

Each Borrower shall prepay the Utilisations and/or cancel Commitments under the Facilities on the dates and in accordance, and otherwise comply, with the provisions of this Clause 9 (Mandatory prepayment).

 

9.1	Definitions

For the purposes of this Clause 9 (Mandatory prepayment):

“Concession Expiry” means termination, revocation, rescission or modification of the Gaming Subconcession (including by way of expiry on its terms) which has had a material adverse effect on the financial condition, business, properties, or results of operations of the Group, taken as a whole.

“Concession-Related Mandatory Prepayment Event” means the occurrence of:

 

(a)

a Concession Expiry; or

 

(b)

a Land Concession Termination.

“Disposal Prepayment Event” means the Disposal of all or substantially all of the business and assets of the Group or all the Obligors.

“Land Concession Termination” means the termination, revocation or rescission of the Amended Land Concession (including by way of expiry on its terms) unless a new land concession with respect to the Property is granted to a Group Member or Group Members in replacement of the Amended Land Concession which is the subject of such termination, revocation or rescission.

 

9.2	Change of Control, Concession-Related Mandatory Prepayment Event and Disposal Prepayment Event

 

(a)

If a Change of Control or Concession-Related Mandatory Prepayment Event occurs:

 

(i)

the Parent will promptly notify the Agent upon becoming aware of that event;

 

(ii)

no Lender shall be obliged to fund a Utilisation (except for a Rollover Loan) and an Ancillary Lender shall not be obliged to fund a utilisation of an Ancillary Facility (unless the terms of such Ancillary Facility provide otherwise); and

 

(iii)

if a Lender so requires and notifies the Agent within 20 Business Days of the earlier of (A) the Parent’s notifying the Agent of the event and (B) that Lender becoming aware the event has occurred, the Agent shall, by not less than 10 Business Days’ notice to the Parent, cancel the Commitment of that Lender in respect of the Revolving Facility and declare the participation of that Lender in all outstanding Utilisations in respect of the Revolving Facility and Ancillary Outstandings, together with accrued interest and all other amounts accrued under the Finance Documents to that Lender (including, without limitation, in respect of Facility A (other than the principal amount outstanding in respect of the Facility A Loan)), immediately due and payable, whereupon the Commitment of that Lender in respect of the Revolving Facility will be cancelled and, to the extent that Lender’s relevant participations have not been transferred pursuant to Clause 37.5 (Replaceable Lenders), all such outstanding amounts will become immediately due and payable and full cash cover in respect of its contingent liability under an Ancillary Facility shall become immediately due and payable.

 

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(b)

Subject to clause 3.2 (Rolled Loan – restrictions) of the Intercreditor Agreement, if a Disposal Prepayment Event occurs, the Facilities will be cancelled and all outstanding Utilisations, together with accrued interest and all other amounts accrued under the Finance Documents, shall become immediately due and payable.

 

(c)

In accordance with paragraph (e) of Clause 37.3 (Exceptions), any waiver which relates to a right to prepayment under this Clause 9.2 may only be waived with the consent of the Lender that is entitled to the prepayment.

 

9.3	[Reserved]

 

9.4	Notes Repurchases

 

(a)

If a Notes Repurchase occurs, or an offer to make a Notes Repurchase has been made, the Borrower will, promptly upon becoming aware of such event, notify the Agent of the details of the event, including the amount of the Notes Repurchase.

 

(b)

The Borrower shall cancel and prepay the relevant proportion of the Revolving Facility if required by, and in accordance with Clause 23.15 (Notes Repurchase condition).

 

9.5	Asset Sales

The Borrower shall cancel and prepay the relevant proportion of the Revolving Facility if required by, and in accordance with, Section 5 (Asset Sales) of Schedule 10 (Covenants).

 

9.6

Waivers

Any waiver that relates to a right to prepayment under Clause 9.4 (Notes Repurchases) or 9.5 (Asset Sales) above may only be waived with the consent of the Lender that is entitled to the prepayment.

 

9.7	Application of mandatory prepayments and cancellations – Note Repurchases and Asset dispositions

 

(a)

Prepayments of Utilisations and cancellations of Commitments made pursuant to Clause 9.4 (Notes Repurchases) or Clause 9.5 (Asset Sales) shall be applied in the following order:

 

(i)

firstly, in cancellation of the Available Commitments (and the Available Commitment of the Lenders will be cancelled rateably);

 

(ii)

secondly, in permanent prepayment and cancellation of Revolving Facility Utilisations and cancellation of Commitments under the Revolving Facility;

 

(iii)

thirdly, in prepayment and cancellation of the Ancillary Outstandings and Ancillary Commitments; and

 

(iv)

then, subject to clause 3.2 (Rolled Loan – restrictions) of the Intercreditor Agreement, in permanent prepayment of the Facility A Loan.

 

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(b)

Unless the Borrower makes an election under paragraph (c) below, the Borrower shall make prepayments under Clause 9.5 (Asset Sales) promptly upon receipt of the relevant proceeds.

 

(c)

Subject to paragraph (d) below, the Borrower may, by giving the Agent not less than three (3) Business Days’ (or such shorter period as the Majority Lenders may agree) prior written notice, elect that any prepayment under Clause 9.5 (Asset Sales) be applied in prepayment of a Loan on the last day of the Interest Period relating to that Loan. If the Borrower makes such an election, then a proportion of the Loan equal to the amount of the relevant prepayment will be due and payable on the last day of its Interest Period.

 

(d)

If the Borrower has made an election under paragraph (c) above but an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, that election shall no longer apply and a proportion of the Loan in respect of which the election was made equal to the amount of the relevant prepayment shall be immediately due and payable (unless the Majority Lenders otherwise agree).

 

10.	Restrictions

 

10.1	Notices of cancellation or prepayment

Any notice of cancellation or prepayment, authorisation or other election given by any Party under Clause 8 (Illegality, voluntary prepayment and cancellation) shall be irrevocable and, unless a contrary indication appears in this Agreement, any such notice shall specify the date or dates upon which the relevant cancellation or prepayment is to be made, the affected Facility (or Facilities) and Utilisations and the amount of that cancellation or prepayment.

 

10.2	Interest and other amounts

Any prepayment under this Agreement shall be made together with accrued interest on the amount prepaid and, subject to any Break Costs, without premium or penalty.

 

10.3	Reborrowing of Facilities

The Borrower shall not reborrow any part of Facility A which is prepaid. Unless a contrary indication appears in this Agreement, any part of the Revolving Facility which is repaid or voluntarily prepaid may be reborrowed in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

10.4	Prepayment in accordance with Agreement

The Borrower shall not repay or prepay all or any part of the Utilisations or cancel all or any part of the Commitments except at the times and in the manner expressly provided for in this Agreement.

 

10.5	No reinstatement of Commitments

No amount of the Total Commitments cancelled under this Agreement may be subsequently reinstated.

 

10.6	Agent’s receipt of notices

If the Agent receives a notice under Clause 8 (Illegality, voluntary prepayment and cancellation), it shall promptly forward a copy of that notice or election to either the Borrower or the affected Lender, as appropriate.

 

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10.7	Prepayment notices

The Agent shall notify the Lenders as soon as possible of any proposed prepayment of that Facility under Clause 8.3 (Voluntary prepayment of the Facility A Loan).

 

10.8	Effect of repayment and prepayment

If all or part of a Loan under the Revolving Facility is repaid or prepaid and is not available for redrawing (other than as may conditionally be the case pursuant to Clause 4.1 (Utilisation conditions precedent)), an amount of the Commitments (equal to the amount of the Loan which is repaid or prepaid) in respect of the Revolving Facility will be deemed to be cancelled on the date of repayment or prepayment. Any cancellation under this Clause 10.8 (save in connection with any repayment or, as the case may be, prepayment under paragraph (c) of Clause 8.1 (Illegality) or Clause 37.7 (Cancellation and repayment of a Replaceable Lender (other than an Illegal Lender)) shall reduce the Commitments of the Lenders rateably under the Revolving Facility.

 

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SECTION 5

COSTS OF UTILISATION

 

11.

Interest

 

11.1	Calculation of interest

The rate of interest on each Loan for each Interest Period is the percentage rate per annum which is the aggregate of the applicable:

 

(a)

Margin; and

 

(b)

HIBOR.

 

11.2	Payment of interest

The Borrower to which a Loan has been made shall pay accrued interest on that Loan on the last day of each Interest Period (and, if the Interest Period is longer than three Months, on the dates falling at three-monthly intervals after the first day of the Interest Period).

 

11.3	Default interest

 

(a)

If an Obligor fails to pay any amount payable by it under a Finance Document on its due date, interest shall accrue on the Unpaid Sum from the due date up to the date of actual payment (both before and after judgment) at a rate which, subject to paragraph (b) below, is 2 per cent. higher than the rate which would have been payable if the Unpaid Sum had, during the period of non-payment, constituted a Loan in the currency of the Unpaid Sum for successive Interest Periods, each of a duration selected by the Agent (acting reasonably). Any interest accruing under this Clause 11.3 shall be immediately payable by the relevant Obligor on demand by the Agent.

 

(b)

If any Unpaid Sum consists of all or part of a Loan which became due on a day which was not the last day of an Interest Period relating to that Loan:

 

(i)

the first Interest Period for that Unpaid Sum shall have a duration equal to the unexpired portion of the current Interest Period relating to that Loan; and

 

(ii)

the rate of interest applying to the Unpaid Sum during that first Interest Period shall be 2 per cent. higher than the rate which would have applied if the Unpaid Sum had not become due.

 

(c)

Default interest (if unpaid) arising on an Unpaid Sum will be compounded with the Unpaid Sum at the end of each Interest Period applicable to that Unpaid Sum but will remain immediately due and payable.

 

11.4	Notification of rates of interest

The Agent shall promptly notify the Lenders and the relevant Borrower (or the Parent) of the determination of a rate of interest under this Agreement.

 

12.	Interest Periods

 

12.1	Selection of Interest Periods

 

(a)

The Borrower (or the Parent on behalf of the Borrower) may select a subsequent Interest Period for the Facility A Loan in a Selection Notice. The Borrower (or the Parent on behalf of the Borrower) may select an Interest Period for a Revolving Facility Loan in the Utilisation Request for that Revolving Facility Loan.

 

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(b)

Each Selection Notice for the Facility A Loan is irrevocable and must be delivered to the Agent by the Borrower (or the Parent on behalf of the Borrower) not later than 11.00 a.m. on the fifth Business Day prior to the commencement of the next Interest Period.

 

(c)

If the Borrower (or the Parent) fails to deliver a Selection Notice to the Agent in accordance with paragraph (b) above, the relevant Interest Period in respect of the Facility A Loan will be one Month.

 

(d)

Subject to this Clause 12, the Borrower (or the Parent) may select an Interest Period for a Loan of one, two, three or six Months or any other period agreed between the Borrower and the Agent (acting on the instructions of all the Lenders in relation to the relevant Loan).

 

(e)

An Interest Period for a Loan shall not extend beyond the Termination Date applicable to its Facility.

 

(f)

Each Interest Period for a Loan shall start on the Utilisation Date with respect to that Loan or (if already made) on the last day of its preceding Interest Period.

 

(g)

A Revolving Facility Loan has one Interest Period only.

 

12.2	Non-Business Days

If an Interest Period would otherwise end on a day which is not a Business Day, that Interest Period will instead end on the next Business Day in that calendar month (if there is one) or the preceding Business Day (if there is not).

 

13.	Changes to the calculation of interest

 

13.1	Absence of quotations

Subject to Clause 13.2 (Market disruption), if HIBOR is to be determined by reference to the Reference Banks but a Reference Bank does not supply a quotation by (in relation to HIBOR) 11:00 a.m. on the Quotation Date for HK dollars, HIBOR shall be determined on the basis of the quotations of the remaining Reference Banks.

 

13.2	Market disruption

 

(a)

If a Market Disruption Event occurs in relation to a Loan for any Interest Period, then the rate of interest on each Lender’s share of that Loan for the Interest Period shall be the percentage rate per annum which is the sum of:

 

(i)

the Margin; and

 

(ii)

the rate notified to the Agent by that Lender as soon as practicable and in any event not less than the date falling two (2) Business Days after the Quotation Date (or, if earlier, on the date falling two (2) Business Days prior to the date on which interest is due to be paid in respect of that Interest Period), to be that which expresses as a percentage rate per annum the cost to that Lender of funding its participation in that Loan from whatever source it may reasonably select.

 

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(b)

In this Agreement “Market Disruption Event” means:

 

(i)

at or about noon on the Quotation Date for the relevant Interest Period for the relevant Loan the Screen Rate is not available or the Screen Rate is zero or negative and none or only one of the Reference Banks supplies a rate to the Agent to determine HIBOR for the relevant currency and Interest Period; or

 

(ii)

before close of business on the Quotation Date for the relevant Interest Period, the Agent receives notifications from a Lender or Lenders (whose aggregate participations in that Loan exceed 35 per cent. of that Loan) that the cost to it of obtaining matching deposits in the Relevant Interbank Market would be in excess of HIBOR.

 

(c)

If a Market Disruption Event shall occur, the Agent shall promptly notify the Lenders and the Borrower thereof.

 

(d)

If:

 

(i)

the percentage rate per annum notified by a Lender pursuant to paragraph (a)(ii) above is less than HIBOR; or

 

(ii)

a Lender has not notified the Agent of a percentage rate per annum notified by a Lender pursuant to paragraph (a)(ii) above,

the cost to that Lender of funding its participation in that Loan for that Interest Period shall be deemed, for the purposes of paragraph (a) above, to be HIBOR.

 

13.3	Alternative basis of interest or funding

 

(a)

If a Market Disruption Event occurs and the Agent or the Borrower so requires, the Agent and the Borrower shall enter into negotiations (for a period of not more than thirty days) with a view to agreeing a substitute basis for determining the rate of interest.

 

(b)

Any alternative basis agreed pursuant to paragraph (a) above shall, with the prior consent of all the Lenders and the Borrower, be binding on all Parties.

 

(c)

For the avoidance of doubt, in the event that no substitute basis is agreed at the end of the thirty day period, the rate of interest shall continue to be determined in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

13.4	Break Costs

 

(a)

Each Borrower shall, within three (3) Business Days of demand by a Finance Party, pay to that Finance Party its Break Costs attributable to all or any part of a Loan or Unpaid Sum being paid by that Borrower on a day other than the last day of an Interest Period for that Loan or Unpaid Sum.

 

(b)

Each Lender shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after a demand by the Agent, provide a certificate confirming the amount of its Break Costs for any Interest Period in which they accrue.

 

14.

Fees

 

14.1	Commitment fee

 

(a)

The Borrower shall pay to the Agent (for the account of each Lender under the Revolving Facility) a commitment fee in HK dollars that is computed at a rate of 35 per cent. of the Margin applicable to the Revolving Facility on that Lender’s Available Commitment under the Revolving Facility for the period from (and including) the first date of the Availability Period applicable to the Revolving Facility to (but excluding) the last day of the Availability Period applicable to the Revolving Facility.

 

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(b)

The accrued commitment fee is payable on the last day of each successive period of three Months which ends during the relevant period specified in paragraph (a) above, on the last day of the relevant Availability Period and, if cancelled in full, on the cancelled amount of the relevant Lender’s Commitment at the time such cancellation is effective.

 

(c)

No commitment fee is payable to the Agent (for the account of a Lender) on any Available Commitment of that Lender for any day on which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender.

 

14.2	Agent’s fee

The Borrower shall pay to the Agent (for its own account) an agency fee in the amount and at the times agreed in any Fee Letter.

 

14.3	Interest, commission and fees on Ancillary Facilities

The rate and time of payment of interest, commission, fees and any other remuneration in respect of each Ancillary Facility shall be determined by agreement between the relevant Ancillary Lender and the Borrower of that Ancillary Facility based upon normal market rates and terms.

 

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SECTION 6

ADDITIONAL PAYMENT OBLIGATIONS

 

15.	Tax gross-up and indemnities

 

15.1	Definitions

 

(a)

In this Agreement:

“Protected Party” means a Finance Party which is or will be subject to any liability or required to make any payment for or on account of Tax in relation to a sum received or receivable (or any sum deemed for the purposes of Tax to be received or receivable) under a Finance Document.

“Tax Credit” means a credit against, relief or remission for, or repayment of, any Tax.

“Tax Deduction” means a deduction or withholding for or on account of Tax from a payment under a Finance Document, other than a FATCA Deduction.

“Tax Payment” means either the increase in a payment made by an Obligor to a Finance Party under Clause 15.2 (Tax gross-up) or a payment under Clause 15.3 (Tax indemnity).

Unless a contrary indication appears, in this Clause 15 a reference to “determines” or “determined” means a determination made in the absolute discretion of the person making the determination.

 

15.2	Tax gross-up

 

(a)

Each Obligor shall make all payments to be made by it under a Finance Document without any Tax Deduction, unless a Tax Deduction is required by law.

 

(b)

The Borrower shall promptly upon an Obligor becoming aware that such Obligor must make a Tax Deduction (or that there is any change in the rate or the basis of a Tax Deduction) notify the Agent accordingly. Similarly, a Lender shall notify the Agent on becoming so aware in respect of a payment payable to that Lender. If the Agent receives such notification from a Lender it shall notify the Borrower and that relevant Obligor.

 

(c)

If a Tax Deduction is required by law to be made by an Obligor, the amount of the payment due from that Obligor shall be increased to an amount which (after making any Tax Deduction) leaves an amount equal to the payment which would have been due if no Tax Deduction had been required.

 

(d)

If an Obligor is required to make a Tax Deduction, that Obligor shall make that Tax Deduction and any payment required in connection with that Tax Deduction within the time allowed and in the minimum amount required by law.

 

(e)

Within thirty days of making either a Tax Deduction or any payment required in connection with that Tax Deduction, the Obligor making that Tax Deduction shall deliver to the Agent for the Finance Party entitled to the payment evidence reasonably satisfactory to that Finance Party that the Tax Deduction has been made or (as applicable) any appropriate payment paid to the relevant taxing authority.

 

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15.3	Tax indemnity

 

(a)

Without prejudice to Clause 15.2 (Tax gross-up), the Borrower shall (within five (5) Business Days of demand by the Agent) pay to a Protected Party an amount equal to the loss, liability or cost which that Protected Party determines will be or has been (directly or indirectly) suffered for or on account of Tax by that Protected Party in respect of a Finance Document or the transactions occurring under such Finance Document.

 

(b)

Paragraph (a) above shall not apply:

 

(i)

with respect to any Tax assessed on a Finance Party:

 

(A)

under the law of the jurisdiction in which that Finance Party is incorporated or, if different, the jurisdiction (or jurisdictions) in which that Finance Party is treated as resident for tax purposes; or

 

(B)

under the law of the jurisdiction in which that Finance Party’s Facility Office is located in respect of amounts received or receivable in that jurisdiction,

if that Tax is imposed on or calculated by reference to the net income received or receivable (but not any sum deemed to be received or receivable) by that Finance Party;

 

(ii)

to the extent a loss, liability or cost is compensated for by an increased payment under Clause 15.2 (Tax gross-up); or

 

(iii)

to the extent a loss, liability or cost relates to a FATCA Deduction required to be made by a Party.

 

(c)

A Protected Party making, or intending to make a claim under paragraph (a) above shall notify the Agent of the event which will give, or has given, rise to the claim within 120 days after the date on which that Protected Party becomes aware of it (after which that Protected Party shall not be entitled to claim any indemnification or payment under this Clause 15.3), following which the Agent shall notify the Borrower.

 

(d)

A Protected Party shall, on receiving a payment from an Obligor under this Clause 15.3, notify the Agent.

 

15.4	Tax Credit

If an Obligor makes a Tax Payment and the relevant Finance Party determines that:

 

(a)

a Tax Credit is attributable either to an increased payment of which that Tax Payment forms part or to that Tax Payment; and

 

(b)

that Finance Party has obtained, utilised and retained that Tax Credit,

the Finance Party shall pay an amount to the relevant Obligor which that Finance Party determines will leave it (after that payment) in the same after-Tax position as it would have been in had the Tax Payment not been required to be made by the relevant Obligor.

 

15.5	Stamp taxes

The Borrower shall pay and, within five (5) Business Days of demand, indemnify each Secured Party against any cost, loss or liability that Secured Party incurs in relation to all stamp duty, registration, excise and other similar Taxes payable in respect of any Finance Document or the transactions occurring under any of them.

 

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15.6	Indirect tax

 

(a)

All amounts set out or expressed in a Finance Document to be payable by any Party to a Finance Party shall be deemed to be exclusive of any Indirect Tax. If any Indirect Tax is chargeable on any supply made by any Finance Party to any Party in connection with a Finance Document, that Party shall pay to the Finance Party (in addition to and at the same time as paying the consideration) an amount equal to the amount of the Indirect Tax.

 

(b)

Where a Finance Document requires any Party to reimburse a Finance Party for any costs or expenses, that Party shall also at the same time pay and indemnify the Finance Party against all Indirect Tax incurred by that Finance Party in respect of the costs or expenses to the extent that the Finance Party reasonably determines that it is not entitled to credit or repayment in respect of the Indirect Tax.

 

15.7	Survival of obligations

Without prejudice to the survival of any other section of this Agreement, the agreements and obligations of each Obligor and each Finance Party contained in this Clause 15 shall survive the payment in full by the Obligors of all obligations under this Agreement and the termination of this Agreement.

 

15.8	FATCA Information

 

(a)

Subject to paragraph (c) below, each Party shall, within 10 Business Days of a reasonable request by another Party:

 

(i)

confirm to that other Party whether it is:

 

(A)

a FATCA Exempt Party; or

 

(B)

not a FATCA Exempt Party;

 

(ii)

supply to that other Party such forms, documentation and other information relating to its status under FATCA as that other Party reasonably requests for the purposes of that other Party’s compliance with FATCA; and

 

(iii)

supply to that other Party such forms, documentation and other information relating to its status as that other Party reasonably requests for the purposes of that other Party’s compliance with any other law, regulation, or exchange of information regime.

 

(b)

If a Party confirms to another Party pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) above that it is a FATCA Exempt Party and it subsequently becomes aware that it is not or has ceased to be a FATCA Exempt Party, that Party shall notify that other Party reasonably promptly.

 

(c)

Paragraph (a) above shall not oblige any Finance Party to do anything, and paragraph (a)(iii) above shall not oblige any other Party to do anything, which would or might in its reasonable opinion constitute a breach of:

 

(i)

any law or regulation;

 

(ii)

any fiduciary duty; or

 

(iii)

any duty of confidentiality.

 

(d)

If a Party fails to confirm whether or not it is a FATCA Exempt Party or to supply forms, documentation or other information requested in accordance with paragraph (a)(i) or (ii) above (including, for the avoidance of doubt, where paragraph (c) above applies), then such Party shall be treated for the purposes of the Finance Documents (and payments under them) as if it is not a FATCA Exempt Party until such time as the Party in question provides the requested confirmation, forms, documentation or other information.

 

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15.9	FATCA Deduction

 

(a)

Each Party may make any FATCA Deduction it is required to make by FATCA, and any payment required in connection with that FATCA Deduction, and no Party shall be required to increase any payment in respect of which it makes such a FATCA Deduction or otherwise compensate the recipient of the payment for that FATCA Deduction.

 

(b)

Each Party shall promptly, upon becoming aware that it must make a FATCA Deduction (or that there is any change in the rate or the basis of such FATCA Deduction), notify the Party to whom it is making the payment and, in addition, shall notify the Borrower and the Agent and the Agent shall notify the other Finance Parties.

 

16.	Increased Costs

 

16.1	Increased costs

 

(a)

Subject to Clause 16.3 (Exceptions) the Borrower shall, within five (5) Business Days of a demand by the Agent, pay for the account of a Finance Party the amount of any Increased Costs incurred by that Finance Party or any of its Affiliates as a result of:

 

(i)

the introduction of or any change in (or in the interpretation, administration or application of) any law or regulation after the date of this Agreement; or

 

(ii)

compliance with any law or regulation made after the date of this Agreement.

The terms “law” and “regulation” in this paragraph (a) shall include, without limitation, any law or regulation concerning capital adequacy, prudential limits, liquidity, reserve assets or Tax.

 

(b)

In this Agreement:

 

(i)

“Increased Costs” means:

 

(A)

a reduction in the rate of return from a Facility or on a Finance Party’s (or its Affiliate’s) overall capital (including, without limitation, as a result of any reduction in the rate of return on capital brought about by more capital being required to be allocated by such Finance Party);

 

(B)

an additional or increased cost; or

 

(C)

a reduction of any amount due and payable under any Finance Document,

which is incurred or suffered by a Finance Party or any of its Affiliates to the extent that it is attributable to that Finance Party having entered into its Commitment or funding or performing its obligations under any Finance Document; and

 

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(ii)

“Basel III” means (A) the agreements on capital requirements, a leverage ratio and liquidity standards contained in “Basel III: A global regulatory framework for more resilient banks and banking systems”, “Basel III: International framework for liquidity risk measurement, standards and monitoring” and “Guidance for national authorities operating the countercyclical capital buffer” published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision on 16 December 2010, each as amended, supplemented or restated, (B) the rules for global systemically important banks contained in “Global systemically important banks: assessment methodology and the additional loss absorbency requirement – Rules text” published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision in November 2011, as amended, supplemented or restated and (C) any further guidance or standards published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision relating to “Basel III”.

 

16.2	Increased cost claims

 

(a)

A Finance Party intending to make a claim pursuant to Clause 16.1 (Increased costs) shall notify the Agent of the event giving rise to the claim within 120 days of the date on which that Finance Party becomes aware of it, following which the Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower.

 

(b)

Each Finance Party shall, as soon as practicable after a demand by the Agent, provide a certificate confirming the amount of its Increased Costs.

 

16.3	Exceptions

 

(a)

Clause 16.1 (Increased costs) does not apply to the extent any Increased Cost is:

 

(i)

attributable to a Tax Deduction required by law to be made by an Obligor;

 

(ii)

compensated for by Clause 15.3 (Tax indemnity) (or would have been compensated for under Clause 15.3 (Tax indemnity) but was not so compensated solely because any of the exclusions in paragraph (b) of Clause 15.3 (Tax indemnity) applied);

 

(iii)

attributable to a FATCA Deduction required to be made by a Party;

 

(iv)

attributable to the wilful breach by the relevant Finance Party or its Affiliates of any law or regulation; or

 

(v)

attributable to the implementation or application of or compliance with the “International Convergence of Capital Measurement and Capital Standards, a Revised Framework” published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision in June 2004 in the form existing on the date of this Agreement (but excluding any amendment arising out of Basel III) (“Basel II”) or any other law or regulation which implements Basel II (whether such implementation, application or compliance is by a government, regulator, Finance Party or any of its Affiliates); or

 

(vi)

not notified to the Agent by the Finance Party (that is claiming any indemnification or payment under this Clause 16 in respect of such Increased Cost) within 120 days of the date of such Finance Party becoming aware of the event giving rise to such Increased Costs in accordance with paragraph (a) of Clause 16.2 (Increased costs claims).

 

(b)

In this Clause 16.3, a reference to a “Tax Deduction” has the same meaning given to the term in Clause 15.1 (Definitions).

 

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17.	Other indemnities

 

17.1	Currency indemnity

 

(a)

If any sum due from an Obligor under the Finance Documents (a “Sum”), or any order, judgment or award given or made in relation to a Sum, has to be converted from the currency (the “First Currency”) in which that Sum is payable into another currency (the “Second Currency”) for the purpose of:

 

(i)

making or filing a claim or proof against that Obligor; or

 

(ii)

obtaining or enforcing an order, judgment or award in relation to any litigation or arbitration proceedings,

that Obligor shall as an independent obligation, within five (5) Business Days of demand, indemnify each Finance Party to whom that Sum is due against any cost, loss or liability arising out of or as a result of the conversion including any discrepancy between (A) the rate of exchange used to convert that Sum from the First Currency into the Second Currency and (B) the rate or rates of exchange available to that person at the time of its receipt of that Sum.

 

(b)

Each Obligor waives any right it may have in any jurisdiction to pay any amount under the Finance Documents in a currency or currency unit other than that in which it is expressed to be payable.

 

17.2	Other indemnities

 

(a)

The Borrower shall (or shall procure that an Obligor will), within five (5) Business Days of demand, indemnify each Finance Party against any cost, loss or liability incurred by it as a result of:

 

(i)

the occurrence of any Event of Default;

 

(ii)

any information produced or approved by any Obligor being or being alleged to be misleading and/or deceptive in any respect;

 

(iii)

any enquiry, investigation, subpoena (or similar order) or litigation with respect to any Obligor or with respect to the transaction contemplated or financed under this Agreement;

 

(iv)

a failure by an Obligor to pay any amount due under a Finance Document on its due date, including without limitation, any cost, loss or liability arising as a result of Clause 30 (Sharing among the Finance Parties);

 

(v)

funding, or making arrangements to fund, its participation in a Loan requested in a Utilisation Request but not made by reason of the operation of any one or more of the provisions of this Agreement (other than by reason of default or negligence by that Finance Party alone); or

 

(vi)

a Loan (or part of a Loan) not being prepaid in accordance with a notice of prepayment given by the Borrower or the Parent.

 

17.3	Indemnity to the Agent

The Borrower shall promptly indemnify the Agent against:

 

(a)

any cost, loss or liability incurred by the Agent (acting reasonably) as a result of:

 

(i)

investigating any event which it reasonably believes is a Default; and

 

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(ii)

acting or relying on any notice, request or instruction which it reasonably believes to be genuine, correct and appropriately authorised; and

 

(b)

any cost, loss or liability (including, without limitation, for negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever) incurred by the Agent (otherwise than by reason of the Agent’s gross negligence or wilful misconduct) in acting as Agent under the Finance Documents.

 

18.	Mitigation by the Lenders

 

18.1	Mitigation

 

(a)

Each Finance Party shall, in consultation with the Borrower, take all reasonable steps to mitigate any circumstances which arise and which would result in any amount becoming payable under or pursuant to, or cancelled pursuant to, any of Clause 8.1 (Illegality), Clause 15 (Tax gross-up and indemnities) or Clause 16 (Increased Costs), including (but not limited to) transferring its rights and obligations under the Finance Documents to another Affiliate or Facility Office.

 

(b)

Paragraph (a) above does not in any way limit the obligations of any Obligor under the Finance Documents.

 

18.2	Limitation of liability

 

(a)

The Borrower shall indemnify each Finance Party for all costs and expenses reasonably incurred by that Finance Party as a result of steps taken by it under Clause 18.1 (Mitigation).

 

(b)

A Finance Party is not obliged to take any steps under Clause 18.1 (Mitigation) if, in the opinion of that Finance Party (acting reasonably), to do so might be prejudicial to it.

 

19.	Costs and expenses

 

19.1	Transaction expenses

The Borrower shall within five (5) Business Days (other than in respect of costs and expenses required to be paid as a condition to Utilisation) of demand pay (or shall procure that another member of the Group will pay) the Agent, the Common Security Agent and the POA Agent the amount of all costs and expenses (including legal fees but subject to any agreed caps) reasonably incurred by the Agent, the Common Security Agent or the POA Agent as applicable (and, in the case of the Common Security Agent and the POA Agent, by any Receiver or Delegate) in connection with the negotiation, preparation, printing, execution, syndication and perfection of any Finance Documents executed after the date of this Agreement.

 

19.2	Amendment costs

If (a) an Obligor requests an amendment, waiver or consent or (b) an amendment is required pursuant to Clause 31.10 (Change of currency), the Borrower shall, within five (5) Business Days of demand, reimburse (or shall procure that another member of the Group will reimburse) each of the Agent, the Common Security Agent and the POA Agent for the amount of all costs and expenses (including legal fees, disbursements and other out of pocket expenses) reasonably incurred or made by the Agent, the Common Security Agent or the POA Agent as applicable (and, in the case of the Common Security Agent and the POA Agent, by any Receiver or Delegate) in responding to, evaluating, negotiating or complying with that request or requirement.

 

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19.3	Common Security Agent’s ongoing costs

 

(a)

In the event of (i) a Default or (ii) the Common Security Agent considering it necessary or expedient or (iii) the Common Security Agent being requested by an Obligor or the Majority Lenders to undertake duties which the Common Security Agent and the Borrower agree to be of an exceptional nature and/or outside the scope of the normal duties of the Common Security Agent under the Finance Documents, the Borrower shall pay (or shall procure that another member of the Group will pay) to the Common Security Agent any additional remuneration that may be agreed between them.

 

(b)

If the Common Security Agent and the Borrower fail to agree upon the nature of the duties or upon any additional remuneration, that dispute shall be determined by an investment bank (acting as an expert and not as an arbitrator) selected by the Common Security Agent and approved by the Borrower or, failing approval, nominated (on the application of the Common Security Agent) by the President for the time being of the Law Society of Hong Kong (the costs of the nomination and of the investment bank being payable by the Borrower) and the determination of any investment bank shall be final and binding upon the parties to this Agreement.

 

19.4	Enforcement and preservation costs

The Borrower shall, within five (5) Business Days of demand, pay (or shall procure that another member of the Group will pay) to each Secured Party the amount of all costs and expenses (including legal fees, disbursements and other out of pocket expenses) incurred by it in connection with the enforcement of or the preservation of any rights under any Finance Document and the Transaction Security and any proceedings instituted by or against the Common Security Agent or the POA Agent as a consequence of taking or holding the Transaction Security or enforcing these rights.

 

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SECTION 7

GUARANTEE

 

20.	Guarantee and indemnity

 

20.1	Guarantee and indemnity

Each Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally jointly and severally:

 

(a)

guarantees to each Finance Party punctual performance by each other Obligor of all that Obligor’s obligations under the Finance Documents;

 

(b)

undertakes with each Finance Party that whenever another Obligor does not pay any amount when due under or in connection with any Finance Document, that Guarantor shall immediately on demand pay that amount as if it was the principal obligor; and

 

(c)

agrees with each Finance Party that if any obligation guaranteed by it is or becomes unenforceable, invalid or illegal, it will, as an independent and primary obligation, indemnify that Finance Party immediately on demand against any cost, loss or liability it incurs as a result of an Obligor not paying any amount which would, but for such unenforceability, invalidity or illegality, have been payable by it under any Finance Document on the date when it would have been due. The amount payable by a Guarantor under this indemnity will not exceed the amount it would have had to pay under this Clause 20 if the amount claimed had been recoverable on the basis of a guarantee.

 

20.2	Continuing guarantee

This guarantee is a continuing guarantee and will extend to the ultimate balance of sums payable by any Obligor under the Finance Documents, regardless of any intermediate payment or discharge in whole or in part.

 

20.3	Reinstatement

If for any reason (including, without limitation, as a result of insolvency, breach of fiduciary or statutory duties or any similar event):

 

(a)

any payment to a Finance Party (whether in respect of the obligations of any Obligor or any security for those obligations or otherwise) is avoided, reduced or required to be restored, or

 

(b)

any discharge, compromise or arrangement (whether in respect of the obligations of any Obligor or any security for any such obligation or otherwise) given or made wholly or partly on the basis of any payment, security or other matter which is avoided, reduced or required to be restored,

then:

 

(i)

the liability of each Obligor shall continue (or be deemed to continue) as if the payment, discharge, compromise or arrangement had not occurred; and

 

(ii)

each Finance Party shall be entitled to recover the value or amount of that payment or security from each Obligor, as if the payment, discharge, compromise or arrangement had not occurred.

 

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20.4	Waiver of defences

The obligations of each Guarantor under this Clause 20 will not be affected by any act, omission, matter or thing which, but for this Clause 20, would reduce, release or prejudice any of its obligations under this Clause 20 (without limitation and whether or not known to it or any Finance Party) including:

 

(a)

any time, waiver or consent granted to, or composition with, any Obligor or other person;

 

(b)

the release of any other Obligor or any other person under the terms of any composition or arrangement with any creditor of any member of the Group;

 

(c)

the taking, variation, compromise, exchange, renewal or release of, or refusal or neglect to perfect, take up or enforce, any rights against, or security over assets of, any Obligor or other person or any non-presentation or non-observance of any formality or other requirement in respect of any instrument or any failure to realise the full value of any security;

 

(d)

any incapacity or lack of power, authority or legal personality of or dissolution or change in the members or status of an Obligor or any other person;

 

(e)

any amendment, novation, supplement, extension (whether of maturity or otherwise) or restatement (in each case, however fundamental and of whatsoever nature, and whether or not more onerous) or replacement of a Finance Document or any other document or security;

 

(f)

any unenforceability, illegality or invalidity of any obligation of any person under any Finance Document or any other document or security;

 

(g)

any insolvency or similar proceedings; or

 

(h)

this Agreement or any other Finance Document not being executed by or binding against any other Guarantor or any other party.

 

20.5	Guarantor intent

Without prejudice to the generality of Clause 20.4 (Waiver of defences), each Guarantor expressly confirms that it intends that this guarantee shall extend from time to time to any (however fundamental and of whatsoever nature and whether or not more onerous) variation, increase, extension or addition of or to any of the Finance Documents and/or any facility or amount made available under any of the Finance Documents for or in connection with any purpose whatsoever, including without limitation, any of the following: any amendment or waiver contemplated under a Fee Letter, any Property or Site expansion; acquisitions of any nature; increasing working capital; enabling dividends or distributions to be made; carrying out restructurings; refinancing existing facilities; refinancing any other indebtedness; making facilities available to new borrowers; any other variation or extension of the purposes for which any such facility or amount might be made available from time to time; and any fees, costs and expenses associated with any of the foregoing.

 

20.6	Immediate recourse

Each Guarantor waives any right it may have of first requiring any Finance Party (or any trustee or agent on its behalf) to proceed against or enforce any other rights or security or claim payment from any person before claiming from that Guarantor under this Clause 20. This waiver applies irrespective of any law or any provision of a Finance Document to the contrary.

 

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20.7	Appropriations

Until all amounts which may be or become payable by the Obligors under or in connection with the Finance Documents have been irrevocably paid in full, each Finance Party (or any trustee or agent on its behalf) may:

 

(a)

refrain from applying or enforcing any other moneys, security or rights held or received by that Finance Party (or any trustee or agent on its behalf) in respect of those amounts, or apply and enforce the same in such manner and order as it sees fit (whether against those amounts or otherwise) and no Guarantor shall be entitled to the benefit of the same; and

 

(b)

hold in an interest-bearing suspense account any moneys received from any Guarantor or on account of any Guarantor’s liability under this Clause 20.

 

20.8	Deferral of Guarantors’ rights

Until all amounts which may be or become payable by the Obligors under or in connection with the Finance Documents have been irrevocably paid in full and unless the Agent otherwise directs, no Guarantor will exercise any rights which it may have by reason of performance by it of its obligations under the Finance Documents or by reason of any amount being payable, or liability arising, under this Clause 20:

 

(a)

to be indemnified by an Obligor;

 

(b)

to claim any contribution from any other guarantor of any Obligor’s obligations under the Finance Documents;

 

(c)

to take the benefit (in whole or in part and whether by way of subrogation or otherwise) of any rights of the Finance Parties under the Finance Documents or of any other guarantee or security taken pursuant to, or in connection with, the Finance Documents by any Finance Party;

 

(d)

to bring legal or other proceedings for an order requiring any Obligor to make any payment, or perform any obligation, in respect of which any Guarantor has given a guarantee, undertaking or indemnity under this Clause 20;

 

(e)

to exercise any right of set off against any Obligor; and/or

 

(f)

to claim or prove as a creditor of any Obligor in competition with any Finance Party.

If any Obligor receives any benefit, payment or distribution in relation to such rights it shall hold that benefit, payment or distribution to the extent necessary to enable all the Secured Obligations to be repaid or discharged in full, on trust for the Finance Parties and shall promptly pay or transfer the same to the Agent or as the Agent may direct for application in accordance with Clause 31 (Payment mechanics).

 

20.9	Additional security

This guarantee is in addition to and is not in any way prejudiced by any other guarantee or security now or subsequently held by any Finance Party.

 

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SECTION 8

REPRESENTATIONS, UNDERTAKINGS AND EVENTS OF DEFAULT

 

21.	Representations

Each Obligor makes the representations and warranties set out in this Clause 21 at the times set out herein.

 

21.1	Times when representations made

 

(a)

All the representations and warranties in this Clause 21 (other than paragraph (a) of Clause 21.11 (No default)) are made by each Obligor on the 2016 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date and on the 2021 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date.

 

(b)

The Repeating Representations are deemed to be made by each Obligor on:

 

(i)

the date of each Utilisation Request;

 

(ii)

each Utilisation Date; and

 

(iii)

the first day of each Interest Period.

 

(c)

The representations and warranties set out in paragraph (a) of Clause 21.14 (Financial statements) will cease to be made in respect of any financial statements on and from the date on which more recent financial statements are delivered to the Agent pursuant to Clause 22.4 (Financial statements).

 

(d)

The Repeating Representations and each of the representations and warranties set out in Clause 21.9 (No filing or stamp taxes), Clause 21.10 (Deduction of Tax) and paragraph (a) of Clause 21.14 (Financial statements) (as if such representation applied to the financial statements delivered by that Additional Guarantor as a condition precedent to its accession to this Agreement) are deemed to be made by each Additional Guarantor on the day on which it becomes an Additional Guarantor.

 

(e)

Each representation or warranty made or deemed to be made after the date of the 2016 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date shall be made or deemed to be made by reference to the facts and circumstances existing at the date the representation or warranty is made or deemed to be made.

 

21.2

Status

 

(a)

Each Obligor is a limited liability corporation or company duly incorporated or organised, as the case may be, and validly existing under the law of its jurisdiction of incorporation or organisation, as the case may be.

 

(b)

Each of the Obligors has the power to own its assets and carry on its business as it is being conducted.

 

21.3	Binding obligations

Subject to the Legal Reservations:

 

(a)

the obligations expressed to be assumed by each Obligor in each Transaction Document to which it is a party are legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations; and

 

(b)

without limiting the generality of paragraph (a) above, each Transaction Security Document to which it is a party creates the security interests which that Transaction Security Document purports to create and those security interests are valid and effective.

 

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21.4	Pari Passu

The payment obligations under the Finance Documents of each of the Obligors rank at least pari passu with the claims of all its other unsecured and unsubordinated creditors, except for obligations mandatorily preferred by law applying to companies generally.

 

21.5	Non-conflict with other obligations

The entry into and performance by each Obligor of, and the transactions contemplated by, the Transaction Documents and the granting of the Transaction Security do not and will not conflict with:

 

(a)

any law or regulation applicable to such Obligor;

 

(b)

its Constitutional Documents; or

 

(c)

any agreement or instrument binding upon it or any of assets or constitute a default or termination event (however described) under any such agreement or instrument, except where a Material Adverse Effect does not or would not be reasonably expected to occur.

 

21.6	Power and authority

Each Obligor has the power to enter into, perform and deliver, and if that Obligor is a corporation has taken all necessary corporate action to authorise its entry into, performance and delivery of, the Transaction Documents to which it is or will be a party and the transactions contemplated by those Transaction Documents.

 

21.7	Validity and admissibility in evidence

 

(a)

All Authorisations required:

 

(i)

to enable each Obligor lawfully to enter into, exercise its rights and comply with its obligations under the Transaction Documents to which it is a party; and

 

(ii)

to make the Transaction Documents to which it is a party admissible in evidence in its Relevant Jurisdictions,

have been obtained or effected and are in full force and effect.

 

(b)

All Authorisations necessary for it to carry out its business, where the failure of obtaining such Authorisations has or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, have been obtained or effected and are in full force and effect.

 

21.8	Governing law and enforcement

Subject to the Legal Reservations:

 

(a)

the choice of governing law of the Finance Documents will be recognised and enforced in each Obligor’s Relevant Jurisdictions; and

 

(b)

any judgment obtained in relation to a Finance Document in the jurisdiction of the governing law of that Finance Document will be recognised and enforced in its Relevant Jurisdictions.

 

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21.9	No filing or stamp taxes

Subject to the Legal Reservations, under the laws of each Obligor’s Relevant Jurisdictions it is not necessary that the Finance Documents be filed, recorded or enrolled with any court or other authority in that jurisdiction or that any stamp, registration, notarial or similar Taxes or fees be paid on or in relation to the Finance Documents or the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents (save for any stamp, registration, notarial or similar Tax which is referred to in any legal opinion of legal counsel in Macau SAR delivered to the Agent under the 2016 Amendment and Restatement Agreement or the 2021 Amendment and Restatement Agreement, which will be made or paid promptly after the date of the relevant Finance Document).

 

21.10

Deduction of Tax

No Obligor is required under the laws of its Relevant Jurisdiction or at its address specified in accordance with this Agreement to make any deduction for or on account of Tax from any payment it may make under any Finance Document.

 

21.11

No default

 

(a)

No Event of Default is continuing or would reasonably be expected to result from the making of any utilisation or the entry into, the performance of, or any transaction contemplated by, any Transaction Document.

 

(b)

No other event or circumstance is outstanding which constitutes (or, with the expiry of a grace period, the giving of notice, the making of any determination or any combination of any of the foregoing, would constitute) a default or termination event (however described) under any other agreement or instrument which is binding on any Obligor or to which its assets are subject which has or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

21.12

Taxation

No Obligor is materially overdue in the filing of any Tax returns nor is any Obligor overdue in the payment of any amount in respect of Tax, (a) where the failure to file or pay the Tax has or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or (b) unless such payment is being contested in good faith by appropriate measures and sufficient reserves in cash or other liquid assets have been retained in accordance with GAAP in respect of such payment.

 

21.13

No misleading information

Except as disclosed to the Agent in writing, to the Borrower’s knowledge (provided that such limitation by reference to the Borrower’s knowledge shall not apply with respect to Information that solely relates to the Borrower and does not relate to any other member of the Group):

 

(a)

any financial projection or forecast contained in the Financial Model (the “Projections”) have been prepared in good faith on the basis of recent historical information and on the basis of assumptions believed by the Borrower to be reasonable (as at the time of preparation) and have been prepared, where applicable, in accordance with the applicable accounting principles as disclosed to the Lenders, it being understood that the Projections are subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies many of which are beyond the control of the Group and that no assurances can be given that the Projections will be realised;

 

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(b)

any written factual information provided by any member of the Group to a Finance Party in connection with the Financial Model or the 2016 Amended and Restatement Agreement is, taken as a whole, true, complete and accurate in all material respects and is, taken as a whole, not misleading in any respect (in each case) as at the date on which such information is provided; and

 

(c)

all other written information provided by any member of the Group to a Finance Party pursuant to any express provision of any Finance Document on or after the 2016 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date is, taken as a whole, true, complete and accurate in all material respects and is, taken as a whole, not misleading in any respect (in each case) as at the date on which such information is provided.

 

21.14

Financial statements

 

(a)

The most recent consolidated financial statements of the Parent delivered pursuant to Clause 22.4 (Financial statements) or otherwise pursuant to this Agreement prior to the 2016 Amendment and Restatement Agreement Effective Date:

 

(i)

have been prepared in accordance with GAAP; and

 

(ii)

give a true and fair view of (if audited) or fairly represent (if unaudited) its consolidated financial condition as at the end of, and consolidated results of operations for, the period to which they relate.

 

(b)

The Projections supplied under this Agreement or in connection with the 2016 Amended and Restatement Agreement:

 

(i)

were arrived at after careful consideration and have been prepared in good faith and with due care on the basis of recent historical information and on the basis of assumptions which were reasonable as at the date they were prepared and supplied; and

 

(ii)

are consistent in all material respects with the provisions of the Transaction Documents (including Clause 22 (Information undertakings)) and the Original Financial Statements.

 

(c)

Since 31 December 2015 there has been no material adverse change in the business, assets or financial condition of the Group.

 

21.15

No proceedings started or threatened

Save for any frivolous or vexatious claims (which, in the case of any such proceedings commenced in any jurisdiction other than Macau SAR, have been vacated, discharged, stayed or bonded pending appeal within 60 days of commencement) or save as otherwise disclosed to and accepted by the Agent, to the best of its knowledge and belief and having made due and careful enquiry, no litigation, arbitration, administrative proceedings or investigations of, or before, any court, arbitral body or other Governmental Authority which has or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect have been started or threatened against any Obligor.

 

21.16

No breach of laws

No Obligor has breached any law or regulation which breach has or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

21.17

No breach of Environmental laws

 

(a)

Each Obligor is in compliance with Clause 23.4 (Environmental compliance) and to the best of its knowledge and belief (having made due and careful enquiry) no circumstances have occurred which would prevent such compliance in a manner or to an extent which has or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(b)

To the best of its knowledge and belief (having made due and careful enquiry), the Property does not contain any hazardous substances or antiquities or other obstructions whose presence affects or would reasonably be expected to affect any Obligor or the Property or the Phase II Project in any manner that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

21.18

Ranking of Transaction Security

Subject to the Legal Reservations (other than any qualification or reservation in a legal opinion as to the ranking of the Transaction Security which are not matters of law of general application), the Transaction Security has or (when granted) will have first ranking priority and it is not subject to any prior ranking or pari passu ranking Security.

 

21.19

Good and marketable title to assets

Each Obligor has good, valid and marketable title to, or valid leases or licences of or is otherwise permitted to use the assets necessary to carry on its business as currently conducted.

 

21.20

Legal and beneficial ownership

 

(a)

Each of the Obligors is or will be (as the case may be) the sole legal and beneficial owner of the respective assets over which it purports to grant Security in each case free from any claims, third party rights or competing interests other than any Permitted Lien.

 

(b)

Propco is the sole legal and beneficial holder of, and has good title to, or has a valid leasehold right in, the land described in the Amended Land Concession.

 

21.21

Shares

The shares of any Obligor which are or will be subject to the Transaction Security are fully paid and not subject to any option to purchase or similar rights. Neither the Constitutional Documents of companies whose shares are subject to the Transaction Security nor any other Legal Requirement can or do restrict or inhibit any transfer or other disposal of those shares on creation or enforcement of the Transaction Security except that the Constitutional Documents of the Macau Obligors contain certain preferential rights in case of a voluntary or judicial transfer of shares. There are no agreements in force which provide for the issue or allotment of, or grant any person the right to call for the issue or allotment of, any share or loan capital of any Obligor (including any option or right of pre-emption or conversion), other than as permitted by the Finance Documents).

 

21.22

Insurance

 

(a)

Each Obligor is insured by insurers of recognised financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent and customary in the businesses and in the jurisdiction in which it is or proposed to be engaged.

 

(b)

To the best knowledge and belief of each Obligor (after having made due and careful enquiry), no event or circumstance has occurred (including any omission to disclose any fact) which could validly entitle the relevant insurers in respect of any such insurance to terminate, rescind or otherwise avoid or reduce its liability under such insurance to the extent such termination, rescission, avoidance or reduction has or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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21.23

Amended Land Concession

 

(a)

The Agent has received a true, complete and correct copy of the Amended Land Concession in effect or required to be in effect as of the date of this representation is made (including all exhibits, schedules, disclosure letters, modifications and amendments referred to therein or delivered or made pursuant thereto, if any).

 

(b)

The Amended Land Concession is in full force and effect and enforceable against the parties thereto in accordance with its terms, subject only to the Legal Reservations.

 

21.24

Labour disputes

There are no strikes, lockouts, stoppages, slowdowns or other labour disputes against any Obligor pending or, to the best of the knowledge and belief (having made all due and proper enquiry) of each Obligor, threatened that (individually or in the aggregate) have or would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

21.25

Anti-terrorism laws

 

(a)

To the best of the Obligors’ knowledge, no Obligor nor any Affiliate thereof: (i) is, or is controlled by, a Restricted Party; (ii) has received funds or other property from a Restricted Party; or (iii) is in breach of or is the subject of any action or investigation under any Anti-Terrorism Law.

 

(b)

Each Obligor and, to the best of the Obligors’ knowledge, each Affiliate thereof has taken reasonable measures to ensure compliance with the Anti-Terrorism Laws.

 

21.26

Acting as principal

Save for the Parent when acting in its capacity as Obligors’ Agent, each Obligor is acting as principal for its own account and not as agent or trustee in any capacity on behalf of any person in relation to the Finance Documents.

 

22.	Information undertakings

 

22.1

Content

The Obligors undertake to each Finance Party that they shall comply with the covenants set out in this Clause 22 (Information undertakings).

 

22.2

Duration

The covenants in this Clause 22 (Information undertakings) remain in force from the date of this Agreement for so long as any amount is outstanding under the Finance Documents or any Commitment is in force.

 

22.3	Definitions

In this Agreement:

“Annual Financial Statements” means the financial statements for a Financial Year delivered pursuant to paragraph (a) of Clause 22.4 (Financial statements);

“Financial Quarter” means the period commencing on the day after one Quarter Date and ending on the next Quarter Date;

“Financial Year” means the annual accounting period of the Group ending on or about 31 December in each year;

 

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“Quarter Date” means each of 31 March, 30 June, 30 September and 31 December in each Financial Year; and

“Quarterly Financial Statements” means the financial statements delivered pursuant to paragraph (b) of Clause 22.4 (Financial statements).

“Officer” means the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President, any Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President or Vice President, Treasurer or Secretary of the Borrower or the Parent or Melco Resorts (as the case may be), or any Directors of the Board or any person acting in that capacity, in each case acting with due authority.

 

22.4	Financial statements

The Parent shall supply to the Agent in sufficient copies for all the Lenders:

 

(a)

as soon as they are available, but in any event within 120 days after the end of each of its Financial Years the audited consolidated financial statements for that Financial Year of the Parent reported on by the Auditors commencing with the Financial Year ending 31 December 2016; and

 

(b)

as soon as they are available, but in any event within 60 days after the end of each of first three Financial Quarters of each of its Financial Years, the unaudited consolidated financial statements for that Financial Quarter of the Parent commencing with the Financial Quarter ending 31 March 2017.

 

22.5	Requirements as to financial statements

 

(a)

The Parent shall procure that each set of Annual Financial Statements and Quarterly Financial Statements which provides for a consolidation of all members of the Parent includes a balance sheet, profit and loss account and cashflow statement. In addition the Parent shall procure that:

 

(i)

each set of Annual Financial Statements of the Parent shall be audited by the Auditors; and

 

(ii)

each set of Quarterly Financial Statements includes equivalent figures for the Financial Year to date and each set of Annual Financial Statements and Quarterly Financial Statements also sets forth in comparative form figures for the previous year (if any and to the extent only such periods, in each case, are covered by financial statements required to be delivered under paragraphs (a) and (b) of Clause 22.4 (Financial statements) above).

 

(b)

Each set of financial statements delivered pursuant to Clause 22.4 (Financial statements):

 

(i)

shall be certified by an Officer of the Parent as giving a true and fair view of (in the case of Annual Financial Statements for any Financial Year), or fairly representing (in other cases), its financial condition and operations as at the date as at which those financial statements were drawn up, and in the case of its audited Original Financial Statements and the Annual Financial Statements, fairly representing (as at the time such financial statements are delivered) its consolidated financial condition and results of operations and give a true and fair view of its consolidated financial condition and results of operations; and

 

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(ii)

shall be prepared using GAAP, accounting practices and financial reference periods substantially consistent with those applied in the preparation of the Financial Model and the Original Financial Statements unless the Parent notifies the Agent that there has been a change in GAAP, or the accounting practices, in which case, it shall deliver to the Agent:

 

(A)

a description of any change necessary for those financial statements to reflect GAAP, or accounting practices upon which the Financial Model, the Original Financial Statements or, as the case may be, any subsequent financial statements were prepared; and

 

(B)

sufficient information, in form and substance as may be reasonably required by the Agent, to enable the Lenders to make an accurate comparison between the financial position indicated in those financial statements and the Financial Model, the Original Financial Statements or, as the case may be, any subsequent financial statements.

 

(c)

If the Parent notifies the Agent of any change in accordance with paragraph (b)(ii) above, the Parent and Agent shall enter into negotiations in good faith with a view to agreeing:

 

(i)

whether or not the change might result in any material alteration in the commercial effect of any of the terms of this Agreement; and

 

(ii)

if so, any amendments to this Agreement which may be necessary to ensure that the change does not result in any material alteration in the commercial effect of those terms,

and, if any amendments are agreed they shall take effect and be binding on each of the Parties in accordance with their terms. If no such agreement is reached within 30 days of that notification of change, the Agent shall (if so requested by the Majority Lenders) instruct the Auditors or independent accountants (approved by the Parent or, in the absence of such approval within 5 days of request by the Agent of such approval, a firm with recognised expertise) to determine any amendments to any terms of this Agreement which the Auditors or, as the case may be, accountants (acting as experts and not arbitrators) consider appropriate to ensure the change does not result in any material alteration in the commercial effect of the terms of this Agreement. Those amendments shall take effect when so determined by the Auditors, or as the case may be, accountants. The cost and expense of the Auditors or accountants shall be for the account of the Borrower.

 

22.6	Pari Passu Debt Liabilities

The Parent shall supply to the Agent (in sufficient copies for all the Lenders, if the Agent so requests) at the same time as sent to the relevant Pari Passu Debt Creditors:

 

(a)

any notification of (together with an invitation to each Lender to attend but not participate at) any noteholder or lender meeting, presentation, conference call or other material event announced publicly; and

 

(b)

any other notice, document or information provided by an Obligor to any Pari Passu Debt Creditor in connection with any Pari Passu Debt Documents or Pari Passu Debt Liabilities.

 

22.7

Year-end

The Parent shall not change its Financial Year-end or Financial Quarter-end and shall procure that each Financial Year-end of each member of the Group and each other Obligor falls on 31 December and each Financial Quarter-end of each member of the Group and each other Obligor falls on the relevant Quarter Date.

 

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22.8	Information: miscellaneous

The Parent shall supply to the Agent (in sufficient copies for all the Lenders, if the Agent so requests):

 

(a)

promptly, details of any insurance claim or series of related insurance claims by any Obligor under any insurance policies required to be maintained under this Agreement which exceed, in aggregate, US$50,000,000 (or its equivalent), details of material changes in the insurance cover under any insurance policies required to be maintained under this Agreement in respect of the Group and, upon request by the Agent, copies of insurance policies or certificates of insurance in respect of the Group under any insurance policies required to be maintained under this Agreement or such other evidence of the existence of those policies as may be reasonably acceptable to the Agent;

 

(b)

a copy of each written notice which is delivered under or in connection with the Amended Land Concession to or from the Macau SAR Government or any Governmental Authority (if material to the interests of the Finance Parties) promptly upon despatch or receipt of such notice;

 

(c)

at the same time as they are dispatched, copies of all documents dispatched by the Parent to its shareholders generally (or any class of them in their capacity as shareholders) or dispatched by the Parent to its creditors generally (or any class of them) (other than in the ordinary course of business);

 

(d)

promptly upon becoming aware of them, the details of any material litigation, arbitration or investigation by a Governmental Authority or other administrative proceedings other than any frivolous or vexatious proceedings which are current, threatened or pending against any Obligor which would involve a loss, liability, or a potential or alleged loss or liability which, if adversely determined, has or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or any material development in any such proceedings and details of any material updates to the status of the arbitration proceedings in respect of the Phase I Construction Contract, in each case together with such other information concerning such proceedings as the Agent may reasonably require;

 

(e)

promptly upon becoming aware of them, the details of any disposal or other facts and circumstances which may result in a prepayment under Clause 9.4 (Notes Repurchases) or Clause 9.5 (Asset Sales);

 

(f)

a copy of any filing made by Melco Resorts with any stock exchange or regulatory authority in respect of circumstances that could give rise to a Change of Control at the same time as that filing is made;

 

(g)

promptly, such information as the Common Security Agent may reasonably require about the Charged Property and compliance of the Obligors with the terms of any Transaction Security Documents;

 

(h)

promptly on request, such further information regarding the financial condition, assets and operations of any Obligor or an updated Group structure chart as any Finance Party through the Agent may reasonably request; and

 

(i)

promptly and for information purpose only, a copy of (A) the project budget for the Phase II Project following its approval by an Officer of Melco Resorts; and (ii) any information in respect of Phase II delivered to the creditors of any Financial Indebtedness incurred under clause (b)(i)(a)(y) of Section 4 (Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock) of Schedule 10 (Covenants) for the purposes of funding the Phase II Project.

 

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22.9	Notification of default

 

(a)

Each Obligor shall notify the Agent of any continuing Default (and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it) promptly upon becoming aware of its occurrence (unless that Obligor is aware that a notification has already been provided by another Obligor).

 

(b)

Promptly upon a request by the Agent, the Borrower shall supply to the Agent a certificate signed by two authorised signatories (one of whom is a director of the Parent) on its behalf certifying that no Default is continuing (or if a Default is continuing, specifying the Default and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it).

 

(c)

Each Obligor shall notify the Agent of the occurrence promptly upon becoming aware thereof of an event of default (however described) under or in respect of the High Yield Notes, the Additional High Yield Notes or, following any High Yield Note Refinancing or Additional High Yield Notes Refinancing, the high yield notes issued pursuant to the High Yield Note Refinancing or Additional High Yield Notes Refinancing (as the case may be) (unless that Obligor is aware that a notification has already been provided by another Obligor).

 

(d)

Each Obligor shall notify the Agent of the occurrence promptly upon becoming aware thereof of an event of default (however described) under or in respect of any Pari Passu Debt Document (unless that Obligor is aware that a notification has already been provided by another Obligor).

 

22.10

“Know your customer” checks

 

(a)

If:

 

(i)

any existing law or regulation or the introduction of or any change in (or in the interpretation, administration or application of) any law or regulation made after the date of this Agreement;

 

(ii)

any change in the status of an Obligor or the composition of the shareholders of an Obligor after the date of this Agreement; or

 

(iii)

a proposed assignment or transfer by a Lender of any of its rights and/or obligations under this Agreement to a party that is not a Lender prior to such assignment or transfer,

obliges the Agent or any Lender (or, in the case of paragraph (iii) above, any prospective new Lender) to comply with “know your customer” or similar identification procedures in circumstances where the necessary information is not already available to it, each Obligor shall promptly upon the request of the Agent or any Lender supply, or procure the supply of, such documentation and other evidence as is reasonably requested by the Agent (for itself or on behalf of any Lender) or any Lender (for itself or, in the case of the event described in paragraph (iii) above, on behalf of any prospective new Lender) in order for the Agent, such Lender or, in the case of the event described in paragraph (iii) above, any prospective new Lender to carry out and be satisfied with the results of all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations pursuant to the transactions contemplated in the Finance Documents.

 

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(b)

Each Lender shall promptly upon the request of the Agent supply, or procure the supply of, such documentation and other evidence as is reasonably requested by the Agent (for itself) in order for the Agent to carry out and be satisfied with the results of all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations pursuant to the transactions contemplated in the Finance Documents.

 

(c)

The Parent shall, by not less than 10 Business Days’ prior written notice to the Agent, notify the Agent (which shall promptly notify the Lenders) of its intention to request that one of its Subsidiaries becomes an Additional Guarantor pursuant to Clause 27 (Changes to the Obligors).

 

(d)

Following the giving of any notice pursuant to paragraph (c) above, if the accession of such Additional Guarantor obliges the Agent or any Lender to comply with “know your customer” or similar identification procedures in circumstances where the necessary information is not already available to it, the Borrower shall promptly upon the request of the Agent or any Lender supply, or procure the supply of, such documentation and other evidence as is reasonably requested by the Agent (for itself or on behalf of any Lender) or any Lender (for itself or on behalf of any prospective new Lender) in order for the Agent or such Lender or any prospective new Lender to carry out and be satisfied it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations pursuant to the accession of such Subsidiary to this Agreement as an Additional Guarantor.

 

22.11

Unrestricted Subsidiaries

If any Subsidiaries of the Borrower have been designated as Unrestricted Subsidiaries, the information delivered under Clause 22.4 (Financial statements) will include reasonably detailed information as to the financial condition of the Group separate from that of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

 

23.	General undertakings

The undertakings in this Clause 23 shall continue for so long as any amount is outstanding under the Finance Documents or any Revolving Commitment is in force.

 

23.1	Notes covenants

In addition to the undertakings set out below in this Clause 23, below, each Obligor shall (and the Parent shall ensure that each member of the Group will) comply with each of the covenants set out in Schedule 10 (Covenants).

 

23.2

Permits

Each Obligor shall promptly:

 

(a)

when necessary obtain, comply with and do all that is necessary to maintain in full force and effect; and

 

(b)

upon request by the Agent supply certified copies to the Agent of,

any Permit (including any amendments, supplements or other modifications thereto) and any Authorisation required under any law or regulation of a Relevant Jurisdiction to:

 

(i)

enable it to perform its obligations under the Transaction Documents;

 

(ii)

ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of any Transaction Document; and

 

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(iii)

enable it to own its assets and to carry on its business (including any assets owned and business conducted or proposed to be owned or conducted in connection with the Property),

where failure to obtain or comply with those Permits or Authorisations would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and shall promptly deliver to the Agent:

 

(A)

any notice that any Governmental Authority may condition approval of, or any application for, any of those Permits or Authorisations held by it on terms and conditions that are materially burdensome to the Obligor, or to the operation of any of its businesses or any assets owned by it to the extent comprised in the Property, in each case in a manner not previously contemplated; and

 

(B)

such other documents and information as from time to time may reasonably be requested by the Agent in relation to any of the matters referred to in this paragraph Clause 23.2.

 

23.3	Compliance with laws

Each Obligor shall comply in all respects with all Legal Requirements (where failure to do so has or would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect) and its Constitutional Documents and will comply with (and conduct its business in compliance with) all applicable anti-money laundering, non-corruption, counter-terrorism financing, economic or trade sanctions laws and regulations in each case applicable to an Obligor (including, without limitation, each Anti-Terrorism Law), will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the Facilities in a manner which would breach any such laws and regulations and will maintain policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws and regulations.

 

23.4	Environmental compliance

Each Obligor shall:

 

(a)

comply in all material respects with all Environmental Laws applicable to it;

 

(b)

obtain, maintain and ensure compliance in all material respects with all requisite Environmental Permits;

 

(c)

implement procedures to monitor compliance with and to prevent liability under any Environmental Law,

where failure to do so has or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

23.5	Environmental claims

Each Obligor shall (through the Parent) inform the Agent in writing as soon as reasonably practicable upon its becoming aware of:

 

(a)

any Environmental Claim that has commenced or been threatened against any member of the Group which is current, pending or threatened (including copies of any notices from any Governmental Authority of non compliance with any material Environmental Law or Environmental Permit to which the Property is subject and any other notices of Environmental Claims); or

 

(b)

any facts or circumstances which results in or would reasonably be expected to result in any Environmental Claim being commenced or threatened against any member of the Group,

 

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in each case where such Environmental Claim has or would reasonably be expected, if determined against that member of the Group, to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

23.6

Taxation

 

(a)

Each Obligor shall duly and punctually pay and discharge all Taxes required to be paid by it when due within the time period allowed without incurring penalties unless and only to the extent that:

 

(i)

such payment is being contested in good faith;

 

(ii)

adequate reserves are being maintained for those Taxes or other obligations and the costs required to contest them; and

 

(iii)

such payment can be lawfully withheld and failure to pay those Taxes or other obligations does not have and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)

No Obligor may change its residence for Tax purposes.

 

23.7	No substantial change to the general nature of the business of the Group

The Borrower shall procure that no substantial change is made to the general nature of the business of the Group taken as a whole from that carried on as at 9 November 2016.

 

23.8	Holding companies

None of the Parent, the Borrower shall trade, carry on any business or own any assets or incur any liabilities except for:

 

(a)

(in the case of the Parent) ownership of shares in the Borrower and (in the case of the Borrower), ownership of shares in other Obligors;

 

(b)

intra-Group debit balances, intra-Group credit balances and other credit balances in bank accounts, Cash and Cash Equivalent Investments and Permitted Investments but only if those shares, credit balances, Cash and Cash Equivalent Investments and Permitted Investments are subject to the Transaction Security,

 

(c)

making of intra-Group loans not otherwise restricted by this Agreement (including pursuant to Clause 23.1 (Notes covenants));

 

(d)

the incurrence of intra-Group financial indebtedness not otherwise restricted by this Agreement (including pursuant to Clause 23.1 (Notes covenants));

 

(e)

provisions of administrative, treasury, legal, accounting and similar services to the other Obligors;

 

(f)

any liabilities under the Finance Documents, the High Yield Note Documents, and Additional High Yield Note Documents or the Pari Passu Debt Documents (and, following any High Yield Note Refinancing or Additional High Yield Note Refinancing (as the case may be), the documents or instruments relating thereto), in each case, to which it is a party and the performance of any obligation thereunder; and/or

 

(g)

professional fees and administration costs in the ordinary course of business as a holding company.

 

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23.9	Pari passu ranking

Each Obligor shall ensure that at all times any unsecured and unsubordinated claims of a Finance Party against it under the Finance Documents rank at least pari passu with the claims of all its other unsecured and unsubordinated creditors except those creditors whose claims are mandatorily preferred by laws of general application to companies.

 

23.10

Insurance

 

(a)

Each Obligor shall maintain in full force and effect at all times insurances and reinsurances on and in relation to its business and assets against those risks and to the extent as is usual for companies carrying on the same or substantially similar business.

 

(b)

All such insurances and reinsurances must be with reputable independent insurance companies or underwriters.

 

23.11

Access

Each Obligor shall:

 

(a)

keep proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries in conformity with GAAP and all Legal Requirements are made;

 

(b)

subject to prior reasonable request and notice (but notice only where a Default is continuing), procure that the Agent, the Common Security Agent, accountants or other professional advisers or contractors of the Agent or the Common Security Agent be allowed reasonable rights of inspection and access during normal business hours to the Property and any other premises or assets of any member of the Group, to the Auditors and other senior officers of any member of the Group and to the books, accounts and records, and any other documents relating to the Property or any Obligor as they may reasonably require, and so as not unreasonably to interfere with their operations or those of any counterparty to Amended Land Concession or Gaming Subconcession, and to take copies of any documents inspected.

 

23.12

Intellectual Property

Each Obligor shall:

 

(a)

preserve and maintain the subsistence and validity of the Intellectual Property necessary for the business of the Obligor or Group member for or in connection with the Property; and

 

(b)

in carrying on its business, not knowingly infringe any Intellectual Property of any third party, and shall prevent any infringement of the Intellectual Property required by it in connection with the Property;

 

(c)

make registrations and pay all registration fees and taxes necessary to maintain the Intellectual Property necessary for its business in full force and effect and record its interest in that Intellectual Property;

 

(d)

not use or permit the Intellectual Property necessary for or in connection with the Property to be used in a way or take any step or omit to take any step in respect of that Intellectual Property which may affect the existence or value of the Intellectual Property or imperil the right of any Obligor or member of the Group to use such property; and

 

(e)

not discontinue the use of the Intellectual Property necessary for or in connection with the Property,

 

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where failure to do so, in the case of paragraphs (a) to (c) above, or, in the case of paragraphs (d) and (e) above, such use, permission to use, omission or discontinuation, has or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

23.13

Hedging and Treasury Transactions

No Obligor shall enter into any Treasury Transaction, other than:

 

(a)

interest rate and/or foreign exchange hedging arrangements entered into in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes (including hedging in respect of actual or projected exposures in relation to the Facilities or any Pari Passu Debt Liabilities);

 

(b)

spot and forward delivery foreign exchange contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes; and

 

(c)

any Treasury Transaction entered into for the hedging of actual or projected real exposures arising in the ordinary course of trading activities of a member of the Group for a period of not more than 12 months and not for speculative purposes.

 

23.14

High Yield Note Documents

The Parent shall procure that none of the High Yield Note Documents and none of the Additional High Yield Note Documents and (following any High Yield Note Refinancing or Additional High Yield Note Refinancing) none of the documents or instruments relating to (or in respect of) any high yield notes issued pursuant to the High Yield Note Refinancing or Additional High Yield Note Refinancing (as the case may be) are amended, varied, novated, assigned, supplemented, superseded, waived or (other than in accordance with their terms) terminated in any respect without the prior written consent of the Agent (acting on, in the case of any amendment, variation, novation, assignment, supplement, supersession or waiver which relates to the manner of or mechanism for the release of the High Yield Note Guarantees or Additional High Yield Note Guarantees (or equivalent in connection with any applicable High Yield Note Refinancing or Additional High Yield Note Refinancing) (or the circumstances in which such release is permitted) (each, a “HY Guarantee Matter”), the instructions of all the Lenders and otherwise on the instructions of the Majority Lenders (acting reasonably)), save for any amendment, variation, novation, assignment, supplement, supersession or waiver which does not adversely affect the Security created under the Transaction Security Documents.

 

23.15

Notes Repurchase condition

 

(a)

No member of the Group may make a legally binding commitment or offer for a Notes Repurchase unless:

 

(i)

the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Notes immediately following any Notes Repurchase is or would exceed 50 per cent. of the original principal amount of all components of the Notes on the issue or incurrence date of each component (each an “Issue Date”); or

 

(ii)

the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Notes immediately following any Notes Repurchase is or would be less than 50 per cent. of the sum of the original principal amount of all components of the Notes on each relevant Issue Date and:

 

(A)

Revolving Facility Commitments are at the time of completion of the Notes Repurchase cancelled in the same proportion as (y) the amount by which the aggregate principal amount then outstanding of the Notes is less than 50 per cent. of the sum of the original principal amount of all components of the Notes on each relevant Issue Date bears to (z) 50 per cent. of the original aggregate principal amount of the Notes on each relevant Issue Date; and

 

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(B)

following such cancellation the Borrower promptly (and by no later than three (3) Business Days after such cancellation) makes such prepayment(s) of Revolving Facility Loans necessary to ensure that the Base Currency amount of all Revolving Facility Loans do not exceed the then Total Revolving Facility Commitments (less any Ancillary Commitments); or

 

(iii)

such Notes Repurchase constitutes or is otherwise part of a permitted refinancing (including pursuant to a debt exchange, non-cash rollover or other similar or equivalent transaction); or

 

(iv)

such Notes Repurchase is funded directly or indirectly by New Shareholder Injections, provided that no New Shareholder Injections funded directly or indirectly for such purpose shall be repaid prior to the Termination Date applicable to the Revolving Facility unless, at the same time as such repayment, the Revolving Facility Commitments are cancelled and the Revolving Facility Loans are prepaid in accordance with paragraph (ii) above; or

 

(v)

such Notes Repurchase is made following the occurrence of a Change of Control to the extent that the obligations in paragraph (a) of Clause 9.2 (Change of Control, Concession-Related Mandatory Prepayment Event and Disposal Prepayment Event) have been complied with; or

 

(vi)

such Notes Repurchase is funded directly or indirectly with the proceeds of any Indebtedness (other than the proceeds of a Utilisation), so long as the incurrence of that Indebtedness is not prohibited by Schedule 10 (Covenants),

and in each case no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing nor would arise from such Notes Repurchase, in each case, at the time such member of the Group contracts to make such Notes Repurchase nor would arise from such Notes Repurchase.

 

(b)

The Borrower shall procure that any Notes subject of a Notes Repurchase are, subject to the terms of the Notes, extinguished at the time of such Notes Repurchase unless it elects not to do so for the purpose of mitigating tax costs in the Group.

 

(c)

In no circumstances will the Total Revolving Facility Commitments be required to be reduced below US$10,000,000 (or its equivalent) pursuant to this Clause 23.15 (and accordingly the restrictions set out in paragraphs (a) and (b) above (other than the requirement that no Event of Default shall have occurred or be continuing) shall then cease to apply).

 

23.16

Accounts

 

(a)

No Obligor shall, or allow any other member of the Group to, deposit any amount to any Pari Passu Facility Debt Service Reserve Account or Pari Passu Notes Interest Accrual Account (each as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement) other than amounts that would be customary for an account substantially of that nature or as required by any Senior Secured Creditor pursuant to any Pari Passu Debt Document (each as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement) in line with market norms for substantially similar types of accounts.

 

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(b)

In the event that any Pari Passu Facility Debt Service Reserve Account or Pari Passu Notes Interest Accrual Account does not secure the Liabilities of the Obligors under the Finance Documents to the Finance Parties and the Secured Obligations that were secured by such account have been fully and finally discharged, the relevant Obligor in whose name the account is held shall (or the Parent shall procure that the relevant member of the Group will) as soon as reasonably practicable:

 

(i)

deposit the amount standing to the credit of that account into an account subject to the Transaction Security securing the Liabilities of the Obligors under the Finance Documents to the Finance Parties and close that account; or

 

(ii)

grant, in favour of the Common Security Agent, Security over that account in respect of the Secured Obligations,

provided that there shall be no restrictions on the withdrawals of any amount so deposited into any account subject to Security in accordance with paragraphs (i) or (ii) above and, subject to compliance with the other terms of the Finance Documents, there shall be no restrictions on the application of any such amount.

 

23.17

Release Condition

 

(a)

In this Clause 23.17, “Release Condition” means (and shall be satisfied if):

 

(i)

there are no Revolving Facility Loans outstanding;

 

(ii)

the Revolving Facility Commitments have been cancelled in full and the Total Revolving Facility Commitments are nil; and

 

(iii)

the amount standing to the credit of the Facility A Cash Collateral Account is not less than the Facility A Cash Collateral Minimum Balance.

 

(b)

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any other Finance Document, during the period (if any) that the Release Condition is satisfied (and only during such period):

 

(i)

the representations under (and including) Clause 21.11 (No default) to Clause 21.24 (Labour disputes) and Clause 21.26 (Acting as principal) shall not be deemed to be made by any Obligor pursuant to paragraphs (b) and (d) of Clause 21.1 (Time when representations made);

 

(ii)

the following obligations and restrictions shall be suspended and shall not apply:

 

(A)

the requirement to make mandatory prepayments under Clause 9.4 (Notes Repurchases) and Clause 9.5 (Asset Sales);

 

(B)

the requirement to deliver financial statements as contemplated under Clause 22.4 (Financial statements) and the representation at paragraph (a) of Clause 21.14 (Financial statements) shall not be deemed to be made by any Obligor pursuant to paragraph (c) of Clause 21.1 (Time when representations made);

 

(C)

and the requirement not to change its Finance Year-end under Clause 22.7 (Year-end);

 

(D)

the requirement to supply information under Clause 22.8 (Information: miscellaneous) other than under paragraphs (f) and (g) of Clause 22.8 (Information: miscellaneous);

 

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(E)

the requirements and restrictions under Clause 23 (General undertakings) other than Clause 23.3 (Compliance with laws) and this Clause 23.17;

 

(iii)

the following Events of Default will cease to apply:

 

(A)

Clause 24.8 (Unlawfulness or invalidity of Finance Document) to the extent it relates to any Transaction Security (other than the Facility A Cash Collateral);

 

(B)

Clause 24.10 (Permits);

 

(C)

paragraph (a) of Clause 24.13 (Repudiation or rescission of Finance Documents) to the extent it relates to any Transaction Security (other than the Facility A Cash Collateral);

 

(D)

paragraph (b) of Clause 24.13 (Repudiation or rescission of Finance Documents) other than with respect to the Intercreditor Agreement;

 

(E)

Clause 24.14 (Litigation);

 

(F)

Clause 24.15 (Material adverse change);

 

(G)

Clause 24.16 (Services and Right to Use Agreement); and

 

(H)

Clause 24.17 (Melco Resorts Macau Notification).

 

(c)

If, at any time after the Release Condition has been satisfied, the Release Condition subsequently ceases to be satisfied, any breach of this Agreement or any other Finance Document that arises as a result of any of the obligations, restrictions or other terms referred to in paragraph (b) above ceasing to be suspended shall not (provided that it did not constitute a breach, Default or Event of Default at the time the relevant event or occurrence took place) constitute (or result in) a breach of any term of this Agreement or any other Finance Documents, a Default or an Event of Default.

 

24.	Events of Default

Each of the events or circumstances set out in this Clause 24 (save for Clause 24.18 (US bankruptcy of Obligors) and Clause 24.19 (Acceleration)) is an Event of Default.

 

24.1	Non-payment

An Obligor does not pay on the due date any amount payable pursuant to a Finance Document to which it is a party at the place at and in the currency in which it is expressed to be payable unless its failure to pay is caused by administrative or technical error or a Disruption Event and payment is made within three (3) Business Days of its due date.

 

24.2	Breach of other undertakings

 

(a)

An Obligor or Grantor does not comply with any provision of the Finance Documents (other than those referred to in Clause 24.1 (Non-payment) above).

 

(b)

No Event of Default under paragraph (a) above will occur if the failure to comply is capable of remedy and is remedied within 30 days of the Agent giving notice to the Borrower or relevant Obligor or Grantor or the Borrower, an Obligor or Grantor becoming aware of the failure to comply.

 

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24.3	Misrepresentation

 

(a)

Any representation or statement made or deemed to be made by an Obligor or Grantor in the Finance Documents to which it is a party or any other document delivered by or on behalf of any Obligor or Grantor under or in connection with any Finance Document is or proves to have been incorrect or misleading when made or deemed to be made.

 

(b)

No Event of Default under paragraph (a) above will occur if the misrepresentation is capable of remedy and is remedied within 30 days of the Agent giving notice to the Borrower or relevant Obligor or Grantor or the Borrower, and Obligor or Grantor becoming aware of the misrepresentation.

 

24.4	Cross default

 

(a)

Any Financial Indebtedness of any Obligor or other member of the Group is not paid when due nor within any applicable grace period.

 

(b)

Any Financial Indebtedness of any Obligor or other member of the Group is declared to be or otherwise becomes due and payable prior to its specified maturity as a result of an event of default (however described).

 

(c)

Any commitment for any Financial Indebtedness of any Obligor or other member of the Group is cancelled or suspended by a creditor of any Obligor or other member of the Group as a result of an event of default (however described).

 

(d)

Any creditor of any Obligor or other member of the Group becomes entitled to declare any Financial Indebtedness (other than Intra-Group Liabilities) of any Obligor or other member of the Group due and payable prior to its specified maturity as a result of an event of default (however described).

 

(e)

No Event of Default will occur under this Clause 24.4 if the aggregate amount of Financial Indebtedness or commitments for Financial Indebtedness falling within paragraphs (a) to (d) above is less than US$15,000,000 (or its equivalent).

 

24.5	Insolvency

 

(a)

A Grantor, an Obligor or other member of the Group is unable or admits inability to pay its debts as they fall due or is deemed or declared to be unable to pay its debts under applicable law or, by reason of actual or anticipated financial difficulties, suspends or threatens to suspend making payments on any of its debts or commences negotiations with one or more of its creditors generally (other than the Secured Parties (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement) in such capacites) with a view to rescheduling any of its indebtedness.

 

(b)

The value of the assets of the Group (on a consolidated basis) is less than the liabilities of the Group (on a consolidated basis).

 

(c)

A moratorium is declared in respect of any indebtedness of any Grantor, Obligor or other member of the Group. If a moratorium occurs, the ending of the moratorium will not remedy any Event of Default caused by that moratorium.

 

24.6	Insolvency proceedings

 

(a)

Any corporate action, legal proceedings or other procedure or formal step is taken in relation to:

 

(i)

the suspension of payments, a moratorium of any indebtedness, winding-up, dissolution, administration or reorganisation (by way of voluntary arrangement, scheme of arrangement or otherwise) of any Grantor, Obligor or other member of the Group;

 

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(ii)

a composition, compromise, assignment or arrangement with any creditor of any Grantor, Obligor or other member of the Group;

 

(iii)

the appointment of a liquidator, receiver, administrative receiver, administrator, compulsory manager or other similar officer in respect of any Grantor, Obligor or other member of the Group or any of its assets (other than assets that are in any way part of a Joint Venture and which do not form part of, and are not otherwise necessary for the operation of, the Property); or

 

(iv)

enforcement of any Security over any assets (other than assets that are in any way part of a Joint Venture and which do not form part of, and are not otherwise necessary for the operation of, the Property) of any Grantor, Obligor or other member of the Group,

or any analogous procedure or step is taken in any jurisdiction.

 

(b)

Paragraph (a) and Clause 24.18 (US bankruptcy of Obligors) below shall not apply to:

 

(i)

any winding-up petition which is frivolous or vexatious and is discharged, stayed or dismissed within 60 days of commencement or, if earlier, the date on which it is advertised; or

 

(ii)

any voluntary action, proceedings, step or procedure which relates to or constitutes any action, proceedings, step or procedure taken in connection with a transaction regulated but not prohibited by Section 13 (Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets) of Schedule 10 (Covenants) pursuant to Clause 23.1 (Notes covenants).

 

24.7	Creditors’ process

Any expropriation, attachment, sequestration, distress or execution or any analogous process in any jurisdiction affects any asset or assets of any Obligor or other member of the Group (other than assets that are in any way part of a Joint Venture and which do not form part of, and are not otherwise necessary for the operation of, the Property) having an aggregate value of at least US$15,000,000 (or its equivalent) and is not discharged within (in the case of any process in a jurisdiction other than Macau SAR) 30 days and (in the case of any process in Macau SAR) 60 days.

 

24.8	Unlawfulness or invalidity of Finance Document

 

(a)

It is or becomes unlawful for a Grantor, Obligor or any other member of the Group to perform any of its obligations under the Finance Documents or any Transaction Security created or expressed to be created or evidenced by the Transaction Security Documents ceases to be effective or any subordination created under the Intercreditor Agreement is or becomes unlawful.

 

(b)

Any obligation or obligations of any Grantor, Obligor or any other member of the Group under any of the Finance Documents are not (subject to the Legal Reservations) or cease to be legal, valid, binding or enforceable.

 

(c)

Any Finance Document ceases to be in full force and effect or any Transaction Security or any subordination created or expressed to be created under the Intercreditor Agreement (including the subordination of any Sponsor Group Loans and any Intra-Group Liabilities) is not or ceases to be legal, valid, binding, enforceable or effective or is alleged by a party to it (other than a Finance Party) to be ineffective.

 

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24.9	[Reserved]

 

24.10

Permits

 

(a)

Any Obligor fails to observe, satisfy or perform, or there is a violation or breach of, any of the terms, provisions, agreements, covenants or conditions attaching to or under the issuance to such person of any Permit or any such Permit or any provision thereof is suspended, revoked, cancelled, terminated or materially and adversely modified or fails to be in full force and effect or any Governmental Authority challenges or seeks to revoke any such Permit if such failure to perform, violation, breach, suspension, revocation, cancellation, termination, modification, failure to be in full force and effect, challenge or seeking revocation would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)

For the avoidance of doubt, paragraph (a) above does not apply in relation to any Permit required solely in respect of a Joint Venture or which is otherwise not required for, and is not otherwise necessary for the operation of, the Property.

 

24.11

Cessation of business

Any Obligor or other member of the Group suspends or ceases to carry on (or threatens to suspend or cease to carry on) all or a material part of its business and such event has or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

24.12

Expropriation

The authority or ability of any Obligor or other member of the Group to (other than in respect of any business solely related to any Joint Venture or assets that relate to or are in any way part of any Joint Venture and which do not form part of, and are not otherwise necessary for the operation of, the Property) conduct its business or enjoy the use of all or any material part of its assets is wholly or substantially limited or curtailed by any seizure, expropriation, nationalisation, intervention, restriction or other action (including as a result of any change in (or in the interpretation, administration or application of), or the introduction of, any Legal Requirement) by or on behalf of any Governmental Authority or other person in relation to any member of the Group or any of its assets and, in the case of any such seizure, expropriation, intervention, restriction or other action which is capable of remedy, such seizure, expropriation, intervention, restriction or other action or the effects thereof, are not remedied, removed or stayed within 45 days of the occurrence of such seizure, expropriation, intervention, restriction or other action.

 

24.13

Repudiation or rescission of Finance Documents

 

(a)

A Grantor, Obligor or other member of the Group (or any other relevant party) rescinds or purports to rescind or repudiates or purports to repudiate a Finance Document or any of the Transaction Security or evidences an intention to rescind or repudiate a Finance Document or any Transaction Security.

 

(b)

Any party to any of the other Transaction Documents rescinds or purports to rescind or repudiates or purports to repudiate any of those Transaction Documents in whole or in part where (other than in the case of the Amended Land Concession or any Gaming Subconcession) to do so has or would, in the reasonable opinion of the Majority Lenders, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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24.14

Litigation

Any litigation, arbitration, administrative, governmental, regulatory or other investigations or proceedings are commenced or threatened in relation to a Transaction Document or the transactions contemplated in a Transaction Document or against any Obligor or other member of the Group or its assets which has or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, other than such litigation, arbitration, administrative, governmental, regulatory or other investigations or proceedings which are frivolous or vexatious (and, in the case of any such proceedings commenced in any jurisdiction other than Macau SAR, which are discharged, stayed or dismissed within 60 days of commencement or, if earlier, the date on which it is advertised).

 

24.15

Material adverse change

Any event or circumstance occurs which has or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

24.16

Services and Right to Use Agreement

 

(a)

Melco Resorts Macau suspends performance of its obligations under each of the Services and Right to Use Agreement and the Reimbursement Agreement for more than 7 days.

 

(b)

The Services and Right to Use Agreement or the Reimbursement Agreement is terminated, becomes invalid or illegal or otherwise ceases to be in full force and effect prior to its stated termination.

 

24.17

Melco Resorts Macau Notification

Melco Resorts Macau notifies any Secured Party in writing of its intention to terminate the Services and Right to Use Agreement (whether or not any such notification has any effect on the “Funding Date” definition of the Services and Right to Use Agreement).

 

24.18

US bankruptcy of Obligors

Notwithstanding Clause 24.19 (Acceleration), if any Obligor commences a voluntary case concerning itself under the US Bankruptcy Code, or an involuntary case is commenced under the US Bankruptcy Code against any Obligor and the petition is not dismissed or stayed within forty five (45) days after commencement of the case, or a custodian (as defined in the US Bankruptcy Code) is appointed for, or takes charge of, all or substantially all of the property of any Obligor, or any order of relief or other order approving any such case or proceeding is entered, the Revolving Facility shall cease to be available to such Obligor, all obligations of such Obligor under Clause 20 (Guarantee and indemnity) or any other provision of this Agreement or any other Finance Document to which such Obligor is a party shall become immediately due and payable and such Obligor shall be required to provide cash cover for the full amount of each letter of credit issued for its account, in each case automatically and without any further action by any Party.

 

24.19

Acceleration

On and at any time after the occurrence of an Event of Default which is continuing the Agent may, and shall if so directed by the Majority Lenders, by notice to the Borrower:

 

(a)

cancel the Total Commitments, whereupon they shall immediately be cancelled;

 

(b)

subject to clause 3.2 (Rolled Loan – restrictions) of the Intercreditor Agreement, declare that all or part of the Utilisations, together with accrued interest, and all other amounts accrued or outstanding under the Finance Documents be immediately due and payable, whereupon they shall become immediately due and payable;

 

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(c)

subject to clause 3.2 (Rolled Loan – restrictions) of the Intercreditor Agreement, declare that all or part of the Utilisations be payable on demand, whereupon they shall immediately become payable on demand by the Agent on the instructions of the Majority Lenders;

 

(d)

notify the Intercreditor Agent that an Event of Default has occurred and continuing and instruct the Intercreditor Agent or the Common Security Agent (through the Intercreditor Agent) to issue one or more Enforcement Notices; and/or

 

(e)

exercise or direct the Intercreditor Agent or the Common Security Agent (through the Intercreditor Agent) to exercise any or all of its rights, remedies, powers or discretions under any of the Finance Documents and/or the High Yield Note Documents and/or (if the High Yield Note Refinancing has occurred) any document or instrument in respect of the high yield notes issued pursuant to the High Yield Note Refinancing and/or any document or instrument in respect of the high yield notes issued pursuant to the Additional High Yield Notes and/or (if the Additional High Yield Note Refinancing has occurred) pursuant to the Additional High Yield Note Refinancing (in each case, including, following the issue of an Enforcement Notice, any such rights, remedies, powers or discretions which first require the issue of such a notice).

 

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SECTION 9

CHANGES TO PARTIES

 

25.	Changes to the Lenders

 

25.1	Assignments and transfers by the Lenders

Subject to this Clause 25 and to Clause 26 (Restriction on Debt Purchase Transactions), a Lender (the “Existing Lender”) may:

 

(a)

assign any of its rights; or

 

(b)

transfer by novation any of its rights and obligations,

under any Finance Document to a Permitted Transferee (in each case, the “New Lender”).

 

25.2	Conditions of assignment or transfer

 

(a)

Any Transfer by an Existing Lender of all or any part of its Commitment must:

 

(i)

subject to paragraph (b) below, not be made or entered into without the prior written consent of the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed);

 

(ii)

if the Transfer is of a commitment or participation in the Revolving Facility, the New Lender has a rating of at least BBB by Standard & Poor’s Rating Services (or an equivalent rating); and

 

(iii)

in the case of a Transfer relating to the Revolving Facility, if the Transfer is only of part of (instead of all of) an Existing Lender’s participation in respect of the Revolving Facility, immediately after such the Transfer:

 

(A)

the amount of that Existing Lender’s remaining Revolving Facility Commitments (when aggregated with its Affiliates’ and Related Funds’ Revolving Facility Commitments) is at least a minimum amount of HK$40,000,000; and

 

(B)

the amount of that New Lender’s Revolving Facility Commitments (when aggregated with its Affiliates’ and Related Funds’ Revolving Facility Commitments) is at least a minimum amount of HK$40,000,000.

 

(b)

Notwithstanding paragraph (a)(i) above (and, for the avoidance of doubt, subject to paragraphs (a)(ii) and (iii) above), a Transfer entered into in respect of any Commitment or amount outstanding under this Agreement shall not require the prior written consent of the Borrower pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) above if:

 

(i)

the Transfer is to another Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender;

 

(ii)

if the Existing Lender is a fund, the Transfer is to, or the sub-participation is with, a fund which is a Related Fund of that Existing Lender;

 

(iii)

an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; or

 

(iv)

the Transfer is of a Participation which is not a Voting Participation.

 

(c)

The Borrower shall be deemed to have provided its written consent in accordance with paragraph (a) above if it has not responded to the relevant Existing Lender’s request for such Transfer within 10 Business Days of such request having been made.

 

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(d)

A Transfer entered into in respect of any Commitment or amount outstanding under this Agreement shall in no circumstances (including pursuant to paragraph (b) above) be made to a Conflicted Lender without the prior written consent of the Borrower (in its sole discretion). If requested to do so by a Lender, the Borrower shall as soon as reasonably practicable (but allowing a reasonable period of time for the Borrower to satisfy itself) confirm to that Lender whether or not a potential New Lender identified to the Borrower is a Conflicted Lender.

 

(e)

An assignment will only be effective if the procedure set out in Clause 25.6 (Procedure for assignment) is complied with and will only be effective on:

 

(i)

receipt by the Agent (whether in the Assignment Agreement and Lender Accession Undertaking or otherwise) of written confirmation from the New Lender (in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent) that the New Lender will assume the same obligations to the other Finance Parties and the other Secured Parties as it would have been under if it was an Original Lender;

 

(ii)

the New Lender entering into the documentation required for it to accede as a party to the Intercreditor Agreement; and

 

(iii)

performance by the Agent of all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations in relation to such assignment to a New Lender, the completion of which the Agent shall promptly notify to the Existing Lender and the New Lender.

 

(f)

A transfer will only be effective if the procedure set out in Clause 25.5 (Procedure for transfer) is complied with and the New Lender enters into the documentation required for it to accede as a party to the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

(g)

An Existing Lender may not assign or transfer any or all of its rights or obligations under the Finance Documents or change its Facility Office if such assignment or transfer would give rise to a requirement to prepay any Loan (or any part thereof) or cancel any Commitment (or any part thereof) pursuant to Clause 8.1 (Illegality) in relation to the New Lender or such Existing Lender acting through the new Facility Office.

 

(h)

If:

 

(i)

a Lender assigns or transfers any of its rights or obligations under the Finance Documents or changes its Facility Office; and

 

(ii)

as a result of circumstances existing at the date the assignment, transfer or change occurs, an Obligor would be obliged to make a payment to the New Lender or Lender acting through its new Facility Office under Clause 15 (Tax gross-up and indemnities) or Clause 16 (Increased Costs),

then the New Lender or Lender acting through its new Facility Office is only entitled to receive payment under those Clauses to the same extent as the Existing Lender or Lender acting through its previous Facility Office would have been if the assignment, transfer or change had not occurred.

 

(i)

Each New Lender, by executing the relevant Transfer Certificate or Assignment Agreement and Lender Accession Undertaking, confirms, for the avoidance of doubt, that the Agent has authority to execute on its behalf any amendment or waiver that has been approved by or on behalf of the requisite Lender or Lenders in accordance with this Agreement on or prior to the date on which the transfer or assignment becomes effective in accordance with this Agreement and that it is bound by that decision to the same extent as the Existing Lender would have been had it remained a Lender

 

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(j)

If an Existing Lender assigns or transfers any of its rights or obligations under the Finance Documents to a New Lender, (A) such Existing Lender shall (unless agreed with such New Lender) bear its own fees, costs and expenses in connection with, or resulting from, such assignment or transfer (including any legal fees, taxes, notarial and security registration or perfection fees) and (B) no Obligor or any member of the Group will be required to pay to or for the account of such New Lender, or reimburse or indemnify such New Lender for, any fees, costs, Taxes, expenses, indemnity payments, Tax Payments, Increased Costs or other payments under a Finance Document in excess of what that Obligor would have been required to pay to such Existing Lender immediately prior to such transfer or assignment being effected, provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing:

 

(i)

the Borrower shall pay such New Lender in full any amount expressed to be payable by it to such New Lender under Clause 19.4 (Enforcement and preservation costs); and

 

(ii)

in respect of costs, fees and expenses only, the amount thereof payable or reimbursable shall be calculated by reference to the amount of such costs, fees and expenses which such Obligor is able to demonstrate it would have been required to pay to such Existing Lender immediately prior to such transfer or assignment being effected.

 

(k)

The Agent shall, promptly upon request from the Borrower, provide to the Borrower information in reasonable detail regarding the identities and participations of each of the Lenders.

 

(l)

An Existing Lender will enter into a Confidentiality Undertaking with any potential New Lender (that is not already a Lender) prior to providing such New Lender with any information about the Finance Documents or the Group. This Confidentiality Undertaking may be amended, if necessary, to ensure that it is capable of being relied upon by the Borrower without requiring its signature, and may not be materially amended without the consent of the Borrower. A copy of that Confidentiality Undertaking must be provided to the Borrower promptly after being entered into.

 

25.3	Assignment or transfer fee

Unless the Agent otherwise agrees and excluding an assignment or transfer (i) to an Affiliate of a Lender or (ii) to a Related Fund, the New Lender shall, on the date upon which an assignment, transfer or accession takes effect, pay to the Agent (for its own account) a fee of US$3,500 in respect of any New Lender.

 

25.4	Limitation of responsibility of Existing Lenders

 

(a)

Unless expressly agreed to the contrary, an Existing Lender makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility to a New Lender for:

 

(i)

the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of the Transaction Documents, the Transaction Security or any other documents;

 

(ii)

the financial condition or other circumstances of the Site or the Phase II Project, any Obligor or any other person;

 

(iii)

the performance and observance by any Obligor or any other person of its obligations under the Transaction Documents or any other documents; or

 

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(iv)

the accuracy of any statements (whether written or oral) made in or in connection with any Transaction Document or any other document, and

any representations or warranties implied by law are excluded.

 

(b)

Each New Lender confirms to the Existing Lender, the other Finance Parties and the Secured Parties that it:

 

(i)

has made (and shall continue to make) its own independent investigation and assessment of the financial and other condition, circumstances and affairs of the Site and the Phase II Project, each Obligor and its related entities in connection with its participation in this Agreement and has not relied exclusively on any information provided to it by the Existing Lender or any other Finance Party in connection with any Transaction Document or the Transaction Security; and

 

(ii)

will continue to make its own independent appraisal of the creditworthiness of each Obligor and its related entities whilst any amount is or may be outstanding under the Finance Documents or any Commitment is in force.

 

(c)

Nothing in any Finance Document obliges an Existing Lender to:

 

(i)

accept a re-transfer or re-assignment from a New Lender of any of the rights and obligations assigned or transferred under this Clause 25; or

 

(ii)

support any losses directly or indirectly incurred by the New Lender by reason of the non-performance by any Obligor of its obligations under the Transaction Documents or otherwise.

 

25.5	Procedure for transfer

 

(a)

Subject to the conditions set out in Clause 25.2 (Conditions of assignment or transfer) a transfer is effected in accordance with paragraph (c) below when the Agent executes an otherwise duly completed Transfer Certificate delivered to it by the Existing Lender and the New Lender. The Agent shall, subject to paragraph (b) below, as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt by it of a duly completed Transfer Certificate appearing on its face to comply with the terms of this Agreement and delivered in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, execute that Transfer Certificate.

 

(b)

The Agent shall only be obliged to execute a Transfer Certificate delivered to it by the Existing Lender and the New Lender once it is satisfied it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar other checks under all applicable laws and regulations in relation to the transfer to such New Lender.

 

(c)

On the Transfer Date:

 

(i)

to the extent that in the Transfer Certificate the Existing Lender seeks to transfer by novation its rights and obligations under the Finance Documents and in respect of the Transaction Security, each of the Obligors and the Existing Lender shall be released from further obligations towards one another under the Finance Documents and in respect of the Transaction Security and their respective rights against one another under the Finance Documents and in respect of the Transaction Security shall be cancelled (being the “Discharged Rights and Obligations”);

 

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(ii)

each of the Obligors and the New Lender shall assume obligations towards one another and/or acquire rights against one another which differ from the Discharged Rights and Obligations only insofar as that Obligor or other member of the Group and the New Lender have assumed and/or acquired the same in place of that Obligor and the Existing Lender;

 

(iii)

the Agent, the Common Security Agent, the POA Agent, the New Lender and the other Lenders shall acquire the same rights and assume the same obligations between themselves and in respect of the Transaction Security as they would have acquired and assumed had the New Lender been an Original Lender with the rights, and/or obligations acquired or assumed by it as a result of the transfer and to that extent the Agent, the Common Security Agent, the POA Agent and the Existing Lender shall each be released from further obligations to each other under the Finance Documents; and

 

(iv)

the New Lender shall become a Party as a “Lender”.

 

25.6	Procedure for assignment

 

(a)

Subject to the conditions set out in Clause 25.2 (Conditions of assignment or transfer) an assignment may be effected in accordance with paragraph (c) below when the Agent executes an otherwise duly completed Assignment Agreement and Lender Accession Undertaking delivered to it by the Existing Lender and the New Lender. The Agent shall, subject to paragraph (d) below, as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt by it of a duly completed Assignment Agreement and Lender Accession Undertaking appearing on its face to comply with the terms of this Agreement and delivered in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, execute that Assignment Agreement and Lender Accession Undertaking.

 

(b)

The Agent shall only be obliged to execute an Assignment Agreement and Lender Accession Undertaking delivered to it by the Existing Lender and the New Lender upon its completion of all “know your customer” or other checks relating to any person that it is required to carry out in relation to the assignment to such New Lender.

 

(c)

On the Transfer Date:

 

(i)

the Existing Lender will assign absolutely to the New Lender its rights under the Finance Documents and in respect of the Transaction Security expressed to be the subject of the assignment in the Assignment Agreement and Lender Accession Undertaking;

 

(ii)

the Existing Lender will be released from the obligations (the “Relevant Obligations”) expressed to be the subject of the release in the Assignment Agreement and Lender Accession Undertaking (and any corresponding obligations by which it is bound in respect of the Transaction Security); and

 

(iii)

the New Lender shall become a Party as a “Lender” and will be bound by obligations equivalent to the Relevant Obligations.

 

(d)

Lenders may utilise procedures other than those set out in this Clause 25.6 to assign their rights under the Finance Documents, provided that they comply with the conditions set out in Clause 25.2 (Conditions of assignment or transfer).

 

(e)

The procedure set out in this Clause 25.6 shall not apply to any right or obligation under any Finance Document (other than this Agreement) if and to the extent its terms, or any laws or regulations applicable thereto, provide for or require a different means of assignment of such right or release or assumption of such obligation or prohibit or restrict any assignment of such right or release or assumption of such obligation, unless such prohibition or restriction shall not be applicable to the relevant assignment, release or assumption or each condition of any applicable restriction shall have been satisfied.

 

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25.7	Copy of assignments, transfer and accession documents to the Borrower and Parent

The Agent shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after it has executed a Transfer Certificate or an Assignment Agreement and Lender Accession Undertaking, send to the Borrower and the Parent a copy of that Transfer Certificate or Assignment Agreement and Lender Accession Undertaking.

 

25.8	Security interests over Lenders’ rights

In addition to the other rights provided to Lenders under this Clause 25, each Lender may without consulting with or obtaining consent from any Obligor, at any time charge, assign or otherwise create Security in or over (whether by way of collateral or otherwise) all or any of its rights under any Finance Document to secure obligations of that Lender including, without limitation:

 

(a)

any charge, assignment or other Security to secure obligations to a federal reserve or central bank; and

 

(b)

in the case of any Lender which is a fund, any charge, assignment or other Security granted to any holders (or trustee or representatives of holders) of obligations owed, or securities issued, by that Lender as security for those obligations or securities,

except that no such charge, assignment or other Security shall:

 

(i)

release a Lender from any of its obligations under the Finance Documents or substitute the beneficiary of the relevant charge, assignment or other Security for the Lender as a party to any of the Finance Documents; or

 

(ii)

require any payments to be made by an Obligor or grant to any person any more extensive rights than those required to be made or granted to the relevant Lender under the Finance Documents.

 

25.9	Exclusion of Agent’s liability

In relation to any assignment or transfer pursuant to this Clause 25, each Party acknowledges and agrees that the Agent shall not be obliged to enquire as to the accuracy of any representation or warranty made by a New Lender in respect of its eligibility as a Lender.

 

26.	Restriction on Debt Purchase Transactions

 

26.1	Prohibition on Debt Purchase Transactions by the Group

The Parent and Borrower shall not and shall procure that each other member of the Group shall not may (i) enter into any Debt Purchase Transaction or (ii) beneficially own all or any part of the share capital of a company that is a Lender or a party to a Debt Purchase Transaction of the type referred to in paragraphs (b) or (c) of the definition of “Debt Purchase Transaction”.

 

26.2	Disenfranchisement on Debt Purchase Transactions entered into by Sponsor Affiliates

 

(a)

For so long as a Sponsor Affiliate:

 

(i)

beneficially owns a Commitment; or

 

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(ii)

has entered into a sub-participation agreement relating to a Commitment or other agreement or arrangement having a substantially similar economic effect and such agreement or arrangement has not been terminated,

in ascertaining:

 

(A)

the Majority Lenders; or

 

(B)

whether:

 

(1)

any given percentage (other than in relation to decisions requiring the consent of all of the Lenders) of the Total Commitments; or

 

(2)

the agreement of any specified group of Lenders (other than in relation to decisions requiring the consent of all of the Lenders),

has been obtained to approve any request for a consent, waiver, amendment or other vote under the Finance Documents,

such Commitment shall be deemed to be zero and such Sponsor Affiliate or the person with whom it has entered into such sub-participation, other agreement or arrangement shall be deemed not to be a Lender for the purposes of paragraphs (A) and (B) above (unless in the case of a person not being a Sponsor Affiliate it is a Lender by virtue otherwise than by beneficially owning the relevant Commitment), provided that such consent, waiver, amendment or other vote is not materially detrimental (in comparison to the other Lenders) to the rights and/or interests of that Sponsor Affiliate solely in its capacity as a Lender (and, for the avoidance of doubt, excluding its interests as a holder of equity in the Borrower (whether directly or indirectly)), and each Sponsor Affiliate upon becoming a Party expressly agrees and acknowledges that the operation of this Clause 26.2 shall not of itself be so detrimental to it in comparison to the other Lenders or otherwise; and

 

(b)

Each Lender shall, unless such Debt Purchase Transaction is an assignment or transfer, promptly notify the Agent in writing if it knowingly enters into a Debt Purchase Transaction with a Sponsor Affiliate (a “Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction”), such notification to be substantially in the form set out in Part 1 of Schedule 8 (Forms of Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction Notice). A Lender shall promptly notify the Agent if a Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction to which it is a party:

 

(i)

is terminated; or

 

(ii)

ceases to be with a Sponsor Affiliate,

such notification to be substantially in the form set out in Part 2 of Schedule 8 (Forms of Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction Notice)).

 

(c)

Each Sponsor Affiliate that is a Lender agrees that:

 

(i)

in relation to any meeting or conference call to which all the Lenders are invited to attend or participate, it shall not attend or participate in the same if so requested by the Agent or, unless the Agent otherwise agrees, be entitled to receive the agenda or any minutes of the same; and

 

(ii)

in its capacity as Lender, unless the Agent otherwise agrees, it shall not be entitled to receive any report or other document prepared at the behest of, or on the instructions of, the Agent or one or more of the Lenders,

 

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in each case, unless the Agent otherwise agrees or it relates to matters in which the Sponsor Affiliate is entitled to vote in accordance with this Clause 26.

 

27.	Changes to the Obligors

 

27.1	Assignment and transfers by Obligors

No Obligor may assign any of its rights or transfer any of its rights or obligations under the Finance Documents.

 

27.2	Additional Guarantors

 

(a)

Subject to compliance with the provisions of paragraphs (c) and (d) of Clause 22.10 (“Know your customer” checks), the Borrower may request that any of its wholly owned Subsidiaries become an Additional Guarantor.

 

(b)

The Borrower shall procure that any other member of the Group shall, as soon as possible after becoming a member of the Group, become an Additional Guarantor and grant such Security as the Agent may require.

 

(c)

A member of the Group shall become an Additional Guarantor if:

 

(i)

the Borrower and the proposed Additional Guarantor deliver to the Agent a duly completed and executed Accession Letter; and

 

(ii)

the Agent has received all of the documents and other evidence listed in Schedule 2 (Conditions precedent required to be delivered by an Additional Guarantor) in relation to that Additional Guarantor, each in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent.

 

(d)

The Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders promptly upon being satisfied that it has received (in form and substance satisfactory to it) all the documents and other evidence listed in Schedule 2 (Conditions precedent required to be delivered by an Additional Guarantor).

 

(e)

The Lenders authorise the Agent to give the notification described in paragraph (d) above. The Agent shall not be liable for any damages, costs or losses whatsoever as a result of giving any such notification.

 

27.3	Repetition of representations

Delivery of an Accession Letter constitutes confirmation by the relevant Subsidiary that the representations and warranties referred to in paragraph (d) of Clause 21.1 (Times when representations made) are true and correct in relation to it as at the date of delivery as if made by reference to the facts and circumstances then existing.

 

27.4	Resignation of a Guarantor

 

(a)

The Borrower may request that a Guarantor (other than the Parent or the Borrower) ceases to be a Guarantor by delivering to the Agent a Resignation Letter if:

 

(i)

that Guarantor is being (or shares or equity interests in that Guarantor are being) disposed of (directly or indirectly) by way of a sale or disposal or reorganisation where such sale or disposal or reorganisation is expressly permitted under this Agreement or any other Finance Document in circumstances where that Guarantor ceases to be a Group Member, and the Borrower has confirmed to the Agent and the Intercreditor Agent that this is the case; or

 

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(ii)

the Lenders have consented to the resignation of that Guarantor.

 

(b)

Subject to clause 25.17 (Resignation of a Debtor) of the Intercreditor Agreement, the Agent shall accept a Resignation Letter and notify the Borrower and the Lenders of its acceptance if:

 

(i)

no Event of Default is continuing or would result from that Guarantor ceasing to be a Guarantor (and the Borrower has confirmed to the Agent and the Intercreditor Agent that this is the case); and

 

(ii)

no payment is due from that Guarantor under Clause 20.1 (Guarantee and indemnity).

 

(c)

Subject to paragraph (d) below, upon notification by the agent to the Borrower and the Lender of its acceptance of the resignation of the Guarantor, that entity shall cease to be a Guarantor and shall have no further rights or obligations under the Finance Documents as a Guarantor.

 

(d)

The resignation of that Guarantor shall not be effective until the date of the relevant sale or disposal or reorganisation.

 

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SECTION 10

THE FINANCE PARTIES

 

28.	Role of the Agent and others

 

28.1	Appointment of the Agent

 

(a)

Each of the Lenders appoints the Agent to act as its agent under and in connection with the Finance Documents.

 

(b)

Each of the Lenders authorises the Agent to perform the duties, obligations and responsibilities and to exercise the rights, powers, authorities and discretions specifically given to the Agent under or in connection with the Finance Documents together with any other incidental rights, powers, authorities and discretions.

 

28.2	Instructions

 

(a)

The Agent shall:

 

(i)

unless a contrary indication appears in a Finance Document, exercise or refrain from exercising any right, power, authority or discretion vested in it as Agent in accordance with any instructions given to it by all Lenders if the relevant Finance Document stipulates the matter is an all Lender decision and, otherwise, the Majority Lenders; and

 

(ii)

not be liable for any act (or omission) if it acts (or refrains from acting) in accordance with paragraph (i) above

 

(b)

The Agent shall be entitled to request instructions, or clarification of any instruction, from the Majority Lenders (or, if applicable, the Lenders) as to whether, and in what manner, it should exercise or refrain from exercising any right, power, authority or discretion and the Agent may refrain from acting unless and until it receives those instructions or that clarification.

 

(c)

Unless a contrary indication appears in a Finance Document, any instructions given to the Agent by the Majority Lenders shall override any conflicting instructions given by any other Parties and will be binding on all Finance Parties save for the Common Security Agent and the POA Agent.

 

(d)

The Agent may refrain from acting in accordance with any instructions of any Lender (or group of Lenders) until it has received any indemnification and/or security that it may in its discretion require (which may be greater in extent than that contained in the Finance Documents and which may include payment in advance) for any cost, loss or liability which it may incur in complying with those instructions.

 

(e)

In the absence of instructions, the Agent may act (or refrain from acting) as it considers to be in the best interest of the Lenders.

 

(f)

The Agent is not authorised to act on behalf of a Lender (without first obtaining that Lender’s consent) in any legal or arbitration proceedings relating to any Finance Document. This paragraph (f) shall not apply to any legal or arbitration proceeding relating to the perfection, preservation or protection of rights under the Transaction Security Documents or enforcement of the Transaction Security or Transaction Security Documents.

 

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28.3	Duties of the Agent

 

(a)

The Agent’s duties under the Finance Documents are solely mechanical and administrative in nature. The Agent shall have no duties save as expressly provided under or in connection with any Finance Document.

 

(b)

Subject to paragraph (c) below, the Agent shall promptly forward to a Party the original or a copy of any document which is delivered to the Agent for that Party by any other Party.

 

(c)

Without prejudice to Clause 25.7 (Copy of assignments, transfer and accession documents to the Borrower and Parent), paragraph (b) above shall not apply to any Transfer Certificate, any Assignment Agreement and Lender Accession Undertaking or any Increase Confirmation.

 

(d)

Except where a Finance Document specifically provides otherwise, the Agent is not obliged to review or check the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of any document it forwards to another Party.

 

(e)

If the Agent receives notice from a Party referring to this Agreement, describing a Default and stating that the circumstance described is a Default, it shall promptly notify the other Finance Parties.

 

(f)

If the Agent is aware of the non-payment of any principal, interest, commitment fee or other fee payable to a Finance Party (other than the Agent, the Common Security Agent or the POA Agent) under this Agreement it shall promptly notify the other Finance Parties.

 

(g)

The Agent shall have only those duties, obligations and responsibilities expressly specified in the Finance Documents to which it is expressed to be a party (and no others shall be implied.

 

(h)

The Agent shall provide to the Borrower promptly upon request by the Borrower (but no more frequently than once in any three month period), a list (which may be in electronic form) setting out the names of the Lenders as at the date of that request, their respective Commitments, the address and fax number (and the department or officer, if any, for whose attention any communication is to be made) of each Lender for any communication to be made or document to be delivered under or in connection with the Finance Documents, the electronic mail address and/or any other information required to enable the sending and receipt of information by electronic mail or other electronic means to and by each Lender to whom any communication under or in connection with the Finance Documents may be made by that means and the account details of each Lender for any payment to be distributed by the Agent to that Lender under the Finance Documents.

 

28.4	No fiduciary duties

 

(a)

Nothing in any Finance Document constitutes the Agent as a trustee or fiduciary of any other person.

 

(b)

The Agent shall not be bound to account to any Lender for any sum or the profit element of any sum received by it for its own account.

 

28.5	Business with the Group

The Agent may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of banking or other business with any member of the Group.

 

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28.6	Rights and discretions

 

(a)

The Agent may:

 

(i)

rely on any representation, communication, notice or document believed by it to be genuine, correct and appropriately authorised and shall have no duty to verify any signature on any document;

 

(ii)

assume that:

 

(A)

any instructions received by it from the Majority Lenders, any Lenders or any group of Lenders are duly given in accordance with the terms of the Finance Documents; and

 

(B)

unless it has received notice of revocation, that those instructions have not been revoked;

 

(iii)

rely on a certificate from any person:

 

(A)

as to any matter of fact or circumstance which might reasonably be expected to be within the knowledge of that person; or

 

(B)

to the effect that such person approves of any particular dealing, transaction, step, action or thing,

as sufficient evidence that that is the case and, in the case of paragraph (A) above, may assume the truth and accuracy of that certificate; and

 

(iv)

rely on any statement made or purportedly made by a director, authorised signatory or employee of any person regarding any matters which may reasonably be assumed to be within his knowledge or within his power to verify.

 

(b)

The Agent may assume (unless it has received notice to the contrary in its capacity as agent for the Lenders) that:

 

(i)

no Default has occurred (unless it has actual knowledge of a Default arising under Clause 24 (Events of Default));

 

(ii)

any right, power, authority or discretion vested in any Party or the Majority Lenders or any group of Lenders has not been exercised;

 

(iii)

any notice or request made by the Borrower (other than a Utilisation Request or Selection Notice) is made on behalf of and with the consent and knowledge of all the Obligors; and

 

(iv)

no Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction:

 

(A)

has been entered into;

 

(B)

has been terminated; or

 

(C)

has ceased to be with a Sponsor Affiliate.

 

(c)

The Agent may engage, pay for and rely on the advice or services of any lawyers, accountants, tax advisers, surveyors or other professional advisers or experts (whether obtained by the Agent or by any other Party) and shall not be liable for any damages, costs or losses to any person, any diminution in value or any liability whatsoever arising as a result of its so relying.

 

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(d)

Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (c) above, the Agent may at any time engage and pay for the services of any lawyers to act as independent counsel to the Agent (and so separate from any lawyers instructed by the Lenders) if the Agent in its reasonable opinion deems this to be desirable.

 

(e)

The Agent may act in relation to the Finance Documents through its officers, employees and agents and the Agent shall not:

 

(i)

be liable for any error of judgment made by any such person; or

 

(ii)

be bound to supervise, or be in any way responsible for, any loss incurred by reason of misconduct, omission or default on the part of any such person,

unless such error or such loss was directly caused by the Agent’s gross negligence or wilful misconduct.

 

(f)

Unless a Finance Document expressly provides otherwise, the Agent may disclose to any other Party any information it reasonably believes it has received as agent under this Agreement.

 

(g)

Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (f) above, the Agent:

 

(i)

may disclose; and

 

(ii)

on the written request of the Borrower or the Majority Lenders shall, as soon as reasonably practicable, disclose,

the identity of a Defaulting Lender to the Borrower and the other Finance Parties.

 

(h)

Notwithstanding any other provision of any Finance Document to the contrary, the Agent is not obliged to do or omit to do anything if it would or might in its reasonable opinion constitute a breach of any law or regulation or a breach of a fiduciary duty or duty of confidentiality.

 

(i)

Notwithstanding any other provision of any Finance Document to the contrary, the Agent may not disclose to any Finance Party any details of the rate notified to the Agent by any Lender or the identity of any such Lender for the purpose of paragraph (a)(ii) of Clause 13.2 (Market disruption).

 

(j)

Notwithstanding any provision of any Finance Document to the contrary, the Agent is not obliged to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of its duties, obligations or responsibilities or the exercise of any right, power, authority or discretion if it has grounds for believing the repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against, or security for, such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

 

28.7	Responsibility for documentation

The Agent is and shall not be responsible for:

 

(a)

the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of any information (whether oral or written) supplied by the Agent, an Obligor or any other person given in or in connection with any Finance Document or the transactions contemplated in the Finance Documents or the transactions contemplated in the Finance Documents or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Finance Document;

 

(b)

the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of any Finance Document or the Transaction Security or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Finance Document or the Transaction Security; or

 

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(c)

any determination as to whether any information provided or to be provided to any Finance Party is non-public information the use of which may be regulated or prohibited by applicable law or regulation relating to insider dealing or otherwise.

 

28.8	No duty to monitor

 

(a)

The Agent shall not be bound to enquire:

 

(i)

whether or not any Default has occurred;

 

(ii)

as to the performance, default or any breach by any Party of its obligations under any Finance Document; or

 

(iii)

whether any other event specified in any Finance Document has occurred.

 

28.9	Exclusion of liability

 

(a)

Without limiting paragraph (b) below (and without prejudice to any other provision of any Finance Document excluding or limiting the liability of the Agent), the Agent will not be liable (including, without limitation, for negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever) for:

 

(i)

any damages, costs or losses to any person, any diminution in value, or any liability whatsoever arising as a result of taking or not taking any action under or in connection with any Finance Document or the Transaction Security, unless directly caused by its gross negligence or wilful misconduct;

 

(ii)

exercising, or not exercising, any right, power, authority or discretion given to it by, or in connection with, any Finance Document, the Transaction Security or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with, any Finance Document or the Transaction Security; or

 

(iii)

without prejudice to the generality of paragraphs (i) and (ii) above, any damages, costs or losses to any person, any diminution in value or any liability whatsoever arising as a result of:

 

(A)

any act, event or circumstance not reasonably within its control; or

 

(B)

the general risks of investment in, or the holding of assets in, any jurisdiction,

including (in each case and without limitation) such damages, costs, losses, diminution in value or liability arising as a result of: nationalisation, expropriation or other governmental actions; any regulation, currency restriction, devaluation or fluctuation; market conditions affecting the execution or settlement of transactions or the value of assets (including any Disruption Event); breakdown, failure or malfunction of any third party transport, telecommunications, computer services or systems; natural disasters or acts of God; war, terrorism, insurrection or revolution; or strikes or industrial action.

 

(b)

No Party (other than the Agent) may take any proceedings against any officer, employee or agent of the Agent in respect of any claim it might have against the Agent or in respect of any act or omission of any kind by that officer, employee or agent in relation to any Finance Document or any Transaction Document and any officer, employee or agent of the Agent may rely on this Clause subject to Clause 1.3 (Third party rights) and the provisions of the Third Parties Act.

 

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(c)

The Agent will not be liable for any delay (or any related consequences) in crediting an account with an amount required under the Finance Documents to be paid by the Agent if the Agent has taken all necessary steps as soon as reasonably practicable to comply with the regulations or operating procedures of any recognised clearing or settlement system used by the Agent for that purpose.

 

(d)

Nothing in this Agreement shall oblige the Agent to carry out (i) any “know your customer” or other checks in relation to any person or (ii) any check on the extent to which any transaction contemplated by this Agreement might be unlawful for any Lender, on behalf of any Lender and each Lender confirms to the Agent that it is solely responsible for any such checks it is required to carry out and that it may not rely on any statement in relation to such checks made by the Agent.

 

(e)

Without prejudice to any provision of any Finance Document excluding or limiting the Agent’s liability, any liability of the Agent arising under or in connection with any Finance Document or the Transaction Security shall be limited to the amount of actual loss which has been finally judicially determined to have been suffered (as determined by reference to the date of default of the Agent or, if later, the date on which the loss arises as a result of such default) but without reference to any special conditions or circumstances known to the Agent at any time which increase the amount of that loss. In no event shall the Agent be liable for any loss of profits, goodwill, reputation, business opportunity or anticipated saving, or for special, punitive, indirect or consequential damages, whether or not the Agent has been advised of the possibility of such loss or damages

 

28.10

Lenders’ indemnity to the Agent

 

(a)

Each Lender shall (in the proportion that the Liabilities due to it bear to the aggregate of the Liabilities due to all the Lenders for the time being (or, if the Liabilities due to the Lenders are zero, immediately prior to their being reduced to zero)), indemnify the Agent, within three (3) Business Days of demand, against any cost, loss or liability (including, without limitation, for negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever) incurred by the Agent (otherwise than by reason of the Agent’s gross negligence or wilful misconduct) (or, in the case of any cost, loss or liability pursuant to Clause 31.11 (Disruption to payment systems, etc.), notwithstanding the Agent’s negligence, gross negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever but not including any claim based on the fraud of the Agent in acting as Agent under the Finance Documents (unless the Agent has been reimbursed by an Obligor pursuant to a Finance Document),

 

(b)

If the Borrower is required to reimburse or indemnify any Lender for any payment that Lender makes to the Agent pursuant to paragraph (a) above in accordance with the Finance Documents, the Borrower shall, within 10 Business Days of demand in writing by the relevant Lender, indemnify such Lender for the amount of such payment actually made pursuant to paragraph (a) above.

 

(c)

Paragraph (b) above shall not apply to the extent that the indemnity payment in respect of which the Lender claims reimbursement relates to a liability of the Agent to an Obligor.

 

28.11

Resignation of the Agent

 

(a)

The Agent may resign and appoint one of its Affiliates acting through an office in Hong Kong or Macau as successor by giving notice to the Lenders and the Borrower.

 

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(b)

Alternatively the Agent may resign by giving notice to the Lenders and the Borrower, in which case the Majority Lenders (after consultation with the Borrower) may appoint a successor Agent.

 

(c)

If the Majority Lenders have not appointed a successor Agent in accordance with paragraph (b) above within 30 days after notice of resignation was given, the Agent (after consultation with the Borrower) may appoint a successor Agent (acting through an office in Hong Kong or Macau).

 

(d)

If the Agent wishes to resign because (acting reasonably) it has concluded that it is no longer appropriate for it to remain as agent and the Agent is entitled to appoint a successor Agent under paragraph (c) above, the Agent may (if it concludes (acting reasonably) that it is necessary to do so in order to persuade the proposed successor Agent to become a party to this Agreement as Agent) agree with the proposed successor Agent amendments to this Clause 28 and any other term of this Agreement dealing with the rights or obligations of the Agent consistent with then current market practice for the appointment and protection of corporate trustees

 

(e)

The retiring Agent shall, at its own cost, make available to the successor Agent such documents and records and provide such assistance as the successor Agent may reasonably request for the purposes of performing its functions as Agent under the Finance Documents.

 

(f)

The Agent’s resignation notice shall only take effect upon the appointment of a successor in accordance with the Finance Documents (including such successor’s accession to the Intercreditor Agreement in the capacity as Agent).

 

(g)

Upon the appointment of a successor, the retiring Agent shall be discharged from any further obligation in respect of the Finance Documents (other than its obligations under paragraph (e) above) but shall remain entitled to the benefit of Clause 17.3 (Indemnity to the Agent) and this Clause 28 (and any agency fees for the account of the retiring Agent shall cease to accrue from (and shall be payable on) that date). Its successor and each of the other Parties shall have the same rights and obligations amongst themselves as they would have had if such successor had been an original Party.

 

(h)

The Agent shall resign in accordance with paragraph (b) above (and, to the extent applicable, shall use reasonable endeavours to appoint a successor Agent pursuant to paragraph (b) above) if on or after the date which is three months before the earliest FATCA Application Date relating to any payment to the Agent under the Finance Documents, either:

 

(i)

the Agent fails to respond to a request under Clause 15.8 (FATCA Information) and the Borrower or a Lender reasonably believes that the Agent will not be (or will have ceased to be) a FATCA Exempt Party on or after that FATCA Application Date;

 

(ii)

the information supplied by the Agent pursuant to Clause 15.8 (FATCA Information) indicates that the Agent will not be (or will have ceased to be) a FATCA Exempt Party on or after that FATCA Application Date; or

 

(iii)

the Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the Agent will not be (or will have ceased to be) a FATCA Exempt Party on or after that FATCA Application Date;

and (in each case) the Borrower or a Lender reasonably believes that a Party will be required to make a FATCA Deduction that would not be required if the Agent were a FATCA Exempt Party, and the Borrower or that Lender, by notice to the Agent, requires it to resign.

 

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28.12

Replacement of the Agent

 

(a)

After consultation with the Borrower, the Majority Lenders may, by giving 30 days’ notice to the Agent (or, at any time the Agent is an Impaired Agent, by giving any shorter notice determined by the Majority Lenders) replace the Agent by appointing a successor Agent (acting through an office in Hong Kong or Macau).

 

(b)

The retiring Agent shall (at its own cost if it is an Impaired Agent and otherwise at the expense of the Lenders) make available to the successor Agent such documents and records and provide such assistance as the successor Agent may reasonably request for the purposes of performing its functions as Agent under the Finance Documents.

 

(c)

The appointment of the successor Agent shall take effect on the date specified in the notice from the Majority Lenders to the retiring Agent (or, if later, on its accession to the Intercreditor Agreement in the capacity as Agent). As from this date, the retiring Agent shall be discharged from any further obligation in respect of the Finance Documents (other than its obligations under paragraph (b) above) but shall remain entitled to the benefit of Clause 17.3 (Indemnity to the Agent) and this Clause 28 (and any agency fees for the account of the retiring Agent shall cease to accrue from (and shall be payable on) that date).

 

(d)

Any successor Agent and each of the other Parties shall have the same rights and obligations amongst themselves as they would have had if such successor had been an original Party.

 

28.13

Confidentiality

 

(a)

In acting as agent for the Finance Parties, the Agent shall be regarded as acting through its agency division which shall be treated as a separate entity from any other of its divisions or departments.

 

(b)

If information is received by another division or department of the Agent, it may be treated as confidential to that division or department and the Agent shall not be deemed to have notice of it.

 

(c)

Notwithstanding any other provision of any Finance Document to the contrary, the Agent shall not be obliged to disclose to any other person (i) any confidential information or (ii) any other information if the disclosure would or might in its reasonable opinion constitute a breach of any law or a breach of a fiduciary duty.

 

(d)

The Agent shall not be obliged to disclose to any Finance Party any information supplied to it by the Borrower or any Affiliates of the Borrower on a confidential basis and for the purpose of evaluating whether any waiver or amendment is or may be required or desirable in relation to any Finance Document.

 

28.14

Relationship with the Lenders

 

(a)

The Agent may treat each person shown in its records as a Lender at the opening of business (in the place of the Agent’s principal office as notified to the Finance Parties from time to time) as the Lender acting through its Facility Office:

 

(i)

entitled to or liable for any payment due under any Finance Document on that day; and

 

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(ii)

entitled to receive and act upon any notice, request, document or communication or make any decision or determination under any Finance Document made or delivered on that day,

unless it has received not less than five (5) Business Days prior notice from that Lender to the contrary in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

(b)

Each Lender shall supply the Agent with any information that the Intercreditor Agent or Common Security Agent may reasonably specify (through the Agent) as being necessary or desirable to enable the Intercreditor Agent or Common Security Agent (as applicable) to perform its functions as Intercreditor Agent or Common Security Agent (as applicable). Each Lender shall deal with the Intercreditor Agent and the Common Security Agent exclusively through the Agent and shall not deal directly with the Intercreditor Agent or the Common Security Agent.

 

(c)

Each Lender may by notice to the Agent appoint a person to receive on its behalf all notices, communications, information and documents to be made or despatched to that Lender under the Finance Documents. Such notice shall contain the address, fax number and (where communication by electronic mail or other electronic means is permitted under Clause 33.6 (Electronic communication)) electronic mail address and/or any other information required to enable the sending and receipt of information by that means (and, in each case, the department or officer, if any, for whose attention communication is to be made) and be treated as a notification of a substitute address, fax number, electronic mail address, department and officer by that Lender for the purposes of Clause 33.2 (Addresses) and paragraph (a)(ii) of Clause 33.6 (Electronic communication) and the Agent shall be entitled to treat such person as the person entitled to receive all such notices, communications, information and documents as though that person were that Lender.

 

28.15

Credit appraisal by the Lenders

Without affecting the responsibility of any Obligor for information supplied by it or on its behalf in connection with any Finance Document, each Lender confirms to the Agent that it has been, and will continue to be, solely responsible for making its own independent appraisal and investigation of all risks arising under or in connection with any Finance Document including but not limited to:

 

(a)

the financial condition, status and nature of each member of the Group;

 

(b)

the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of any Finance Document and the Transaction Security and any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Finance Document or the Transaction Security;

 

(c)

whether that Secured Party has recourse, and the nature and extent of that recourse, against any Party or any of its respective assets under or in connection with any Finance Document, the Transaction Security or the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Finance Document or the Transaction Security;

 

(d)

the adequacy, accuracy and/or completeness any information provided by the Agent, the Common Security Agent, any Party or by any other person under or in connection with any Finance Document, the transactions contemplated by any Finance Document or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Finance Document; and

 

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(e)

the right or title of any person in or to, or the value or sufficiency of any part of the Charged Property, the priority of any of the Transaction Security or the existence of any Security affecting the Charged Property.

 

28.16

Reference Banks

The Agent may at any time and from time to time (in consultation with the Borrower) appoint any Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender to replace any Reference Bank that is not (or which is not an Affiliate of) a Lender.

 

28.17

Agent’s management time

 

(a)

Any amount payable to the Agent under Clause 17.3 (Indemnity to the Agent), Clause 19 (Costs and expenses) and Clause 28.10 (Lenders’ indemnity to the Agent) shall include the cost of utilising the Agent’s management time or other resources and will be calculated on the basis of such reasonable daily or hourly rates as the Agent may notify to the Borrower and the Lenders, and is in addition to any fee paid or payable to the Agent under Clause 14 (Fees).

 

(b)

Any cost of utilising the Agent’s management time or other resources shall include, without limitation, any such costs in connection with Clause 26.2 (Disenfranchisement on Debt Purchase Transactions entered into by Sponsor Affiliates).

 

28.18

Deduction from amounts payable by the Agent

If any Party owes an amount to the Agent under the Finance Documents the Agent may, after giving notice to that Party, deduct an amount not exceeding that amount from any payment to that Party which the Agent would otherwise be obliged to make under the Finance Documents and apply the amount deducted in or towards satisfaction of the amount owed. For the purposes of the Finance Documents that Party shall be regarded as having received any amount so deducted.

 

28.19

Reliance and engagement letters

Each Finance Party and Secured Party confirms that the Agent has authority to accept on its behalf and ratifies the acceptance on its behalf of any letters or reports already accepted by the Agent, the terms of any reliance letter or engagement letters relating to any reports or letters provided by any advisers in connection with the Finance Documents or the transactions contemplated in the Finance Documents and to bind it in respect of those reports or letters and to sign such letters on its behalf and further confirms that it accepts the terms and qualifications set out in such letters.

 

28.20

Saving provision

Notwithstanding anything expressly stated in or omitted from this Agreement, all residual rights and obligations (including in respect of any contingent liabilities) under any Finance Document of any person that was a Party to this Agreement in its capacity as Bookrunner Mandated Lead Arranger, Mandated Lead Arranger, Arranger, Senior Manager or Manager and which rights were not terminated, released, relinquished or otherwise did not expire on or before the 2016 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date (whether pursuant to the transactions contemplated in connection with the 2016 Amendment and Restatement Agreement or otherwise) continue and, as may be necessary, such person may rely on this Clause 28.20 subject to Clause 1.3 (Third party rights) and the provisions of the Third Parties Act.

 

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29.	Conduct of business by the Finance Parties

No provision of this Agreement will:

 

(a)

interfere with the right of any Finance Party to arrange its affairs (tax or otherwise) in whatever manner it thinks fit;

 

(b)

oblige any Finance Party to investigate or claim any credit, relief, remission or repayment available to it or the extent, order and manner of any claim;

 

(c)

oblige any Finance Party to disclose any information relating to its affairs (tax or otherwise) or any computations in respect of Tax; or

 

(d)

oblige any Finance Party to do or omit to do anything if it would, or might in its reasonable opinion, constitute a breach of any applicable anti-money laundering, economic or trade sanctions laws or regulations.

 

30.	Sharing among the Finance Parties

 

30.1	Payments to Finance Parties

If a Finance Party (a “Recovering Finance Party”) receives or recovers any amount from an Obligor other than in accordance with Clause 31 (Payment mechanics) and applies that amount to a payment due under the Finance Documents then:

 

(a)

the Recovering Finance Party shall, within three (3) Business Days, notify details of the receipt or recovery, to the Agent;

 

(b)

the Agent shall determine whether the receipt or recovery is in excess of the amount the Recovering Finance Party would have been paid had the receipt or recovery been received or made by the Agent and distributed in accordance with Clause 31 (Payment mechanics), without taking account of any Tax which would be imposed on the Agent in relation to the receipt, recovery or distribution; and

 

(c)

the Recovering Finance Party shall, within three (3) Business Days of demand by the Agent, pay to the Agent an amount (the “Sharing Payment”) equal to such receipt or recovery less any amount which the Agent determines may be retained by the Recovering Finance Party as its share of any payment to be made, in accordance with Clause 31.6 (Partial payments).

 

30.2	Redistribution of payments

The Agent shall treat the Sharing Payment as if it had been paid by the relevant Obligor and distribute it between the Finance Parties (other than the Recovering Finance Party) (the “Sharing Finance Parties”) in accordance with Clause 31.6 (Partial payments) towards the obligations of that Obligor to the Sharing Finance Parties.

 

30.3	Recovering Finance Party’s rights

 

(a)

On a distribution by the Agent under Clause 30.2 (Redistribution of payments), the Recovering Finance Party will be subrogated to the rights of the Finance Parties which have shared in the redistribution.

 

(b)

If and to the extent that the Recovering Finance Party is not able to rely on its rights under paragraph (a) above, the relevant Obligor shall be liable to the Recovering Finance Party for a debt equal to the Sharing Payment which is immediately due and payable.

 

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30.4	Reversal of redistribution

If any part of the Sharing Payment received or recovered by a Recovering Finance Party becomes repayable and is repaid by that Recovering Finance Party, then:

 

(a)

each Finance Party which has received a share of the relevant Sharing Payment pursuant to Clause 30.2 (Redistribution of payments) shall, upon request of the Agent, pay to the Agent for account of that Recovering Finance Party an amount equal to the appropriate part of its share of the Sharing Payment (together with an amount as is necessary to reimburse that Recovering Finance Party for its proportion of any interest on the Sharing Payment which that Recovering Finance Party is required to pay); and

 

(b)

that Recovering Finance Party’s rights of subrogation in respect of any reimbursement shall be cancelled and the relevant Obligor will be liable to the reimbursing Finance Party for the amount so reimbursed.

 

30.5	Exceptions

 

(a)

This Clause 30 shall not apply to the extent that the Recovering Finance Party would not, after making any payment pursuant to this Clause, have a valid and enforceable claim against the relevant Obligor.

 

(b)

A Recovering Finance Party is not obliged to share with any other Finance Party any amount which the Recovering Finance Party has received or recovered as a result of taking legal or arbitration proceedings, if:

 

(i)

it notified the other Finance Party of the legal or arbitration proceedings; and

 

(ii)

the other Finance Party had an opportunity to participate in those legal or arbitration proceedings but did not do so as soon as reasonably practicable having received notice and did not take separate legal or arbitration proceedings.

 

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SECTION 11

ADMINISTRATION

 

31.	Payment mechanics

 

31.1	Payments to the Agent

 

(a)

On each date on which an Obligor or a Lender is required to make a payment under a Finance Document that Obligor or Lender shall make the same available to the Agent (unless a contrary indication appears in a Finance Document) for value on the due date or such other date at the time and in such funds specified by the Agent as being customary at the time for settlement of transactions in the relevant currency in the place of payment.

 

(b)

In the case of payments to be made in Patacas, Hong Kong dollars or US dollars, payment shall be made to such account in the Macau SAR (or, if specified by way of written notice to the Parent and the Lenders by any successor to the Agent on or about the time of its becoming Agent, such other location as it shall select (acting reasonably)) with such bank as the Agent specifies.

 

(c)

In the case of payments to be made in any other currency, payment shall be made to such account in the principal financial centre of the country of that currency (or, if specified by way of written notice to the Parent and the Lenders by any successor to the Agent on or about the time of its becoming Agent, such other location as it shall select (acting reasonably)) with such bank as the Agent specifies.

 

31.2	Distributions by the Agent

 

(a)

Each payment received by the Agent under the Finance Documents for another Party shall, subject to Clause 31.3 (Distributions to an Obligor) and Clause 31.4 (Clawback) be made available by the Agent as soon as practicable after receipt to the Party entitled to receive payment in accordance with this Agreement (in the case of a Lender, for the account of its Facility Office), to such account as that Party may notify to the Agent by not less than five (5) Business Days’ notice with a bank specified by that Party in the principal financial centre of the country of that currency (which, in the case of Hong Kong dollars is Hong Kong).

 

(b)

The Agent shall distribute payments received by it in relation to all or any part of a Loan to the Lender indicated in the records of the Agent as being so entitled on that date, provided that the Agent is authorised to distribute payments to be made on the date on which any transfer becomes effective pursuant to Clause 25 (Changes to the Lenders) to the Lender so entitled immediately before such transfer took place regardless of the period to which such sums relate.

 

31.3	Distributions to an Obligor

The Agent may (with the consent of the Obligor or in accordance with Clause 32 (Set off)) apply any amount received by it for that Obligor in or towards payment (on the date and in the currency and funds of receipt) of any amount due from that Obligor under the Finance Documents or in or towards purchase of any amount of any currency to be so applied.

 

31.4

Clawback

 

(a)

Where a sum is to be paid to the Agent under the Finance Documents for another Party, the Agent is not obliged to pay that sum to that other Party (or to enter into or perform any related exchange contract) until it has been able to establish to its satisfaction that it has actually received that sum.

 

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(b)

Unless paragraph (c) below applies, if the Agent pays an amount to another Party and it proves to be the case that the Agent had not actually received that amount, then the Party to whom that amount (or the proceeds of any related exchange contract) was paid by the Agent shall on demand refund the same to the Agent together with interest on that amount from the date of payment to the date of receipt by the Agent, calculated by the Agent to reflect its cost of funds.

 

(c)

If the Agent has notified the Lenders that it is willing to make available amounts for the account of the Borrower before receiving funds from the Lenders then if and to the extent that the Agent does so but it proves to be the case that it does not then receive funds from a Lender in respect of a sum which it paid to the Borrower:

 

(i)

the Agent shall notify the Borrower of that Lender’s identity and the Borrower shall on demand refund it to the Agent; and

 

(ii)

the Lender by whom those funds should have been made available or, if that Lender fails to do so in circumstances where the Borrower had requested that the Agent make available amounts for the account of the Borrower before receiving funds from the Lenders only, the Borrower, shall on demand pay to the Agent the amount (as certified by the Agent) which will indemnify the Agent against any funding cost incurred by it as a result of paying out that sum before receiving those funds from that Lender.

 

31.5	Impaired Agent

 

(a)

If, at any time, the Agent becomes an Impaired Agent, an Obligor or a Lender which is required to make a payment under the Finance Documents to the Agent in accordance with Clause 31.1 (Payments to the Agent) may instead either:

 

(i)

pay that amount direct to the required recipient(s); or

 

(ii)

if, in its absolute discretion, it considers that it is not reasonably practicable to pay that amount direct to the required recipient(s), pay that amount or the relevant part of that amount to an interest-bearing account held with an Acceptable Bank within the meaning of paragraph (a) of the definition of “Acceptable Bank” and in relation to which no Insolvency Event has occurred and is continuing, in the name of the Obligor or the Lender making the payment (the “Paying Party”) and designated as a trust account for the benefit of the Party or Parties beneficially entitled to that payment under the Finance Documents (the “Recipient Party” or “Recipient Parties”).

In each case such payments must be made on the due date for payment under the Finance Documents.

 

(b)

All interest accrued on the amount standing to the credit of the trust account shall be for the benefit of the Recipient Party or Recipient Parties pro rata to their respective entitlements.

 

(c)

A Party which has made a payment in accordance with this Clause 31.5 shall be discharged of the relevant payment obligation under the Finance Documents and shall not take any credit risk with respect to the amounts standing to the credit of the trust account.

 

(d)

Promptly upon the appointment of a successor Agent in accordance with Clause 28.12 (Replacement of the Agent), each Paying Party shall (other than to the extent that that Party has given an instruction pursuant to paragraph (e) below) give all requisite instructions to the bank with whom the trust account is held to transfer the amount (together with any accrued interest) to the successor Agent for distribution to the Recipient Party or Recipient Parties in accordance with Clause 31.2 (Distributions by the Agent).

 

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(e)

A Paying Party shall, promptly upon request by a Recipient Party and to the extent that:

 

(i)

that it has not given an instruction pursuant to paragraph (d) above; and

 

(ii)

that it has been provided with the necessary information by that Recipient Party,

give all requisite instructions to the bank with whom the trust account is held to transfer the relevant amount (together with any accrued interest) to that Recipient Party.

 

31.6	Partial payments

 

(a)

If the Agent receives a payment for application against amounts due in respect of any Finance Documents that is insufficient to discharge all the amounts then due and payable by an Obligor under those Finance Documents, the Agent shall apply that payment towards the obligations of that Obligor under those Finance Documents in the following order:

 

(i)

firstly, following the delivery of an Enforcement Notice, in payment of all costs and expenses incurred by or on behalf of the Agent, the Common Security Agent, the POA Agent or the Intercreditor Agent in connection with such enforcement or recovery and which have been certified, in writing, as having been incurred by the Agent, the Common Security Agent, the POA Agent or the Intercreditor Agent;

 

(ii)

secondly, in or towards payment pro rata of any unpaid fees, costs and expenses of the Agent, the Common Security Agent, the POA Agent and the Intercreditor Agent under those Finance Documents;

 

(iii)

thirdly, in payment pro rata of all amounts paid by any Secured Party under Clause 28.10 (Lenders’ indemnity to the Agent) but which have not been reimbursed by the Borrower;

 

(iv)

fourthly, in or towards payment pro rata of all accrued interest, costs, fees and expenses due and payable to the Lenders under the Finance Documents;

 

(v)

fifthly, in or towards payment pro rata of:

 

(A)

subject to clause 3.2 (Rolled Loan – restrictions) of the Intercreditor Agreement, any principal due and payable under the Term Loan Facility to the extent due and payable to the Lenders; and

 

(B)

any principal due but unpaid under the Revolving Facility; and

 

(vi)

sixthly, in or towards payment pro rata of any other sum due but unpaid under the Finance Documents.

 

(b)

Subject to clause 3.2 (Rolled Loan – restrictions) of the Intercreditor Agreement, the Agent shall, if so directed by the Lenders, vary the order set out in paragraphs (a)(iii) to (vi) above.

 

(c)

Paragraphs (a) and (b) above will override any appropriation made by an Obligor.

 

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31.7	No set off by Obligors

All payments to be made by an Obligor under the Finance Documents shall be calculated and be made without (and free and clear of any deduction for) set off or counterclaim.

 

31.8	Business Days

 

(a)

Any payment which is due to be made on a day that is not a Business Day shall be made on the next Business Day in the same calendar month (if there is one) or the preceding Business Day (if there is not).

 

(b)

During any extension of the due date for payment of any principal or Unpaid Sum under this Agreement interest is payable on the principal or Unpaid Sum at the rate payable on the original due date.

 

31.9	Currency of account

 

(a)

Subject to paragraphs (b) to (e) below, HK dollars is the currency of account and payment for any sum due from an Obligor under any Finance Document.

 

(b)

A repayment of a Utilisation or Unpaid Sum or a part of a Utilisation or Unpaid Sum shall be made in the currency in which that Utilisation or Unpaid Sum is denominated on its due date.

 

(c)

Each payment of interest shall be made in the currency in which the sum in respect of which the interest is payable was denominated when that interest accrued.

 

(d)

Each payment in respect of costs, expenses or Taxes shall be made in the currency in which the costs, expenses or Taxes are incurred.

 

(e)

Any amount expressed to be payable in a currency other than HK dollars shall be paid in that other currency.

 

31.10

Change of currency

 

(a)

Unless otherwise prohibited by law, if more than one currency or currency unit are at the same time recognised by the central bank of any country as the lawful currency of that country, then:

 

(i)

any reference in the Finance Documents to, and any obligations arising under the Finance Documents in, the currency of that country shall be translated into, or paid in, the currency or currency unit of that country designated by the Agent (after consultation with the Borrower); and

 

(ii)

any translation from one currency or currency unit to another shall be at the official rate of exchange recognised by the central bank for the conversion of that currency or currency unit into the other, rounded up or down by the Agent (acting reasonably).

 

(b)

If a change in any currency of a country occurs, this Agreement will, to the extent the Agent (acting reasonably and after consultation with the Borrower) specifies to be necessary, be amended to comply with any generally accepted conventions and market practice in the Relevant Interbank Market and otherwise to reflect the change in currency.

 

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31.11

Disruption to payment systems, etc.

If the Agent determines (in its discretion) that a Disruption Event has occurred or the Agent is notified by the Borrower that a Disruption Event has occurred:

 

(a)

the Agent may, and shall if requested to do so by the Borrower, consult with the Borrower with a view to agreeing with the Borrower such changes to the operation or administration of the Facilities as the Agent may deem necessary in the circumstances;

 

(b)

the Agent shall not be obliged to consult with the Borrower in relation to any changes mentioned in paragraph (a) above if, in its opinion, it is not practicable to do so in the circumstances and, in any event, shall have no obligation to agree to such changes;

 

(c)

the Agent may consult with the Finance Parties in relation to any changes mentioned in paragraph (a) above but shall not be obliged to do so if, in its opinion, it is not practicable to do so in the circumstances;

 

(d)

any such changes agreed upon by the Agent and the Borrower shall (whether or not it is finally determined that a Disruption Event has occurred) be binding upon the Parties as an amendment to (or, as the case may be, waiver of) the terms of the Finance Documents notwithstanding the provisions of Clause 37 (Amendments and waivers);

 

(e)

the Agent shall not be liable for any damages, costs or losses to any person, any diminution in value or any liability whatsoever (including, without limitation for negligence, gross negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever but not including any claim based on the fraud of the Agent) arising as a result of its taking, or failing to take, any actions pursuant to or in connection with this Clause 31.11; and

 

(f)

the Agent shall notify the Finance Parties of all changes agreed pursuant to paragraph (d) above.

 

32.

Set off

Subject to the terms of Clause 30 (Sharing among the Finance Parties), a Finance Party may set off any matured obligation due from an Obligor under the Finance Documents (to the extent beneficially owned by that Finance Party) against any matured obligation owed by that Finance Party to that Obligor, regardless of the place of payment, booking branch or currency of either obligation. If the obligations are in different currencies, the Finance Party may convert either obligation at a market rate of exchange in its usual course of business for the purpose of the set off.

 

33.

Notices

 

33.1	Communications in writing

Any communication to be made under or in connection with the Finance Documents shall be made in writing and, unless otherwise stated, may be made by fax or letter.

 

33.2

Addresses

The address and fax number (and the department or officer, if any, for whose attention the communication is to be made) of each Party for any communication or document to be made or delivered under or in connection with the Finance Documents is:

 

(a)

in the case of the Borrower and each other Obligor that is a Party as at the 2016 Amendment and Restatement Date, that identified with its name in the signing pages to the Intercreditor Agreement;

 

(b)

in the case of the Original Lender and the Agent, that identified with its name in the signing pages to the Intercreditor Agreement;

 

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(c)

in the case of the Common Security Agent and the POA Agent, that identified with its name in the signing pages to the Intercreditor Agreement; and

 

(d)

in the case of each other Lender and each other Obligor, that notified in writing to the Agent on or prior to the date on which it becomes a Party,

or any substitute address, fax number or department or officer as the Party may notify to the Agent (or the Agent may notify to the other Parties, if a change is made by the Agent) by not less than 10 Business Days’ notice.

 

33.3

Delivery

 

(a)

Any communication or document made or delivered by one person to another under or in connection with the Finance Documents will only be effective:

 

(i)

if by way of fax, when received in legible form; or

 

(ii)

if by way of letter, when it has been left at the relevant address or five (5) Business Days after being deposited in the post postage prepaid in an envelope addressed to it at that address,

and, if a particular department or officer is specified as part of its address details provided under Clause 33.2 (Addresses), if addressed to that department or officer.

 

(b)

Any communication or document to be made or delivered to the Agent, the POA Agent or the Common Security Agent will be effective only when actually received by the Agent, the POA Agent or Common Security Agent (as applicable) and then only if it is expressly marked for the attention of the department or officer identified with the Agent’s, POA Agent’s or Common Security Agent’s signature in the 2021 Amendment and Restatement Agreement or Intercreditor Agreement (as applicable) (or any substitute department or officer as the Agent, the POA Agent or Common Security Agent (as applicable) shall specify for this purpose).

 

(c)

All notices from or to an Obligor shall be sent through the Agent.

 

(d)

Any communication or document made or delivered to the Borrower in accordance with this Clause 33.3 will be deemed to have been made or delivered to each of the Obligors.

 

33.4	Notification of address and fax number

Promptly upon changing its own address or fax number, the Agent shall notify the other Parties.

 

33.5	Communication when Agent is Impaired Agent

If the Agent is an Impaired Agent the Parties may, instead of communicating with each other through the Agent, communicate with each other directly and (while the Agent is an Impaired Agent) all the provisions of the Finance Documents which require communications to be made or notices to be given to or by the Agent shall be varied so that communications may be made and notices given to or by the relevant Parties directly. This provision shall not operate after a replacement Agent has been appointed.

 

33.6	Electronic communication

 

(a)

Any communication to be made between the Agent, the POA Agent or the Common Security Agent and a Lender under or in connection with the Finance Documents may be made by electronic mail or other electronic means, if the Agent, the POA Agent, the Common Security Agent (as applicable) and the relevant Lender:

 

(i)

agree that, unless and until notified to the contrary, this is to be an accepted form of communication;

 

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(ii)

notify each other in writing of their electronic mail address and/or any other information required to enable the sending and receipt of information by that means; and

 

(iii)

notify each other of any change to their address or any other such information supplied by them.

 

(b)

Any electronic communication made between the Agent and a Lender, the POA Agent or the Common Security Agent will be effective only when actually received in readable form and in the case of any electronic communication made by a Lender to the Agent, the POA Agent or the Common Security Agent only if it is addressed in such a manner as the Agent, the POA Agent or Common Security Agent (as applicable) shall specify for this purpose.

 

(c)

Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Party hereto agrees that the Agent may make information, documents and other materials that any Obligor is obligated to furnish to the Agent pursuant to the Finance Documents (together, “Communications”) available to any Finance Party by posting the Communications on IntraLinks or another relevant website, if any, to which such Finance Party has access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether sponsored by the Agent) (the “Platform”). Nothing in this Clause 33.6 shall prejudice the right of the Agent to make the Communications available to any Finance Party in any other manner specified in this Agreement or any other Finance Documents.

 

(d)

Each Finance Party agrees that e-mail notice to it (at the address provided pursuant to the next sentence and deemed delivered as provided in the next paragraph) specifying that Communications have been posted to the Platform shall constitute effective delivery of such Communications to such Finance Party for purposes of this Agreement and the other Finance Documents. Each Finance Party agrees:

 

(i)

to notify the Agent in writing (including by electronic communication) from time to time to ensure that the Agent has on record an effective e-mail address for such Finance Party to which the foregoing notice may be sent by electronic transmission; and

 

(ii)

that the foregoing notice may be sent to such e-mail address.

 

(e)

Notwithstanding paragraph (f) below, each Party hereto agrees that any electronic communication referred to in this Clause 33.6 shall be deemed delivered upon the posting of a record of such communication (properly addressed to such party at the e-mail address provided to the Agent) as “sent” in the e-mail system of the sending party or, in the case of any such communication to the Agent, upon the posting of a record of such communication as “received” in the e-mail system of the Agent; provided that if such communication is not so received by a Finance Party in the place of receipt on a Business day or is not so received by a Finance Party on before 5.00 pm in the place of receipt on a Business Day, such communication shall be deemed delivered at the opening of business on the next Business Day for that Finance Party.

 

(f)

Each Party hereto acknowledges that:

 

(i)

the distribution of material through an electronic medium is not necessarily secure and that there are confidentiality and other risks associated with such distribution;

 

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(ii)

the Communications and the Platform are provided “as is” and “as available”;

 

(iii)

none of the Agent, its affiliates nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, advisors or representatives (collectively, the “Agency Parties”) warrants the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of the Communications or the Platform, and each Agency Party expressly disclaims liability for errors or omissions in any Communications or the Platform; and

 

(iv)

no representation or warranty of any kind, express, implied or statutory, including any representation or 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 Agency Party in connection with any Communications or the Platform.

 

(g)

Each Obligor hereby acknowledges that from time to time 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 MPEL, any of its Subsidiaries or their respective securities) (each, a “Public Lender”). Each Obligor hereby agrees that:

 

(i)

Communications that are to be made available on the Platform to Public Lenders 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;

 

(ii)

by marking Communications “PUBLIC,” each Obligor shall be deemed to have authorised the Finance Parties to treat such Communications as either publicly available information or not-material information (although it may be sensitive and proprietary) with respect to MPEL, any of its Subsidiaries or their respective securities for purposes of US federal and state securities laws;

 

(iii)

all Communications marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated “Public Lender”; and

 

(iv)

the Agent shall be entitled to treat any Communications that are not marked “PUBLIC” as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not designated “Public Lender”.

 

33.7	English language

 

(a)

Any notice given under or in connection with any Finance Document must be in English.

 

(b)

All other documents provided under or in connection with any Finance Document must be:

 

(i)

in English; or

 

(ii)

if not in English, and if so required by the Agent, accompanied by a certified English translation and, in this case, the English translation will prevail unless the document is a constitutional, statutory or other official document or is required by law to be in one of the Macau SAR official languages (Chinese or Portuguese) and/or is to be filed with any Macau SAR Governmental Authority, in which case a Chinese or Portuguese version (as applicable) shall prevail.

 

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34.	Calculations and certificates

 

34.1

Accounts

In any litigation or arbitration proceedings arising out of or in connection with a Finance Document, the entries made in the accounts maintained by a Finance Party are prima facie evidence of the matters to which they relate.

 

34.2	Certificates and determinations

Any certification or determination by a Finance Party of a rate or amount under any Finance Document is, in the absence of manifest error, conclusive evidence of the matters to which it relates.

 

34.3	Day count convention

Any interest, commission or fee accruing under a Finance Document will accrue from day to day and is calculated on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed and a year of 365 days.

 

34.4	Personal liability

No director, officer, employee or other individual acting (or purporting to act) on behalf of the Parent, any member of the Group (or any Affiliate of a member of the Group) shall be personally liable for:

 

(a)

any representation, certification or statement made or deemed to be made by him or her, the Parent or any other member of the Group in any Finance Document; or

 

(b)

any certificate, notice or other document required to be delivered under, or in connection with, any Finance Document, whether or not signed by that director, officer, employee or other individual,

where such representation, certification, statement, certificate, notice or other document proves to be incorrect or misleading, unless that individual acted fraudulently, recklessly or with an intention to mislead, in which case any liability will be determined in accordance with applicable law. Any director, officer, employee or other individual to whom this Clause 34.4 is expressed to apply may rely on this Clause 34.4, subject to Clause 1.3 (Third party rights) and the provisions of the Third Parties Act.

 

35.	Partial invalidity

If, at any time, any provision of a Finance Document is or becomes illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any respect under any law of any jurisdiction, neither the legality, validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions nor the legality, validity or enforceability of such provision under the law of any other jurisdiction will in any way be affected or impaired.

 

36.	Remedies and waivers

No failure to exercise, nor any delay in exercising, on the part of any Finance Party or Secured Party, any right or remedy under a Finance Document shall operate as a waiver of any such right or remedy or constitute an election to affirm any Finance Document. No election to affirm any Finance Document on the part of any Finance Party or Secured Party shall be effective unless it is in writing. No single or partial exercise of any right or remedy shall prevent any further or other exercise or the exercise of any other right or remedy. The rights and remedies provided in the Finance Documents are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.

 

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37.	Amendments and waivers

 

37.1	Intercreditor Agreement

This Clause 37 is subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

37.2	Required consents

 

(a)

Subject to Clause 37.3 (Exceptions) and paragraphs (b) and (d) below, any term of the Finance Documents (other than the Mandate Documents and the Fee Letters) may be amended or waived only with the consent of the Majority Lenders and the Parent and any such amendment or waiver will be binding on all Parties.

 

(b)

The Agent may effect, on behalf of any Finance Party:

 

(i)

any amendment or waiver or enter into any document or do any other act or thing permitted by this Clause 37 and any other provision of the Finance Documents; and

 

(ii)

pursuant to paragraph (a) of Clause 28.2 (Instructions), any amendment or waiver of, or in respect of, such matters as it determines to be of a minor technical or administrative nature or of a non-credit related nature or to correct a manifest error.

 

(c)

Without prejudice to the generality of paragraphs (c) and (d) of Clause 28.6 (Rights and discretions), the Agent may engage, pay for and rely on the services of lawyers in determining the consent level required for and effecting any amendment, waiver of consent under the Finance Documents.

 

(d)

Each Obligor agrees to any such amendment or waiver permitted by this Clause 37 which is agreed to by the Parent, including any amendment or waiver which would, but for this paragraph (d), require the consent of all of the Guarantors.

 

37.3	Exceptions

 

(a)

An amendment, consent or waiver that has the effect of changing or which relates to:

 

(i)

the definition of “Change of Control”, “Concession Expiry”, “Land Concession Termination” or “Majority Lenders” in Clause 1.1 (Definitions), Clause 9.1 (Definitions) and Schedule 11 (Definitions);

 

(ii)

an extension to the date of payment of any amount under the Finance Documents;

 

(iii)

a reduction in the Margin or a reduction in the amount of any payment of principal, interest, fees or commission payable;

 

(iv)

a change in currency of payment of any amount under the Finance Documents;

 

(v)

an increase in or an extension of any Commitment or the Total Commitments;

 

(vi)

a change to the Borrower;

 

(vii)

a change to the Guarantors, other than in accordance with Clause 27 (Changes to the Obligors);

 

(viii)

any provision which expressly requires the consent of all the Lenders;

 

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(ix)

Clause 2.3 (Finance Parties’ rights and obligations), Clause 8.1 (Illegality), Clause 9 (Mandatory prepayment) (save for an amendment, waiver or other exercise of any right, power or discretion in respect of Clause 10 (Restrictions)), Clause 25 (Changes to the Lenders), Clause 30 (Sharing among the Finance Parties), Clause 31.6 (Partial payments) or this Clause 37;

 

(x)

the nature or scope of the guarantee and indemnity granted under Clause 20 (Guarantee and indemnity);

 

(xi)

the nature or scope of the Charged Property or the manner in which the proceeds of enforcement of the Transaction Security are distributed (except in each case insofar as it relates to a sale or disposal of an asset which is the subject of the Transaction Security where such sale or disposal is expressly permitted under this Agreement or any other Finance Document);

 

(xii)

the release of any guarantee and indemnity granted under Clause 20 (Guarantee and indemnity) or of any Transaction Security unless permitted under this Agreement or any other Finance Document or relating to a sale or disposal or reorganisation of an asset which is the subject of the Transaction Security where such sale or disposal or reorganisation is expressly permitted under this Agreement or any other Finance Document;

 

(xiii)

any requirement that a cancellation of Commitments (in respect of any Facility) reduces the Commitments of the Lenders (in respect of such Facility) rateably;

 

(xiv)

a change to the governing law or jurisdiction provisions of any Finance Document;

 

(xv)

any amendment to the order of priority or subordination under the Intercreditor Agreement or the manner in which the proceeds of enforcement of the Transaction Security are to be distributed; or

 

(xvi)

any amendment to Clause 23.14,

shall not be made without the prior consent of all the Lenders.

 

(b)

The Transaction Security Documents may be amended, varied, waived or modified with the agreement of the relevant Obligor or Security Provider and the Common Security Agent (acting in accordance with the Intercreditor Agreement).

 

(c)

An amendment or waiver which relates to the rights or obligations of the Agent, the POA Agent, any Ancillary Lender or the Common Security Agent may not be effected without the consent of the Agent, the POA Agent, that Ancillary Lender or the Common Security Agent (as applicable).

 

(d)

Any amendment or waiver which:

 

(i)

relates only to the rights or obligations applicable to a particular class of Lender(s) or group of Lenders; and

 

(ii)

would not reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the rights or interests of Lenders in respect of another class or group of Lender(s),

may be made in accordance with this Clause 37 but as if references in this Clause 37 to the specified proportion of Lenders (including, for the avoidance of doubt, all the Lenders) whose consent would, but for this paragraph (d), be required for that amendment or waiver were to that proportion of the Lenders participating in forming part of that particular class.

 

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(e)

An amendment, consent or waiver which relates to a prepayment to a Lender which is required under Clause 8.1 (Illegality) or paragraph (a) of Clause 9.2 (Change of Control, Concession-Related Mandatory Prepayment Event and Disposal Prepayment Event) shall only require the consent of the Borrower and the Lender to which that amount has become payable under such provision.

 

37.4	Disenfranchisement of Conflicted Lenders, Defaulting Lenders and Non-Responding Lenders

 

(a)

In ascertaining the Majority Lenders or whether any given percentage (including, for the avoidance of doubt, unanimity) of the Total Commitments or Total Revolving Credit Facility Commitments and/or participations in the Facility A Loan has been obtained to approve any request for a consent, waiver, amendment or other vote under the Finance Documents, the Commitments and participations of any Conflicted Lender, any Defaulting Lender or any Non-Responding Lender will be deemed to be zero and its status as a Lender ignored.

 

(b)

For the purposes of this Clause 37.4, the Agent may assume that the following Lenders are Conflicted Lenders or Defaulting Lenders (as applicable):

 

(i)

any Lender which has notified the Agent that it has become a Conflicted Lender or Defaulting Lender;

 

(ii)

any Lender in relation to which it is aware that any of the events or circumstances referred to in paragraphs (a), (b) or (c) of the definition of “Defaulting Lender”,

unless it has received notice to the contrary from the Lender concerned (together with any supporting evidence reasonably requested by the Agent) or the Agent is otherwise aware that the Lender has ceased to be a Conflicted Lender or a Defaulting Lender.

 

37.5	Replaceable Lenders

Subject to clause 3.2 (Rolled Loan – restrictions) of the Intercreditor Agreement, if at any time a Lender has become and continues to be a Replaceable Lender, the Borrower may by giving 10 Business Days’ prior written notice to the Agent and such Lender:

 

(a)

replace such Lender by requiring such Lender to (and, to the extent permitted by law, such Lender shall) transfer pursuant to Clause 25 (Changes to the Lenders) all (and not part only) of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to a Lender or other bank, financial institution, trust, fund or other entity (other than a member of the Group) (a “Replacement Lender”) selected by the Borrower which confirms its willingness to assume and does assume all the obligations or all the relevant obligations of the transferring Lender in accordance with Clause 25 (Changes to the Lenders) (including the assumption of the transferring Lender’s participations or unfunded participations (as the case may be) on the same basis as the transferring Lender) for a purchase price in cash payable at the time of transfer in an amount equal to the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s participation in the outstanding Utilisations and all accrued interest and Break Costs and other amounts payable in relation thereto under the Finance Documents (without other premium or penalty); or

 

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(b)

(in the case of any Replaceable Lender other than an Illegal Lender) give the Agent notice of the cancellation of the Commitment(s) of that Replaceable Lender and its intention to procure the prepayment of that Replaceable Lender’s participation in the Revolving Facility Loan(s) (a “Cancellation Notice”) subject to the payment of any fees, costs, expenses then due and payable under the Finance Documents to that Replaceable Lender, provided that such Cancellation Notice is note delivered to the Agent later than 60 days after the date on which the Borrower first became aware that such Lender become a Replaceable Lender.

 

37.6	Conditions of replacement of a Replaceable Lender

 

(a)

Any transfer of rights and obligations of a Replaceable Lender pursuant to paragraph (a) of Clause 37.5 (Replaceable Lenders) shall be subject to the following conditions:

 

(i)

the Borrower shall have no right to replace the Agent, Common Security Agent or the POA Agent;

 

(ii)

neither the Agent nor the Replaceable Lender shall have any obligation to the Borrower to find a Replacement Lender;

 

(iii)

the transfer must take place no later than 60 days after the date on which the Borrower first became aware that such Lender become a Replaceable Lender;

 

(iv)

in no event shall the Replaceable Lender be required to pay or surrender to the Replacement Lender any of the fees received by such Replaceable Lender pursuant to the Finance Documents;

 

(v)

the Replaceable Lender shall only be obliged to transfer its rights and obligations pursuant to paragraph (a) of Clause 37.5 (Replaceable Lenders) once it is satisfied that it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations in relation to that transfer to the Replacement Lender.

 

(b)

The Replaceable Lender shall perform the checks described in paragraph (a)(v) above as soon as reasonably practicable following delivery of a notice referred to in paragraph (a) of Clause 37.5 (Replaceable Lenders) and shall notify the Agent and the Borrower when it is satisfied that it has complied with those checks.

 

37.7	Cancellation and repayment of a Replaceable Lender (other than an Illegal Lender)

In the case where the Borrower gives a Cancellation Notice in respect of a Replacement Lender pursuant to paragraph (b) of Clause 37.5 (Replaceable Lenders):

 

(a)

upon such Cancellation Notice becoming effective (as specified in such Cancellation Notice), the Commitment of that Replaceable Lender in respect of each Facility shall immediately be reduced to zero, provided that the Total Commitments may (at the Borrower’s option) be simultaneously with or subsequent to that cancellation be increased in accordance with Clause 2.2 (Increase); and

 

(b)

to the extent that such Replaceable Lender’s participation in a Utilisation has not been transferred pursuant to paragraph (a) of Clause 37.5 (Replaceable Lenders), the Borrower shall, on the last day of the first Interest Period (relating to such Revolving Facility Loan(s)) which ends after the Borrower delivered such Cancellation Notice (or, if earlier, the date specified by the Borrower in that Cancellation Notice) repay that Replaceable Lender’s participation in such Revolving Facility Loan(s) together with all interest thereon and other amounts accrued under the Finance Documents in relation thereto (together with Break Costs and other amounts payable),

provided that any such repayment may only be funded with amounts that could, at the time of such repayment (and on a pro forma basis as if such payment were a Restricted Payment), be paid as a Restricted Payment in accordance with Section 2 (Limitation on Restricted Payments) of Schedule 10 (Covenants) pursuant to Clause 23.1 (Notes covenants).

 

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38.	Disclosure of information

 

38.1	Confidential Information

Each Finance Party agrees to keep all Confidential Information confidential and not to disclose it to anyone, save to the extent permitted by Clause 38.2 (Disclosure of Confidential Information), and to ensure that all Confidential Information is protected with security measures and a degree of care that would apply to its own confidential information.

 

38.2	Disclosure of Confidential Information

Any Finance Party may disclose:

 

(a)

to any of its Affiliates, head office and any other branch and Related Funds and any of its or their officers, directors, employees, professional advisers, Representatives and (unless it relates to any Services and Right to Use Agreement Confidential Information) auditors such Confidential Information as that Finance Party shall consider appropriate if any person to whom the Confidential Information is to be given pursuant to this paragraph (a) is informed in writing of (x) its confidential nature and that some or all of such Confidential Information may be price-sensitive information except that there shall be no such requirement to so inform if the recipient is subject to professional obligations to maintain the confidentiality of the information or is otherwise bound by requirements of confidentiality in relation to the Confidential Information and (y) in the case of any Services and Right to Use Agreement Confidential Information, that the Borrower Group is subject to a duty of confidentiality to the government and/or the relevant public regulatory authorities of the Macau SAR;

 

(b)

to any person:

 

(i)

to (or through) whom it assigns or transfers (or may potentially assign or transfer) all or any of its rights and/or obligations under one or more Finance Documents or succeeds (or which may potentially succeed) it as Agent or Common Security Agent or POA Agent, and in each case, to any of that person’s Affiliates, head office and any other branch, Related Funds, Representatives and professional advisers;

 

(ii)

with (or through) whom it enters into (or may potentially enter into), whether directly or indirectly, any sub-participation in relation to, or any other transaction under which payments are to be made or may be made by reference to, one or more Finance Documents and/or one or more Obligors and to any of that person’s Affiliates, Related Funds, representatives and professional advisers;

 

(iii)

appointed by any Finance Party or by a person to whom sub paragraph (i) or (ii) above applies to receive communications, notices, information or documents delivered pursuant to the Finance Documents on its behalf (including, without limitation, any person appointed under paragraph (c) of Clause 28.14 (Relationship with the Lenders));

 

(iv)

who invests in or otherwise finances (or may potentially invest in or otherwise finance), directly or indirectly, any transaction referred to in paragraph (i) or (ii) above;

 

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(v)

to whom information is required or requested to be disclosed by any court of competent jurisdiction or any governmental, banking, taxation or other regulatory authority or similar body, the rules of any relevant stock exchange or pursuant to any applicable law or regulation;

 

(vi)

to whom information is required to be disclosed in connection with, and for the purposes of, any litigation, arbitration, administrative or other investigations, proceedings or disputes;

 

(vii)

to whom or for whose benefit that Finance Party charges, assigns or otherwise creates Security (or may do so) pursuant to Clause 25.8 (Security interests over Lenders’ rights);

 

(viii)

who is a Party; or

 

(ix)

with the prior written consent of the Borrower,

in each case, such Confidential Information as that Finance Party shall consider appropriate if:

 

(A)

in relation to paragraphs (b)(i), (ii) and (iii) above, the person to whom the Confidential Information is to be given has entered into a Confidentiality Undertaking except that there shall be no requirement for a Confidentiality Undertaking if the recipient is a professional adviser and is subject to professional obligations to maintain the confidentiality of the Confidential Information;

 

(B)

in relation to paragraph (b)(iv) above, the person to whom the Confidential Information is to be given has entered into a Confidentiality Undertaking or is otherwise bound by requirements of confidentiality in relation to the Confidential Information they receive and is informed that some or all of such Confidential Information may be price-sensitive information;

 

(C)

in relation to paragraphs (b)(v), (vi) and (vii) above, the person to whom the Confidential Information is to be given is informed of its confidential nature and that some or all of such Confidential Information may be price-sensitive information except that there shall be no requirement to so inform if, in the opinion of that Finance Party, it is not practicable so to do in the circumstances;

 

(c)

to any person appointed by that Finance Party or by a person to whom paragraph (b)(i) or (ii) above applies to provide administration or settlement services in respect of one or more of the Finance Documents including without limitation, in relation to the trading of participations in respect of the Finance Documents, such Confidential Information as may be required to be disclosed to enable such service provider to provide any of the services referred to in this paragraph (c) if the service provider to whom the Confidential Information is to be given has entered into a confidentiality agreement substantially in the form of the LMA Master Confidentiality Undertaking for Use With Administration/Settlement Service Providers or such other form of confidentiality undertaking agreed between the Borrower and the relevant Finance Party;

 

(d)

to any rating agency (including its professional advisers) such Confidential Information as may be required to be disclosed to enable such rating agency to carry out its normal rating activities in relation to the Finance Documents and/or the Obligors if the rating agency to whom the Confidential Information is to be given is informed of (x) its confidential nature and that some or all of such Confidential Information may be price-sensitive information and (y) in the case of any Services and Right to Use Agreement Confidential Information, that the Group is subject to a duty of confidentiality to the government and/or the relevant public regulatory authorities of the Macau SAR; and

 

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(e)

to the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (“ISDA”) or any Credit Derivatives Determination Committee or sub-committee of ISDA where such disclosure is required by them in order to determine whether the obligations under the Finance Documents will be, or in order for the obligations under the Finance Documents to become, deliverable under a credit derivative transaction or other credit linked transaction which incorporates the 2009 ISDA Credit Derivatives Determinations Committees and Auction Settlement Supplement or other provisions substantially equivalent thereto if ISDA is informed of (x) its confidential nature and that some or all of such Confidential Information may be price-sensitive information and (y) in the case of any Services and Right to Use Agreement Confidential Information, that the Borrower Group is subject to a duty of confidentiality to the government and/or the relevant public regulatory authorities of the Macau SAR.

 

38.3	Disclosure to numbering service providers

 

(a)

Any Finance Party may disclose to any national or international numbering service provider appointed by that Finance Party to provide identification numbering services in respect of this Agreement, the Facilities and/or one or more Obligors the following information:

 

(i)

names of Obligors;

 

(ii)

country of domicile of Obligors;

 

(iii)

place of incorporation of Obligors;

 

(iv)

date of this Agreement;

 

(v)

Clause 41 (Governing Law):

 

(vi)

the name of the Agent;

 

(vii)

date of each amendment and restatement of this Agreement;

 

(viii)

amounts of, and names of, the Facilities (and any tranches):

 

(ix)

amount of Total Commitments;

 

(x)

currencies of the Facilities;

 

(xi)

type of Facilities;

 

(xii)

ranking of Facilities;

 

(xiii)

Termination Date for Facilities;

 

(xiv)

changes to any of the information previously supplied pursuant to paragraphs (i) to (xiii) above; and

 

(xv)

such other information agreed between such Finance Party and the Borrower,

to enable such numbering service provider to provide its usual syndicated loan numbering identification services.

 

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(b)

The Parties acknowledge and agree that each identification number assigned to this Agreement, the Facilities and/or one or more Obligors by a numbering service provider and the information associated with each such number may be disclosed to users of its services in accordance with the standard terms and conditions of that numbering service provider.

 

(c)

The Borrower represents that none of the information set out in paragraphs (i) to (xv) of paragraph (a) above is, nor will at any time be, unpublished price-sensitive information.

 

(d)

The Agent shall notify the Borrower and the other Finance Parties of:

 

(i)

the name of any numbering service provider appointed by the Agent in respect of this Agreement, the Facilities and/or one or more Obligors; and

 

(ii)

the number or, as the case may be, numbers assigned to this Agreement, the Facilities and/or one or more Obligors by such numbering service provider.

 

38.4	Entire agreement

This Clause 38 constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties in relation to the obligations of the Finance Parties under the Finance Documents regarding Confidential Information and supersedes any previous agreement, whether express or implied, regarding Confidential Information.

 

38.5	Inside information

Each of the Finance Parties acknowledges that some or all of the Confidential Information is or may be price-sensitive information and that the use of such information may be regulated or prohibited by applicable legislation including securities law relating to insider dealing and market abuse and each of the Finance Parties undertakes not to use any Confidential Information for any unlawful purpose.

 

38.6	Notification of disclosure

Each of the Finance Parties agrees (to the extent permitted by law and regulation) to inform the Borrower:

 

(a)

of the circumstances of any disclosure of Confidential Information made pursuant to paragraph (b)(v) of Clause 38.2 (Disclosure of Confidential Information) except where such disclosure is made to any of the persons referred to in that paragraph during the ordinary course of its supervisory or regulatory function; and

 

(b)

upon becoming aware that Confidential Information has been disclosed in breach of this Clause 38.

 

38.7	Continuing obligations

The obligations in this Clause 38 are continuing and, in particular, shall survive and remain binding on each Finance Party for a period of twelve months from the earlier of:

 

(a)

the date on which all amounts payable by the Obligors under or in connection with the Finance Documents have been paid in full and all Commitments have been cancelled or otherwise cease to be available; and

 

(b)

the date on which such Finance Party otherwise ceases to be a Finance Party.

 

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38.8	Tax Disclosure

Notwithstanding any of the provisions of the Finance Documents, the Obligors and the Finance Parties hereby agree that each Party and each employee, representative or other agent of each Party may disclose to any and all persons, without limitation of any kind, the “tax structure” and “tax treatment” (in each case within the meaning of the U.S. Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-4) of the Facility and any materials of any kind (including opinions or other tax analyses) that are provided to any of the foregoing relating to such tax structure and tax treatment to the extent, but only to the extent, necessary for the transaction to avoid being considered a confidential transaction for purposes of U.S. Treasury Regulation section 1.6011-4(b)(3).

 

39.	Counterparts

Each Finance Document may be executed in any number of counterparts, and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of the Finance Document.

 

40.	USA Patriot Act

Each Lender hereby notifies each Obligor that pursuant to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act, such Lender is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies such Obligor, which information includes the name and address of such Obligor and other information that will allow such Lender to identify such Obligor in accordance with the USA Patriot Act.

 

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SECTION 12

GOVERNING LAW AND ENFORCEMENT

 

41.	Governing law

 

41.1	Governing law

This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it are governed by English law.

 

41.2	Schedule 10 (Covenants) and Schedule 11 (Definitions)

Without prejudice to Clause 41.1 (Governing law), the Parties agree that Schedule 10 (Covenants) and Schedule 11 (Definitions) shall be construed in accordance with New York law.

 

42.	Enforcement

 

42.1	Jurisdiction of English courts

 

(a)

The courts of England have non-exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement (including a dispute regarding the existence, validity or termination of this Agreement or any non-contractual obligation arising out of or in connection with this Agreement) (a “Dispute”).

 

(b)

The Parties agree that the courts of England are the most appropriate and convenient courts to settle Disputes and accordingly no Party will argue to the contrary.

 

(c)

This Clause 42.1 is for the benefit of the Finance Parties and Secured Parties only. As a result, no Finance Party or Secured Party shall be prevented from taking proceedings relating to a Dispute in any other courts with jurisdiction. To the extent allowed by law, the Finance Parties and Secured Parties may take concurrent proceedings in any number of jurisdictions.

 

42.2	Service of process

 

(a)

Without prejudice to any other mode of service allowed under any relevant law, each Obligor:

 

(i)

irrevocably appoints Law Debenture Corporate Service Limited as its agent for service of process in relation to any proceedings before the English courts in connection with any Finance Document; and

 

(ii)

agrees that failure by an agent for service of process to notify the relevant Obligor of the process will not invalidate the proceedings concerned.

 

(b)

If any person appointed as an agent for service of process is unable for any reason to act as agent for service of process, the Borrower (on behalf of all the Obligors) must immediately (and in any event within three (3) Business Days of such event taking place) appoint another agent on terms acceptable to the Agent. Failing this, the Agent may appoint another agent for this purpose.

This Agreement has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this Agreement.

 

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Schedule 1

Original Parties

Part 1

Original Facility A Lender

 

Name of Original Facility A Lender		Facility A Participation (HK$)
Bank of China Limited, Macau Branch			1,000,000
Total			1,000,000

Part 2

Original Revolving Facility Lender

 

Name of Original Revolving Facility Lender		Revolving Facility Commitment (HK$)
Bank of China Limited, Macau Branch			233,000,000
Total			233,000,000

 

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Part 3

Original Guarantors

 

Original Guarantor		Jurisdiction of incorporation		Registration Number (or equivalent)
Studio City Investments Limited		British Virgin Islands			1673083
Studio City Holdings Two Limited		British Virgin Islands			402572
Studio City Holdings Three Limited		British Virgin Islands			1746781
Studio City Holdings Four Limited		British Virgin Islands			1746782
SCP Holdings Limited		British Virgin Islands			1697577
SCP One Limited		British Virgin Islands			1697795
SCP Two Limited		British Virgin Islands			1697797
SCIP Holdings Limited		British Virgin Islands			1789810
Studio City Entertainment Limited		Macau SAR			27610
Studio City Services Limited		Macau SAR			40053
Studio City Hotels Limited		Macau SAR			41334
Studio City Hospitality and Services Limited		Macau SAR			40168
Studio City Developments Limited		Macau SAR			14311
Studio City Retail Services Limited		Macau SAR			45208

 

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Schedule 2

Conditions precedent required to be delivered by an Additional Guarantor

 

1.	An Accession Letter executed by the Additional Guarantor and the Borrower.

 

2.	A copy of the Constitutional Documents of the Additional Guarantor.

 

3.

In the case of any Additional Guarantor who is a US Person, a copy of a good standing certificate (including verification of tax status) or equivalent with respect to the Additional Guarantor, issued as of a recent date by the Secretary of State or other relevant State or other Governmental Authority.

 

4.	A copy of a resolution of the board of directors or sole director of the Additional Guarantor:

 

(a)

approving the terms of, and the transactions contemplated by, the Accession Letter and the Transaction Documents to which it is a party and resolving that it execute, deliver and perform the Accession Letter and any other Transaction Documents to which it is a party;

 

(b)

authorising a specified person or persons to execute the Accession Letter and other Transaction Documents on its behalf; and

 

(c)

authorising the Borrower to act as its agent in connection with the Finance Documents.

 

5.	A specimen of the signature of each person authorised by the resolution referred to in paragraph 4 above.

 

6.	A copy of a resolution signed by all the holders of the issued shares in each Additional Guarantor, approving the terms of, and the transactions contemplated by, the Transaction Documents to which it is a party.

 

7.

A certificate of the Additional Guarantor (signed by a director) confirming that borrowing or guaranteeing or securing, as appropriate, the Total Commitments or the entry into or performance under any of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party would not cause any borrowing, guarantee, security or similar limit or any other Legal Requirement binding on it to be exceeded.

 

8.

A certificate of an authorised signatory of the Additional Guarantor certifying that each document, copy document and other evidence listed in this Schedule 2 is correct, complete and in full force and effect and has not been amended or superseded as at a date no earlier than the date of the Accession Letter.

 

9.	The following legal opinions:

 

(a)

A legal opinion of the legal advisers to the Agent and the Common Security Agent, as to English law.

 

(b)

If the Additional Guarantor is incorporated in a jurisdiction other than England and Wales or is executing a Finance Document which is governed by a law other than English law, a legal opinion of the legal advisers to the Agent and the Common Security Agent in each of those jurisdictions.

 

10.	Evidence that the agent for service of process specified in Clause 42.2 (Service of process) has accepted its appointment in relation to the proposed Additional Guarantor.

 

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11.	Any Transaction Security Documents which are required by the Agent to be executed by the proposed Additional Guarantor (and which are in form and substance substantially equivalent to those entered into by the existing Obligors).

 

12.	Any notices, requests for undertakings or other documents required to be given or executed under the terms of those Transaction Security Documents, together with, where relevant, their due acknowledgement and agreement by the addressee or any other person expressed to be a party thereto.

 

13.

Evidence that promptly after the execution of any Transaction Security Document by a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands (a “BVI Company”), such BVI Company has instructed (i) its registered agent in the British Virgin Islands to create and maintain a Register of Charges that complies with the BVI Business Companies Act (as amended) (the “BBCA”), (ii) to enter particulars of the security created pursuant to such Transaction Security Document in such Register of Charges, and (iii) its registered agent to effect registration of such Transaction Security Document at the Registry pursuant to Section 163 of the BBCA.

 

14.

Evidence that within 10 Business Days after the date of execution of any relevant Transaction Security Documents relating to shares in a BVI Company, (i) a notation of the security created by such Transaction Security Document has been made in the relevant Register of Members of such BVI Company pursuant to section 66(8) of the BBCA and (ii) a copy of such annotated Register of Members has been filed with the Registry.

 

15.	A certified copy of each of the Registers of Members referred to and as annotated as set out in paragraph 14 above.

 

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Schedule 3

Requests and notices

Part 1

Utilisation Request

Revolving Facility

 

From: Studio City Company Limited as Borrower

To:   [Agent]

Date:

Dear Sirs

Studio City Company Limited—Facilities Agreement originally dated 28 January 2013 (as amended and amended and restated from time to time) (the “Facilities Agreement”)

 

1.	We refer to the Facilities Agreement. This is a Utilisation Request. Terms defined in the Facilities Agreement have the same meaning in this Utilisation Request unless given a different meaning in this Utilisation Request.

 

2.	We wish to borrow a Revolving Facility Loan on the following terms:

 

		Proposed Utilisation Date:		[●]
				(or, if that is not a Business Day, the next Business Day)
		Currency of Loan:		HK dollars
		Amount:		[●] or, if less, the Available Facility
		Interest Period:		[●]
		Purpose:		[●]

 

3.	We confirm that:

 

(a)

the purpose specified above complies with the permitted use of the Revolving Facility under the Facilities Agreement and the restrictions set out in of Clause 5.5 (Limitations on Utilisations) of the Facilities Agreement and no part of the Loan will be applied otherwise than in accordance with such purpose; and

 

(b)

each condition specified in Clause 4.1 (Utilisation conditions precedent) is satisfied on the date of this Utilisation Request.

 

4.	[This Revolving Facility Loan is to be made in [whole]/[part] for the purpose of refinancing [identify maturing Revolving Facility Loan].]/[The proceeds of this Loan should be credited to [account]].

 

5.	This Utilisation Request is irrevocable.

Yours faithfully

 

 

authorised signatory

for and on behalf of

Studio City Company Limited

 

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Part 2

Selection Notice

From: Studio City Company Limited as Borrower

To:   [Agent]

Date:

Dear Sirs

Studio City Company Limited—Facilities Agreement originally dated 28 January 2013 (as amended and amended and restated from time to time) (the “Facilities Agreement”)

 

1.	We refer to the Facilities Agreement. This is a Selection Notice. Terms defined in the Facilities Agreement have the same meaning in this Selection Notice unless given a different meaning in this Selection Notice.

 

2.	The current Interest Period for the Facility A Loan will end on [●].

 

3.	We request that the next Interest Period for the Facility A Loan is [●].

 

4.	This Selection Notice is irrevocable.

Yours faithfully

 

 

authorised signatory

for and on behalf of

Studio City Company Limited

 

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Schedule 4

Form of Transfer Certificate

 

To:		[●] as Agent and [●] as Intercreditor Agent
From:		[The Existing Lender] (the “Existing Lender”) and [The New Lender] (the “New Lender”)
Dated:

Dear Sirs

Studio City Company Limited—Facilities Agreement originally dated 28 January 2013 (as amended and amended and restated from time to time) (the “Facilities Agreement”)

 

1.

We refer to the Facilities Agreement and to the Intercreditor Agreement (as defined in the Facilities Agreement). This agreement (the “Agreement”) shall take effect as a Transfer Certificate for the purpose of the Facilities Agreement and as a Creditor/Creditor Representative Accession Undertaking for the purposes of the Intercreditor Agreement (and as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement). Terms defined in or construed for the purposes of the Facilities Agreement have the same meaning in this Agreement unless given a different meaning in this Agreement.

 

2.	We refer to Clause 25.5 (Procedure for transfer) of the Facilities Agreement:

 

(a)

The Existing Lender and the New Lender agree to the Existing Lender transferring to the New Lender by novation all or part of the Existing Lender’s Commitment(s) and/or all or part of the Existing Lender’s participation(s) in Loan(s), rights and obligations referred to in the Schedule in accordance with Clause 25.5 (Procedure for transfer).

 

(b)

The Existing Lender transfers to the New Lender all the rights of the Existing Lender under the Onshore Security Documents and in respect of the Transaction Security created or expressed to be created thereunder which correspond to that portion of the Existing Lender’s Commitment, rights and obligations referred to (if any) under the Onshore Security Documents in the Schedule.

 

(c)

The Existing Lender is released from all the obligations of the Existing Lender which correspond to that portion of the Existing Lender’s Commitment, rights and obligations referred to (if any) under the Onshore Security Documents in the Schedule.

 

(d)

The proposed Transfer Date is [●].

 

(e)

The Facility Office and address, fax number and attention details for notices of the New Lender for the purposes of Clause 33.2 (Addresses) are set out in the Schedule.

 

3.	The New Lender expressly acknowledges:

 

(a)

the limitations on the Existing Lender’s obligations set out in paragraph (c) of Clause 25.4 (Limitation of responsibility of Existing Lenders); and

 

(b)

that it is the responsibility of the New Lender to ascertain whether any document is required or any formality or other condition requires to be satisfied to effect or perfect the transfer contemplated by this Transfer Certificate or otherwise to enable the New Lender to enjoy the full benefit of each Finance Document.

 

4.	The New Lender confirms that it is a “New Lender” within the meaning of Clause 25.1 (Assignments and transfers by the Lenders).

 

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5.	The New Lender confirms that it [is]/[is not] a Sponsor Affiliate.

 

6.	We refer to clauses 25.5 (Change of Credit Facility Lender or Pari Passu Lender under an Existing Credit Facility or Pari Passu Facility) and 25.14 (Creditor/Creditor Representative Accession Undertaking) of the Intercreditor Agreement:

In consideration of the New Lender being accepted as a Credit Facility Lender (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement) for the purposes of the Intercreditor Agreement, the Increase Lender confirms that, as from the Increase Date, it intends to be party to the Intercreditor Agreement as a Credit Facility Lender and undertakes to perform all the obligations expressed in the Intercreditor Agreement to be assumed by a Credit Facility Lender and agrees that it shall be bound by all the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement, as if it had been an original party to the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

7.	This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and this has the same effect as if the signatures on such counterparts were on a single copy of this Agreement.

 

8.	This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it are governed by the laws of England and Wales.

The execution of this Transfer Certificate may not entitle the New Lender to a proportionate share of the Transaction Security in all jurisdictions. It is the responsibility of the New Lender to ascertain whether any other documents or other formalities are required in any jurisdiction and, if so, to arrange for execution of those documents and completion of those formalities.

 

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THE SCHEDULE

Commitment/rights and obligations to be transferred

[insert relevant details]

[Facility Office address, fax number and attention details for notices and account details for payments,]

 

[Existing Lender]		[New Lender]
By:		By:

This Agreement is accepted as a Transfer Certificate for the purposes of the Facilities Agreement by the Agent and as a Creditor/Agent Accession Undertaking for the purposes of and as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement by the Intercreditor Agent, and the Transfer Date is confirmed as [●].

Agent

 

By:

Intercreditor Agent

By:

Note:     It is the New Lender’s responsibility to ascertain whether any other document is required, or any formality or other condition is required to be satisfied, to effect or perfect the transfer contemplated in this Transfer Certificate or to give the New Lender full enjoyment of all the Finance Documents.

 

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Schedule 5

Form of Assignment Agreement and Lender Accession Undertaking

 

To:		[●] as Agent and [●] as Intercreditor Agent
From:		[The Existing Lender] (the “Existing Lender”) and [The New Lender] (the “New Lender”)
Dated:

Dear Sirs

Studio City Company Limited—Facilities Agreement originally dated 28 January 2013 (as amended and amended and restated from time to time) (the “Facilities Agreement”)

 

1.

We refer to the Facilities Agreement and to the Intercreditor Agreement (as defined in the Facilities Agreement). This is an Assignment Agreement and Lender Accession Undertaking. This agreement (the “Agreement”) shall take effect as an Assignment Agreement and Lender Accession Undertaking for the purpose of the Facilities Agreement and as a Creditor/Creditor Representative Accession Undertaking for the purposes of the Intercreditor Agreement (and as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement). Terms defined in or construed for the purposes of the Facilities Agreement have the same meaning in this Agreement unless given a different meaning in this Agreement.

 

(a)

We refer to Clause 25.6 (Procedure for assignment) of the Facilities Agreement.

 

(b)

The Existing Lender assigns absolutely to the New Lender all the rights of the Existing Lender under the Facilities Agreement, the other Finance Documents (excluding the Onshore Security Documents) and under the Onshore Security Documents and in respect of the Transaction Security created or expressed to be created thereunder which correspond to that portion of the Existing Lender’s Commitment(s) and/or all or part of the Existing Lender’s participation(s) in Loan(s) under the Facilities Agreement and its rights and obligations referred to (if any) under the Onshore Security Documents in the Schedule.

 

(c)

The Existing Lender is released from all the obligations of the Existing Lender which correspond to that portion of the Existing Lender’s Commitment(s) and/or all or part of the Existing Lender’s participation(s) in Loan(s) under the Facilities Agreement and its rights and obligations referred to (if any) under the Onshore Security Documents in the Schedule.

 

2.	The proposed Transfer Date is [●].

 

3.	On the Transfer Date the New Lender becomes:

 

(a)

party to the relevant Finance Documents (other than the Intercreditor Agreement) as a Lender; and

 

(b)

party to the Intercreditor Agreement as a Credit Facility Lender.

 

4.	The New Lender expressly acknowledges the limitations on the Existing Lender’s obligations set out in paragraph (c) of Clause 25.4 (Limitation of responsibility of Existing Lenders).

 

5.	The Facility Office and address, fax number and attention details for notices of the New Lender for the purposes of Clause 33.2 (Addresses) are set out in the Schedule.

 

6.	The New Lender confirms that it [is]/[is not] a Sponsor Affiliate.

 

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7.	We refer to clauses 25.5 (Change of Credit Facility Lender or Pari Passu Lender under an Existing Credit Facility or Pari Passu Facility) and 25.14 (Creditor/Creditor Representative Accession Undertaking) of the Intercreditor Agreement:

In consideration of the New Lender being accepted as a Credit Facility Lender (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement) for the purposes of the Intercreditor Agreement, the Increase Lender confirms that, as from the Increase Date, it intends to be party to the Intercreditor Agreement as a Credit Facility Lender and undertakes to perform all the obligations expressed in the Intercreditor Agreement to be assumed by a Credit Facility Lender and agrees that it shall be bound by all the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement, as if it had been an original party to the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

8.

This Agreement acts as notice to the Agent (on behalf of each Finance Party) and, upon delivery to the Borrower and the Parent in accordance with Clause 25.7 (Copy of assignments, transfer and accession documents to the Borrower and Parent), to the Borrower and to the Parent (for itself and for and on behalf of each other Obligor) of the assignment referred to in this Agreement.

 

9.	This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of this Agreement.

 

10.	This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it are governed by the laws of England and Wales.

The execution of this Assignment Agreement and Lender Accession Undertaking may not entitle the New Lender to a proportionate share of the Transaction Security in all jurisdictions. It is the responsibility of the New Lender to ascertain whether any other documents or other formalities are required in any jurisdiction and, if so, to arrange for execution of those documents and completion of those formalities.

 

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THE SCHEDULE

Commitment/rights and obligations to be transferred by assignment, release and accession

[insert relevant details]

[Facility office address, fax number and attention details for notices and account details for payments]

 

[Existing Lender]		[New Lender]
By:		By:

This Agreement is accepted as an Assignment Agreement and Lender Accession Undertaking for the purposes of the Facilities Agreement by the Agent and as a Creditor/Agent Accession Undertaking for the purposes of and as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement by the Intercreditor Agent, and the Transfer Date is confirmed as [●].

Signature of this Agreement by the Agent constitutes confirmation by the Agent of receipt of notice of the assignment referred to herein, which notice the Agent receives on behalf of each Finance Party.

Agent

 

By:

Intercreditor Agent

By:

Note: It is the New Lender’s responsibility to ascertain whether any other document is required, or any formality or other condition is required to be satisfied, to effect or perfect the transfer contemplated in this Assignment Agreement and Lender Accession Undertaking or to give the New Lender full enjoyment of all the Finance Documents.

 

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Schedule 6

Form of Accession Letter

 

To:		[●] as Agent and [●] as Intercreditor Agent
From:		[Subsidiary] and Studio City Company Limited
Dated:

Dear Sirs

Studio City Company Limited—Facilities Agreement originally dated 28 January 2013 (as amended and amended and restated from time to time) (the “Facilities Agreement”)

 

1.

We refer to the Facilities Agreement and to the Intercreditor Agreement (as defined in the Facilities Agreement). This deed (the “Accession Deed”) shall take effect as an Accession Letter for the purpose of the Facilities Agreement and as a Debtor Accession Deed for the purposes of the Intercreditor Agreement (and as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement). Terms defined in the Facilities Agreement have the same meaning in paragraphs 1 to 4 of this Accession Deed unless given a different meaning in this Accession Deed.

 

2.

[Subsidiary] agrees to become an Additional Guarantor and to be bound by the terms of the Facilities Agreement and the other Finance Documents (other than the Intercreditor Agreement) as an Additional Guarantor pursuant to Clause 27.2 (Additional Guarantors) of the Facilities Agreement. [Subsidiary] is a company duly incorporated under the laws of [name of relevant jurisdiction] and is a limited liability company with registered number [●].

 

3.	[Subsidiary’s] administrative details are as follows:

Address:

Fax No.:

Attention

 

4.	The Borrower and the Subsidiary make the Repeating Representations to the Finance Parties on the date of this Accession Deed.

 

5.	[Subsidiary] (for the purposes of this paragraph 5, the “Acceding Debtor”) intends to give a guarantee, indemnity or other assurance against loss in respect of liabilities under the following documents:

[Insert details (date, parties and description) of relevant documents]

the “Relevant Documents”.

It is agreed as follows:

 

(a)

Terms defined in the Intercreditor Agreement shall, unless otherwise defined in this Agreement, bear the same meaning when used in this paragraph 5.

 

(b)

The Acceding Debtor and the Common Security Agent agree that the Common Security Agent shall hold:

 

(i)

[any Security in respect of Liabilities created or expressed to be created pursuant to the Relevant Documents;

 

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(ii)

all proceeds of that Security; and]*

 

(iii)

all obligations expressed to be undertaken by the Acceding Debtor to pay amounts in respect of the Liabilities to the Common Security Agent as trustee for the Secured Parties (in the Relevant Documents or otherwise) and secured by the Transaction Security together with all representations and warranties expressed to be given by the Acceding Debtor (in the Relevant Documents or otherwise) in favour of the Common Security Agent as trustee for the Secured Parties,

on trust for the Secured Parties on the terms and conditions contained in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

(c)

The Acceding Debtor confirms that it intends to be party to the Intercreditor Agreement as a Debtor, undertakes to perform all the obligations expressed to be assumed by a Debtor under the Intercreditor Agreement and agrees that it shall be bound by all the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement as if it had been an original party to the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

(d)

[In consideration of the Acceding Debtor being accepted as an Intra-Group Lender for the purposes of the Intercreditor Agreement, the Acceding Debtor also confirms that it intends to be party to the Intercreditor Agreement as an Intra-Group Lender, and undertakes to perform all the obligations expressed in the Intercreditor Agreement to be assumed by an Intra-Group Lender and agrees that it shall be bound by all the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement, as if it had been an original party to the Intercreditor Agreement].**

 

6.	This Accession Deed and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it are governed by the laws of England and Wales.

This Accession Deed has been signed on behalf of the Intercreditor Agent and the Common Security Agent (each, for the purposes of paragraphs 5 and 6 above, only), signed by the Borrower and executed as a deed by [Subsidiary] and is delivered on the date stated above.

 

 

*	Include to the extent that the Security created in the Relevant Documents is expressed to be granted to the Security Agent as trustee for the Secured Parties.

**	Include this paragraph in the relevant Accession Deed if the Acceding Debtor is also to accede as an Intra-Group Lender to the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

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[Subsidiary]
[Executed as a Deed
By: [Full name of Subsidiary]
						Director
						Director/Secretary]
				or
[Executed as a Deed
By: [Full name of Subsidiary]
						Signature of Director
						Name of Director

 

In the presence of:

Signature of witness:

Name of witness:

Address of witness:

Occupation of witness]:

Address for notices:

Address:

Fax:

 

		141		Project Asgard (2020 A&R) – Amended and Restated Facilities Agreement

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Studio City Company Limited
By:
Date:
The Intercreditor Agent
[Full name of current Intercreditor Agent]
By:
Date:
The Common Security Agent
[Full name of current Common Security Agent]
By:
Date:

 

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Schedule 7

Form of Resignation Letter

 

To:		[●] as Agent and [●] as Intercreditor Agent
From:		[resigning Obligor] and Studio City Company Limited
Dated:

Dear Sirs

Studio City Company Limited—Facilities Agreement originally dated 28 January 2013 (as amended and amended and restated from time to time) (the “Facilities Agreement”)

 

1.	We refer to the Facilities Agreement. This is a Resignation Letter. Terms defined in or construed for the purposes of the Facilities Agreement have the same meaning in this Resignation Letter unless given a different meaning in this Resignation Letter.

 

2.	Pursuant to Clause 27.4 (Resignation of a Guarantor) of the Facilities Agreement, we request that [resigning Obligor] be released from its obligations as a Guarantor under the Facilities Agreement and the Finance Documents.

 

3.	We confirm that:

 

(a)

[such release is conditional upon repayment or prepayment in full of the Facilities and the payment of all other amounts then due and payable under the Finance Documents and the cancellation of all Commitments under the Finance Documents;]

 

(b)

[the Resigning Guarantor is being (or shares or equity interests in the Resigning Guarantor are being) disposed of (directly or indirectly) by way of a sale or disposal or reorganisation where such sale or disposal or reorganisation is expressly permitted under the Facilities Agreement or any other Finance Document in circumstances where the Resigning Guarantor will cease to be a Group Member;] [or]

 

(c)

[the Lenders have consented to the resignation of the Resigning Guarantor]; [or]

 

4.	We confirm that no Event of Default is continuing.

 

5.	This Resignation Letter and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it are governed by the laws of England and Wales.

 

Studio City Company Limited				[Resigning Obligor]
By:				By:
Date:				Date:

 

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Schedule 8

Forms of Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction Notice

Part 1

Form of Notice on Entering into Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction

 

To:		[●] as Agent
From:		[The Lender]
Dated:

Dear Sirs

Studio City Company Limited—Facilities Agreement originally dated 28 January 2013 (as amended and amended and restated from time to time) (the “Facilities Agreement”)

 

1.	We refer to paragraph (b) of Clause 26.2 (Disenfranchisement on Debt Purchase Transactions entered into by Sponsor Affiliates) of the Facilities Agreement. Terms defined in the Facilities Agreement have the same meaning in this notice unless given a different meaning in this notice.

 

2.	We have entered into a Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction.

 

3.	The Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction referred to in paragraph 2 above relates to the amount of our Commitment(s) as set out below.

 

Commitment		Amount of our Commitment to which Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction relates (HK$)
Revolving Facility Commitment		[insert amount of that Commitment to which the relevant Debt Purchase Transaction applies]

[Lender]

By:

 

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Part 2

Form of Notice on Termination of Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction/Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction Ceasing to be with Sponsor Affiliate

 

To:		[●] as Agent
From:		[The Lender]
Dated:

Dear Sirs

Studio City Company Limited—Facilities Agreement originally dated 28 January 2013 (as amended and amended and restated from time to time) (the “Facilities Agreement”)

 

1.	We refer to paragraph (b) of Clause 26.2 (Disenfranchisement on Debt Purchase Transactions entered into by Sponsor Affiliates) of the Facilities Agreement. Terms defined in the Facilities Agreement have the same meaning in this notice unless given a different meaning in this notice.

 

2.	A Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction which we entered into and which we notified you of in a notice dated [●] has [terminated]/[ceased to be with a Sponsor Affiliate].*

 

3.	The Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction referred to in paragraph 2 above relates to the amount of our Commitment(s) as set out below.

 

Commitment		Amount of our Commitment to which Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction relates (HK$)
Revolving Facility Commitment		[insert amount of that Commitment to which the relevant Debt Purchase Transaction applies]

[Lender]

By:

 

 

*	Delete as applicable

 

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Schedule 9

Form of Increase Confirmation

 

To:		[●] as Agent, [●] as Intercreditor Agent, Studio City Company Limited and Studio City Investments Limited (for and on behalf of itself and each other Obligor)
From:		[the Increase Lender] (the Increase Lender)
Dated:

Dear Sirs

Studio City Company Limited—Facilities Agreement originally dated 28 January 2013 (as amended and amended and restated from time to time) (the “Facilities Agreement”)

 

1.

We refer to the Facilities Agreement and to the Intercreditor Agreement (as defined in the Facilities Agreement). This agreement (the “Agreement”) shall take effect as an Increase Confirmation for the purpose of the Facilities Agreement and as a Creditor/Creditor Representative Accession Undertaking for the purposes of the Intercreditor Agreement (and as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement). Terms defined in or construed for the purposes of the Facilities Agreement have the same meaning in this Agreement unless given a different meaning in this Agreement.

 

2.	We refer to Clause 2.2 (Increase) of the Facilities Agreement.

 

3.	The Increase Lender agrees to assume and will assume all of the obligations corresponding to the Commitment specified in the Schedule (the “Relevant Commitment”) as if it was an Original Lender under the Facilities Agreement.

 

4.	The proposed date on which such assumption in relation to the Increase Lender and the Relevant Commitment is to take effect (the “Increase Date”) is [●].

 

5.	On the Increase Date, the Increase Lender becomes:

 

(a)

party to the Facilities Agreement as a Lender, and becomes a Lender for the purposes of the each other Finance Document; and

 

(b)

party to the Intercreditor Agreement as a Credit Facility Lender (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement).

 

6.	The Facility Office and address, fax number and attention details for notices to the Increase Lender for the purposes of Clause 33.2 (Addresses) of the Facilities Agreement are set out in the Schedule.

 

7.	The Increase Lender expressly acknowledges the limitations on the Lenders’ obligations referred to in paragraph (g) of Clause 2.2 (Increase)) of the Facilities Agreement.

 

8.	The Increase Lender confirms that it is not a Sponsor Affiliate.

 

9.	We refer to clauses 25.5 (Change of Credit Facility Lender or Pari Passu Lender under an Existing Credit Facility or Pari Passu Facility) and 25.14 (Creditor/Creditor Representative Accession Undertaking) of the Intercreditor Agreement:

In consideration of the Increase Lender being accepted as a Credit Facility Lender (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement) for the purposes of the Intercreditor Agreement, the Increase Lender confirms that, as from the Increase Date, it intends to be party to the Intercreditor Agreement as a Credit Facility Lender and undertakes to perform all the obligations expressed in the Intercreditor Agreement to be assumed by a Credit Facility Lender and agrees that it shall be bound by all the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement, as if it had been an original party to the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

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10.	This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and this has the same effect as if the signatures on such counterparts were on a single copy of this Agreement.

 

11.	This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it are governed by the laws of England and Wales.

 

12.	This Agreement has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this Agreement.

The execution of this Increase Confirmation may not be sufficient for the Increase Lender to obtain the benefit of the Transaction Security in all jurisdictions. It is the responsibility of the Increase Lender to ascertain whether any other documents or other formalities are required to obtain the benefit of the Transaction Security in any jurisdiction and, if so, to arrange for execution of those documents and completion of those formalities.

 

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SCHEDULE

Relevant Commitment/rights and obligations to be assumed by the Increase Lender

[insert relevant details]

[Facility office address, fax number and attention details for notices and account details for payments]

[Increase Lender]

By:

This Agreement is accepted as an Increase Confirmation for the purposes of the Facilities Agreement by the Agent and as a Creditor/Agent Accession Undertaking for the purposes of and as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement by the Intercreditor Agent, and the Increase Date is confirmed as [●].

Agent

 

By:

Intercreditor Agent

By:

 

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Schedule 10

Covenants

 

1.	Definitions and rules of construction

 

(a)

Terms used in this Schedule 10 shall, if not otherwise defined in this Schedule 10, have the meaning given to them in Schedule 11 (Definitions) and shall, if not otherwise defined in Schedule 11 (Definitions) have the meaning given to them elsewhere in this Agreement. References to a “Section” are to sections of this Schedule 10.

 

(b)

Each of the Parties acknowledges and agrees that the provisions of this Schedule 10 are not intended to (and shall not be construed so as to) permit any transaction, step, action or other matter that is otherwise prohibited by any other provisions of this Agreement.

 

(c)

Unless the context otherwise requires, in this Schedule 10:

 

(i)

a term has the meaning assigned to it;

 

(ii)

an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;

 

(iii)

“or” is not exclusive;

 

(iv)

words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;

 

(v)

“will” shall be interpreted to express a command;

 

(vi)

provisions apply to successive events and transactions; and

 

(vii)

references to sections of or rules under the Securities Act will be deemed to include substitute, replacement of successor sections or rules adopted by the SEC from time to time.

 

2.	Limitation on Restricted Payments

 

(a)

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:

 

(i)

declare or pay any dividend or make any other payment or distribution on account of the Company’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests (including, without limitation, any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) or to the direct or indirect holders of the Company’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests in their capacity as such (other than dividends or distributions payable in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company and other than dividends or distributions payable to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company);

 

(ii)

purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value (including, without limitation, in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company) any Equity Interests of the Company or any of its direct or indirect parents;

 

(iii)

make any payment on or with respect to, or purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor (excluding any intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), except a payment of interest or principal at the Stated Maturity thereof; or

 

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(iv)

make any Restricted Investment,

(all such payments and other actions set forth in clauses (i) through (iv) above being collectively referred to as “Restricted Payments”), unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment:

 

(A)

no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof;

 

(B)

the Company would, at the time of such Restricted Payment and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Restricted Payment had been made at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, have been permitted to Incur at least US$1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4(a) hereof; and

 

(C)

such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries since the Measurement Date (excluding Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (ii) through (xii) of Section 2(b) below), is less than the sum of:

 

(I)

75% of the EBITDA of the Company less 2.00 times Fixed Charges for the period (taken as one accounting period) from 1 January 2019 to the end of the Company’s most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment (or, if such EBITDA for such period is a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit); plus

 

(II)

100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds received by the Company since the Measurement Date as a contribution to its common equity capital or from the issue or sale of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company (in each case, other than in connection with any Excluded Contribution) or from the issue or sale of convertible or exchangeable Disqualified Stock or convertible or exchangeable debt securities of the Company that have been converted into or exchanged for such Equity Interests (other than Equity Interests (or Disqualified Stock or debt securities) sold to a Subsidiary of the Company); plus

 

(III)

to the extent that any Restricted Investment that was made after the Measurement Date (x) is reduced as a result of payments of dividends to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or (y) is sold for cash or otherwise liquidated or repaid for cash, (in the case of sub-clauses (x) and (y)) the lesser of (i) the cash return of capital with respect to such Restricted Investment (less the cost of disposition, if any) and (ii) the initial amount of such Restricted Investment or (z) is reduced upon the release of the guarantees under this Agreement granted by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that constituted a Restricted Investment, to the extent that the initial granting of such guarantee reduced the restricted payments capacity under this clause (C); plus

 

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(IV)

to the extent that any Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company designated as such after the Measurement Date is re-designated as a Restricted Subsidiary after the Measurement Date, the lesser of (i) the Fair Market Value of the Company’s Restricted Investment in such Subsidiary as of the date of such re-designation or (ii) the Fair Market Value of the net aggregate Investments made by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in such Unrestricted Subsidiary from the date such entity was originally designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary through the date of such re-designation; plus

 

(V)

100% of the aggregate amount received from the sale of the stock of any Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company after the Measurement Date or 100% of any dividends received by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company after the Measurement Date from an Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company; less

 

(VI)

any amount paid by the Company pursuant to paragraph (b) of Clause 37.7 (Cancellation and repayment of a Replaceable Lender (other than an Illegal Lender)) of this Agreement.

 

(b)

The provisions of Section 2(a) above will not prohibit:

 

(i)

the payment of any dividend or the consummation of any irrevocable redemption within 60 days after the date of declaration of the dividend or giving of the redemption notice, as the case may be, if at the date of declaration or notice, the dividend or redemption payment would have complied with the provisions of this Agreement;

 

(ii)

the making of any Restricted Payment in exchange for, or out of the net cash proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company) of, Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or from the substantially concurrent contribution of common equity capital to the Company (in each case, other than in connection with any Excluded Contribution); provided that the amount of any such net cash proceeds that are utilized for any such Restricted Payment will be excluded from clause (C)(II) of Section 2(a) hereof;

 

(iii)

the repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor with the net cash proceeds from a substantially concurrent Incurrence of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness;

 

(iv)

the payment of any dividend (or, in the case of any partnership or limited liability company, any similar distribution) by a Restricted Subsidiary to the holders of its Equity Interests on a pro rata basis;

 

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(v)

the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Equity Interests of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company held by any current or former officer, director or employee of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to any equity subscription agreement, stock option agreement, shareholders’ agreement or similar agreement; provided that the aggregate price paid for all such repurchased, redeemed, acquired or retired Equity Interests may not exceed US$1.0 million in any twelve-month period;

 

(vi)

the repurchase of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon the exercise of stock options to the extent such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of those stock options;

 

(vii)

the declaration and payment of regularly scheduled or accrued dividends to holders of any class or series of Disqualified Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company issued on or after the 2016 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date in accordance with the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test described in Section 4(a) hereof;

 

(viii)

any Restricted Payment made or deemed to be made by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company under, pursuant to or in connection with the Services and Right to Use Agreement, the Reinvestment Agreement or the MSA;

 

(ix)

[Reserved];

 

(x)

Restricted Payments that are made with Excluded Contributions;

 

(xi)

payments to any parent entity in respect of directors’ fees, remuneration and expenses (including director and officer insurance (including premiums therefore)) to the extent relating to the Company and its Subsidiaries, in an aggregate amount not to exceed US$2.0 million per annum;

 

(xii)

the making of Restricted Payments, if applicable:

 

(A)

in amounts required for any direct or indirect parent of the Company to pay fees and expenses (including franchise or similar taxes) required to maintain its corporate existence, customary salary, bonus and other benefits payable to, and indemnities provided on behalf of, officers and employees of any direct or indirect parent of the Company and general corporate operating and overhead expenses of any direct or indirect parent of the Company in each case to the extent such fees and expenses are attributable to the ownership or operation of the Company, if applicable, and its Subsidiaries, in an aggregate amount not to exceed US$2.0 million per annum;

 

(B)

in amounts required for any direct or indirect parent of the Company, if applicable, to pay interest and/or principal on Indebtedness the proceeds of which have been contributed to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries prior to the 2021 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date and that has been guaranteed by, or is otherwise considered Indebtedness of, the Company Incurred in accordance with Section 4; provided that the amount of any such proceeds will be excluded from clause (C)(II) of Section 2(a);

 

(C)

in amounts required for any direct or indirect parent of the Company to pay fees and expenses, other than to Affiliates of the Company, related to any unsuccessful equity or debt offering of such parent; and

 

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(D)

payments for services under any Revenue Sharing Agreement that would constitute or be deemed to constitute a Restricted Payment;

 

(xiii)

any Restricted Payment used to fund the Transactions and the payment of fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Transactions or owed by the Company or any direct or indirect parent of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries to Affiliates, and any other payments made, including any such payments made to any direct or indirect parent of the Company to enable it to make payments, in connection with the consummation of the Transactions, whether payable on the 2021 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date or thereafter, in each case on terms described in the Offering Memorandum under “Use of Proceeds” and to the extent permitted by Section 6;

 

(xiv)

any Restricted Payments, to the extent required to be made by any Gaming Authority having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or Melco Resorts Macau (or any other operator of the Studio City Casino);

 

(xv)

cash payments in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares in connection with the exercise of warrants, options or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that any such cash payment shall not be for the purpose of evading the limitation of this Section 2;

 

(xvi)

the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to provisions similar to those described under section 4.15 of the original form of the respective Senior Notes Indentures; provided that the Company shall have first complied with its obligations under Clause 9.2 (Change of Control, Concession-Related Mandatory Prepayment Event and Disposal Prepayment Event) of this Agreement and repaid and cancelled Indebtedness under the Finance Documents to the extent required by such Clause prior to repurchasing, redeeming, acquiring or otherwise retiring for value such Subordinated Indebtedness;

 

(xvii)

payments or distributions to dissenting stockholders of Capital Stock of the Company pursuant to applicable law in connection with a consolidation, merger or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, that complies with Section 13; provided that the Company shall have first complied with its obligations under Clause 9.2 (Change of Control, Concession-Related Mandatory Prepayment Event and Disposal Prepayment Event) of this Agreement and repaid and cancelled Indebtedness under the Finance Documents to the extent required by such Clause prior to making such payment or distribution; and

 

(xviii)

other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed US$15.0 million since the 2021 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date,

provided, however, that at the time of, and after giving effect to, any Restricted Payment permitted under clauses (xii), (xiii) and (xviii) of this Section 2(b), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof.

 

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(c)

The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) will be the Fair Market Value on the date of the Restricted Payment of the asset(s) or securities proposed to be transferred or issued by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to the Restricted Payment. The Fair Market Value of any assets or securities that are required to be valued by this Section 2 will be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company whose resolution with respect thereto will be delivered to the Agent as set forth in an Officer’s Certificate of the Company. The Company’s Board of Directors’ determination must be based upon an opinion or appraisal issued by an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of international standing (an “Independent Financial Advisor”) if the Fair Market Value exceeds US$45.0 million.

 

3.	Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries

 

(a)

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause, permit or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to:

 

(i)

pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits, or pay any Indebtedness owed to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(ii)

make loans or advances to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; or

 

(iii)

sell, lease or transfer any of its properties or assets to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

(b)

The restrictions in Section 3(a) hereof will not apply to encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:

 

(i)

agreements governing Indebtedness or any other agreements in existence on the 2021 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date as in effect on the 2021 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date and any amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of those agreements; provided that the amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such dividend and other restrictions than those contained in those agreements on the 2021 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date;

 

(ii)

the Credit Facilities Documents (other than the Facilities) and any amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of those agreements; provided that such Credit Facilities Documents and the amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings thereof are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such dividend and the other restrictions than those contained in the Facilities;

 

(iii)

the Senior Notes Indentures, the Senior Notes and the Senior Notes Guarantees;

 

(iv)

applicable law, rule, regulation or order, or governmental license, permit or concession;

 

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(v)

any agreement or instrument governing Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person or assets acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as in effect at the time of such acquisition (except to the extent such Indebtedness or Capital Stock was Incurred in connection with or in contemplation of such acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person, or the property or assets of the Person, so acquired (and any amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of those agreements or instruments; provided that the amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such dividend and other restrictions than those contained in those agreements or instruments at the time of such acquisition); provided further, that, in the case of Indebtedness, such Indebtedness was permitted by the terms of this Agreement to be Incurred;

 

(vi)

customary non-assignment provisions in contracts and licenses including, without limitation, with respect to any intellectual property, entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(vii)

purchase money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary course of business and Capital Lease Obligations that impose restrictions on the property purchased or leased of the nature described in Section 3(a)(iii);

 

(viii)

any agreement for the sale or other disposition of Equity Interests or property or assets of a Restricted Subsidiary that restricts distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary pending the sale or other disposition;

 

(ix)

Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness; provided that the restrictions contained in the agreements governing such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those contained in the agreements governing the Indebtedness being refinanced;

 

(x)

Liens permitted to be incurred under the provisions of Section 7 hereof that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets subject to such Liens;

 

(xi)

provisions limiting dividends or the disposition or distribution of assets, property or Equity Interests in joint venture or operating agreements, asset sale agreements, sale-leaseback agreements, stock sale agreements, merger agreements and other similar agreements entered into with the approval of the Company’s Board of Directors, which limitation is applicable only to the assets, property or Equity Interests that are the subject of such agreements;

 

(xii)

restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers or suppliers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business; and

 

(xiii)

any agreement or instrument with respect to any Unrestricted Subsidiary or the property or assets of such Unrestricted Subsidiary that is designated as a Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Agreement at the time of such designation and not incurred in contemplation of such designation, which encumbrances or restrictions are not applicable to any Person or the property or assets of any Person other than such Subsidiary or its subsidiaries or the property or assets of such Subsidiary or its subsidiaries, and any extensions, refinancing, renewals, supplements or amendments or replacements thereof; provided that the encumbrances and restrictions in any such extension, refinancing, renewal, supplement, amendment or replacement, taken as a whole, are no more restrictive in any material respect than those encumbrances or restrictions that are then in effect and that are being extended, refinanced, renewed, supplemented, amended or replaced.

 

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4.	Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock

 

(a)

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, Incur any Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) and the Company will not issue any shares of Disqualified Stock and the Company will not, and the Company will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to issue any shares of Preferred Stock; provided, however, that the Company may Incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) or issue Disqualified Stock, and the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor may Incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) or issue Preferred Stock, if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is Incurred or such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is issued, as the case may be, would have been at least 2.00 to 1.00 determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been Incurred, or the Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock had been issued, as the case may be, and the application of proceeds therefrom had occurred at the beginning of such four-quarter period.

 

(b)

The provisions of Section 4(a) hereof do not apply to the following (collectively, “Permitted Debt”):

 

(i)

the Incurrence by the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors of Indebtedness under Credit Facilities (including the Facilities), provided that on the date of the Incurrence of any such Indebtedness and after giving effect thereto, the aggregate principal amount outstanding of all such Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (i) (together with any refinancing thereof) does not exceed the sum of: (A) (x) US$35.0 million plus, (y) US$100.0 million Incurred in respect of the Phase II Project: less (B), in the case of clause (i)(A)(y), the aggregate amount of all Net Proceeds of Asset Sales applied since the 2021 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date to repay any term Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (i)(A)(y) or to repay any revolving credit indebtedness Incurred under this clause (i)(A)(y) and effect a corresponding commitment reduction thereunder pursuant to Section 5 hereof;

 

(ii)

[Reserved];

 

(iii)

(A) the Incurrence by the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors of Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (iii)(A), not to exceed the greater of (x) an amount equal to 3.5 times the EBITDA of the Company for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the relevant time of determination and (y) US$1,200,000,000, and (B) Indebtedness existing on the 2021 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date (other than the Indebtedness described in clauses (i) and (ii));

 

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(iv)

the Incurrence of Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries represented by Capital Lease Obligations, mortgage financings or purchase money obligations, in each case, Incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or cost of design, construction, installation or improvement of property, plant or other assets (including through the acquisition of Capital Stock of any person that owns property, plant or other assets which will, upon acquisition, become a Restricted Subsidiary) used in the business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, in an aggregate principal amount, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (iv), not to exceed the greater of (x) US$50.0 million and (y) 2.0% of Total Assets at any time outstanding;

 

(v)

the Incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge Indebtedness (other than intercompany Indebtedness that was permitted by this Agreement to be Incurred under Section 4(a) or clauses (ii), (iii)(B), (iv), (v) or (xv) of this Section 4(b);

 

(vi)

(A) Obligations in respect of workers’ compensation claims, self-insurance obligations, bankers’ acceptances, performance, bid, appeal and surety bonds and completion or performance guarantees (including the guarantee of any land grant) provided by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with the Property or in the ordinary course of business and (B) Indebtedness constituting reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit or trade or bank guarantees (including for land grants) issued in the ordinary course of business to the extent that such letters of credit, trade or bank guarantees (including for land grants) are not drawn upon or, if drawn upon, to the extent such drawing is reimbursed no later than thirty (30) days following receipt of a demand for reimbursement;

 

(vii)

the Incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, however, that:

 

(A)

if the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor is the obligor on such Indebtedness and the payee is not the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor, such Indebtedness must be expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all of the Facilities Liabilities; and

 

(B)

(i) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such Indebtedness being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and (ii) any sale or other transfer of any such Indebtedness to a Person that is not the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, will be deemed, in each case, to constitute an Incurrence of such Indebtedness by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, that was not permitted by this clause (vii);

 

(viii)

shares of Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary issued to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; provided that:

 

(A)

any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such Preferred Stock being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; and

 

(B)

any sale or other transfer of any such Preferred Stock to a Person that is not the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, will be deemed, in each case, to constitute an issuance of such Preferred Stock by such Restricted Subsidiary that was not permitted by clause (viii);

 

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(ix)

subject to Clause 23.13 (Hedging and Treasury Transactions) of this Agreement, the Incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Hedging Obligations in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes;

 

(x)

the guarantee by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that was permitted to be Incurred by another provision of this Section 4; provided that if the Indebtedness being guaranteed is subordinated to or pari passu with the Facilities Liabilities, then the guarantee shall be subordinated or pari passu, as applicable, to the same extent as the Indebtedness guaranteed;

 

(xi)

Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument inadvertently drawn against insufficient funds, so long as such Indebtedness is extinguished within five (5) Business Days of its Incurrence;

 

(xii)

to the extent constituting Indebtedness, agreements to pay service fees to professionals (including architects, engineers, contractors and designers) in furtherance of and/or in connection with the Property or agreements to pay fees and expenses or other amounts pursuant to the Services and Right to Use Agreement or the MSA or otherwise arising under the Services and Right to Use Agreement or the MSA in the ordinary course of business; provided that no such agreements shall give rise to Indebtedness for borrowed money;

 

(xiii)

Indebtedness arising from agreements providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations, or from guarantees or letters of credit, surety bonds, or performance bonds securing any obligation of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company pursuant to such agreements, in each case, incurred or assumed in connection with the acquisition or disposition of any business, assets or Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary, other than guarantees of Indebtedness incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or Subsidiary for the purpose of financing such acquisition; provided that the maximum aggregate liability in respect of all such Indebtedness shall at no time exceed the gross proceeds actually received in connection with such disposition;

 

(xiv)

Obligations in respect of Shareholder Subordinated Debt;

 

(xv)

any guarantees made solely in connection with (and limited in scope to) the giving of a Lien of the type specified in clause (22) of “Permitted Liens” to secure Indebtedness of an Unrestricted Subsidiary, the only recourse of which to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries is to the Equity Interests subject to the Liens;

 

(xvi)

the Incurrence by the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors of additional Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, as applicable) at any time outstanding, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (xvi), not to exceed US$50.0 million; and

 

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(xvii)

the Incurrence by the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors of additional Indebtedness in respect of the Phase II Project in an aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, as applicable) at any time outstanding, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (xvii), not to exceed the greater of (x) 75% of the EBITDA of the Company for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available (which figure shall be based on audited financial information, if for an annual period) and (y) US$350.0 million.

 

(c)

The Company will not Incur, and will not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to Incur, any Indebtedness (including Permitted Debt) that is contractually subordinated in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor unless such Indebtedness is also contractually subordinated in right of payment to the Facilities Liabilities on substantially identical terms; provided, however, that no Indebtedness will be deemed to be contractually subordinated in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor solely by virtue of being unsecured or by virtue of being secured on a first or junior Lien basis.

 

(d)

For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4, in the event that an item of proposed Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Debt described in clauses (b)(i) through (xvii) above, or is entitled to be Incurred pursuant to clause (a) above, the Company will be permitted to classify such item of Indebtedness on the date of its Incurrence, or later reclassify all or a portion of such item of Indebtedness, in any manner that complies with this Section 4. Indebtedness incurred under the Facilities will be deemed to have been incurred in reliance on the exception set out in (A)(x) of clause (b)(i) above and may not be reclassified. The accrual of interest, the accretion or amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest on any Indebtedness in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms, the reclassification of Preferred Stock as Indebtedness due to a change in accounting principles, and the payment of dividends on Disqualified Stock in the form of additional shares of the same class of Disqualified Stock will not be deemed to be an Incurrence of Indebtedness or an issuance of Disqualified Stock for purposes of this Section 4; provided, in each such case, that the amount of any such accrual, accretion or payment is included in Fixed Charges of the Company as accrued. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 4, the maximum amount of Indebtedness that the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company may Incur pursuant to this Section 4 shall not be deemed to be exceeded solely as a result of fluctuations in exchange rates or currency values.

 

(e)

Further, for purposes of determining compliance with this covenant, to the extent the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries guarantees Indebtedness of a direct or indirect parent entity to the extent otherwise permitted by this covenant, the on-loan by such direct or indirect parent entity to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of all or a portion of the principal amount of such Indebtedness will not be double counted.

 

(f)

The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date will be:

 

(i)

the accreted value of the Indebtedness, in the case of any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount;

 

(ii)

the principal amount of the Indebtedness, in the case of any other Indebtedness; and

 

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(iii)

in respect of Indebtedness of another Person secured by a Lien on the assets of the specified Person, the lesser of:

 

(A)

the Fair Market Value of such assets at the date of determination; and

 

(B)

the face amount of the Indebtedness of the other Person.

 

5.	Asset Sales

 

(a)

The Company will not, and the Company will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, consummate an Asset Sale (other than an Event of Loss), unless:

 

(i)

the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, receives consideration at the time of such Asset Sale at least equal to the Fair Market Value of the assets or Equity Interests issued or sold or otherwise disposed of; and

 

(ii)

at least 75% of the consideration received in the Asset Sale by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is in the form of cash. For purposes of this provision, each of the following will be deemed to be cash:

 

(A)

any liabilities, as shown on the Company’s most recent consolidated balance sheet, of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than contingent liabilities and liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Facilities Liabilities) that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets pursuant to a customary novation agreement that releases the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from further liability;

 

(B)

any securities, notes or other Obligations received by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are, within 30 days of the receipt thereof, converted by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash, to the extent of the cash received in that conversion; and

 

(C)

any stock or assets of the kind referred to in Section 5(b)(ii) or (iv).

 

(b)

Within 360 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale (including an Event of Loss), the Company or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be may apply such Net Proceeds:

 

(i)

to repay (A) Indebtedness Incurred under Section 4(b)(i) and Section 4(b)(xvii), (B) other Indebtedness of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor secured by property and assets that are the subject of such Asset Sale, and, in each case, if the Indebtedness repaid is revolving credit Indebtedness, to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto, (C) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor or (D) the 2025 Notes, the 2028 Notes or the 2029 Notes pursuant to the redemption provisions of the applicable Senior Notes Indenture;

 

(ii)

to acquire all or substantially all of the assets of another Permitted Business, or any Capital Stock of, a Person undertaking another Permitted Business, if, after giving effect to any such acquisition of Capital Stock, the Permitted Business is or becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; provided that (A) such acquisition funded with any proceeds from an Event of Loss occurs within the date that is 545 days after receipt of the Net Proceeds from the relevant Event of Loss to the extent that a binding agreement to acquire such assets or Capital Stock is entered into on or prior to the date that is 360 days after receipt of the Net Proceeds from the relevant Event of Loss, and (B) if such acquisition is not consummated within the period set forth in clause (A), the Net Proceeds not so applied will be deemed to be Excess Proceeds;

 

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(iii)

to make a capital expenditure; provided that any such capital expenditure funded with any proceeds from an Event of Loss occurs within the date that is 545 days after receipt of the Net Proceeds from the relevant Event of Loss to the extent that a binding agreement to make such capital expenditure is entered into on or prior to the date that is 360 days after receipt of the Net Proceeds from the relevant Event of Loss; or

 

(iv)

to acquire other assets that are not classified as current assets under U.S. GAAP and that are used or useful in a Permitted Business (provided that (A) such acquisition funded from an Event of Loss occurs within the date that is 545 days after receipt of the Net Proceeds from the relevant Event of Loss to the extent that a binding agreement to acquire such assets is entered into on or prior to the date that is 360 days after receipt of the Net Proceeds from the relevant Event of Loss, and (B) if such acquisition is not consummated within the period set forth in clause (A), the Net Proceeds not so applied will be deemed to be Excess Proceeds);

or enter into a binding commitment regarding clauses (ii), (iii) or (iv) above (in addition to the binding commitments expressly referenced in those clauses); provided that such binding commitment shall be treated as a permitted application of Net Proceeds from the date of such commitment until the earlier of (x) the date on which such acquisition or expenditure is consummated and (y) the 180th day following the expiration of the aforementioned 360-day period. To the extent such acquisition or expenditure is not consummated on or before such 180th day and the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary shall not have applied such Net Proceeds pursuant to clauses (ii), (iii) or (iv) above on or before such 180th day, such commitment shall be deemed not to have been a permitted application of Net Proceeds, and such Net Proceeds will constitute Excess Proceeds.

 

(c)

Pending the final application of any Net Proceeds, the Company may temporarily reduce revolving credit borrowings or otherwise invest the Net Proceeds in any manner that is not prohibited by this Agreement.

 

(d)

If the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds US$5.0 million, the Company shall make an Asset Sale Offer to all Holders with respect to offers to prepay or purchase or redeem with the proceeds of sales of assets to purchase the maximum principal amount of the 2025 Notes, the 2028 Notes and the 2029 Notes that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds and comply with the terms and conditions of the 2025 Notes Indenture, the 2028 Notes Indenture and the 2029 Notes Indenture in respect of such Excess Proceeds and comply with Clause 23.15 (Notes Repurchase condition) of this Agreement in connection with the same.

 

6.	Transactions with Affiliates

 

(a)

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of the Company (each, an “Affiliate Transaction”), unless:

 

(i)

the Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are no less favorable to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary with a Person that is not an Affiliate of the Company; and

 

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(ii)

the Company delivers to the Agent:

 

(A)

with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of US$55.0 million, a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company set forth in an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with this Section 6(a) and that such Affiliate Transaction has been approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors of the Company or, if the Board of Directors of the Company has no disinterested directors, approved in good faith by a majority of the members (or in the case of a single member, the sole member) of the Board of Directors of the Company; and

 

(B)

with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of US$70.0 million, an opinion as to the fairness to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary of such Affiliate Transaction from a financial point of view issued by an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of international standing, or other recognized independent expert of national standing with experience appraising the terms and conditions of the type of transaction or series of related transactions.

 

(b)

The following items will not be deemed to be Affiliate Transactions and, therefore, will not be subject to the provisions of Section 6(a) hereof:

 

(i)

any employment agreement, employee benefit plan (including compensation, retirement, disability, severance and other similar plan), officer or director indemnification, stock option or incentive plan or agreement, employee equity subscription agreement or any similar arrangement entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and payments pursuant thereto;

 

(ii)

transactions between or among the Company and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(iii)

transactions with a Person (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary) that is an Affiliate of the Company solely because the Company owns directly or through a Restricted Subsidiary, an Equity Interest in, or controls, such Person;

 

(iv)

payment of reasonable officers’ and directors’ fees and reimbursement of expenses (including the provision of indemnity to officers and directors) to Persons who are not otherwise Affiliates of the Company;

 

(v)

any issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company to Affiliates of the Company or contribution to the common equity capital of the Company;

 

(vi)

Restricted Payments (including any payments made under, pursuant to or in connection with the Services and Right to Use Agreement, the Reinvestment Agreement or the MSA) that do not violate Section 2 hereof;

 

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(vii)

any agreement or arrangement existing on the 2021 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date, including any amendments, modifications, supplements, extensions, replacements, terminations or renewals (so long as any such agreement or arrangement together with all such amendments, modifications, supplements, extensions, replacements, terminations and renewals, taken as a whole, is not materially more disadvantageous to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, than the original agreement or arrangement as in effect on the 2021 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date, unless any such amendments, modifications, supplements, extensions, replacements, terminations or renewals are imposed by any Gaming Authority or any other public authority, in each case having jurisdiction over the Studio City Casino, Melco Resorts Macau (or any other operator of the Studio City Casino), the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including, but not limited to, the government of the Macau SAR);

 

(viii)

loans or advances to employees (including personnel who provide services to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to the MSA) in the ordinary course of business not to exceed US$2.0 million in the aggregate at any one time outstanding;

 

(ix)

[Reserved];

 

(x)

(A) transactions or arrangements under, pursuant to or in connection with the Services and Right to Use Agreement, the Reinvestment Agreement or the MSA, including any amendments, modifications, supplements, extensions, replacements, terminations or renewals thereof (so long as the Services and Right to Use Agreement and the Reinvestment Agreement, taken as a whole, or the MSA, respectively, together with all such amendments, modifications, supplements, extensions, replacements, terminations and renewals, taken as a whole, is not materially more disadvantageous to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, than the Services and Right to Use Agreement and the Reinvestment Agreement, taken as a whole, or the MSA, respectively, as in effect on the 2021 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date or, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, does not have and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect under paragraph (b) of the definition of “Material Adverse Effect” only) and (B) other than with respect to transactions or arrangements subject to clause (A) above, transactions or arrangements with customers, clients, suppliers or sellers of goods or services in the ordinary course of business, on terms that are fair to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as applicable, or are no less favorable than those that might reasonably have been obtained in a comparable transaction at such time on an arms-length basis from a Person that is not an Affiliate of the Company, in the case of each of (A) and (B), unless any such amendments, modifications, supplements, extensions, replacements, terminations or renewals are imposed by any Gaming Authority or any other public authority having jurisdiction over Melco Resorts Macau (or any other operator of the Studio City Casino), the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including, but not limited to, the government of the Macau SAR;

 

(xi)

the execution of the Transactions, and the payment of all fees and expenses relating to the Transactions described in the Offering Memorandum;

 

(xii)

transactions or arrangements to be entered into in connection with the Property in the ordinary course of business (including, for the avoidance of doubt, transactions or arrangements necessary to conduct a Permitted Business) including any amendments, modifications, supplements, extensions, replacements, terminations or renewals thereof; provided that such transactions or arrangements must comply with clauses (a)(i) and (a)(ii)(A) of Section 6 hereof;

 

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(xiii)

transactions or arrangements duly approved by the Audit and Risk Committee of Studio City International (or any other committee of the board of directors of Studio City International so long as such committee consists entirely of independent directors) and the Company delivers to the Trustee a copy of the resolution of the Audit and Risk Committee of Studio City International (or, if applicable, such other committee) annexed to an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with this clause (xiii) and that such Affiliate Transaction has been duly approved by the Audit and Risk Committee of Studio City International (or, if applicable, such other committee);

 

(xiv)

execution, delivery and performance of any tax sharing agreement or the formation and maintenance of any consolidated group for tax, accounting or cash pooling or management purposes; and

 

(xv)

provision by, between, among, to or from Persons who may be deemed Affiliates of group administrative, treasury, legal, accounting and similar services.

 

7.

Liens

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any Lien of any kind securing Indebtedness on any asset now owned or hereafter acquired or any proceeds, income or profits therefrom or assign or convey any right to receive income therefrom, except Permitted Liens, or, if such Lien is not a Permitted Lien, unless the Facilities Liabilities are secured on a pari passu basis with the obligations so secured until such time as such obligations are no longer secured by a Lien.

 

8.	Business Activities

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, engage in any business other than Permitted Business, except to such extent as would not be material to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (taken as a whole).

 

9.	Corporate Existence

Subject to Section 13 hereof, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect:

 

(a)

its corporate existence, and the corporate, partnership or other existence of each of its Subsidiaries, in accordance with the respective organizational documents (as the same may be amended from time to time) of the Company or any such Subsidiary; and

 

(b)

the rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises of the Company and its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right, license or franchise, or the corporate, partnership or other existence of any of its Subsidiaries, if the Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and that the loss thereof is not adverse in any material respect to the Lenders.

 

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10.	Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries

 

(a)

The Board of Directors of the Company may designate any Restricted Subsidiary to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary if that designation would not cause a Default; provided that in no event will the business currently operated by the Company, Studio City Developments Limited, SCE or Studio City Hotels Limited be transferred to or held by an Unrestricted Subsidiary. If a Restricted Subsidiary is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, the aggregate Fair Market Value of all outstanding Investments owned by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the Subsidiary designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be deemed to be an Investment made as of the time of the designation and will reduce the amount available for Restricted Payments under Section 2 hereof or under one or more clauses of the definition of Permitted Investments, as determined by the Company. That designation will only be permitted if the Investment would be permitted at that time and if the Restricted Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. The Board of Directors of the Company may re-designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary if that re-designation would not cause a Default.

 

(b)

Any designation of a Subsidiary of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be evidenced to the Agent by filing with the Agent a certified copy of a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company giving effect to such designation and an Officer’s Certificate of the Company certifying that such designation complied with the preceding conditions and was permitted by Section 2 hereof. If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the preceding requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it will thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of this Agreement and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary will be deemed to be Incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as of such date and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be Incurred as of such date under Section 4 hereof, the Company will be in Default of such covenant. The Board of Directors of the Company may at any time designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such designation will be deemed to be an Incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of any outstanding Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary, and such designation will only be permitted if (1) such Indebtedness is permitted under Section 4 hereof, calculated on a pro forma basis as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the reference period; and (2) no Default or Event of Default would be in existence following such designation. On such designation, the Company shall deliver an Officer’s Certificate of the Company to the Agent regarding such designation and certifying that such designation complies with the preceding conditions and the relevant covenants under this Agreement.

 

11.	Intercompany Note Proceeds Loans

The Company shall, and shall cause its Restricted Subsidiaries to, ensure that:

 

(a)

the Intercompany Note Proceeds Loans are subordinated in right of payment to the Guarantees provided by the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries party thereto;

 

(b)

the Company will receive interest payments under such Intercompany Note Proceeds Loans in amounts sufficient for the Company to make interest payments under the Notes as they become due; and

 

(c)

the maturity date of such Intercompany Note Proceeds Loans will be same as the maturity date of the Notes.

 

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12.	Suspension of Covenants

 

(a)

In this Section12, “Rated Liability” means (i) any Financial Indebtedness outstanding under the 2025 Notes Indenture, (ii) any Financial Indebtedness outstanding under the 2028 Notes Indenture, (iii) any Financial Indebtedness outstanding under the 2029 Notes Indenture or (iv) any Financial Indebtedness outstanding under any other Pari Passu Debt Document in an aggregate principal amount of at least US$400,000,000 and that is rated by S&P or Moody’s.

 

(b)

The following covenants (the “Suspended Covenants”) will not apply during any period during which all of the Rated Liabilities have an Investment Grade Status (a “Suspension Period”): Sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 13(a)(iii). Additionally, during any Suspension Period, the Company will not be permitted to designate any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary. For the avoidance of doubt, a Suspension Period will not apply if there are no Rated Liabilities.

 

(c)

In the event that the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries are not subject to the Suspended Covenants for any period of time as a result of clause (b) above, and on any subsequent date (the “Reversion Date”) any Rated Liability ceases to have Investment Grade Status (or there cease to be any Rated Liabilities), then the Suspended Covenants will apply with respect to events occurring following the Reversion Date (unless and until a Suspension Period applies again, in which case the Suspended Covenants will again be suspended for such time that there are Rated Liabilities and all of the Rated Liabilities have an Investment Grade Status); provided, however, that no Default or Event of Default will be deemed to exist under this Agreement with respect to the Suspended Covenants, and none of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries will bear any liability for any actions taken or events occurring during a Suspension Period and before any related Reversion Date, or any actions taken at any time pursuant to any contractual obligation or binding commitment arising prior to such Reversion Date, regardless of whether those actions or events would have been permitted if the applicable Suspended Covenant had remained in effect during such period. The Company shall notify the Agent should a Suspension Period commence; provided that such notification shall not be a condition for the suspension of the covenants set forth above to be effective.

 

(d)

On each Reversion Date, all Indebtedness Incurred during the Suspension Period prior to such Reversion Date will be deemed to be Indebtedness existing on the 2021 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date. For purposes of calculating the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under clause (iv)(C) of Section 2(a) on or after the Reversion Date, calculations under such covenant shall be made as though such covenant had been in effect during the entire period of time after the 2021 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date (including the Suspension Period). Restricted Payments made during the Suspension Period not otherwise permitted pursuant to any of clauses (ii) through (vi) or (xviii) under Section 2(b) hereof will reduce the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under clause (iv)(C) of Section 2(a); provided that the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments on the Reversion Date shall not be reduced to below zero solely as a result of such Restricted Payments. In addition, for purposes of the other Suspended Covenants, all agreements entered into and all actions taken during the Suspension Period, including, without limitation, the Incurrence of Indebtedness shall be deemed to have been taken or to have existed prior to the 2021 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date.

 

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13.	Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets

 

(a)

The Company will not, directly or indirectly: (1) consolidate or merge with or into another Person (whether or not the Company survives); or (2) sell, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole, in one or more related transactions, to another Person unless:

 

(i)

either:

 

(A)

if the transaction or series of transactions is a consolidation of the Company with or a merger of the Company with or into any other Person, the Company, as the case may be, shall be the surviving entity of such merger or consolidation; or

 

(B)

the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia, and such Person shall expressly assume all the Obligations of the Company under the Finance Documents pursuant to such accession documents or agreements that are reasonably satisfactory to the Agent;

 

(ii)

immediately after such transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists;

 

(iii)

the Company or, if applicable, the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company), or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made, would, on the date of such transaction after giving pro forma effect thereto and any related financing transactions as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, be permitted to Incur at least US$1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4(a) hereof; and

 

(iv)

Clauses 22.10 (“Know your customer” checks) and 27 (Changes to the Obligors) of this Agreement are satisfied.

 

(b)

Subject to the Finance Documents, no Subsidiary Guarantor will, and the Company will not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to, directly or indirectly: (1) consolidate or merge with or into another Person (whether or not such Subsidiary Guarantor survives); or (2) sell, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of such Subsidiary Guarantor in one or more related transactions, to another Person, unless:

 

(i)

either:

 

(A)

if the transaction or series of transactions is a consolidation of such Subsidiary Guarantor with or a merger of such Subsidiary Guarantor with or into any other Person, such Subsidiary Guarantor shall be the surviving entity of such consolidation or merger; or

 

(B)

the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than such Subsidiary Guarantor) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia, and such Person shall expressly assume all the Obligations of the Company under the Finance Documents pursuant to such accession documents or agreements that are reasonably satisfactory to the Agent;

 

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(ii)

immediately after such transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists; and

 

(iii)

Clauses 22.10 (“Know your customer” checks) and 27 (Changes to the Obligors) of this Agreement are satisfied,

provided, however, that the provisions of this Section 13(b) shall not apply if such Subsidiary Guarantor is released from its obligations as a Subsidiary Guarantor as a result of such consolidation, merger, sale or other disposition pursuant to the Finance Documents.

 

(c)

This Section 13 will not apply to:

 

(i)

a merger of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, with an Affiliate solely for the purpose of reincorporating the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, in another jurisdiction; or

 

(ii)

any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, or other disposition of assets between or among the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors or between or among the Subsidiary Guarantors.

 

(d)

Upon consummation of any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, or other disposition of assets by a Subsidiary Guarantor with or into the Company or another Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with this Section 13 which results in a Subsidiary Guarantor distributing all of its assets (other than de minimis assets required by law to maintain its corporate existence) to the Company or another Subsidiary Guarantor, such transferring Subsidiary Guarantor may be wound up pursuant to a solvent liquidation or solvent reorganization; provided that it shall have no third party recourse Indebtedness or be the obligor under any intercompany Indebtedness.

 

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Schedule 11

Definitions

“2016 7.250% Studio City Company Notes” means the US$850,000,000 7.250% Senior Secured Notes due 2021 of Studio City Company Limited which were redeemed in full on August 14, 2020.

“2024 Notes” means the US$600,000,000 7.250% senior notes due 2024 of the Company which were redeemed in full on February 17, 2021.

“2025 Notes” means:

(1)     the USD500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 6.000% senior notes due 2025 issued by the Company as issuer pursuant to the 2025 Notes Indenture; and

(2)     any additional notes issued by the Company as issuer pursuant to the 2025 Notes Indenture as part of the same series of the senior notes issued under paragraph (1) above, provided that the Company has confirmed in writing that the incurrence of those notes will not breach the terms of any of the Finance Documents or any of its then existing Pari Passu Debt Documents.

“2025 Notes Guarantees” means the “Notes Guarantee” as defined in the 2025 Notes Indenture.

“2025 Notes Indenture” means the indenture governing the 2025 Notes dated July 15, 2020 and made between, among others, the Company and the 2025 Notes Trustee, as amended or supplemented from time to time.

 

“2025 Notes Trustee” means the notes trustee in respect of the 2025 Notes.

“2028 Notes” means:

(1)     the USD500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 6.500% senior notes due 2028 issued by the Company as issuer pursuant to the 2028 Notes Indenture; and

(2)     any additional notes issued by the Company as issuer pursuant to the 2028 Notes Indenture as part of the same series of the senior notes issued under paragraph (1) above, provided that the Company has confirmed in writing that the incurrence of those notes will not breach the terms of any of the Finance Documents or any of its then existing Pari Passu Debt Documents.

“2028 Notes Guarantees” means the “Notes Guarantee” as defined in the 2028 Notes Indenture.

“2028 Notes Indenture” means the indenture governing the 2028 Notes dated July 15, 2020 and made between, among others, the Company and the 2028 Notes Trustee, as amended or supplemented from time to time.

“2028 Notes Trustee” means the notes trustee in respect of the 2028 Notes. “2029 Notes” means:

(1)     the USD750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 5.000% senior notes due 2029 issued by the Company as issuer pursuant to the 2029 Notes Indenture; and

(2)     any additional notes issued by the Company as issuer pursuant to the 2029 Notes Indenture as part of the same series of the senior notes issued under paragraph (1) above, provided that the Company has confirmed in writing that the incurrence of those notes will not breach the terms of any of the Finance Documents or any of its then existing Pari Passu Debt Documents.

 

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“2029 Notes Guarantees” means the “Note Guarantee” as defined in the 2029 Notes Indenture.

“2029 Notes Indenture” means the indenture governing the 2029 Notes dated January 14, 2021 and made between, among others, the Company and the 2029 Notes Trustee, as amended or supplemented from time to time.

“2029 Notes Trustee” means the notes trustee in respect of the 2029 Notes.

“Acquired Indebtedness” means, with respect to any specified Person:

(1)     Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is merged with or into or became a Subsidiary of such specified Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is Incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person merging with or into, or becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of, such specified Person; and

(2)     Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified Person.

“Additional 2025 Notes” means additional 2025 Notes (other than the Initial 2025 Notes) issued under the 2025 Notes Indenture, as part of the same series as the Initial 2025 Notes; provided that any Additional 2025 Notes that are not fungible with the 2025 Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes shall have a separate CUSIP, ISIN or other identifying number than any previously issued 2025 Notes, but shall otherwise be treated as a single class with all other 2025 Notes issued under the 2025 Notes Indenture.

“Additional 2028 Notes” means additional 2028 Notes (other than the Initial 2028 Notes) issued under the 2028 Notes Indenture, as part of the same series as the Initial 2028 Notes; provided that any Additional 2028 Notes that are not fungible with the 2028 Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes shall have a separate CUSIP, ISIN or other identifying number than any previously issued 2028 Notes, but shall otherwise be treated as a single class with all other 2028 Notes issued under the 2028 Notes Indenture.

“Additional 2029 Notes” means additional 2029 Notes (other than the Initial 2029 Notes) issued under the 2029 Notes Indenture, as part of the same series as the Initial 2029 Notes; provided that any Additional 2029 Notes that are not fungible with the 2029 Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes shall have a separate CUSIP, ISIN or other identifying number than any previously issued 2029 Notes, but shall otherwise be treated as a single class with all other 2029 Notes issued under the 2029 Notes Indenture.

“Additional Senior Notes” means Additional 2025 Notes, Additional 2028 Notes and Additional 2029 Notes.

“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control,” as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise; provided that beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the Voting Stock of a Person will be deemed to be control. For purposes of this definition, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with” have correlative meanings.

 

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“Asset Sale” means:

(1)     the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of any assets or rights; provided that the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole will be governed by Clause 9.2 (Change of Control, Concession-Related Mandatory Prepayment Event and Disposal Prepayment Event) of this Agreement and/or the provisions of this Agreement described in Section 13 of Schedule 10 (Covenants) and not by the provisions of Section 5 of Schedule 10 (Covenants);

(2)     the issuance of Equity Interests in any of the Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company or the sale of Equity Interests in any of the Company’s Subsidiaries; and

(3)     any Event of Loss.

Notwithstanding the preceding, none of the following items will be deemed to be an Asset Sale:

(1)     any single transaction or series of related transactions that involves assets having a Fair Market Value of less than US$5.0 million;

(2)     a transfer of assets between or among the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(3)     an issuance of Equity Interests by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

(4)     the sale, license, transfer, lease (including the right to use) or other disposal of products, services, rights, accounts receivable, undertakings, establishments or other current assets or cessation of any undertaking or establishment in the ordinary course of business (including pursuant to any shared services agreements (including the MSA), Revenue Sharing Agreement or any construction and development activities) and any sale or other disposition of damaged, worn-out, surplus or obsolete assets (or the dissolution of any Dormant Subsidiary) in the ordinary course of business;

(5)     the sale or other disposition of cash or Cash Equivalents;

(6)     any transfer, termination or unwinding or other disposition of Hedging Obligations in the ordinary course of business;

(7)     a transaction covered under Clause 9.2 (Change of Control, Concession-Related Mandatory Prepayment Event and Disposal Prepayment Event) of this Agreement or Section 13 of Schedule 10 (Covenants);

(8)     the lease of, right to use or equivalent interest under Macau law on that portion of real property granted to Studio City Developments Limited pursuant to the applicable land concession granted by the government of the Macau SAR in connection with the development of the Phase II Project in accordance with such applicable land concession;

(9)     a Restricted Payment that does not violate the provisions of Section 2 of Schedule 10 (Covenants) or a Permitted Investment, and any other payment under the Services and Right to Use Agreement, the Reinvestment Agreement or the MSA and any transactions or arrangements involving contractual rights under, pursuant to or in connection with the Services and Right to Use Agreement, the Reinvestment Agreement or the MSA, including any amendments, modifications, supplements, extensions, replacements, terminations or renewals thereof;

 

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(10)     the (i) lease, sublease, license or right to use of any portion of the Property to persons who, either directly or through Affiliates of such persons, intend to develop, operate or manage gaming, hotel, nightclubs, bars, restaurants, malls, amusements, attractions, recreation, spa, pool, exercise or gym facilities, or entertainment facilities or venues or retail shops or venues or similar or related establishments or facilities within the Property and (ii) the grant of declarations of covenants, conditions and restrictions and/or easements or other rights to use with respect to common area spaces and similar instruments benefiting such tenants of such lease, subleases licenses and rights to use generally and/or entered into connection with the Property (collectively, the “Venue Easements”); provided that no Venue Easements or operations conducted pursuant thereto would reasonably be expected to materially interfere with, or materially impair or detract from, the operation of the Property;

(11)     the dedication of space or other dispositions of property in connection with and in furtherance of constructing structures or improvements reasonably related to the development, construction and operation of the Property; provided that in each case such dedication or other disposition is in furtherance of, and does not materially impair or interfere with the use or operations (or intended use or operations) of, the Property;

(12)     the granting of easements, rights of way, rights of access and/or similar rights to any governmental authority, utility providers, cable or other communication providers and/or other parties providing services or benefits to the Property, the real property held by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or the public at large that would not reasonably be expected to interfere in any material respect with the construction, development or operation of the Property;

(13)     the granting of a lease, right to use or equivalent interest to Melco Resorts Macau or Melco Resorts or any of its Affiliates for purposes of operating a gaming facility at Studio City, including under the Services and Right to Use Agreement and any related agreements, or any transactions or arrangements contemplated thereby;

(14)     the grant of licenses to intellectual property rights to third Persons (other than Affiliates of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company) on an arm’s length basis in the ordinary course of business or to Melco Resorts Macau, Melco Resorts and its Affiliates in the ordinary course of business;

(15)     transfers, assignments or dispositions constituting an Incurrence of a Permitted Lien (but not the actual sale or other disposition of the property subject to such Lien); and

(16)     any surrender or waiver of contractual rights or settlement, release, recovery on or surrender of contract, tort or other claims in the ordinary course of business. “Asset Sale Offer” has the meaning given to it under each High Yield Note Indenture.

“Beneficial Owner” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), such “person” will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such “person” has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only after the passage of time. The terms “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” have a corresponding meaning.

 

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“Board of Directors” means:

(1)     with respect to a corporation, the board of directors of the corporation or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such board;

(2)     with respect to a partnership, the Board of Directors of the general partner of the partnership;

(3)     with respect to a limited liability company, the managing member or members or any controlling committee of managing members thereof; and

(4)     with respect to any other Person, the board or committee of such Person serving a similar function.

“Business Day” means any day other than a Legal Holiday.

“Capital Lease Obligation” means, at the time any determination is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a finance or capital lease that would at that time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP, and the Stated Maturity thereof shall be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date upon which such lease may be prepaid by the lessee without payment of a penalty.

“Capital Stock” means:

(1)     in the case of a corporation, corporate stock or shares;

(2)     in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;

(3)     in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited); and

(4)     any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person, but excluding from all of the foregoing any debt securities convertible into Capital Stock, whether or not such debt securities include any right of participation with Capital Stock.

“Cash Equivalents” means:

(1)     securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality of the United States government (provided that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support of those securities) having maturities of not more than six months from the date of acquisition;

(2)     demand deposits, certificates of deposit, time deposits and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of 12 months or less from the date of acquisition, bankers’ acceptances with maturities not exceeding six months and overnight bank deposits, in each case, with any commercial bank organized under the laws of Macau, Hong Kong, a member state of the European Union or of the United States of America or any state thereof having capital and surplus in excess of US$500.0 million (or the foreign currency equivalent thereof as of the date of such investment) and whose long-term debt is rated “A-3” or higher by Moody’s or “A-” or higher by S&P or the equivalent rating category or another internationally recognized rating agency ;

 

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(3)     repurchase obligations with a term of not more than seven days for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (1) and (2) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (2) above;

(4)     commercial paper having one of the two highest ratings obtainable from Moody’s or S&P and, in each case, maturing within 12 months after the date of acquisition; and

(5)     money market funds at least 95% of the assets of which constitute Cash Equivalents of the kinds described in clauses (1) through (4) of this definition.

“Casualty” means any casualty, loss, damage, destruction or other similar loss with respect to real or personal property or improvements.

“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:

(1)     the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole to any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) (other than Melco Resorts or a Related Party of Melco Resorts); or

(2)     the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company;

(3)     the first day on which:

 

(a)

Melco Resorts ceases to own, directly or indirectly (i) a majority, or (ii) if Melco Resorts is authorized by the relevant Gaming Authority or is otherwise permitted to hold less than 50.1% of Equity Interest in Studio City International, the greater of (x) such lesser percentage and (y) 35%, of the outstanding Equity Interests and/or Voting Stock of each of the Company and SCH5 (or any Person which becomes a “Golden Shareholder” and/or a “Preference Holder” under the Direct Agreement pursuant to the terms thereof, if any);

 

(b)

Melco Resorts ceases to own, directly or indirectly, less than 50.1% of Equity Interest in Melco Resorts Macau (or another operator of the Studio City Casino); or

 

(c)

Melco Resorts ceases to have, directly or indirectly (through a Subsidiary), the power to nominate a number of directors on the Board of Directors of the Company who are entitled to cast a majority of the votes which may be cast at a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Company.

“Company” means Studio City Finance Limited, a BVI business company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands (registered number 1673307), whose registered office is at Jayla Place, Wickhams Cay 1, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands, and any and all successors thereto.

“Condemnation” means any taking by a Governmental Authority of assets or property, or any part thereof or interest therein, for public or quasi-public use under the power of eminent domain, by reason of any public improvement or condemnation or in any other manner.

 

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“Consolidated Net Income” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis, determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP; provided that:

(1)     the Net Income (or loss) of any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting will be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or similar distributions actually paid in cash to, or the amount of loss actually funded in cash by, the specified Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Person;

(2)     the Net Income of any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor will be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of that Net Income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (that has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders; provided, however, that Consolidated Net Income of the specified Person will be increased by the amount of dividends or similar contributions actually paid in cash (or to the extent converted into cash) to the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Subsidiary Guarantor, to the extent not already included therein;

(3)     the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles will be excluded; and

(4)     charges or expenses related to deferred financing fees and Indebtedness issuance costs, including related commissions, fees and expenses, premiums paid or other expenses incurred directly in connection with any early extinguishment of Indebtedness and any net gain (loss) from any write-off, extinguishment, repurchase, cancellation or forgiveness of Indebtedness will be excluded.

“Credit Facilities” means one or more debt facilities, indentures or commercial paper facilities, in each case, with banks or other lenders providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders against such receivables), letters of credit or other forms of Indebtedness, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced (whether upon or after termination or otherwise) or refinanced (including by means of sales of debt securities to investors) in whole or in part from time to time.

“Credit Facilities Documents” means the collective reference to any Credit Facilities, any notes issued pursuant thereto and the guarantees thereof, and the collateral or other documents relating thereto, as amended, supplemented, restated, renewed, refunded, replaced, restructured, repaid, refinanced or otherwise modified, in whole or in part, from time to time.

“Direct Agreement” means the direct agreement dated November 26, 2013, in relation to (a) the Services and Right to Use Agreement and (b) the Reinvestment Agreement.

“Disqualified Stock” means any Capital Stock that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible, or for which it is exchangeable, in each case, at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or redeemable at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the last Final Repayment Date of the Facilities. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any Capital Stock that would constitute Disqualified Stock solely because the holders of the Capital Stock have the right to require the Company to repurchase such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a change of control or an asset sale will not constitute Disqualified Stock if the terms of such Capital Stock provide that the Company may not repurchase or redeem any such Capital Stock pursuant to such provisions unless such repurchase or redemption complies with Section 2 of Schedule 10 (Covenants). The amount of Disqualified Stock deemed to be outstanding at any time for purposes of this Agreement will be the maximum amount that the Company may become obligated to pay upon the maturity of, or pursuant to any mandatory redemption provisions of, such Disqualified Stock, exclusive of accrued dividends.

 

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“Dormant Subsidiary” means a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company which does not trade (for itself or as agent for any other person) and does not own, legally or beneficially, assets (including, without limitation, Indebtedness owed to it) which in aggregate have a book value greater than US$100,000 and has no third-party recourse Indebtedness or intercompany Indebtedness with the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary.

“EBITDA” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period plus, without duplication:

(1)     an amount equal to any extraordinary loss plus any net loss realized by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with an Asset Sale, to the extent such losses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(2)     provision for taxes based on income or profits of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent that such provision for taxes was deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(3)     the Fixed Charges of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent that such Fixed Charges were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(4)     depreciation, amortization (including amortization of intangibles but excluding amortization of prepaid cash expenses that were paid in a prior period) and other non-cash expenses (excluding any such non-cash expense to the extent that it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash expenses in any future period or amortization of a prepaid cash expense that was paid in a prior period), of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period to the extent that such depreciation, amortization and other non-cash expenses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(5)     any non-cash compensation charge arising from any grant of stock, stock options or other equity based awards; plus

(6)     Pre-Opening Expenses, to the extent such expense were deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income; plus

(7)     any goodwill or other intangible asset impairment charge; plus

(8)     non-cash items increasing such Consolidated Net Income for such period, other than the accrual of revenue in the ordinary course of business,

  in each case, on a consolidated basis and determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Notwithstanding the preceding, the provision for taxes based on the income or profits of, and the depreciation and amortization and other non-cash expenses of, a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company will be added to Consolidated Net Income to compute EBITDA of the Company only to the extent that a corresponding amount was included in the calculation of Consolidated Net Income.

 

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“Equity Interests” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).

“Equity Offering” means any public sale or private issuance of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of (1) the Company or (2) a direct or indirect parent of the Company to the extent the net proceeds from such issuance are contributed in cash to the common equity capital of the Company (in each case other than pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-8 or otherwise relating to equity securities issuable under any employee benefit plan of the Company).

“Event of Loss” means, with respect to the Company any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is a Significant Subsidiary, any (1) Casualty, (2) Condemnation or seizure (other than pursuant to foreclosure) or (3) settlement in lieu of clause (2) above, in each case having a fair market value in excess of US$20.0 million.

“Excess Proceeds” means any Net Proceeds from Asset Sales that are not applied or invested as provided in Section 5(b) of Schedule 10 (Covenants).

“Exchange Act” means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

“Excluded Contributions” means the net cash proceeds received by the Company subsequent to the 2021 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date from:

(1)     contributions to its common equity capital; and

(2)     the issuance or sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company or to any Company or Subsidiary management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement) by the Company of shares of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) or a share capital increase;

in each case, designated as Excluded Contributions on the date on which such Excluded Contributions were received pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate, and excluded from the calculation set forth in clause (C)(II) of Section 2(a) of Schedule 10 (Covenants).

“Facilities Liabilities” means the Liabilities (as defined in Clause 1.1 (Definitions) of this Agreement) owed by the Obligors to the Finance Parties under or in connection with the Finance Documents.

“Fair Market Value” means the value that would be paid by a willing buyer to an unaffiliated willing seller in a transaction not involving distress or necessity of either party, determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company (unless otherwise provided in this Agreement).

“Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means with respect to any specified Person for any period, the ratio of EBITDA of such Person for such period to the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period. In the event that the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries incurs, assumes, guarantees, repays, repurchases, redeems, defeases or otherwise discharges any Indebtedness (other than ordinary working capital borrowings) or issues, repurchases or redeems Preferred Stock subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated and on or prior to the date on which the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the “Calculation Date”), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio will be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, assumption, Guarantee, repayment, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other discharge of Indebtedness, or such issuance, repurchase or redemption of Preferred Stock, and the use of the proceeds therefrom, as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter reference period.

 

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In addition, for purposes of calculating the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio:

(1)     acquisitions that have been made by the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including through mergers or consolidations, or any Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries acquired by the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, and including any related financing transactions and including increases in ownership of Restricted Subsidiaries, during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to the Calculation Date will be given pro forma effect (in accordance with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act) as if they had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period;

(2)     the EBITDA attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and operations or businesses (and ownership interests therein) disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, will be excluded;

(3)     the Fixed Charges attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and operations or businesses (and ownership interests therein) disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, will be excluded, but only to the extent that the Obligations giving rise to such Fixed Charges will not be Obligations of the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries following the Calculation Date;

(4)     any Person that is a Restricted Subsidiary on the Calculation Date will be deemed to have been a Restricted Subsidiary at all times during such four-quarter period;

(5)     any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary on the Calculation Date will be deemed not to have been a Restricted Subsidiary at any time during such four-quarter period; and

(6)     if any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest, the interest expense on such Indebtedness will be calculated as if the rate in effect on the Calculation Date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Hedging Obligation applicable to such Indebtedness if such Hedging Obligation has a remaining term as at the Calculation Date in excess of 12 months).

“Fixed Charges” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of:

(1)     the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued, including, without limitation, amortization of debt discount (but not (i) debt issuance costs, commissions, fees and expenses or (ii) amortization of discount on the Intercompany Note Proceeds Loans), non-cash interest payments, the interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges Incurred in respect of letter of credit or bankers’ acceptance financings, and net of the effect of all payments made or received pursuant to Hedging Obligations in respect of interest rates; plus

(2)     the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such period; plus

(3)     any interest on Indebtedness of another Person that is guaranteed by such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Indebtedness secured by a Lien of the type specified in clause (22) of the definition of “Permitted Liens”), whether or not such Guarantee or Lien is called upon; plus

 

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(4)     the product of (a) all dividends, whether paid or accrued and whether or not in cash, on any series of Preferred Stock of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than dividends on Equity Interests payable solely in Equity Interests of such Person (other than Disqualified Stock) or to such Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person, times (b) a fraction, the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is one minus the then current combined federal, state and local statutory tax rate of such Person, expressed as a decimal, in each case, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

“Gaming Authorities” means the applicable gaming board, commission, or other governmental gaming regulatory body or agency which (a) has, or may at any time after the 2021 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date have, jurisdiction over the gaming activities (i) at the Studio City Casino, (ii) of Melco Resorts Macau (or any other operator of the Studio City Casino including Melco Resorts or any of its Affiliates) or (iii) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any successor to such authority or (b) is, or may at any time after the 2021 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date be, responsible for interpreting, administering and enforcing the Gaming Laws.

“Gaming Laws” means all applicable constitutions, treatises, resolutions, laws, regulations, instructions and statutes pursuant to which any Gaming Authority possesses regulatory, licensing or permit authority over gaming, gambling or casino activities, and all rules, rulings, orders, ordinances, regulations of any Gaming Authority applicable to the gambling, casino, gaming businesses or activities (i) at the Studio City Casino, (ii) of Melco Resorts Macau (or any other operator of the Studio City Casino including Melco Resorts or any of its Affiliates) or the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in any jurisdiction, as in effect from time to time, including the policies, interpretations and administration thereof by the Gaming Authorities.

“Gaming Licenses” means any concession, subconcession, license, permit, franchise or other authorization at any time required under any Gaming Laws to own, lease, operate or otherwise conduct the gaming business (i) at the Studio City Casino or (ii) of Melco Resorts Macau.

“Governmental Authority” means the government of the Macau SAR or any other territory, nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

“Guarantee” means a guarantee other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business, direct or indirect, in any manner including, without limitation, by way of a pledge of assets or through letters of credit or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof, of all or any part of any Indebtedness (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreements to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take or pay or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise).

“Hedging Obligations” means, with respect to any specified Person, the obligations of such Person under:

(1)     interest rate swap agreements (whether from fixed to floating or from floating to fixed), interest rate cap agreements and interest rate collar agreements;

(2)     other agreements or arrangements designed to manage interest rates or interest rate risk; and

(3)     other agreements or arrangements designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in currency exchange rates or commodity prices.

 

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“Holder” means a Person in whose name a Senior Note is registered.

“Incur” means, with respect to any Indebtedness, Capital Stock or other Obligation of any Person, to create, issue, assume, guarantee, incur (by conversion, exchange, or otherwise) or otherwise become liable in respect of such Indebtedness, Capital Stock or other Obligation or the recording, as required pursuant to U.S. GAAP or otherwise, of any such Indebtedness or other Obligation on the balance sheet of such Person. Indebtedness or Capital Stock otherwise Incurred by a Person before it becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company shall be deemed to be Incurred at the time at which such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company. The accretion of original issue discount, the accrual of interest, the accrual of dividends, the payment of interest in the form of additional Indebtedness and the payment of dividends on Preferred Stock in the form of additional shares of Preferred Stock shall not be considered an Incurrence of Indebtedness.

“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any specified Person, any indebtedness of such Person (excluding accrued expenses and trade payables), whether or not contingent:

(1)     in respect of borrowed money;

(2)     evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit (or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof);

(3)     in respect of banker’s acceptances;

(4)     representing Capital Lease Obligations;

(5)     representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property or services due more than one year after such property is acquired or such services are completed; or

(6)     representing any Hedging Obligations,

if and to the extent any of the preceding items (other than letters of credit and Hedging Obligations) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of the specified Person prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In addition, the term “Indebtedness” includes all Indebtedness of others secured by a Lien on any asset of the specified Person (whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by the specified Person) and, to the extent not otherwise included, the Guarantee by the specified Person of any Indebtedness of any other Person.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Indebtedness” will not include (i) any capital commitments, deposits or advances from customers or any contingent obligations to refund payments (including deposits) to customers (or any guarantee thereof), (ii) obligations of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to pay the deferred and unpaid purchase price of property or services due to suppliers of equipment or other assets (including parts thereof) not more than one year after such property is acquired or such services are completed and the amount of unpaid purchase price retained by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business in connection with an acquisition of equipment or other assets (including parts thereof) pending full operation or contingent on certain conditions during a warranty period of such equipment or assets in accordance with the terms of the acquisition; provided, that, in the case of (i) and (ii), such Indebtedness is not reflected as borrowings on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company (contingent obligations and commitments referred to in a footnote to financial statements and not otherwise reflected as borrowings on the balance sheet will not be deemed to be reflected on such balance sheet), or (iii) any lease of property which would be considered an operating lease under U.S. GAAP and any guarantee given by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business solely in connection with, or in respect of, the obligations of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary under any operating lease.

 

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The amount of Indebtedness of any Person at any time shall be the outstanding balance at such time of all unconditional obligations as described above and, with respect to contingent obligations, the maximum liability upon the occurrence of the contingency giving rise to the obligation; provided that:

(A)     the amount outstanding at any time of any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount is the face amount of such Indebtedness less the remaining unamortized portion of the original issue discount of such Indebtedness at such time as determined in conformity with U.S. GAAP;

(B)     money borrowed and set aside at the time of the Incurrence of any Indebtedness in order to prefund the payment of the interest on such Indebtedness shall not be deemed to be “Indebtedness” so long as such money is held to secure the payment of such interest; and

(C)     that the amount of or the principal amount of Indebtedness with respect to any Hedging Obligation shall be equal to the net amount payable if such Hedging Obligation terminated at or prior to that time due to a default by such Person.

“Initial 2025 Notes” means the first US$500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 2025 Notes issued under the 2025 Notes Indenture on or about July 15, 2020.

“Initial 2028 Notes” means the first US$500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 2028 Notes issued under the 2028 Notes Indenture on or about July 15, 2020.

“Initial 2029 Notes” means the first US$750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 2029 Notes issued under the 2029 Notes Indenture on or about January 14, 2021.

“Intercompany Note Proceeds Loans” means the one or more intercompany loans between the Company and its Subsidiaries pursuant to which the Company on-lends to its Subsidiaries the net proceeds from the issuance of the 2025 Notes, the 2028 Notes or (as the case may be) the 2029 Notes in accordance with the terms of the definitive documents with respect to the 2025 Notes, the 2028 Notes or (as the case may be) the 2029 Notes, in each case, as amended from time to time, including in connection with any extension, additional issuance or refinancing thereof.

“Investment Grade Status” shall apply at any time the relevant Indebtedness receives (i) a rating equal to or higher than BBB- (or the equivalent) from S&P and (ii) a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) from Moody’s.

“Investments” means, with respect to any Person, all direct or indirect investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the forms of loans (including Guarantees or other obligations), advances or capital contributions (excluding commission, travel and similar advances to officers and employees and consultants made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities, together with all items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. If the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company sells or otherwise disposes of any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company such that, after giving effect to any such sale or disposition, such Person is no longer a Subsidiary of the Company, the Company will be deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or disposition equal to the Fair Market Value of the Company’s Investments in such Subsidiary that were not sold or disposed of in an amount determined as provided in clause (c) of Section 2 of Schedule 10 (Covenants). The acquisition by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company of a Person that holds an Investment in a third Person will be deemed to be an Investment by the Company or such Subsidiary in such third Person in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the Investments held by the acquired Person in such third Person in an amount determined as provided in clause (c) of Section 2 of Schedule 10 (Covenants). Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the amount of an Investment will be determined at the time the Investment is made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value.

 

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“Land Concession” means the land concession by way of lease, for a period of 25 years, subject to renewal as of October 17, 2001 for a plot of land situated in Cotai, Macau, described with the Macau Immovable Property Registry under No. 23059 and registered in Studio City Developments Limited’s name under inscription no. 26642 of Book F, titled by Dispatch of the Secretary for Public Works and Transportation no. 100/2001 of October 9, 2001, published in the Macau Official Gazette no. 42 of October 17, 2001, as amended by Dispatch of the Secretary for Public Works and Transportation no. 31/2012 of July 19, 2012, published in the Macau Official Gazette no. 30 of July 25, 2012, and by Dispatch of Secretary for Public Works and Transportation no. 92/2015 of September 10, 2015, published in the Macau Official Gazette no. 38 of September 23, 2015 and including any other amendments from time to time to such land concession.

“Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the City of New York, New York, Hong Kong, Macau, the British Virgin Islands or at a place of payment are authorized by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue on such payment for the intervening period

“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction).

“Measurement Date” means February 11, 2019.

“Melco Resorts” means Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited, an exempted company incorporated with limited liability under the laws of the Cayman Islands.

“Melco Resorts Parties” means COD Resorts Limited, Altira Resorts Limited, Melco Resorts (Macau) Limited, MPEL Services Limited, Golden Future (Management Services) Limited, MPEL Properties (Macau) Limited, Melco Resorts Security Services Limited, Melco Resorts Travel Limited, MCE Transportation Limited, MCE Transportation Two Limited and any other Person which accedes to the MSA as a “Melco Crown Party” pursuant to terms thereof; and a “Melco Resorts Party” means any of them.

“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

“MSA” means the master services agreement dated December 21, 2015, including any work agreements entered into pursuant to the master services agreement, entered into between the Studio City Parties on the one part and the Melco Resorts Parties on the other part, as amended, modified, supplemented, extended, replaced or renewed from time to time, and any other master services agreement or equivalent agreement or contract, including any work agreements entered into pursuant to any such master services agreement, in each case entered into in connection with the conduct of Permitted Business and on terms that are no less favorable to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in an arm’s length commercial transaction, as amended, modified, supplemented, extended, replaced or renewed from time to time.

 

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“Net Income” means, with respect to any Person, the net income (loss) of such Person, determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP and before any reduction in respect of Preferred Stock dividends, excluding, however:

(1)     any gain (or loss), together with any related provision for taxes on such gain (or loss), realized in connection with: (a) any Asset Sale; or (b) the disposition of any securities by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or the extinguishment, repurchase or cancellation of any Indebtedness of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; and

(2)     any extraordinary gain (or loss), together with any related provision for taxes on such extraordinary gain (or loss).

“Net Proceeds” means the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale (including, without limitation, any cash received upon the sale or other disposition of any non-cash consideration received in any Asset Sale), net of the costs relating to such Asset Sale, including, without limitation, legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and sales commissions, and any relocation expenses incurred as a result of the Asset Sale, taxes paid or payable as a result of the Asset Sale, in each case, after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements and any reserve for adjustment in respect of the sale price of such asset or assets established in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

“Non-Recourse Debt” means Indebtedness:

(1)     as to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (a) provides credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness), (b) is directly or indirectly liable as a guarantor or otherwise, or (c) constitutes the lender, other than, in the case of (a) and (b), Indebtedness incurred pursuant to clause (b)(xv) of Section 4 of Schedule 10 (Covenants); and

(2)     as to which the lenders have been notified in writing that they will not have any recourse to the stock or assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than to the Equity Interests of any Unrestricted Subsidiary).

“Obligations” means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.

“Offering Memorandum” means the offering memorandum dated January 5, 2021 in respect of the Senior Notes.

“Officer” means the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President, any Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President or Vice President, Treasurer or Secretary of the Company or any Directors of the Board or any Person acting in that capacity.

“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed on behalf of the Company, by an Officer of the Company, which is in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent (acting reasonably).

“Permitted Business” means (1) any businesses, services or activities engaged in by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries on the 2021 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date, including, without limitation, the construction, development and operation of the Property, (2) any gaming, hotel, accommodation, hospitality, transport, tourism, resort, food and beverage, retail, entertainment, cinema / cinematic venue, audio-visual production (including provision of sound stage, recording studio and similar facilities), performance, cultural or related business, development, project, undertaking or venture of any kind in the Macau SAR, and (3) any other businesses, services, activities or undertaking that are necessary for, supportive of, or connected, related, complementary, incidental, ancillary or similar to, any of the foregoing or are extensions or developments of any thereof (including in support of the businesses, services, activities and undertakings of the Melco Resorts group as a whole or any member thereof including through participation in shared and centralized services and activities).

 

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“Permitted Investments” means:

(1)     any Investment in the Company or in a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

(2)     any Investment in cash or Cash Equivalents;

(3)     any Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in a Person, if as a result of such Investment:

(A)     such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; or

(B)     such Person is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

(4)     any Investment made as a result of the receipt of non-cash consideration from an Asset Sale that was made pursuant to and in compliance with Section 5 of Schedule 10 (Covenants);

(5)     any acquisition of assets or Capital Stock in exchange for the issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company;

(6)     any Investments received in compromise or resolution of (A) obligations of trade creditors or customers that were incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of any trade creditor or customer; or (B) litigation, arbitration or other disputes with Persons who are not Affiliates;

(7)     Investments represented by Hedging Obligations;

(8)     loans or advances to employees, officers, or directors made in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed US$2.0 million at any one time outstanding;

(9)     without prejudice to Clause 23.15 (Notes Repurchase condition) of this Agreement, repurchases of the Senior Notes;

(10)     any Investments consisting of gaming credit extended to customers and junket operators in the ordinary course of business and consistent with applicable law and any Investments made or deemed to be made in connection with or through any transactions or arrangements involving contractual rights under, pursuant to or in connection with (i) the Services and Right to Use Agreement, the Reinvestment Agreement or the MSA and (ii) any transaction or arrangements made pursuant to clause (10) of the definition of “Asset Sale”, including any amendments, modifications, supplements, extensions, replacements, terminations or renewals;

(11)     advances to contractors and suppliers and accounts, trade and notes receivables created or acquired in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(12)     receivables owing to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries if created or acquired in the ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary trade terms;

(13)     any Investment existing on the 2021 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date or made pursuant to binding commitments in effect on the 2021 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date or an Investment consisting of any extension, modification or renewal of any Investment existing on the 2021 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date; provided that the amount of any such Investment may be increased (x) as required by the terms of such Investment as in existence on the 2021 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date or (y) as otherwise permitted under the Finance Documents;

(14)     Investments in prepaid expenses, negotiable instruments held for collection, deposits made in connection with self-insurance, and performance and other similar deposits and prepayments made in connection with an acquisition of assets or property in the ordinary course of business by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

(15)     deposits made by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in the ordinary course of business to comply with statutory or regulatory obligations (including land grants) to maintain deposits for the purposes specified by the applicable statute or regulation (including land grants) from time to time;

(16)     any Investment consisting of a Guarantee permitted by Section 4 of Schedule 10 (Covenants) and performance guarantees that do not constitute Indebtedness entered into by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in the ordinary course of business;

(17)     to the extent constituting an Investment, licenses of intellectual property rights granted by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in the ordinary course of business; provided that such grant does not interfere in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of the business of such Person;

(18)     Investments consisting of purchases and acquisitions of inventory, supplies, materials, services or equipment or purchases of contract rights or licenses or leases of intellectual property, in each case, in the ordinary course of business;

(19)     Investments held by a Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; provided, however, that such Investments were not acquired in contemplation of the acquisition of such Person;

(20)     an Investment in an Unrestricted Subsidiary consisting solely of an Investment in another Unrestricted Subsidiary;

(21)     pledges or deposits (x) with respect to leases or utilities provided to third parties in the ordinary course of business or (y) otherwise described in the definition of “Permitted Liens”;

(22)     Investments (other than Permitted Investments) made with Excluded Contributions; provided, however, that any amount of Excluded Contributions made will not be included in the calculation of clause (C)(II) of Section 2(a) of Schedule 10 (Covenants);

(23)     Investments consisting of the licensing or contribution of intellectual property pursuant to joint marketing arrangements with other Persons; and

 

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(24)     other Investments in any Person having an aggregate Fair Market Value (measured on the date each such Investment was made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (24) that are at the time outstanding, not to exceed US$5.0 million.

“Permitted Liens” means:

(1)     Liens to secure Indebtedness permitted by Section 4(b)(i)(A)(x) and Section 4(b)(iii)(A) of Schedule 10 (Covenants);

(2)     Liens created for the benefit of (or to secure) the Senior Notes (including any Additional Senior Notes) or the Senior Notes Guarantees;

(3)     Liens in favor of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors;

(4)     Liens on property of a Person existing at the time such Person is merged with or into or consolidated with the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such Liens were not created in connection with, or in contemplation of, such merger or consolidation and do not extend to any assets other than those of the Person merged into or consolidated with the Company or the Subsidiary;

(5)     Liens on property (including Capital Stock) existing at the time of acquisition of the property by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such Liens were in existence prior to, such acquisition, and not incurred in contemplation of, such acquisition;

(6)     Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of business in connection with workmen’s compensation or employment obligations or other obligations of a like nature, including any Lien securing letters of credit issued in the ordinary course of business in connection therewith, or to secure the performance of tenders, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, bids, leases, government contracts, performance and return-of-money bonds and other similar obligations (exclusive of obligations for the payment of borrowed money);

(7)     Liens to secure Indebtedness (including Capital Lease Obligations) permitted by Section 4(b)(iv) of Schedule 10 (Covenants) covering only the assets acquired with or financed by such Indebtedness and directly related assets such as proceeds (including insurance proceeds), improvements, replacements and substitutions thereto;

(8)     Liens existing on the 2021 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date;

(9)     Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims that are not yet delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently concluded; provided that any reserve or other appropriate provision as is required in conformity with U.S. GAAP has been made therefor;

(10)     Liens imposed by law, such as carriers, warehousemen’s, landlord’s, suppliers’ and mechanics’ Liens, in each case, incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(11)     survey exceptions, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights-of-way, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar purposes, or zoning or other restrictions as to the use of real property that were not incurred in connection with Indebtedness and that do not in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of said properties or materially impair their use in the operation of the business of such Person;

 

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(12)     Liens to secure any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness permitted to be Incurred under the Finance Documents; provided, however, that:

(A)     the new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same property and assets that secured or, under the written agreements pursuant to which the original Lien arose, could secure the original Lien (plus improvements and accessions to, such property or proceeds or distributions thereof); and

(B)     the Indebtedness secured by the new Lien is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of (x) the outstanding principal amount, or, if greater, committed amount, of the Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness and (y) an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums, related to such renewal, refunding, refinancing, replacement, defeasance or discharge;

(13)     Liens securing Hedging Obligations so long as the related Indebtedness is, and is permitted to be under the Finance Documents, secured by a Lien on the same assets or property securing such Hedging Obligations;

(14)     Liens that are contractual rights of set-off (i) relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks not given in connection with the money borrowed, (ii) relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries or (iii) relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

(15)     Liens arising out of judgments against such Person not giving rise to an Event of Default, with respect to which such Person shall then be proceeding with an appeal or other proceedings for review, provided that any reserve or other appropriate provision as shall be required in conformity with U.S. GAAP shall have been made therefor;

(16)     Liens granted to each Senior Notes Trustee for its compensation and indemnities pursuant to the applicable Senior Notes Indenture;

(17)     Liens arising out of or in connection with licenses, sublicenses, leases (other than capital leases) and subleases (including rights to use) of assets (including, without limitation, intellectual property) entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(18)     Liens upon specific items of inventory or other goods and proceeds of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries securing obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances issued or created to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods in the ordinary course of business;

(19)     Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, hire purchase, consignment or similar arrangement for the sale of goods in the ordinary course of business;

(20)     Liens arising under customary provisions limiting the disposition or distribution of assets or property or any related restrictions thereon in operating agreements, joint venture agreements, partnership agreements, contracts for sale and other agreements arising in the ordinary course of business; provided, that such Liens do not extend to any assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries other than the assets subject to such agreements or contracts;

(21)     Liens on deposits made in the ordinary course of business to secure liability to insurance carriers;

 

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(22)     Liens on the Equity Interests of Unrestricted Subsidiaries;

(23)     Liens created or Incurred under, pursuant to or in connection with the Services and Right to Use Agreement or the Reinvestment Agreement, including Liens on any revenues or receipts thereunder or any accounts created or maintained thereunder;

(24)     limited recourse Liens in respect of the ownership interests in, or assets owned by, any joint ventures which are not Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company securing obligations of such joint ventures;

(25)     Liens securing Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to Section 4(b)(xvii) of Schedule 10 (Covenants);

(26)     Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company with respect to Obligations that do not exceed US$5.0 million at any one time outstanding; and

(27)     Liens securing obligations under a debt service reserve account or interest reserve account (including all dividends, instruments, cash and Cash Equivalents and other property, as applicable, on deposit in such account) established for the benefit of creditors securing Indebtedness to the extent such debt service reserve account or interest reserve account is established in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice.

“Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge other Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than intercompany Indebtedness); provided that:

(1)     the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged (plus all accrued interest on the Indebtedness and the amount of all fees and expenses, including premiums, Incurred in connection therewith);

(2)     such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date later than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged;

(3)     if the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged is subordinated in right of payment to the Facilities Liabilities, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date later than the final maturity date of, and is subordinated in right of payment to, the Facilities Liabilities on terms at least as favorable to the Finance Parties as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged; and

(4)     such Indebtedness is Incurred either by the Company or by the Restricted Subsidiary who is the obligor on the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged.

“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.

 

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“Phase I” means the approximately 477,110 gross square-meter complex on the Site which contains retail, hotel, gaming, entertainment, food and beverage outlets and entertainment studios and other facilities.

“Phase II Project” means the development of the remainder of the Site, which is expected to include one or more types of Permitted Business and will be developed in accordance with the applicable governmental requirements regarding the Site.

“Preferred Stock” means any Equity Interest with preferential right of payment of dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding up.

“Pre-Opening Expenses” means, with respect to any fiscal period, the amount of expenses (other than interest expense) incurred with respect to capital projects that are classified as “pre-opening expenses” on the applicable financial statements of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

“Property” means Phase I and the Phase II Project.

“Reinvestment Agreement” means the Reimbursement Agreement.

“Related Party” means:

(1)     any controlling stockholder or majority-owned Subsidiary of Melco Resorts; or

(2)     any trust, corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity, the beneficiaries, stockholders, partners, members, owners or Persons beneficially holding at least 50.1% interest of which consist of Melco Resorts and/or such other Persons referred to in the immediately preceding clause (1).

“Restricted Investment” means an Investment other than a Permitted Investment.

“Restricted Subsidiary” of a Person means any Subsidiary of the referent Person that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

“Revenue Sharing Agreement” means any joint venture, development, management, operating or similar agreement or arrangement for the sharing of revenues, profits, losses, costs or expenses entered into in connection with developments or services complementary or ancillary to the Property in the ordinary course of business (including, for the avoidance of doubt, such agreements or arrangements reasonably necessary to conduct a Permitted Business) and on arms’ length terms.

“S&P” means S&P Global Ratings or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

“SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Securities Act” means the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

“Senior Notes” means the 2025 Notes, the 2028 Notes and the 2029 Notes.

“Senior Notes Guarantees” means the 2025 Notes Guarantees, the 2028 Notes Guarantees and the 2029 Notes Guarantees.

“Senior Notes Indentures” means the 2025 Notes Indenture, the 2028 Notes Indenture and the 2029 Notes Indenture.

 

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“Senior Notes Trustee” means each of the 2025 Notes Trustee, the 2028 Notes Trustee, and the 2029 Notes Trustee.

“Shareholder Subordinated Debt” means, collectively, any debt provided to the Company by any direct or indirect parent holding company of the Company (or Melco Resorts), in exchange for or pursuant to any security, instrument or agreement other than Capital Stock, together with any such security, instrument or agreement and any other security or instrument other than Capital Stock issued in payment of any obligation under any Shareholder Subordinated Debt; provided that such Shareholder Subordinated Debt:

(1)     does not (including upon the happening of any event) mature or require any amortization or other payment of principal prior to the first anniversary of the last Final Repayment Date of the Facilities (other than through conversion or exchange of any such security or instrument for Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or for any other security or instrument meeting the requirements of the definition);

(2)     does not (including upon the happening of any event) require the payment of cash interest prior to the first anniversary of the last Final Repayment Date of the Facilities;

(3)     does not (including upon the happening of any event) provide for the acceleration of its maturity nor confer on its shareholders any right (including upon the happening of any event) to declare a default or event of default or take any enforcement action, in each case, prior to the first anniversary of the last Final Repayment Date of the Facilities;

(4)     is not secured by a Lien on any assets of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and is not guaranteed by any Subsidiary of the Company;

(5)     is subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full in cash of the Facilities Liabilities in the event of any default, bankruptcy, reorganization, liquidation, winding up or other disposition of assets of the Company;

(6)     does not (including upon the happening of any event) restrict the payment of amounts due in respect of the Facilities Liabilities or compliance by the Company with its obligations under the Finance Documents;

(7)     does not (including upon the happening of an event) constitute Voting Stock; and

(8)     is not (including upon the happening of any event) mandatorily convertible or exchangeable, or convertible or exchangeable at the option of the holder, in whole or in part, prior to the last Final Repayment Date of the Facilities other than into or for Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company.

“Significant Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such regulation is in effect on the 2021 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date.

“Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any installment of interest or principal on any series of Indebtedness, the date on which the payment of interest or principal was scheduled to be paid in the documentation governing such Indebtedness as of the 2021 Amendment and Restatement Effective Date, and will not include any contingent obligations to repay, redeem or repurchase any such interest or principal prior to the date originally scheduled for the payment thereof.

“Studio City Casino” means any casino, gaming business or activities conducted at the Site.

 

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“Studio City International” means Studio City International Holdings Limited, an exempted company incorporated with limited liability under the laws of the Cayman Islands.

“Studio City Parties” means Studio City International, Studio City Entertainment Limited, Studio City Hotels Limited, Studio City Retail Services Limited, Studio City Developments Limited, Studio City Ventures Limited, Studio City Services Limited and any other Person which accedes to the MSA as a “Studio City Party” pursuant to terms thereof.

“Subordinated Indebtedness” means (a) with respect to the Company, any Indebtedness of the Company which is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to the Facilities Liabilities, and (b) with respect to any Subsidiary Guarantor, any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor which is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to such Subsidiary Guarantor’s Obligations in respect of the Facilities Liabilities.

“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any specified Person:

(1)     any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees of the corporation, association or other business entity is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and

(2)     any partnership (a) the sole general partner or the managing general partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person or (b) the only general partners of which are that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person (or any combination thereof).

“Subsidiary Guarantor” means the Borrower and each Guarantor from time to time.

“Total Assets” means, as of any date, the consolidated total assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with U.S. GAAP as shown on the most recent balance sheet of such Person.

“Transactions” means the offering of the Senior Notes and the offer to purchase and/or redemption, as the case may be, of the 2016 7.250% Studio City Company Notes as described in the Offering Memorandum.

“Unrestricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company that is designated by the Board of Directors of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors, but only to the extent that such Subsidiary:

(1)     has no Indebtedness other than Non-Recourse Debt;

(2)     except as permitted by Section 6 of Schedule 10 (Covenants), is not party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company unless the terms of any such agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding are no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons who are not Affiliates of the Company;

(3)     is a Person with respect to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has any direct or indirect obligation (a) to subscribe for additional Equity Interests or (b) to maintain or preserve such Person’s financial condition or to cause such Person to achieve any specified levels of operating results; and

(4)     has not guaranteed or otherwise directly or indirectly provided credit support for any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

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“U.S. GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are in effect from time to time.

“Voting Stock” of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.

“Weighted Average Life to Maturity” means, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing:

(1)     the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect of the Indebtedness, by (b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment; by

(2)     the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.

 

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Signatures

Original signature pages removed in amended and restated version

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Schedule 2

Conditions Precedent

 

1.	Constitutional documents

 

(a)

A copy of the Constitutional Documents of each Obligor, SCH5 and Melco Resorts Macau.

 

(b)

A copy of an up-to-date certificate of incumbency in respect of each Obligor incorporated in the British Virgin Islands and SCH5, issued by its respective registered agent.

 

(c)

A copy of a certificate of good standing in respect of each Obligor incorporated in the British Virgin Islands and SCH5, issued by Registrar of Corporate Affairs in the British Virgin Islands.

 

2.	Corporate documents

 

(a)

A copy of a resolution of the board of directors of each Obligor, SCH5 and Melco Resorts Macau (save if such resolution is not required under the law of incorporation or the Constitutional Documents of that Obligor or SCH5 (as applicable)) approving the terms of, and the transactions contemplated by, the documents referred to in paragraph 3 of this Schedule 2 to which it is a party (the “Documents”) and resolving that it execute, deliver and perform the Documents; authorising a specified person or persons to execute the Documents; and authorising a specified person or persons, on its behalf, to sign and/or despatch all documents and notices under or in connection with the Documents.

 

(b)

A copy of the shareholders’ resolutions of each Obligor (except for the Borrower, the Parent and each Obligor incorporated in the Macau SAR) and SCH5 approving the terms of, and the transactions contemplated by, the Documents.

 

(c)

A specimen of the signature of each person authorised by the resolution referred to in paragraph 2(a) above who will sign (or has signed) any of the Documents.

 

(d)

A certificate of an authorised signatory of the Parent certifying that each copy document relating to each Obligor specified in this Schedule 2 is correct, complete and in full force and effect as at a date no earlier than the date of this Agreement and will not have been amended or superseded as of the Effective Date.

 

(e)

A certificate of an authorised signatory of SCH5 certifying that each copy document relating to it specified in this Schedule 2 is correct, complete and in full force and effect as at a date no earlier than the date of this Agreement and will not have been amended or superseded as of the Effective Date.

 

(f)

A certificate of an authorised signatory of Melco Resorts Macau certifying that each copy document relating to it specified in this Schedule 2 is correct, complete and in full force and effect as at a date no earlier than the date of this Agreement and will not have been amended or superseded as of the Effective Date.

 

3.

Documents

 

(a)

A copy of this Agreement duly entered into by the parties thereto.

 

(b)

A copy of each Confirmatory Security Document entered into by the parties thereto.

 

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4.	Legal Opinions

 

(a)

A legal opinion in relation to English law from White & Case, legal advisers to the Agent, substantially in the form distributed to the Agent prior to the signing of this Agreement.

 

(b)

A legal opinion in relation to Hong Kong law from White & Case, legal advisers to the Agent, substantially in the form distributed to the Agent prior to the signing of this Agreement.

 

(c)

A legal opinion in relation to Macanese law from Henrique Saldanha Advogados & Notários, legal advisers to the Agent, substantially in the form distributed to the Agent prior to the signing of this Agreement.

 

(d)

A legal opinion in relation to British Virgin Islands law from Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP, legal advisers to the Agent, substantially in the form distributed to the Agent prior to the signing of this Agreement.

 

5.	Fees and expenses

Evidence that all Taxes, fees, costs and expenses then due and payable from the Borrower under this Agreement have been or will be paid on, prior to or shortly after the Effective Date.

 

6.	Other documents and evidence

 

(a)

A copy of the Group Structure Chart.

 

(b)

The audited consolidated financial statements of the Group for the financial year ending 31 December 2019 and the unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Group for the financial half-year ending 30 June 2020.

 

(c)

Evidence that the agents of the Obligors and SCH5 under the Amendment Transaction Documents for service of process in England and Hong Kong respectively have accepted their appointments.

 

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Schedule 3

Confirmatory Security Documents

Part 1

Offshore Confirmatory Security

 

1.	A second composite deed of confirmatory security to be entered into (among others) by the Borrower, the Parent, Studio City Holdings Two Limited and SCP Holdings Limited with respect to:

 

(a)

the charge over all present and future shares of the Borrower held by the Parent, granted by the Parent dated 26 November 2013 (as amended by a composite deed of confirmatory security dated 1 December 2016 and as amended, novated, supplemented, extended, replaced or restated from time to time);

 

(b)

the charge over all present and future shares of Studio City Holdings Two Limited held by the Borrower, granted by the Borrower dated 26 November 2013 (as amended by a composite deed of confirmatory security dated 1 December 2016 and as amended, novated, supplemented, extended, replaced or restated from time to time);

 

(c)

the charge over all present and future shares in Studio City Holdings Three Limited held by Studio City Holdings Two Limited, granted by Studio City Holdings Two Limited dated 26 November 2013 (as amended by a composite deed of confirmatory security dated 1 December 2016 and as amended, novated, supplemented, extended, replaced or restated from time to time);

 

(d)

the charge over all present and future shares in Studio City Holdings Four Limited held by Studio City Holdings Two Limited, granted by Studio City Holdings Two Limited dated 26 November 2013 (as amended by a composite deed of confirmatory security dated 1 December 2016 and as amended, novated, supplemented, extended, replaced or restated from time to time);

 

(e)

the charge over all present and future shares in SCP Holdings Limited held by Studio City Holdings Two Limited, granted by Studio City Holdings Two Limited dated 26 November 2013 (as amended by a composite deed of confirmatory security dated 1 December 2016 and as amended, novated, supplemented, extended, replaced or restated from time to time);

 

(f)

the charge over all present and future shares in SCIP Holdings Limited held by Studio City Holdings Two Limited, granted by Studio City Holdings Two Limited dated 26 November 2013 (as amended by a composite deed of confirmatory security dated 1 December 2016 and as amended, novated, supplemented, extended, replaced or restated from time to time);

 

(g)

the charge over all present and future shares in SCP One Limited held by SCP Holdings Limited, granted by SCP Holdings Limited dated 26 November 2013 (as amended by a composite deed of confirmatory security dated 1 December 2016 and as amended, novated, supplemented, extended, replaced or restated from time to time);

 

(h)

the charge over all present and future shares in SCP Two Limited held by SCP Holdings Limited, granted by SCP Holdings Limited dated 26 November 2013 (as amended by a composite deed of confirmatory security dated 1 December 2016 and as amended, novated, supplemented, extended, replaced or restated from time to time); and

 

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(i)

the composite deed of confirmatory security entered into (among others) by the Borrower, the Parent, Studio City Holdings Two Limited and SCP Holdings Limited dated 1 December 2016 (as amended, novated, supplemented, extended, replaced or restated from time to time).

 

2.

A second deed of confirmatory security to be entered into (among others) by the Borrower, the Parent, Studio City Holdings Two Limited, Studio City Holdings Three Limited, Studio City Holdings Four Limited, Studio City Entertainment Limited, Studio City Hotels Limited, Studio City Services Limited, SCP Holdings Limited, SCP One Limited, SCP Two Limited, Studio City Hospitality and Services Limited, Studio City Retail Services Limited, Studio City Developments Limited and SCIP Holdings Limited, with respect to:

 

(a)

the debenture entered into (amongst others) by the Borrower, the Parent, Studio City Holdings Two Limited, Studio City Holdings Three Limited, Studio City Holdings Four Limited, Studio City Entertainment Limited, Studio City Hotels Limited, Studio City Services Limited, SCP Holdings Limited, SCP One Limited, SCP Two Limited, Studio City Hospitality and Services Limited, Studio City Retail Services Limited, Studio City Developments Limited and SCIP Holdings Limited dated 26 November 2013 (as amended by a deed of confirmatory security dated 1 December 2016 and as amended, novated, supplemented, extended, replaced or restated from time to time); and

 

(b)

the deed of confirmatory security entered into (among others) by the Borrower, the Parent, Studio City Holdings Two Limited, Studio City Holdings Three Limited, Studio City Holdings Four Limited, Studio City Entertainment Limited, Studio City Hotels Limited, Studio City Services Limited, SCP Holdings Limited, SCP One Limited, SCP Two Limited, Studio City Hospitality and Services Limited, Studio City Retail Services Limited, Studio City Developments Limited and SCIP Holdings Limited dated 1 December 2016 (as amended, novated, supplemented, extended, replaced or restated from time to time).

 

3.	A second deed of confirmatory security to be entered into by SCH5 and the Common Security Agent with respect to:

 

(a)

the debenture entered into by SCH5 and the Common Security Agent as security agent dated 18 September 2015 (as amended by a deed of confirmatory security dated 1 December 2016 and as amended, novated, supplemented, extended, replaced or restated from time to time); and

 

(b)

the deed of confirmatory security entered into by SCH5 and the Common Security Agent dated 1 December 2016 (as amended, novated, supplemented, extended, replaced or restated from time to time).

 

4.

A second composite account charge deed of confirmatory security to be entered into (among others) by the Borrower, the Parent, Studio City Developments Limited, Studio City Entertainment Limited, Studio City Hotels Limited, Studio City Services Limited, Studio City Hospitality and Services Limited, Studio City Retail Services Limited and SCIP Holdings Limited with respect to:

 

(a)

the charge over certain accounts of the Borrower held in the Hong Kong SAR, granted by the Borrower dated 26 November 2013 (as amended by a composite account charge deed of confirmatory security dated 1 December 2016 and as amended, novated, supplemented, extended, replaced or restated from time to time;

 

(b)

the charge over certain accounts of the Parent held in the Hong Kong SAR, granted by the Parent dated 26 November 2013 (as amended by a composite account charge deed of confirmatory security dated 1 December 2016 and as amended, novated, supplemented, extended, replaced or restated from time to time);

 

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(c)

the charge over certain accounts of Studio City Developments Limited held in the Hong Kong SAR, granted by Studio City Developments Limited dated 26 November 2013 (as amended by a composite account charge deed of confirmatory security dated 1 December 2016 and as amended, novated, supplemented, extended, replaced or restated from time to time;

 

(d)

the charge over certain accounts of Studio City Entertainment Limited held in the Hong Kong SAR, granted by Studio City Entertainment Limited (as amended by a composite account charge deed of confirmatory security dated 1 December 2016 and as amended, novated, supplemented, extended, replaced or restated from time to time);

 

(e)

the charge over certain accounts of Studio City Hotels Limited held in the Hong Kong SAR, granted by Studio City Hotels Limited dated 26 November 2013 (as amended by a composite account charge deed of confirmatory security dated 1 December 2016 and as amended, novated, supplemented, extended, replaced or restated from time to time);

 

(f)

the charge over certain accounts of Studio City Services Limited held in the Hong Kong SAR, granted by Studio City Services Limited dated 26 November 2013 (as amended by a composite account charge deed of confirmatory security dated 1 December 2016 and as amended, novated, supplemented, extended, replaced or restated from time to time);

 

(g)

the charge over certain accounts of Studio City Hospitality and Services Limited held in the Hong Kong SAR, granted by Studio City Hospitality and Services Limited dated 26 November 2013 (as amended by a composite account charge deed of confirmatory security dated 1 December 2016 and as amended, novated, supplemented, extended, replaced or restated from time to time);

 

(h)

the charge over certain accounts of Studio City Retail Services Limited held in the Hong Kong SAR, granted by Studio City Retail Services Limited dated 26 November 2013 (as amended by a composite account charge deed of confirmatory security dated 1 December 2016 and as amended, novated, supplemented, extended, replaced or restated from time to time);

 

(i)

the charge over certain accounts of SCIP Holdings Limited held in the Hong Kong SAR, granted by SCIP Holdings Limited dated 26 November 2013 (as amended by a composite account charge deed of confirmatory security dated 1 December 2016 and as amended, novated, supplemented, extended, replaced or restated from time to time); and

 

(j)

the composite account charge deed of confirmatory security entered into (among others) by the Borrower, the Parent, Studio City Developments Limited, Studio City Entertainment Limited, Studio City Hotels Limited, Studio City Services Limited, Studio City Hospitality and Services Limited, Studio City Retail Services Limited and SCIP Holdings Limited dated 1 December 2016 (as amended, novated, supplemented, extended, replaced or restated from time to time).

 

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5.

A second deed of confirmatory security to be entered into (among others) by Studio City Hospitality and Services Limited, Studio City Entertainment Limited, Studio City Hotels Limited, Studio City Developments Limited, Studio City Retail Services Limited and Studio City Services Limited with respect to:

 

(a)

the charge over all present and future shares in SCHK2 held by Studio City Hospitality and Services Limited, Studio City Entertainment Limited, Studio City Hotels Limited, Studio City Developments Limited and Studio City Retail Services Limited dated 30 July 2018 (as amended and restated by a deed of confirmatory security dated 1 February 2019 and as amended, novated, supplemented, extended, replaced or restated from time to time); and

 

(b)

the deed of confirmatory security entered into (among others) by Studio City Hospitality and Services Limited, Studio City Entertainment Limited, Studio City Hotels Limited, Studio City Developments Limited, Studio City Retail Services Limited and Studio City Services Limited dated 1 February 2019 (as amended, novated, supplemented, extended, replaced or restated from time to time).

 

6.	A deed of confirmatory security to be entered into by SCHK2 and the Common Security Agent with respect to the debenture entered into by SCHK2 and the Common Security Agent dated 30 July 2018 (as amended, novated, supplemented, extended, replaced or restated from time to time).

 

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Part 2

Confirmations for Onshore Security

 

1.

A general composite confirmation to be entered into (among others) by Studio City Company Limited, Studio City Investments Limited, Studio City Holdings Two Limited, Studio City Holdings Three Limited, Studio City Holdings Four Limited, Studio City Holdings Five Limited, Studio City Entertainment Limited, Studio City Hotels Limited, Studio City Services Limited, SCP Holdings Limited, SCP One Limited, SCP Two Limited, Studio City Hospitality and Services Limited, Studio City Retail Services Limited, Studio City Developments Limited and SCIP Holdings Limited with respect to the following Macau law security documents:

 

(a)

the mortgage granted by Studio City Developments Limited over its rights under the Amended Land Concession dated 26 November 2013;

 

(b)

the power of attorney granted by Studio City Developments Limited dated 26 November 2013 supplementing the mortgage over its rights under the Amended Land Concession;

 

(c)

the promissory note issued by Studio City Company Limited dated 26 November 2013 and endorsed by Studio City Investments Limited, Studio City Holdings Two Limited, Studio City Holdings Three Limited, Studio City Holdings Four Limited, Studio City Entertainment Limited, Studio City Services Limited, Studio City Hotels Limited, SCP Holdings Limited, Studio City Hospitality and Services Limited, SCP One Limited, SCP Two Limited, Studio City Developments Limited, Studio City Retail Services Limited and SCIP Holdings Limited (the “Livrança”);

 

(d)

the covering letter dated 26 November 2013 in relation to the Livrança from Studio City Company Limited and acknowledged by Studio City Investments Limited, Studio City Holdings Two Limited, Studio City Holdings Three Limited, Studio City Holdings Four Limited, Studio City Entertainment Limited, Studio City Services Limited, Studio City Hotels Limited, SCP Holdings Limited, Studio City Hospitality and Services Limited, SCP One Limited, SCP Two Limited, Studio City Developments Limited, Studio City Retail Services Limited and SCIP Holdings Limited;

 

(e)

the pledge over all present and future shares of Studio City Entertainment Limited held by Studio City Holdings Three Limited and Studio City Holdings Four Limited granted by Studio City Holdings Three Limited and Studio City Holdings Four Limited dated 26 November 2013;

 

(f)

the power of attorney granted by Studio City Holdings Three Limited dated 18 September 2015 regarding all its present and future shares in Studio City Entertainment Limited;

 

(g)

the power of attorney granted by Studio City Holdings Four Limited dated 18 September 2015 regarding all its present and future shares in Studio City Entertainment Limited;

 

(h)

the pledge over the share in Studio City Entertainment Limited held by Studio City Holdings Five Limited granted by Studio City Holdings Five Limited dated 18 September 2015;

 

(i)

the power of attorney granted by Studio City Holdings Five Limited dated 18 September 2015 regarding the share held in Studio City Entertainment Limited;

 

(j)

the pledge over all present and future shares in Studio City Hotels Limited held by Studio City Holdings Three Limited and Studio City Holdings Four Limited, granted by Studio City Holdings Three Limited and Studio City Holdings Four Limited dated 26 November 2013;

 

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(k)

the power of attorney granted by Studio City Holdings Three Limited dated 18 September 2015 regarding all its present and future shares in Studio City Hotels Limited;

 

(l)

the power of attorney granted by Studio City Holdings Four Limited dated 18 September 2015 regarding all its present and future shares in Studio City Hotels Limited;

 

(m)

the pledge over the share in Studio City Hotels Limited held by Studio City Holdings Five Limited, granted by Studio City Holdings Five Limited dated 18 September 2015;

 

(n)

the power of attorney granted by Studio City Holdings Five Limited dated 18 September 2015 regarding the share held in Studio City Hotels Limited;

 

(o)

the pledge over all present and future shares in Studio City Developments Limited held by SCP Holdings Limited, SCP One Limited and SCP Two Limited, granted by SCP Holdings Limited, SCP One Limited and SCP Two Limited dated 26 November 2013;

 

(p)

the power of attorney granted by SCP Holdings Limited dated 18 September 2015 regarding all its present and future shares in Studio City Developments Limited;

 

(q)

the power of attorney granted by SCP One Limited dated 18 September 2015 regarding all its present and future shares in Studio City Developments Limited;

 

(r)

the power of attorney granted by SCP Two Limited dated 18 September 2015 regarding all its present and future shares in Studio City Developments Limited;

 

(s)

the pledge over the share in Studio City Developments Limited held by Studio City Holdings Five Limited, granted by Studio City Holdings Five Limited dated 18 September 2015;

 

(t)

the power of attorney granted by Studio City Holdings Five Limited dated 18 September 2015 regarding the share held in Studio City Developments Limited;

 

(u)

the pledge over all present and future shares in Studio City Retail Services Limited held by Studio City Services Limited and Studio City Hospitality and Services Limited, granted by Studio City Services Limited and Studio City Hospitality and Services Limited dated 26 November 2013;

 

(v)

the pledge over all present and future shares in Studio City Hospitality and Services Limited held by Studio City Services Limited, granted by Studio City Services Limited dated 26 November 2013;

 

(w)

the pledge over all present and future shares of Studio City Services Limited held by Studio City Company Limited and Studio City Holdings Two Limited, granted by Studio City Company Limited and Studio City Holdings Two Limited dated 26 November 2013;

 

(x)

the power of attorney granted by Studio City Holdings Five Limited dated 18 September 2015 to terminate certain preference right agreements pursuant to which Studio City Holdings Five Limited was given preference in the acquisition of certain shares and the assignment of the interest in the Amended Land Concession;

 

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(y)

the floating charge over substantially all assets of Studio City Developments Limited, granted by Studio City Developments Limited dated 26 November 2013;

 

(z)

the floating charge over substantially all assets of Studio City Entertainment Limited, granted by Studio City Entertainment Limited dated 26 November 2013;

 

(aa)

the floating charge over substantially all assets of Studio City Services Limited, granted by Studio City Services Limited dated 26 November 2013;

 

(bb)

the floating charge over substantially all assets of Studio City Hospitality and Services Limited, granted by Studio City Hospitality and Services Limited dated 26 November 2013;

 

(cc)

the floating charge over substantially all assets of Studio City Hotels Limited, granted by Studio City Hotels Limited dated 26 November 2013;

 

(dd)

the floating charge over substantially all assets of Studio City Retail Services Limited, granted by Studio City Retail Services Limited dated 26 November 2013;

 

(ee)

the pledge over certain onshore accounts of Studio City Company Limited held in the Macau SAR, granted by Studio City Company Limited dated 26 November 2013;

 

(ff)

the pledge over certain onshore accounts of Studio City Developments Limited held in the Macau SAR, granted by Studio City Developments Limited dated 26 November 2013;

 

(gg)

the pledge over certain onshore accounts of Studio City Entertainment Limited held in the Macau SAR, granted by Studio City Entertainment Limited dated 26 November 2013;

 

(hh)

the pledge over certain onshore accounts of Studio City Hotels Limited held in the Macau SAR, granted by Studio City Hotels Limited dated 26 November 2013;

 

(ii)

the pledge over certain onshore accounts of Studio City Services Limited held in the Macau SAR, granted by Studio City Services Limited dated 26 November 2013;

 

(jj)

the pledge over certain onshore accounts of Studio City Hospitality and Services Limited held in the Macau SAR, granted by Studio City Hospitality and Services Limited dated 26 November 2013;

 

(kk)

the pledge over certain onshore accounts of Studio City Retail Services Limited held in the Macau SAR, granted by Studio City Retail Services Limited dated 26 November 2013; and

 

(ll)

the pledge over certain onshore accounts of SCIP Holdings Limited held in the Macau SAR, granted by SCIP Holdings Limited dated 26 November 2013;

 

(mm)

the assignment of certain leases and rights to use agreements dated 26 November 2013 and entered into by (among others) Studio City Developments Limited;

 

(nn)

the assignment of certain leases and rights to use agreements dated 26 November 2013 and entered into by (among others) Studio City Entertainment Limited;

 

(oo)

the assignment of certain leases and rights to use agreements dated 26 November 2013 and entered into by (among others) Studio City Hotels Limited;

 

(pp)

the assignment of certain leases and rights to use agreements dated 26 November 2013 and entered into by (among others) Studio City Services Limited;

 

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(qq)

the assignment of certain leases and rights to use agreements dated 26 November 2013 and entered into by (among others) Studio City Hospitality and Services Limited; and

 

(rr)

the assignment of certain leases and rights to use agreements dated 26 November 2013 and entered into by (among others) Studio City Retail Services Limited.

 

2.

A specific composite confirmation to be entered into (among others) by Melco Resorts (Macau) Limited, Studio City Developments Limited, Studio City Hotels Limited, Studio City Company Limited, Studio City Holdings Five Limited and Studio City Entertainment Limited with respect to the following Macau law security documents:

 

(a)

the assignment of the Services and Right to Use Agreement granted by Studio City Entertainment Limited dated 26 November 2013;

 

(b)

the assignment of the Reimbursement Agreement granted by Studio City Entertainment Limited dated 26 November 2013; and

 

(c)

the direct agreement in relation to (i) the Services and Right to Use Agreement; and (ii) the Reimbursement Agreement, granted by Studio City Company Limited, Studio City Entertainment Limited, Studio City Developments Limited, Studio City Hotels Limited, Melco Resorts (Macau) Limited and Studio City Holdings Five Limited dated 26 November 2013.

 

3.

A specific confirmation to be entered into (among others) by Melco Resorts (Macau) Limited and Studio City Entertainment Limited with respect to the pledge over accounts granted by Melco Resorts (Macau) Limited and Studio City Entertainment Limited, over (i) accounts of Melco Resorts (Macau) Limited in respect of the Service and Right to Use Agreement and (ii) the Trust Account (as defined in the Service and Right to Use Agreement) dated 26 November 2013.

 

4.

A specific confirmation to be entered into by Studio City Company Limited with respect to the pledge over cash collateral account granted by Studio City Company Limited, over the Account held with the Account Bank and the Deposit in relation to the Account (each as defined therein) dated 1 December 2016.

 

		18		Project Asgard (2020 A&R) – Amendment and Restatement Agreement

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Signatures

 

THE PARENT
STUDIO CITY INVESTMENTS LIMITED
By:		/s/ Inês Nolasco Antunes
Name:		Inês Nolasco Antunes
THE BORROWER
STUDIO CITY COMPANY LIMITED
By:		/s/ Inês Nolasco Antunes
Name:		Inês Nolasco Antunes

 

				Project Asgard (2020 A&R) – Amendment and Restatement Agreement (Signature Page)

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THE OTHER OBLIGORS
STUDIO CITY HOLDINGS TWO LIMITED, a BVI business company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands
By:		/s/ Inês Nolasco Antunes
Name:		Inês Nolasco Antunes
STUDIO CITY HOLDINGS THREE LIMITED, a BVI business company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands
By:		/s/ Inês Nolasco Antunes
Name:		Inês Nolasco Antunes
STUDIO CITY HOLDINGS FOUR LIMITED, a BVI business company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands
By:		/s/ Inês Nolasco Antunes
Name:		Inês Nolasco Antunes

 

				Project Asgard (2020 A&R) – Amendment and Restatement Agreement (Signature Page)

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SCP HOLDINGS LIMITED, a BVI business company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands
By:		/s/ Inês Nolasco Antunes
Name:		Inês Nolasco Antunes
SCP ONE LIMITED, a BVI business company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands
By:		/s/ Inês Nolasco Antunes
Name:		Inês Nolasco Antunes
SCP TWO LIMITED, a BVI business company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands
By:		/s/ Inês Nolasco Antunes
Name:		Inês Nolasco Antunes

 

				Project Asgard (2020 A&R) – Amendment and Restatement Agreement (Signature Page)

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SCIP HOLDINGS LIMITED, a BVI business company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands
By:		/s/ Inês Nolasco Antunes
Name:		Inês Nolasco Antunes
STUDIO CITY ENTERTAINMENT LIMITED, a company incorporated under the laws of the Macau SAR
By:		/s/ Inês Nolasco Antunes
Name:		Inês Nolasco Antunes
STUDIO CITY SERVICES LIMITED, a company incorporated under the laws of the Macau SAR
By:		/s/ Inês Nolasco Antunes
Name:		Inês Nolasco Antunes

 

				Project Asgard (2020 A&R) – Amendment and Restatement Agreement (Signature Page)

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STUDIO CITY HOTELS LIMITED, a company incorporated under the laws of the Macau SAR
By:		/s/ Inês Nolasco Antunes
Name:		Inês Nolasco Antunes
STUDIO CITY HOSPITALITY AND SERVICES LIMITED, a company incorporated under the laws of the Macau SAR
By:		/s/ Inês Nolasco Antunes
Name:		Inês Nolasco Antunes
STUDIO CITY DEVELOPMENTS LIMITED, a company incorporated under the laws of the Macau SAR
By:		/s/ Inês Nolasco Antunes
Name:		Inês Nolasco Antunes

 

				Project Asgard (2020 A&R) – Amendment and Restatement Agreement (Signature Page)

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STUDIO CITY RETAIL SERVICES LIMITED, a company incorporated under the laws of the Macau SAR
By:		/s/ Inês Nolasco Antunes
Name:		Inês Nolasco Antunes
STUDIO CITY (HK) TWO LIMITED (新濠影匯(香港)第二有限公司), a limited liability company incorporated under the laws of the Hong Kong SAR
By:		/s/ Inês Nolasco Antunes
Name:		Inês Nolasco Antunes

 

				Project Asgard (2020 A&R) – Amendment and Restatement Agreement (Signature Page)

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THE COMMON SECURITY AGENT
INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL BANK OF CHINA (MACAU) LIMITED
By:
Name:		/s/ Chan Kam Lun
By:
Name:		/s/ Zheng Zhi Guo

 

				Project Asgard (2020 A&R) – Amendment and Restatement Agreement (Signature Page)

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THE POA AGENT
INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL BANK OF CHINA (MACAU) LIMITED
By:
Name:		/s/ Chan Kam Lun
By:
Name:		/s/ Zheng Zhi Guo

 

				Project Asgard (2020 A&R) – Amendment and Restatement Agreement (Signature Page)

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THE AGENT
BANK OF CHINA LIMITED, MACAU BRANCH
By:		/s/ WONG IAO KUN
Name:		WONG IAO KUN
By:
Name:

 

				Project Asgard (2020 A&R) – Amendment and Restatement Agreement (Signature Page)

Exhibit 8.1

Studio City International Holdings Limited

List of Significant Subsidiaries

As of December 31, 2020

 

1.	MSC Cotai Limited, incorporated in the British Virgin Islands

 

2.	SCP Holdings Limited, incorporated in the British Virgin Islands

 

3.	SCP One Limited, incorporated in the British Virgin Islands

 

4.	SCP Two Limited, incorporated in the British Virgin Islands

 

5.	Studio City Company Limited, incorporated in the British Virgin Islands

 

6.	Studio City Developments Limited, incorporated in the Macau Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China

 

7.	Studio City Entertainment Limited, incorporated in the Macau Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China

 

8.	Studio City Finance Limited, incorporated in the British Virgin Islands

 

9.	Studio City Holdings Four Limited, incorporated in the British Virgin Islands

 

10.	Studio City Holdings Limited, incorporated in the British Virgin Islands

 

11.	Studio City Holdings Three Limited, incorporated in the British Virgin Islands

 

12.	Studio City Holdings Two Limited, incorporated in the British Virgin Islands

 

13.	Studio City Hotels Limited, incorporated in the Macau Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China

 

14.	Studio City Investments Limited, incorporated in the British Virgin Islands

Exhibit 12.1

Certification by the Property General Manager

I, Kevin Richard Benning, certify that:

 

1.	I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of Studio City International Holdings Limited;

 

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 company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.

The company’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 company 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 company, 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 company’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 company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the company’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.	The company’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the company’s auditors and the audit committee of the company’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 company’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 company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: March 31, 2021

 

By:		/s/ Kevin Richard Benning
		Name: Kevin Richard Benning
		Title:   Property General Manager

Exhibit 12.2

Certification by the Chief Financial Officer

I, Geoffrey Stuart Davis, certify that:

 

1.	I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of Studio City International Holdings Limited;

 

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 company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.

The company’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 company 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 company, 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 company’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 company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the company’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.	The company’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the company’s auditors and the audit committee of the company’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 company’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 company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: March 31, 2021

 

By:		/s/ Geoffrey Stuart Davis
		Name: Geoffrey Stuart Davis
		Title:   Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 13.1

Certification by the Property General Manager

Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

In connection with the Annual Report of Studio City International Holdings Limited (the “Company”) on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2020 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Kevin Richard Benning, Property General Manager of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:

 

1.	The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

2.	The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date: March 31, 2021

 

By:		/s/ Kevin Richard Benning
		Name: Kevin Richard Benning Title:   Property General Manager

Exhibit 13.2

Certification by the Chief Financial Officer

Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

In connection with the Annual Report of Studio City International Holdings Limited (the “Company”) on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2020 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Geoffrey Stuart Davis, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:

 

1.	The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

2.	The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date: March 31, 2021

 

By:		/s/ Geoffrey Stuart Davis
		Name: Geoffrey Stuart Davis
		Title:   Chief Financial Officer