UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): December 18, 2000
COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
STATE OF NEVADA 000-16741 94-1667468
(State or other (Commission of File Number) (I.R.S. Employer
jurisdiction incorporation) Identification Number)
5300 Town And Country Boulevard
Suite 500
Frisco, Texas 75034
(Address of principal executive offices)
(972) 668-8800
(Registrant's Telephone No.)
Item 5. Other Events
On December 8, 2000, the Board of Directors of Comstock Resources, Inc.
(the "Company") declared a dividend distribution of one Right for each
outstanding share of the Company's common stock, $.50 par value per share (the
"Common Stock"), to stockholders of record at the close of business on December
18, 2000. Each Right entitles the registered holder to purchase from the Company
one one-hundredth (1/100th) of a share of Series B Junior Participating Stock,
$10.00 par value per share (the "Preferred Stock"), at a Purchase Price of
$50.00 per one one-hundredth (1/100th) of a share, subject to adjustment. The
description and terms of the Rights are set forth in a Rights Agreement (the
"Rights Agreement") between the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust
Company, as Rights Agent (the "Rights Agent").
Initially, the Rights will be attached to all Common Stock certificates
representing shares then outstanding, and no separate Rights Certificates will
be distributed. The Rights will separate from the Common Stock upon the earlier
of (i) ten (10) business days following a public announcement that a person or
group of affiliated or associated persons (an "Acquiring Person") (which term
does not include an "Exempt Person" as defined in the Rights Agreement) has
acquired, or obtained the right to acquire, beneficial ownership of twenty
percent (20%) or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (the "Stock
Acquisition Date"), or (ii) ten (10) business days (or such later date as the
Board of Directors shall determine) following the commencement of a tender or
exchange offer that would result in a person or group beneficially owning twenty
percent (20%) or more of such outstanding shares of Common Stock. The date the
Rights separate is referred to as the "Distribution Date."
Until the Distribution Date, (i) the Rights will be evidenced by the Common
Stock certificates and will be transferred with and only with such Common Stock
certificates, (ii) new Common Stock certificates issued after December 18, 2000
will contain a notation incorporating the Rights Agreement by reference, and
(iii) the surrender for transfer of any certificates for Common Stock
outstanding will also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with the
Common Stock represented by such certificates. Pursuant to the Rights Agreement,
the Company reserves the right to require prior to the occurrence of a
Triggering Event (as defined below) that, upon any exercise of Rights, a number
of Rights be exercised so that only whole shares of Preferred Stock will be
issued.
The Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution Date and will expire
at the close of business on December 18, 2010, unless earlier redeemed by the
Company as described below.
As soon as practicable after the Distribution Date, Rights Certificates
will be mailed to holders of record of the Common Stock as of the close of
business on the Distribution Date and, thereafter, the separate Rights
Certificates will represent the Rights. Except in connection with shares of
Common Stock issued or sold pursuant to the exercise of stock options under any
employee plan or arrangements, or upon the exercise, conversion or exchange of
securities hereafter issued by the Company, or as otherwise determined by the
Board of Directors, only shares of Common Stock issued prior to the Distribution
Date will be issued with Rights.
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In the event that (i) the Company is the surviving corporation in a merger
or other business combination with an Acquiring Person (or any associate or
affiliate thereof) and its Common Stock remains outstanding and unchanged, (ii)
any person shall acquire beneficial ownership of more than twenty percent (20%)
of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (except pursuant to (A) certain
consolidations or mergers involving the Company or sales or transfers of the
combined assets, cash flow or earning power of the Company and its subsidiaries
or (B) an offer for all outstanding shares of Common Stock at a price and upon
terms and conditions which a majority of the Board of Directors determines to be
in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders), or (iii) there
occurs a reclassification of securities, a recapitalization of the Company or
any of certain business combinations or other transactions (other than certain
consolidations and mergers involving the Company and sales or transfers of the
combined assets, cash flow or earning power of the Company and its subsidiaries)
involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries which has the effect of
increasing by more than one percent (1%) the proportionate share of any class of
the outstanding equity securities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries
beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person (or any associate or affiliate
thereof), each holder of a Right (other than the Acquiring Person and certain
related parties) will thereafter have the right to receive, upon exercise,
Common Stock (or, in certain circumstances, cash, property or other securities
of the Company) having a value equal to two times the Purchase Price of the
Right. However, Rights are not exercisable following the occurrence of either of
the events described above until such time as the Rights are no longer
redeemable by the Company as described below. Notwithstanding any of the
foregoing, following the occurrence of any of the events described in this
paragraph, all Rights that are, or (under certain circumstances specified in the
Rights Agreement) were, beneficially owned by any Acquiring Person will be null
and void.
For example, at a Purchase Price of $50.00 per Right, each Right not owned
by an Acquiring Person (or by certain related parties or transferees) following
an event set forth in the preceding paragraph would entitle its holder to
purchase $100.00 worth of Common Stock (or other consideration, as noted above)
for $50.00.
In the event that, at any time following the Stock Acquisition Date, (i)
the Company shall enter into a merger or other business combination transaction
in which the Company is not the surviving corporation, (ii) the Company is the
surviving corporation in a consolidation, merger or similar transaction pursuant
to which all or part of the outstanding shares of Common Stock are changed into
or exchanged for stock or other securities of any other person or cash or any
other property or (iii) more than 50% of the combined assets, cash flow or
earning power of the Company and its subsidiaries is sold or transferred (in
each case other than certain consolidations with, mergers with and into, or
sales of assets, cash flow or earning power by or to subsidiaries of the Company
as specified in the Rights Agreement), each holder of a Right (except Rights
which previously have been voided as set forth above) shall thereafter have the
right to receive, upon exercise, common stock of the acquiring company having a
value equal to two times the Purchase Price of the Right. The events described
in this paragraph and in the second preceding paragraph are referred to as the
"Triggering Events."
The Purchase Price payable, the number and kind of shares covered by each
Right and the number of Rights outstanding are subject to adjustment from time
to time to prevent dilution (i) in the event of a stock dividend on, or a
subdivision, combination or reclassification of, the Preferred Stock, (ii) if
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holders of the Preferred Stock are granted certain rights, options or warrants
to subscribe for Preferred Stock or securities convertible into Preferred Stock
at less than the current market price of the Preferred Stock, or (iii) upon the
distribution to holders of the Preferred Stock of evidences of indebtedness,
cash (excluding regular quarterly cash dividends), assets (other than dividends
payable in Preferred Stock) or subscription rights or warrants (other than those
referred to in (ii) immediately above).
With certain exceptions, no adjustment in the Purchase Price will be
required until cumulative adjustments amount to at least one percent (1%) of the
Purchase Price. No fractional shares of Preferred Stock are required to be
issued (other than fractions which are integral multiples of one one-hundredth
(1/100th) of a share of Preferred Stock) and, in lieu thereof, the Company may
make an adjustment in cash based on the market price of the Preferred Stock on
the trading date immediately prior to the date of exercise.
At any time after any person or group becomes an Acquiring Person and prior
to the acquisition by such person or group of fifty percent (50%) or more of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock, the Board of Directors of the Company may,
without payment of the Purchase Price by the holder, exchange the Rights (other
than Rights owned by such person or group, which will become void), in whole or
in part, for shares of Common Stock (or in certain circumstances Preferred
Stock) for which a Right is exercisable immediately prior to the time of the
Company's decision to exchange the Rights (subject to adjustment).
At any time until ten (10) business days following the Stock Acquisition
Date, the Company may redeem the Rights in whole, but not in part, at a price of
$0.01 per Right (payable in cash, shares of Common Stock or other consideration
deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors). Immediately upon the action of
the Board of Directors ordering redemption of the Rights, the Rights will
terminate and the only right of the holders of Rights will be to receive the
$0.01 redemption price.
Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have no
rights as a stockholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the right
to vote or to receive dividends. While the distribution of the Rights will not
be taxable to stockholders or to the Company, stockholders may, depending upon
the circumstances, recognize taxable income in the event that the Rights become
exercisable for Common Stock (or other consideration) of the Company or for
common stock of an acquiring company as set forth above or in the event that the
Rights are redeemed.
Other than those provisions relating to the principal economic terms of the
Rights, any of the provisions of the Rights Agreement may be amended by the
Board of Directors of the Company prior to the Distribution Date; provided, that
any amendments after the Stock Acquisition Date must be approved by a majority
of the entire Board of Directors. After the Distribution Date, the provisions of
the Rights Agreement may be amended by the Board in order to cure any ambiguity,
inconsistency or defect, to make changes which do not adversely affect the
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interest of holders of Rights (excluding the interest of any Acquiring Person)
or to shorten or lengthen any time period under the Rights Agreement; provided,
however, that no amendment to adjust the time period governing redemption shall
be made at such time as the Rights are not redeemable; and, provided, that any
amendments after the Stock Acquisition Date must be approved by a majority of
the entire Board of Directors.
A copy of the Rights Agreement specifying the terms of the Rights,
including as Exhibit 1 thereto the Certificate of Designation, Preferences and
Rights of Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock, as Exhibit 2 thereto
the Form of Rights Certificate, as Exhibit 3 thereto the Letter to Stockholders
describing the Rights Plan as therein defined and as Exhibit 4 thereto the Press
Release announcing the declaration of the Rights, is filed herewith and is
incorporated herein by reference. Copies of the Rights Agreement are also
available free of charge from the Rights Agent. The foregoing description of the
Rights does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the Rights Agreement.
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Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits
(c) Exhibits
4 Rights Agreement, dated as of December 14, 2000, by and between
Comstock Resources, Inc. and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as
Rights Agent, including exhibits thereto (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 1 to the registration statement filed on Form 8-A on December 18,
2000).
99 Press Release, dated December 18, 2000.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
Dated: December 21, 2000 By: /s/ M. Jay Allison
-------------------------
M. Jay Allison
President and Chief Executive Officer
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Item
Number Description Page
- ------ ----------- ----
4 Rights Agreement, dated as of December 14,
2000, by and between Comstock Resources, Inc.
and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company,
as Rights Agent, including exhibits thereto
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 to
the registration statement filed on Form 8-A
on December 18, 2000).
99 Press Release, dated December 18, 2000. 9
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COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.
5300 Town and Country Blvd., Suite 500
Frisco, Texas 75034
Telephone:(972) 668-8800
Contact: Roland O. Burns
Sr. Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
Web Site:www.comstockresources.com
NEWS RELEASE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For Immediate Release
COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. ADOPTS
STOCKHOLDER PROTECTION PLAN
FRISCO, TEXAS, December 18, 2000 - Comstock Resources, Inc. (NYSE:CRK), today
announced that its board of directors has adopted a stockholder protection plan
designed to assure that all Comstock Resources stockholders receive fair and
equal treatment in the event of any takeover attempt. The stockholder protection
plan is similar to and will replace the Company's existing plan adopted in 1990,
the rights under which expire on December 18, 2000.
"As with the Comstock Resources prior plan, the rights issued under this plan
are intended to enable all of the Company's stockholders to realize the
long-term value of their investment in the Company," stated M. Jay Allison,
President and Chief Executive Officer. "Although the rights do not prevent a
takeover, they should encourage anyone seeking to acquire Comstock Resources
Inc. to negotiate with the Board prior to attempting such a takeover. The rights
also guard against partial tender offers and other abusive tactics. The Company
is not aware of any takeover attempt."
An overview of the plan is attached.
This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" as that term is
defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements
are based on management's current expectations and are subject to a number of
factors and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially
from those described herein. Although the Company believes that the expectations
in such statements to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that such
expectations will prove to be correct.
Comstock Resources, Inc. is a growing independent energy company based in
Frisco, Texas and is engaged in oil and gas acquisitions, exploration and
development primarily in Texas, Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico. The company's
stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol CRK.
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COMSTOCK RESOURCES STOCKHOLDER PROTECTION PLAN OVERVIEW
EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 18, 2000
The Board of Directors of Comstock Resources, Inc. (the "Company") has declared
a dividend distribution of one preferred stock purchase right for each
outstanding share of the Company's common stock. Each right will entitle
stockholders to buy one one-hundredth of a share of the Company's Series B
Junior Participating Preferred Stock for each share of the Company's common
stock held, at a price of $50.00. The rights will be exercisable only if a
person or group of affiliated or associated persons acquires, or has announced
the intent to acquire, 20% or more of the Company's common stock.
The rights will provide for protection against self-dealing transactions by a
control stockholder. In case of an acquisition through a merger or other
business combination, the rights will entitle holders to purchase a number of
the acquiring company's common shares having the market value at that time of
twice the rights' exercise price. In the event of the acquisition or the
announcement of the intention to acquire 20% or more of the Company's common
stock, rights holders may, upon exercise, receive the Company's common shares
having a market value of two times the exercise price of the rights. Under
similar circumstances, the Board of Directors may exchange each right for shares
of the Company's common stock at an exchange ratio of one share of common stock
(or in certain circumstances preferred stock) for which a right is exercisable
immediately prior to the time of the Company's decision to exchange the rights.
The rights plan will not prevent tender offers or other takeover attempts.
However, it will enable stockholders to realize the long-term value of the
Company's common stock in the event of a takeover. It is the Company's belief
that the plan will cause anyone contemplating a takeover of the Company to first
discuss its plans with the Board of Directors.
The Company is entitled to redeem the rights in whole, but not in part, at a
price of $.01 per right at any time prior to the acquisition of 20% or more of
the Company's common stock.
The dividend distribution will be made on or about December 19, 2000 to
stockholders of record on December 18, 2000. The rights will be evidenced by,
and transferred with, the Company's common stock certificates until such time as
the acquisition of, or the announcement of the intention to acquire, 20% or more
of the Company's common stock. If either event were to occur, separate rights
certificates would be mailed to stockholders as soon as practicable.
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