Exhibit 10.1
partners or members are the Recipient or members of his or her Immediate Family. The “Immediate Family” of a Recipient means the Recipient’s spouse, children, stepchildren, grandchildren, parents, stepparents, siblings, grandparents, nieces and nephews, or the spouse of any of the foregoing individuals.
6.7 Withholding. The Committee may withhold in accordance with Section 11.9 any amounts necessary to collect any withholding taxes upon any taxable event relating to an Option.
RESTRICTED STOCK
7.1 Grant of Restricted Stock. Wal-Mart may grant Restricted Stock to those Associates the Committee may select in its sole discretion. Each Plan Award of Restricted Stock shall have those terms and conditions that are expressly set forth in, or are required by, the Plan and any other terms and conditions as the Committee may determine in its discretion.
7.2 Dividends; Voting. While any Restriction applies to any Recipient’s Restricted Stock, (a) unless the Committee provides otherwise, the Recipient shall receive the dividends paid on the Restricted Stock and shall not be required to return those dividends to Wal-Mart in the event of the forfeiture of the Restricted Stock, (b) the Recipient shall receive the proceeds of the Restricted Stock in any stock split, reverse stock split, recapitalization, or other change in the capital structure of Wal-Mart, which proceeds shall automatically and without need for any other action become Restricted Stock and be subject to all Restrictions then existing as to the Recipient’s Restricted Stock and (c) the Recipient shall be entitled to vote the Restricted Stock during the Restriction period.
7.3 Delivery of Restricted Stock. The Restricted Stock will be delivered to the Recipient subject to the understanding that while any Restriction applies to the Restricted Stock, the Recipient shall not have the right to sell, transfer, assign, convey, pledge, hypothecate, grant any security interest in or mortgage on, or otherwise dispose of or encumber any shares of Restricted Stock or any interest therein. As a result of the retention of rights in the Restricted Stock by Wal-Mart, except as required by any law, neither any shares of the Restricted Stock nor any interest therein shall be subject in any manner to any forced or involuntary sale, transfer, conveyance, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, or other disposition or to any charge, liability, debt, or obligation of the Recipient, whether as the direct or indirect result of any action of the Recipient or any action taken in any proceeding, including any proceeding under any bankruptcy or other creditors’ rights law. Any action attempting to effect any transaction of that type shall be void.
7.4 Forfeiture. Unless expressly provided for in the Plan Award, any Restricted Stock held by the Recipient at the time the Recipient ceases to be an Associate for any reason shall be forfeited by the Recipient to Wal-Mart and automatically re-conveyed to Wal-Mart.
7.5 Withholding. The Committee may withhold in accordance with Section 11.9 any amounts necessary to collect any withholding taxes upon any taxable event relating to Restricted Stock.
7.6 Compliance with Law. The making of Plan Award of Restricted Stock and delivery of any Restricted Stock is subject to compliance by Wal-Mart with all applicable laws. Wal-Mart need not issue or transfer Restricted Stock pursuant to the Plan unless Wal-Mart’s legal counsel has approved all legal matters in connection with the delivery of the Restricted Stock.
Exhibit 10.1
7.7 Evidence of Share Ownership. The Restricted Stock will be book-entry Shares only unless the Committee decides to issue certificates to evidence shares of the Restricted Stock. Any stock certificate(s) representing the Restricted Stock issued to a Recipient that is so issued shall bear the following legend:
| THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE BEEN ISSUED PURSUANT TO THE WAL-MART STORES, INC. STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN OF 2005 (THE “PLAN”) AND ARE SUBJECT TO SUBSTANTIAL RESTRICTIONS ON THEIR TRANSFER AND TO FORFEITURE TO WAL-MART STORES, INC. IF CERTAIN CONDITIONS ARE NOT MET. THOSE RESTRICTIONS AND CONDITIONS ARE SET FORTH IN THE PLAN AND IN THE PLAN AWARD OF RESTRICTED STOCK PURSUANT TO WHICH THOSE SHARES WERE ISSUED TO THE REGISTERED HOLDER THEREOF. |
| Wal-Mart will place stop-transfer instructions with respect to all Restricted Stock on its stock transfer records. |
7.8 Deferral of Restricted Stock. At the time of grant of Restricted Stock (or at such earlier or later time as the Committee determines to be appropriate in light of the provisions of Code Section 409A), the Committee may permit a) Recipient of a Restricted Stock Award to defer his or her Restricted Stock in accordance with rules and procedures established by the Committee. Alternatively, the Committee may, in its discretion and at the times provided above, permit an individual who would have been a Recipient of a Plan Award of Restricted Stock, to elect instead to receive an equivalent Plan Award of Restricted Stock Rights and may permit the Recipient to elect to defer receipt of Shares under the Restricted Stock Rights in accordance with Section 8.8.
RESTRICTED STOCK RIGHTS
8.1 Grant of Restricted Stock Rights. Wal-Mart may grant Restricted Stock Rights to those Associates as the Committee may select in its sole discretion. Each Plan Award of Restricted Stock Rights shall have those terms and conditions that are expressly set forth in, or are required by, the Plan and the Notice of Plan Award, as the Committee may determine in its discretion. The Restrictions imposed shall take into account potential tax treatment under Code Section 409A.
8.2 Issuance of Restricted Stock Rights. Until the Restricted Stock Right is released from Restrictions and any Shares subject to that right are delivered to the Associate, the Associate shall not have any beneficial ownership in any Shares subject to the Restricted Stock Right, nor shall the Associate have the right to sell, transfer, assign, convey, pledge, hypothecate, grant any security interest in or mortgage on, or otherwise dispose of or encumber any Restricted Stock Right or any interest therein. Except as required by any law, no Restricted Stock Right nor any interest therein shall be subject in any manner to any forced or involuntary sale, transfer, conveyance, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, or other disposition or to any charge, liability, debt, or obligation of the Associate, whether as the direct or indirect result of any action of the Associate or any action taken in any proceeding, including any proceeding under any bankruptcy or other creditors’ rights law. Any action attempting to effect any transaction of that type shall be void.
Exhibit 10.1
8.3 Payments to Recipients. Upon the lapse of the Restrictions, the Recipient of Restricted Stock Rights shall, except as noted below, be entitled to receive, as soon as administratively practical, (a) that number of Shares subject to the Plan Award that are no longer subject to Restrictions, (b) in cash in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value on the date the Plan Award is settled of the number of Shares subject to the Plan Award that are no longer subject to Restrictions, or (c) any combination of cash and Shares, as the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion and specify at the time the Plan Award is granted. Where in the judgment of the Committee, it is in the interests of Wal-Mart to do so, a grant of Restricted Stock Rights may provide that Wal-Mart purchase Shares on the open market on behalf of an Associate in accordance with Section 11.1 (“Open Market Shares”).
8.4 Forfeiture. Restricted Stock Rights and the entitlement to Shares, cash, or any combination thereunder will be forfeited and all rights of an Associate to such Restricted Stock Rights and the Shares thereunder will terminate if the applicable Restrictions are not satisfied.
8.5 Limitation of Rights. A Recipient of Restricted Stock Rights is not entitled to any rights of a holder of the Shares (e.g., voting rights and dividend rights), prior to the receipt of such Shares pursuant to the Plan. The Committee may, however, provide in the Notice of Plan Award that the Recipient shall be entitled to receive dividend equivalent payments on Restricted Stock Rights, on such terms and conditions as the Notice of Plan Award shall specify.
8.6 Withholding. The Committee may withhold in accordance with Section 11.9 any amounts necessary to collect any withholding taxes upon any taxable event relating to the Restricted Stock Right.
8.7 Compliance with Law. The granting of Restricted Stock Rights and the delivery of any Shares or the purchase of Open Market Shares subject thereto is subject to compliance by Wal-Mart with all applicable laws.
8.8 Deferral of Restricted Stock Rights. At the time of grant of Restricted Stock Rights (or at such earlier or later time as the Committee determines to be appropriate in light of the provisions of Code Section 409A), the Committee may permit the Recipient to elect to defer receipt of the Shares or cash to be delivered upon lapse of the Restrictions applicable to the Restricted Stock Rights in accordance with rules and procedures established by the Committee. Such rules and procedures shall take into account potential tax treatment under Code Section 409A, and may provide for payment in Shares or cash.
STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
9.1 Grant. Wal-Mart may grant Stock Appreciation Rights to those Associates as the Committee selects in its sole discretion, on any terms and conditions the Committee deems desirable. A Recipient granted a Stock Appreciation Right will be entitled to receive payment in an amount equal to (a) the excess of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date on which the Recipient properly exercises Stock Appreciation Rights that are no longer subject to Restrictions over the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant of the Recipient’s Stock Appreciation Rights, (b) a predetermined amount that is less than that excess, or (c) to the extent the Committee deems appropriate in light of potential taxes under Code Section 409A, any other amount as may be set by the Committee, multiplied by the number of Stock Appreciation Rights
Exhibit 10.1
as to which the Recipient exercises the Stock Appreciation Right. The Committee may provide that payment with respect to an exercised Stock Appreciation Right may occur on a date which is different than the exercise date, and may provide for additional payment in recognition of the time value of money and any delay between the exercise date and the payment date.
9.2 Award Vesting and Forfeiture. The Committee shall establish the Restrictions, if any, applicable to Stock Appreciation Rights. Stock Appreciation Rights and the entitlement to Shares thereunder will be forfeited and all rights of an Associate to such Stock Appreciation Rights and the Shares thereunder will terminate if any applicable Restrictions in the Plan or Notice of Plan Award are not satisfied.
9.3 Beneficial Ownership. The Recipient of any Stock Appreciation Rights shall not have any beneficial ownership in any Shares subject to such Plan Awards until Shares are delivered in satisfaction of the Plan Award nor shall the Recipient have the right to sell, transfer, assign, convey, pledge, hypothecate, grant any security interest in or mortgage on, or otherwise dispose of or encumber any Stock Appreciation Rights or any interest therein. Except as required by any law, neither the Stock Appreciation Rights nor any interest therein shall be subject in any manner to any forced or involuntary sale, transfer, conveyance, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, or other disposition or to any charge, liability, debt, or obligation of the Recipient, whether as the direct or indirect result of any action of the Recipient or any action taken in any proceeding, including any proceeding under any bankruptcy or other creditors’ rights law. Any action attempting to effect any transaction of that type shall be void.
9.4 Election to Receive Payments. A Recipient of a Stock Appreciation Right may elect to receive a payment to which the Recipient is entitled under the Plan Award by giving notice of such election to the Committee in accordance with the rules established by the Committee.
9.5 Payments to Recipients. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Notice of Plan Award granting the Stock Appreciation Rights, a payment to a Recipient with respect to Stock Appreciation Rights may be made (a) in cash, (b) in Shares having an aggregate Fair Market Value on the date on which the Stock Appreciation Rights are settled equal to the amount of the payment to be made under the Plan Award, or (c) any combination of cash and Shares, as the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion and specify at the time the Plan Award is granted. The Committee shall not make any payment in Shares if such payment would result in any adverse tax or other legal effect as to this Plan or Wal-Mart.
9.6 Limitation of Rights. A Recipient of Stock Appreciation Rights is not entitled to any rights of a holder of the Shares (e.g. voting rights and dividend rights), prior to the receipt of such Shares pursuant to the Plan.
9.7 Withholding. The Committee may withhold in accordance with Section 11.9 any amounts necessary to collect any withholding taxes upon any taxable event relating to the Stock Appreciation Rights.
9.8 Deferral of Stock Appreciation Rights. At the time of grant of a Plan Award of Stock Appreciation Rights (or at such earlier or later time as would the Committee determines to be appropriate in light of the provisions of Code Section 409A), the Committee may permit a Recipient to elect to defer the Shares or cash to be delivered in settlement of a Stock
Exhibit 10.1
Appreciation Right in accordance with rules and procedures established by the Committee. Such rules and procedures shall take into account potential tax treatment under Code Section 409A.
PERFORMANCE SHARES
10.1 Grant. Wal-Mart may grant Performance Shares to such Associates as it may select in its sole discretion, on any terms and conditions the Committee deems desirable. Each Plan Award of Performance Shares shall have those terms and conditions that are expressly set forth in, or are required by, the Plan and Notice of Plan Award.
10.2 Performance Goals. The Committee shall set Performance Goals which, depending on the extent to which they are met during a Performance Period, will determine the number of Performance Shares that will be delivered to the Recipient at the end of the Performance Period. The Performance Goals shall be set at threshold, target, and maximum performance levels, with the number of Performance Shares to be delivered tied to the degree of attainment of the various performance levels under the various Performance Goals during the Performance Period. No payment shall be made with respect to a Performance Share if the threshold performance level is not attained.
10.3 Beneficial Ownership. The Recipient of any Plan Award of Performance Shares shall neither have any beneficial ownership in any Shares subject to such Plan Awards until Shares are delivered in satisfaction of the Plan Award nor shall the Recipient have the right to sell, transfer, assign, convey, pledge, hypothecate, grant any security interest in or mortgage on, or otherwise dispose of or encumber any Plan Award of Performance Shares or any interest therein. Except as required by any law, neither the Performance Shares nor any interest therein shall be subject in any manner to any forced or involuntary sale, transfer, conveyance, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, or other disposition or to any charge, liability, debt, or obligation of the Recipient, whether as the direct or indirect result of any action of the Recipient or any action taken in any proceeding, including any proceeding under any bankruptcy or other creditors’ rights law. Any action attempting to effect any transaction of that type shall be void.
10.4 Determination of Achievement of Performance Goals. The Committee shall, promptly after the date on which the necessary financial, individual or other information for a particular Performance Period becomes available, determine and certify the degree to which each of the Performance Goals have been attained.
10.5 Payment of Performance Shares. After the applicable Performance Period has ended, the Recipient of a Plan Award of Performance Shares shall be entitled to payment based on the performance level attained with respect to the Performance Goals applicable to the Plan Award of Performance Shares. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, reduce, eliminate, or increase any amount or Shares under a Plan Award of Performance Shares for any individual or group, except that such amount or Shares intended to be a Qualified Performance Based Award may not be increased above the amount provided in the Notice of Plan Award. Unless deferred in accordance with Section 10.9, Performance Shares shall be settled as soon as practicable after the Committee determines and certifies the degree of attainment of Performance Goals for the Performance Period.
The Committee shall have the discretion and authority to make adjustments to any Plan Award of Performance Shares in circumstances where, during the Performance Period: (a) a
Exhibit 10.1
Recipient leaves Wal-Mart or an Affiliate and is subsequently rehired; (b) a Recipient transfers between eligible positions with different Incentive Percentages or Performance Goals; (c) a Recipient transfers to a position not eligible to participate in the Plan; (d) a Recipient becomes eligible, or ceases to be eligible, for an incentive from another incentive plan maintained by Wal-Mart or an Affiliate; (e) a Recipient is on a leave of absence; and (f) similar circumstances deemed appropriate by the Committee, consistent with the purpose and terms of the Plan; provided, however, that the Committee shall not be authorized to increase the amount of the Plan Award of Performance Shares payable to a Covered Employee that would otherwise be payable if the amount was intended to be Qualified Performance Based Award.
10.6 Payments to Recipients. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Notice of Plan Award, payment to a Recipient with respect to a Plan Award of Performance Shares may be made (a) in Shares, (b) in cash or by check equal to the Shares’ Fair Market Value on the date the Performance Shares are settled, or (c) any combination of cash and Shares, as the Committee shall determine at any time in its sole discretion.
10.7 Limitation of Rights. A Recipient of a Plan Award of Performance Shares is not entitled to any rights of a holder of the Shares (e.g. voting rights and dividend rights), prior to the receipt of such Shares pursuant to the Plan. No dividend equivalents will be paid with respect to Performance Shares.
10.8 Withholding. The Committee may withhold in accordance with Section 11.9 any amounts necessary to collect any withholding taxes upon any taxable event relating to Performance Shares.
10.9 Deferral of Shares or Payout. At the time of grant of Performance Shares (or at such earlier or later time as the Committee determines to be appropriate in light of Code Section 409A), the Committee may permit the Recipient to elect to defer delivery of Shares (or payment of cash) with respect to the Plan Award in accordance with such rules and procedures established by the Committee. Such rules and procedures shall take into account potential tax treatment under Code Section 409A.
MISCELLANEOUS
11.1 Issuance of Stock Certificates; Book-Entry; or Purchase of Stock.
| (a) | If a Recipient has the right to the delivery of any Shares pursuant to any Plan Award, Wal-Mart shall issue or cause to be issued a stock certificate or a book-entry crediting Shares to the Recipient’s account promptly upon the exercise of the Plan Award or the right arising under the Plan Award. |
| (b) | A Recipient’s right to Open Market Shares pursuant to a Plan Award of Restricted Stock Rights, shall not be satisfied by Wal-Mart’s delivery of Shares but rather Wal-Mart shall purchase the Shares on the open market on behalf of the Associate by forwarding cash to an independent broker who will in turn purchase the Shares on the open market on behalf, and in the name, of the Associate. |
Exhibit 10.1
11.2 Compliance with Code Section 162(m).
| (a) | To the extent awards to Covered Employees are intended to be Qualified Performance Based Awards, the material terms of the Performance Goals under which awards are paid (and any material changes in material terms) shall be disclosed to and approved by Wal-Mart’s stockholders in a separate vote. Material terms include the eligible Associates specified in Section 5.1, the Performance Measures pursuant to which the Performance Goals are set, and the maximum amount of compensation that could be paid to any Covered Employee or the formula used to calculate the amount of compensation to be paid to the Covered Employee if the Performance Goal is attained. |
| (b) | Performance Measures must be disclosed to and reapproved by the stockholders no later than the first stockholder meeting that occurs in the fifth year following the year in which stockholders previously approved the Performance Measures. If applicable laws change to permit Committee discretion to alter the governing Performance Measures without conditioning deductibility on obtaining stockholder approval (or reapproval) of any changes, the Committee shall have sole discretion to make changes without obtaining stockholder approval or reapproval. |
| (c) | Whenever the Committee determines that it is advisable to grant or pay awards that do not qualify as Qualified Performance Based Awards, the Committee may make grants or payments without satisfying the requirements of Code Section 162(m). |
| (d) | The Committee may establish rules and procedures providing for the automatic deferral of Shares or other Plan payouts of Recipients who are Covered Employees as necessary to avoid a loss of deduction under Code Section 162(m)(1). Settlement of Plan Awards after deferral shall be at a time consistent with not triggering taxes under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code. |
| (e) | No Recipient may be granted a Plan Award denominated in Shares with respect to a number of Shares in any one Fiscal Year which when added to the Shares subject to any other Plan Award denominated in Shares granted to such Recipient in the same Fiscal Year would exceed 2,000,000 Shares; provided, however, that if the Performance Period applicable to a Plan Award exceeds twelve months, the 2,000,000 Share limit shall apply to each 12-month period in the Performance Period. If an Award denominated in Shares is cancelled, the cancelled Award continues to count against the maximum number of Shares for which an Award denominated in Shares may be granted to a Recipient in any Fiscal Year. The Share limit shall be adjusted to the extent necessary to reflect adjustments to Shares required by Section 11.8. |
11.3 Termination of Employment. Except as otherwise expressly set forth in the Plan, the Committee shall determine the effect of the termination of a Recipient’s employment, or a Recipient’s disability or death, on the lapse of any Restrictions contained in a Plan Award made to the Recipient. During a period for which the Recipient is subject to administrative suspension, a Recipient’s right to exercise or receive payment for any rights under any Plan Award or the vesting of any rights under any Plan Award shall be suspended.
11.4 Forfeiture for Cause. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Plan, any Recipient upon a finding of “Cause” by the Committee shall forfeit all Plan Awards
Exhibit 10.1
(and rights thereunder) and Restricted Stock granted under the Plan, whether or not vested or otherwise exercisable.
11.5 Death of Recipient. If a Recipient dies, the Recipient’s Plan Award may be exercised, in accordance with its terms or as allowed by law, by the Recipient’s estate or by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Plan Award by bequest or inheritance, but only to the extent provided in the Notice of Plan Award, or as the Committee may otherwise permit consistent with the terms of the Plan. Unless otherwise provided in Notice of Plan Award, (a) Plan Awards may be exercised after death only to the extent the Recipient was otherwise entitled to exercise the Plan Award at the date of the Recipient’s death and only if exercised within 12 months after the Recipient’s death, and (b) to the extent a Plan Award was unvested at the date of death, the Plan Award shall terminate.
11.6 Limitations on Liability and Award Obligations. Receiving a Plan Award or being the owner of any Plan Award of an Option, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Rights, Stock Appreciation Right, or Performance Share shall not:
| (a) | give a Recipient any rights except as expressly set forth in the Plan or in the Plan Award and except as a stockholder of Wal-Mart as set forth herein as to the Restricted Stock only; |
| (b) | as to Shares deliverable on the exercise of an Option, Stock Appreciation Rights or Performance Shares payable in Shares, until the delivery (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of Wal-Mart of a duly authorized transfer agent of Wal-Mart) of the Shares issued upon settlement of an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, or Performance Share give the Recipient the right to vote, or receive dividends on, the Shares to be delivered upon settlement or any other rights as a stockholder with respect to the Shares underlying such Plan Awards, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option, Stock Appreciation Right, or Performance Share; |
| (c) | be considered a contract of employment or give the Recipient any right to continued employment, or to hold any position, with Wal-Mart or any Affiliate; |
| (d) | create any fiduciary or other obligation of Wal-Mart or any Affiliate to take any action or provide to the Recipient any assistance or dedicate or permit the use of any assets of Wal-Mart or any Affiliate that would permit the Recipient to be able to attain any performance criteria stated in the Recipient’s Plan Award; |
| (e) | create any trust, fiduciary or other duty or obligation of Wal-Mart or any Affiliate to engage in any particular business, continue to engage in any particular business, engage in any particular business practices or sell any particular product or products; or |
| (f) | create any obligation of Wal-Mart or any Affiliate that shall be greater than the obligations of Wal-Mart or that Affiliate to any general unsecured creditor of Wal-Mart or the Affiliate. |
If Wal-Mart or an Affiliate terminates a Recipient’s employment with Wal-Mart or the Affiliate, the potential value of any Plan Award that must be returned to Wal-Mart will not be an
Exhibit 10.1
element of any damages that the Recipient may have for any termination of employment or other relationship in violation of any contractual or other rights the Recipient may have.
11.7 No Liability of Committee Members. Consistent with Article VI of Wal-Mart’s Amended and Restated Bylaws, Wal-Mart shall indemnify and hold harmless each member of the Committee and each other officer and director of Wal-Mart or any Affiliate that has any duty or power relating to the administration of the Plan against any liability, obligation, cost, or expense incurred by that person arising out of any act or omission to act in connection with the Plan or any Plan Award if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interest of Wal-Mart. Indemnification of Associates and agents shall be determined pursuant to the requirements Article VI of Wal-Mart’s Amended and Restated Bylaws.
11.8 Adjustments upon Changes in Capitalization or Merger. Subject to any required action by the Wal-Mart stockholders, the number and type of Shares (or other securities or property) covered by each Plan Award, and the number and type of Shares (or other securities or property) which have been authorized for delivery under the Plan, but as to which no Plan Awards have yet been granted or which have been returned to the Plan upon cancellation or expiration of a Plan Award, the price per Share covered by any outstanding Plan Award that includes in its terms a price per Share, and the number of Shares with respect to which Plan Awards may be granted to an individual shall be proportionately adjusted to reflect an extraordinary dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Shares, or other securities or property), stock split, reverse stock split, merger, reorganization, subdivision, consolidation or reduction of capital, recapitalization, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination or reclassification of the Shares, or any other increase or decrease in the number of outstanding Shares effected without receipt of consideration by Wal-Mart, issuance or warrants or other rights to purchase Shares or other securities of Wal-Mart or other similar corporate transaction or event that affects the Shares such that an adjustment is determined by the Committee to be appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan. That adjustment shall be made by the Committee, whose determination shall be final, binding and conclusive as to every person interested under this plan. Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by Wal-Mart of Shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into Shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price of Shares subject to a Plan Award.
11.9 Tax Withholding. Whenever taxes are to be withheld in connection with the exercise or settlement of a Plan Award or for any other reason in connection with a Plan Award, the Committee may permit the Recipient to elect to make payment for the withholding of federal, state, and local taxes (including Social Security and Medicare (“FICA”) taxes by one or a combination of the following methods: (a) payment in cash of the amount to be withheld, (b) requesting Wal-Mart to withhold from Shares that would otherwise be delivered in settlement of a Plan Award payable in Shares (or upon the lapse of Restrictions on a Plan Award) a number of Shares having a Fair Market Value on the date the withholding obligation arises no greater than the amount to be withheld, (c) transfer of unencumbered Shares owned by the Recipient in circumstances permitted by the Committee, or (d) withholding from any cash compensation otherwise due to the Recipient. The Committee may set limits on the amount of withholding to be satisfied through withholding of Shares, e.g., the Committee may require that only the
Exhibit 10.1
minimum withholding be satisfied in Shares, and may prohibit withholding from Open Market Shares in Canada or other countries. Any fractional Share amount must be paid in cash or withheld from compensation otherwise due to the Recipient.
11.10 Amendment and Termination of the Plan. The Board may amend or terminate the Plan at any time without the approval of the Recipients or any other person, except to the extent any action of that type is required to be approved by the stockholders of Wal-Mart under applicable law, listing standards, or in connection with any outstanding Qualified Performance Based Awards.
11.11 Governing Law. The Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Arkansas, except that any matters relating to the internal governance of Wal-Mart shall be governed by the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended.
11.12 Superseding Existing Plans. Effective Date and Transition. The Plan, as set forth herein, was approved by the Board on March 3, 2005, to be effective January 1, 2005, subject to the approval of a majority of the outstanding Shares at Wal-Mart’s 2005 Annual Shareholders’ Meeting. The 1998 Plan was initially approved by the Board on, and was effective as of, March 5, 1998, and was subsequently approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares at Wal-Mart’s 1998 Annual Shareholders’ Meeting, with 80,000,000 Shares made available for delivery in settlement of Plan Awards, of which up to 16,000,000 Shares were made available for grant as Restricted Stock.
11.13 Funding. To the extent the Plan is subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), it is intended to be (and will be administered as) an unfunded employee pension plan benefiting a select group of management or highly compensated employees under the provisions of ERISA. It is intended that the Plan be “unfunded” for federal tax purposes and for purposes of Title I of ERISA.