Exhibit 99
[This exhibit consists of a copy of the description of the Stock Purchase Plan incorporated by reference in Item 5.02 of the report with which this exhibit is filed.]
Description of the Stock Purchase Plan
The following is a summary of the material terms of the Stock Purchase Plan. Capitalized terms used in this summary have the meaning set forth in the Stock Purchase Plan. The complete text of the Stock Purchase Plan is set forth in Appendix D to this Proxy Statement, and stockholders are urged to review it together with the following information, which is qualified in its entirety by reference to Appendix D.
Purpose of the Stock Purchase Plan. The Stock Purchase Plan is a broad-based employee stock purchase plan providing eligible union and management employees of the Company and its participating affiliates and members of the Board of Directors of the Company with the opportunity to purchase shares of Company Common Stock with a discount from the prevailing market price of a share of Company Common Stock through matching contributions from the Company or its participating affiliates (referred to herein as a “Company matching contribution”) equal to 11.11 percent of a participant’s contribution. Approval of the Stock Purchase Plan will continue to allow purchases of shares of Company Common Stock to be made in a convenient manner, through payroll deductions or cash payments, and without any fees, commissions or charges payable by participants, other than the purchase price.
Term of the Stock Purchase Plan. The maximum term of the Stock Purchase Plan is ten years following approval by the Company’s stockholders, unless an extension of the term is subsequently approved by stockholders. If the Stock Purchase Plan is approved by stockholders at the Annual Meeting, the Stock Purchase Plan will continue in operation until May 20, 2034.
Eligibility and Participation. Employees of the Company and its participating affiliates are eligible to participate in the Stock Purchase Plan. In addition, members of the Board of Directors of the Company are also eligible. As of December 31, 2023, the eligible participants included approximately 14,000 employees, 10 executive officers of the Company and participating affiliates and 11 non-employee members of the Board of Directors of the Company. As of December 31, 2023, more than 58% of employees of the Company and its participating affiliates were participating in the Expiring Stock Purchase Plan.
Available Shares and Investment Limits. The maximum number of shares of Company Common Stock authorized for issuance pursuant to the Stock Purchase Plan is ten million (10,000,000), subject to adjustment by reason of stock split, spinoff, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, or similar corporate transaction that affects shares of Company Common Stock. Eligible participants, other than non-employee members of the Board of Directors of the Company, may contribute a percentage of their base pay of up to 20 percent of their pay through payroll deductions, subject to a maximum amount, excluding dividend reinvestments, of $25,000 during any calendar year. Non-employee members of the Board of Directors of the Company may invest under the Stock Purchase Plan through cash payments, subject to a maximum amount, excluding dividend reinvestments, of $25,000 during any calendar year. The maximum annual benefit under the Stock Purchase Plan available to a participant is $27,777.78 (excluding dividend reinvestments and brokerage commissions), based on the maximum annual Company matching contribution available to a participant who makes the maximum annual contribution of $25,000. Dividends paid on shares of Company Common Stock held under the Stock Purchase Plan are reinvested in additional shares, unless otherwise directed by the participant.