 | The preparation of the materials was a complex process involving quantitative and qualitative judgments and determinations with respect to the financial, comparative and other analytic methods employed and the adaption and application of these methods to the unique facts and circumstances presented and, therefore, is not readily susceptible to partial analysis or summary description. Furthermore, Houlihan Lokey did not attribute any particular weight to any analysis or factor considered by it, but rather made qualitative judgments as to the significance and relevance of each analysis and factor. Each analytical technique has inherent strengths and weaknesses, and the nature of the available information may further affect the value of particular techniques. Accordingly, the analyses contained in the materials must be considered as a whole. Selecting portions of the analyses, analytic methods and factors without considering all analyses and factors could create a misleading or incomplete view. The materials reflect judgments and assumptions with regard to industry performance, general business, economic, regulatory, market and financial conditions and other matters, many of which are beyond the control of the participants in the Transaction. Any estimates of value contained in the materials are not necessarily indicative of actual value or predictive of future results or values, which may be significantly more or less favorable. Any analyses relating to the value of assets, businesses or securities do not purport to be appraisals or to reflect the prices at which any assets, businesses or securities may actually be sold. The materials do not constitute a valuation opinion or credit rating. The materials do not address the consideration to be paid or received in, the terms of any arrangements, understandings, agreements or documents related to, or the form, structure or any other portion or aspect of, the Transaction or otherwise. Furthermore, the materials do not address the fairness of any portion or aspect of the Transaction to any party. In preparing the materials, Houlihan Lokey has not conducted any physical inspection or independent appraisal or evaluation of any of the assets, properties or liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of the Company or any other party and has no obligation to evaluate the solvency of the Company or any other party under any law. All budgets, projections, estimates, financial analyses, reports and other information with respect to operations (including estimates of potential cost savings and expenses) reflected in the materials have been prepared by management of the relevant party or are derived from such budgets, projections, estimates, financial analyses, reports and other information or from other sources, which involve numerous and significant subjective determinations made by management of the relevant party and/or which such management has reviewed and found reasonable. The budgets, projections and estimates (including, without limitation, estimates of potential cost savings and synergies) contained in the materials may or may not be achieved and differences between projected results and those actually achieved may be material. Houlihan Lokey has relied upon representations made by management of the Company and other participants in the Transaction that such budgets, projections and estimates have been reasonably prepared in good faith on bases reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of such management (or, with respect to information obtained from public sources, represent reasonable estimates), and Houlihan Lokey expresses no opinion with respect to such budgets, projections or estimates or the assumptions on which they are based. The scope of the financial analysis contained herein is based on discussions with the Company (including, without limitation, regarding the methodologies to be utilized), and Houlihan Lokey does not make any representation, express or implied, as to the sufficiency or adequacy of such financial analysis or the scope thereof for any particular purpose. Houlihan Lokey has assumed and relied upon the accuracy and completeness of the financial and other information provided to, discussed with or reviewed by it without (and without assuming responsibility for) independent verification of such information, makes no representation or warranty (express or implied) in respect of the accuracy or completeness of such information and has further relied upon the assurances of the Company and other participants in the Transaction that they are not aware of any facts or circumstances that would make such information inaccurate or misleading. In addition, Houlihan Lokey has relied upon and assumed, without independent verification, that there has been no change in the business, assets, liabilities, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or prospects of the Company or any other participant in the Transaction since the respective dates of the most recent financial statements and other information, financial or otherwise, provided to, discussed with or reviewed by Houlihan Lokey that would be material to its analyses, and that the final forms of any draft documents reviewed by Houlihan Lokey will not differ in any material respect from such draft documents. The materials are not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an indication of interest to purchase any security, option, commodity, future, loan or currency. The materials do not constitute a commitment by Houlihan Lokey or any of its affiliates to underwrite, subscribe for or place any securities, to extend or arrange credit, or to provide any other services. In the ordinary course of business, certain of Houlihan Lokey’s affiliates and employees, as well as investment funds in which they may have financial interests or with which they may co-invest, may acquire, hold or sell, long or short positions, or trade or otherwise effect transactions, in debt, equity, and other securities and financial instruments (including loans and other obligations) of, or investments in, the Company, any Transaction counterparty, any other Transaction participant, any other financially interested party with respect to any transaction, other entities or parties that are mentioned in the materials, or any of the foregoing entities’ or parties’ respective affiliates, subsidiaries, investment funds, portfolio companies and representatives (collectively, the “Interested Parties”), or any currency or commodity that may be involved in the Transaction. Houlihan Lokey provides mergers and acquisitions, restructuring and other advisory and consulting services to clients, which may have in the past included, or may currently or in the future include, one or more Interested Parties, for which services Houlihan Lokey has received, and may receive, compensation. Although Houlihan Lokey in the course of such activities and relationships or otherwise may have acquired, or may in the future acquire, information about one or more Interested Parties or the Transaction, or that otherwise may be of interest to the Board, the Committee, or the Company, Houlihan Lokey shall have no obligation to, and may not be contractually permitted to, disclose such information, or the fact that Houlihan Lokey is in possession of such information, to the Board, the Committee, or the Company or to use such information on behalf of the Board, the Committee, or the Company. Houlihan Lokey’s personnel may make statements or provide advice that is contrary to information contained in the materials. |
