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Redeemable Preferred Stock
12 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2018
Preferred Stock [Abstract]  
Redeemable Preferred Stock

Note 14. Redeemable Preferred Stock

The Company is authorized to issue up to 250,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, issuable in one or more series, of which shares to date have been issued and designated as Series D Convertible Preferred Stock (referred to herein as Series D Preferred Stock), Series C Convertible Preferred Stock (referred to herein as Series C Preferred Stock) and 5% Series B Cumulative Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock (referred to herein as Series B Preferred Stock).  

Series D Preferred Stock

On August 27, 2018, the Company entered into an underwriting agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) with Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. (the “Underwriter”), relating to an underwritten offering (the “Offering”) of the Company’s Series D Preferred Stock with a par value of $0.01 per share.  Subject to the terms and conditions contained in the Underwriting Agreement, the Underwriter agreed to purchase, and the Company agreed to sell, 30,680 Series D Preferred Shares, initially convertible into 22,231,884 shares of the Company’s common stock (without regard to any limitation on conversion set forth in the Series D Certificate of Designation) at an initial conversion price of $1.38 per share (“Series D Conversion Price”), subject to certain adjustments.

The Offering closed on August 29, 2018.  The net proceeds to the Company from the sale of the Series D Preferred Stock, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and the offering expenses payable by the Company, were approximately $25.3 million.

In conjunction with the closing of the Offering, on August 29, 2018, the Company filed the Series D Certificate of Designation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, designating 30,680 shares of the Company’s preferred stock as Series D Convertible Preferred Stock and establishing the rights, preferences, privileges, qualifications, restrictions, and limitations relating to the Series D Preferred Stock, as described below.

Based on review of pertinent accounting literature including Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 470 – Debt, ASC 480 - Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity and ASC 815 - Derivative and Hedging, the Series D Preferred Shares are classified outside of permanent equity on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and were recorded at fair value on the issuance date (proceeds from the issuance, net of direct issuance cost).  An assessment of the probability of the exercise of the potential redemption features in the Series D Certificate of Designation for the Series D Preferred Stock is performed at each reporting date to determine whether any changes in classification are required.  As discussed below, the Company has not obtained stockholder approval to issue a number of shares of common stock equal to 20% or more of the Company’s outstanding voting stock as of the date of issuance of the Series D Preferred Stock and therefore is accreting as part of the stated value the estimated value of the potential common stock shortfall if stockholder approval is not obtained. As of October 31, 2018, the Company determined that none of the other contingent redemption features were probable.

A description of certain terms and provisions of the Series D Preferred Shares is as follows:

Conversion Right.  The Series D Preferred Shares are convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock, subject to the requirements of Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(d), and the beneficial ownership limitation provided in the Series D Certificate of Designation, at a conversion price equal to $1.38 per share of common stock, subject to adjustment as provided in the Series D Certificate of Designation, including adjustments if the Company sells shares of common stock or equity securities convertible into or exercisable for shares of common stock, at prices below $1.38 per share, in certain types of transactions. The holders are prohibited from converting Series D Preferred Shares into shares of common stock if, as a result of such conversion, such holder, together with its affiliates, would own more than 4.99% of the total number of shares of common stock then issued and outstanding. Each holder has the right to increase its maximum percentage up to 9.99% upon 60 days’ notice to the Company. Additionally, prior to receiving stockholder approval of the issuance of more than 19.9% of the Company’s outstanding common stock prior to the Offering, the holders will be prohibited from converting Series D Preferred Shares into shares of common stock if such conversion would cause the Company to issue pursuant to the terms of the Series D Preferred Stock a number of shares in excess of the maximum number of shares permitted to be issued thereunder without breaching the Company’s obligations under the rules or regulations of Nasdaq.

The Series D Conversion Price is subject to adjustment under certain circumstances in accordance with the Series D Certificate of Designation, including the following:

 

The conversion price may be proportionately reduced in the event of a subdivision of the Company’s common stock into a greater number of shares or proportionately increased in the event of a combination of the Company’s common stock into a smaller number of shares.

 

 

In the event that the Company in any manner issues or sells or enters into any agreement to issue or sell Variable Price Securities (as defined in the Series D Certificate of Designation), which generally includes any common stock, options or convertible securities that are issuable at a price which varies or may vary with the market price of the shares of common stock, including by way of one or more reset(s) to a fixed price, but excluding customary anti-dilution provisions (each of the formulations for such variable price being referred to as, the “Variable Price”), each holder of Series D Preferred Shares will have the right (in its sole discretion) to substitute the Variable Price for the Conversion Price upon conversion of the Series D Preferred Shares. Sales of common stock pursuant to the Company’s At Market Issuance Sales Agreement with B. Riley FBR, Inc. and Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. will be deemed Variable Price Securities with a Variable Price equal to the lowest price per share at which common stock is sold pursuant to that agreement. Under the Series D Certificate of Designation, the term “options” means any rights, warrants or options to subscribe for or purchase shares of common stock or convertible securities, and the term “convertible securities” means any stock or other security (other than options) that is at any time and under any circumstances, directly or indirectly, convertible into, exercisable or exchangeable for, or which otherwise entitles the holder thereof to acquire, any shares of common stock.

 

 

At any time any Series D Preferred Shares remain outstanding, the Company may reduce the then current conversion price to any amount for any period of time deemed appropriate by the Company’s board of directors.

Conversion Upon a Triggering Event.  Subject to the requirements of Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(d), and the beneficial ownership limitations provided in the Series D Certificate of Designation, in the event of a triggering event (as defined in the Series D Certificate of Designation and summarized below), the Series D Preferred Shares are convertible into shares of common stock at a conversion price equal to the lower of the Series D Conversion Price in effect on the Trading Day (as such term is defined in the Series D Certificate of Designation) immediately preceding the delivery of the conversion notice and 85% of the lowest VWAP of the common stock on any of the five consecutive Trading Days ending on the Trading Day immediately prior to delivery of the applicable conversion notice. This conversion right commences on the date of the triggering event and ends on the later of (i) the date the triggering event is cured and (ii) ten Trading Days after the Company delivers notice of the triggering event.

A triggering event (as defined in the Series D Certificate of Designation) includes, without limitation:

 

any failure to pay any amounts due to the holders of the Series D Preferred Shares;

 

 

the Company’s failure to timely deliver shares;

 

 

the suspension of the Company’s common stock from trading or failure to be trading or listed on The Nasdaq Global Market, without obtaining a listing on another national securities exchange, for a period of five consecutive Trading Days;

 

 

subject to limited exceptions, the Company’s failure to keep reserved for issuance 150% of the number of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the outstanding Series D Preferred Shares;

 

 

certain bankruptcy events; and

 

 

breaches of certain covenants that are not timely cured, where a cure period is permitted.

Redemption. On December 1, 2018, and on the sixteenth day and first day of each calendar month thereafter until March 1, 2020, subject to extension in certain circumstances (the “Series D Maturity Date”), inclusive, the Company will redeem the stated value of Series D Preferred Stock in thirty-one equal installments of approximately $989,677 (each bimonthly amount, a “Series D Installment Amount” and the date of each such payment, a “Series D Installment Date”). The holders will have the ability to defer installment payments, but not beyond the Series D Maturity Date. In addition, during each period commencing on the 11th trading day prior to a Series D Installment Date and prior to the immediately subsequent Series D Installment Date, the holders may elect to accelerate the conversion of Series D Preferred Shares at then applicable installment conversion price, provided that the holders may not elect to effect any such acceleration during such installment period if either (a) in the aggregate, all the accelerations in such installment period exceed the sum of three other Series D Installment Amounts, or (b) the number of Series D Preferred Shares subject to prior accelerations exceeds in the aggregate twelve Series D Installment Amounts.

Subject to the requirements of Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(d) and certain other equity conditions set forth in the Series D Certificate of Designation, the Company may elect to pay the Series D Installment Amounts in cash or shares of common stock or in a combination of cash and shares of common stock.

Series D Installment Amounts paid in shares will be that number of shares of common stock equal to (a) the applicable Series D Installment Amount, to be paid in common stock divided by (b) the lesser of  (i) the then existing conversion price, (ii) 87.5% of the volume weighted average price (“VWAP”) of the common stock on the Trading Day immediately prior to the applicable Series D Installment Date, and (iii) 87.5% of the arithmetic average of the two lowest VWAPs of the common stock during the ten consecutive Trading Day period ending and including the Trading Day immediately prior to the applicable Series D Installment Date as applicable, provided that the Company meets standard equity conditions. The Company shall make such election no later than the eleventh Trading Day immediately prior to the applicable Series D Installment Date.

If the Company elects or is required to pay a Series D Installment Amount in whole or in part in cash, the amount paid will be equal to 108% of the applicable Series D Installment Amount.

Redemption Upon a Triggering Event.  In the event of a triggering event (as defined in the Series D Certificate of Designation and summarized above), the holders of Series D Preferred Shares may require the Company to redeem such Series D Preferred Shares in cash at a price equal to the greater of  (a) 125% of the stated value of the Series D Preferred Shares being redeemed plus accrued dividends, if any, and (b) the market value of the number of shares issuable on conversion of the Series D Preferred Shares, valued at the greatest closing sales price during the period from the date immediately before the triggering event through the date the Company makes the redemption payment.

Redemption Upon a Change of Control.  In the event of a change of control, as defined in the Series D Certificate of Designation, the holders of Series D Preferred Shares can force redemption at a price equal to the greater of  (a) the conversion amount to be redeemed multiplied by 125%, (b) the product of  (i) the conversion amount being redeemed multiplied by (ii) the quotient determined by dividing (A) the greatest closing sale price of the common stock on any Trading Day during the period commencing immediately preceding the earlier to occur of (1) the consummation of the applicable change of control and (2) the public announcement of such change of control and ending on the date such holder delivers the change of control redemption notice, by (B) the conversion price then in effect and (c) the product of  (i) the conversion amount being redeemed multiplied by (ii) the quotient determined by dividing (A) the aggregate value of the cash and non-cash consideration per share of common stock being paid to holders of common stock in the change of control transaction by (B) the conversion price then in effect. Redemptions of the Series D Preferred Shares required under the Series D Certificate of Designation in connection with a change of control will have priority over payments to all other stockholders of the Company in connection with such change of control.

Dividends.  Each holder of Series D Preferred Shares shall be entitled to receive dividends (a) if no triggering event, as defined in the Series D Certificate of Designation, has occurred and is continuing when and as declared by the Company’s board of directors, in its sole and absolute discretion or (b) if a triggering event has occurred and until such triggering event has been cured, a dividend of 15% per annum based on the holder’s outstanding number of Series D Preferred Shares multiplied by the stated value. The holders of Series D Preferred Shares also have the right to participate in any dividend or other distribution made to holders of common stock to the same extent as if they had converted their Series D Preferred Shares.

Liquidation Preference.  In the event of the liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Company, prior to distribution to holders of securities ranking junior to the Series D Preferred Stock, holders of Series D Preferred Shares will be entitled to receive the amount of cash, securities or other property equal to the greater of (a) the stated value thereof on the date of such payment plus accrued dividends, if any and (b) the amount per share such holder would receive if such holder converted such Series D Preferred Shares into common stock immediately prior to the date of such payment.

Ranking. Shares of Series D Preferred Stock rank with respect to dividend rights and rights upon the liquidation, winding up or dissolution of the Company:

 

senior to shares of the Company’s common stock;

 

junior to the Company’s debt obligations;

 

junior to the Company’s outstanding Series B Preferred Stock;

 

pari passu to the Company’s outstanding Series C Preferred Stock; and

 

effectively junior to the Company’s subsidiaries’ (i) existing and future liabilities and (ii) capital stock held by others.

Limited Voting Rights.  The holders of Series D Preferred Shares have no voting rights, except as required by law; provided, however, that any amendment to the Company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws or the Series D Certificate of Designation that adversely affects the powers, preferences and rights of the Series D Preferred Stock requires the approval of the holders of a majority of the Series D Preferred Shares then outstanding.

Participation Rights.  Until August 29, 2019, the holders of the Series D Preferred Shares have the right to receive notice of and to participate in any offering, issuance or sale of equity or equity-equivalent securities by the Company or its subsidiaries, other than issuances under certain employee benefit plans, upon the conversion of certain options or other convertible securities, or pursuant to certain acquisitions or strategic transactions. Pursuant to such participation rights, the Company must offer to issue and sell to such holders at least 35% of the offered securities.

Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5635(d).  Pursuant to the requirements of Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(d), the Series D Preferred Shares may not be converted or redeemed by payment of shares of the Company’s common stock if such conversion or redemption would cause the Company to issue a number of shares equal to 20% or more of the Company’s outstanding voting stock as of the date of the issuance of the Series D Preferred Shares, until the Company’s stockholders approve such issuance. The Company has agreed to file a proxy statement with the SEC for the purpose of having the Company’s stockholders vote on a proposal to approve such issuances and further agreed to hold such stockholders’ meeting by no later than April 30, 2019.

Series C Preferred Stock

The Company issued an aggregate of 33,500 shares of its Series C Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value and $1,000 stated value per share, during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2017 for net proceeds of $27.9 million.  Each share of Series C Preferred Stock was sold at a price of $895.52 for gross proceeds of approximately $30.0 million.  As of October 31, 2018 and 2017, there were 8,992 shares and 33,300 shares of Series C Preferred Stock issued and outstanding, respectively, with a carrying value of $7.5 million and $27.7 million, respectively.

During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018, holders of the Series C Preferred Stock converted 24,308 Series C Preferred Shares into common shares through installment conversions resulting in a reduction of $20.2 million to the carrying value being recorded to equity.  Installment conversions occurring prior to August 27, 2018 in which the conversion price was below the initial conversion price of $1.84 per share resulted in a variable number of shares being issued to settle the installment amount and were treated as a partial redemption of the Series C Preferred Shares.  In order to resolve different interpretations of the provisions of the Series C Certificate of Designations that govern adjustments to the conversion price in connection with sales of common stock under the Company’s at-the-market sales plan below the fixed conversion price and whether such sales constitute sales of variable priced securities under the Series C Certificate of Designations, the Company’s board of directors agreed to reduce the conversion price of the Series C Preferred Shares from $1.84 to $1.50 effective August 27, 2018 in exchange for a waiver of certain anti-dilution and price adjustment rights under the Series C Certificate of Designations for future at-the-market sales. Installment conversions occurring between August 27, 2018 and October 31, 2018 in which the installment conversion price was below the adjusted conversion price of $1.50 per share resulted in a variable number of shares being issued to settle the installment amount and were treated as a partial redemption of the Series C Preferred Shares. Installment conversions during the year ended October 31, 2018 that were settled in a variable number of shares and treated as partial redemptions resulted in deemed dividends of $9.6 million.  The deemed dividend represents the difference between the fair value of the common shares issued to settle the installment amounts and the carrying value of the Series C Preferred Shares.

Based on review of pertinent accounting literature including Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 470 – Debt, ASC 480 - Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity and ASC 815 - Derivative and Hedging, the Series C Preferred Shares are classified outside of permanent equity on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and were recorded at fair value on the issuance date (proceeds from the issuance, net of direct issuance cost).  An assessment of the probability of the exercise of the potential redemption features in the Series C Certificate of Designations for the Series C Preferred Stock is performed at each reporting date to determine whether any changes in classification are required.  As of October 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company determined that none of the contingent redemption features were probable.

A summary of certain terms of the Series C Preferred Stock follows.

Conversion Rights.  As of October 31, 2018, the Series C Preferred Shares were convertible into shares of common stock subject to the beneficial ownership limitations provided in the Series C Certificate of Designations, at a conversion price equal to $1.50 per share.  The conversion price is subject to adjustment as provided in the Series C Certificate of Designations, including adjustments if the Company sells shares of common stock or equity securities convertible into or exercisable for shares of common stock, at variable prices below the conversion price then in effect.  In the event of a triggering event, as defined in the Series C Certificate of Designations, the Series C Preferred Shares are convertible into shares of common stock at a conversion price equal to the lower of the conversion price then in effect and 85% of the lowest VWAP of the common stock of the five trading days immediately prior to delivery of the applicable conversion notice.  The holders will be prohibited from converting Series C Preferred Shares into shares of common stock if, as a result of such conversion, such holder, together with its affiliates, would own more than 8.99% of the total number of shares of common stock then issued and outstanding. Each holder has the right to increase its maximum percentage up to 9.99% upon 60 days’ notice to the Company.

Installment Payments. On November 1, 2017 and on the sixteenth day and first day of each calendar month thereafter until March 1, 2019, subject to extension in certain circumstances (the “Series C Maturity Date”), inclusive, the Company will redeem the stated value of Series C Preferred Shares in thirty-three equal installments of approximately $1.0 million (each bimonthly amount, a “Series C Installment Amount” and the date of each such payment, a “Series C Installment Date”). The holders will have the ability to defer installment payments, but not beyond the Series C Maturity Date. In addition, during each period commencing on the 11th trading day prior to a Series C Installment Date and prior to the immediately subsequent Series C Installment Date, the holders may elect to accelerate the conversion of Series C Preferred Shares at the then applicable installment conversion price, provided that the holders may not elect to effect any such acceleration during such installment period if either (a) in the aggregate, all the accelerations in such installment period exceed the sum of three other Series C Installment Amounts, or (b) the number of Series C Preferred Shares subject to prior accelerations exceeds in the aggregate twelve Series C Installment Amounts.

Subject to certain conditions as provided in the Series C Certificate of Designations, the Company may elect to pay the Series C Installment Amounts in cash or shares of common stock or in a combination of cash and shares of common stock.

Series C Installment Amounts paid in shares will be that number of shares of common stock equal to (a) the applicable Series C Installment Amount, to be paid in common stock divided by (b) the least of (i) the then existing conversion price, (ii) 87.5% of the VWAP of the common stock on the trading day immediately prior to the applicable Series C Installment Date, and (iii) 87.5% of the arithmetic average of the two lowest VWAPs of the common stock during the ten consecutive trading day period ending and including the trading day immediately prior to the applicable Series C Installment Date as applicable, provided that the Company meets standard equity conditions. The Company shall make such election no later than the eleventh trading day immediately prior to the applicable Series C Installment Date.

If the Company elects or is required to pay a Series C Installment Amount in whole or in part in cash, the amount paid will be equal to 108% of the applicable Series C Installment Amount.

Dividends. Each holder of the Series C Preferred Shares shall be entitled to receive dividends (a) if no triggering event, as defined in the Series C Certificate of Designations, has occurred and is continuing when and as declared by the Company’s board of directors, in its sole and absolute discretion or (b) if a triggering event has occurred and until such triggering event has been cured, a dividend of 15% per annum based on the holder’s outstanding number of Series C Preferred Shares multiplied by the stated value.  There were no triggering events or dividends declared in fiscal years 2017 or 2018.

Redemption. In the event of a triggering event, as defined in the Series C Certificate of Designations, the holders of the Series C Preferred Shares can force redemption at a price equal to the greater of (a) the conversion amount to be redeemed multiplied by 125% and (b) the product of (i) the conversion rate with respect to the conversion amount in effect at such time as such holder delivers a triggering event redemption notice multiplied by (ii) the greatest closing sale price of the common stock on any trading day during the period commencing on the date immediately preceding such triggering event and ending on the date the Company makes the entire payment required.

Liquidation. In the event of the Company’s liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, prior to distribution to holders of securities ranking junior to the Series C Preferred Shares, holders of Series C Preferred Shares will be entitled to receive the amount of cash, securities or other property equal to the greater of (a) the stated value thereof on the date of such payment plus accrued dividends, if any and (b) the amount per share such holder would receive if such holder converted such Series C Preferred Shares into common stock immediately prior to the date of such payment.

Ranking and Voting Rights. Shares of Series C Preferred Stock rank with respect to dividend rights and rights upon the Company’s liquidation, winding up or dissolution:

 

senior to shares of the Company’s common stock;

 

junior to the Company’s debt obligations;

 

junior to the Company’s outstanding Series B Preferred Stock;

 

pari passu to the Company’s outstanding Series D Preferred Stock (which was issued on August 29, 2018); and

 

effectively junior to the Company’s subsidiaries’ (i) existing and future liabilities and (ii) capital stock held by others.

The holders of the Series C Preferred Shares have no voting rights, except as required by law, provided, however, that any amendment to the Company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws or the Series C Certificate of Designations that adversely affects the powers, preferences and rights of the Series C Preferred Shares requires the approval of the holders of a majority of the Series C Preferred Shares then outstanding.

Redeemable Series B Preferred Stock

The Company has 105,875 shares of Series B Preferred Stock (Liquidation Preference $1,000.00 per share) authorized for issuance. As of October 31, 2018 and 2017, there were 64,020 shares of Series B Preferred Stock issued and outstanding, with a carrying value of $59.9 million. The shares of Series B Preferred Stock and the shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock are covered by a registration rights agreement.  The following is a summary of certain provisions of the Series B Preferred Stock.

 

Ranking — Shares of Series B Preferred Stock rank with respect to dividend rights and rights upon the Company’s liquidation, winding up or dissolution:

 

senior to shares of the Company’s common stock;

 

senior to shares of the Company’s Series C Preferred Stock;

 

senior to shares of the Company’s Series D Preferred Stock;

 

junior to the Company’s debt obligations; and

 

effectively junior to the Company’s subsidiaries’ (i) existing and future liabilities and (ii) capital stock held by others.

 

Dividends - The Series B Preferred Stock pays cumulative annual dividends of $50.00 per share which are payable quarterly in arrears on February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15. Dividends accumulate and are cumulative from the date of original issuance. Unpaid accumulated dividends do not bear interest.

The dividend rate is subject to upward adjustment as set forth in the Series B Certificate of Designation if the Company fails to pay, or to set apart funds to pay, any quarterly dividend on the Series B Preferred Stock. The dividend rate is also subject to upward adjustment as set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement entered into with the initial purchasers of the Series B Preferred Stock (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) if the Company fails to satisfy its registration obligations with respect to the Series B Preferred Stock (or the underlying common shares) under the Registration Rights Agreement.

No dividends or other distributions may be paid or set apart for payment on the Company’s common shares (other than a dividend payable solely in shares of a like or junior ranking) unless all accumulated and unpaid Series B Preferred Stock dividends have been paid or funds or shares of common stock have been set aside for payment of accumulated and unpaid Series B Preferred Stock dividends.

The dividend on the Series B Preferred Stock may be paid in cash; or at the option of the holder, in shares of the Company’s common stock, which will be registered pursuant to a registration statement to allow for the immediate sale of these common shares in the public market.  Dividends of $3.2 million were paid in cash in each of the years ended October 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.  There were no cumulative unpaid dividends as of October 31, 2018 and 2017.

 

Liquidation - The holders of Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to receive, in the event that the Company is liquidated, dissolved or wound up, whether voluntary or involuntary, $1,000.00 per share plus all accumulated and unpaid dividends to the date of that liquidation, dissolution, or winding up (“Liquidation Preference”). Until the holders of Series B Preferred Stock receive their Liquidation Preference in full, no payment will be made on any junior shares, including shares of the Company’s common stock.  After the Liquidation Preference is paid in full, holders of the Series B Preferred Stock will not be entitled to receive any further distribution of the Company’s assets.  As of October 31, 2018 and 2017, the Series B Preferred Stock had a Liquidation Preference of $64.0 million.

 

Conversion Rights - Each share of Series B Preferred Stock may be converted at any time, at the option of the holder, into 7.0922 shares of the Company’s common stock (which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of $141.00 per share) plus cash in lieu of fractional shares. The conversion rate is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events, as described in the Series B Certificate of Designation. The conversion rate is not adjusted for accumulated and unpaid dividends. If converted, holders of Series B Preferred Stock do not receive a cash payment for all accumulated and unpaid dividends; rather, all accumulated and unpaid dividends are canceled.

The Company may, at its option, cause shares of Series B Preferred Stock to be automatically converted into that number of shares of common stock that are issuable at the then prevailing conversion rate. The Company may exercise its conversion right only if the closing price of its common stock exceeds 150% of the then prevailing conversion price ($141.00 per share as of October 31, 2018) for 20 trading days during any consecutive 30 trading day period, as described in the Series B Certificate of Designation.

If holders of Series B Preferred Stock elect to convert their shares in connection with certain fundamental changes, as defined in the Series B Certificate of Designation, the Company will in certain circumstances increase the conversion rate by a number of additional shares of common stock upon conversion or, in lieu thereof, the Company may in certain circumstances elect to adjust the conversion rate and related conversion obligation so that shares of Series B Preferred Stock are converted into shares of the acquiring or surviving company, in each case as described in the Series B Certificate of Designation.

The adjustment of the conversion price is to prevent dilution of the interests of the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock from certain dilutive transactions with holders of common stock.

 

Redemption — The Company does not have the option to redeem the shares of Series B Preferred Stock. However, holders of the Series B Preferred Stock can require the Company to redeem all or part of their shares at a redemption price equal to the Liquidation Preference of the shares to be redeemed in the case of a “fundamental change”, (as described in the Series B Certificate of Designation).  A fundamental change will be deemed to have occurred if any of the following occurs:

 

any “person” or “group” is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 50% or more of the total voting power of all classes of the Company’s capital stock then outstanding and normally entitled to vote in the election of directors;

 

 

during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the board of directors (together with any new directors whose election by the Company’s board of directors or whose nomination for election by the stockholders was approved by a vote of two-thirds of the Company’s directors then still in office who were either directors at the beginning of such period or whose election of nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the directors then in office;

 

 

the termination of trading of the Company’s common stock on The Nasdaq Stock Market and such shares are not approved for trading or quoted on any other U.S. securities exchange; or

 

 

the Company consolidates with or merges with or into another person or another person merges with or into the Company or the sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets and certain of its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to another person and, in the case of any such merger or consolidation, the Company’s securities that are outstanding immediately prior to such transaction and which represent 100% of the aggregate voting power of the Company’s voting stock are changed into or exchanged for cash, securities or property, unless pursuant to the transaction such securities are changed into securities of the surviving person that represent, immediately after such transaction, at least a majority of the aggregate voting power of the voting stock of the surviving person.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, holders of shares of Series B Preferred Stock will not have the right to require the Company to redeem their shares if:

 

the last reported sale price of shares of the Company’s common stock for any five trading days within the 10 consecutive trading days ending immediately before the later of the fundamental change or its announcement equaled or exceeded 105% of the conversion price of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock immediately before the fundamental change or announcement;

 

 

at least 90% of the consideration (excluding cash payments for fractional shares) and, in respect of dissenters’ appraisal rights, if the transaction constituting the fundamental change consists of shares of capital stock traded on a U.S. national securities exchange, or which will be so traded or quoted when issued or exchanged in connection with a fundamental change, and as a result of the transaction, shares of Series B Preferred Stock become convertible into such publicly traded securities; or

 

 

in the case of fundamental change event in the fourth bullet above, the transaction is affected solely to change the Company’s jurisdiction of incorporation.

 

The Company may, at its option, elect to pay the redemption price in cash or in shares of the Company’s common stock, valued at a discount of 5% from the market price of shares of the Company’s common stock, or any combination thereof.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may only pay such redemption price in shares of the Company’s common stock that are registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and eligible for immediate sale in the public market by non-affiliates of the Company.  

 

Voting Rights - Holders of Series B Preferred Stock currently have no voting rights; however, holders may receive certain voting rights, as described in the Series B Certificate of Designation, if (1) dividends on any shares of Series B Preferred Stock, or any other class or series of stock ranking on a parity with the Series B Preferred Stock with respect to the payment of dividends, shall be in arrears for dividend periods, whether or not consecutive, for six calendar quarters or (2) the Company fails to pay the redemption price, plus accrued and unpaid dividends, if any, on the redemption date for shares of Series B Preferred Stock following a fundamental change.

So long as any shares of Series B Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the Company will not, without the consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock outstanding at the time (voting separately as a class with all other series of preferred stock, if any, on parity with the Series B Preferred Stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable) issue or increase the authorized amount of any class or series of shares ranking senior to the outstanding shares of the Series B Preferred Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation. In addition, the Company will not, subject to certain conditions, amend, alter or repeal provisions of the Company’s certificate of incorporation, including the Series B Certificate of Designation relating to the Series B Preferred Stock, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, so as to adversely amend, alter or affect any power, preference or special right of the outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock or the holders thereof without the affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds of the issued and outstanding Series B Preferred Stock shares.

Class A Cumulative Redeemable Exchangeable Preferred Shares (the “Series 1 Preferred Shares”)

FCE FuelCell Energy Ltd. (“FCE Ltd”), one of the Company's indirect subsidiaries, has 1,000,000 Class A Cumulative Redeemable Exchangeable Preferred Shares (the “Series 1 Preferred Shares”) issued and outstanding, which are held by Enbridge, Inc. ("Enbridge"), which is a related party.  The Company guarantees the return of principal and dividend obligations of FCE Ltd. to the holders of Series 1 Preferred Shares.

On March 31, 2011 and April 1, 2011, the Company entered into agreements with Enbridge to modify the provisions of the Series 1 Preferred Shares of FCE Ltd. Enbridge is the sole holder of the Series 1 Preferred Shares.  Consistent with the previous Series 1 Preferred Share agreement, FuelCell Energy continues to guarantee the return of principal and dividend obligations of FCE Ltd. to the holders of Series 1 Preferred Shares under the modified agreement.

The terms of the Series 1 Preferred Shares includes payments of (i) annual dividend payments of Cdn. $500,000 and (ii) annual return of capital payments of Cdn. $750,000. These payments commenced on March 31, 2011 and will end on December 31, 2020. Dividends accrue at a 1.25% quarterly rate on the unpaid principal balance, and additional dividends will accrue on the cumulative unpaid dividends (inclusive of the Cdn. $12.5 million unpaid dividend balance as of the modification date) at a rate of 1.25% compounded quarterly.  On December 31, 2020, the amount of all accrued and unpaid dividends on the Series 1 Preferred Shares of Cdn. $21.1 million and the balance of the principal redemption price of Cdn. $4.4 million shall be paid to the holders of the Series 1 Preferred Shares. FCE Ltd. has the option of making dividend payments in the form of common stock or cash under the terms of the Series 1 Preferred Shares.

Because the Series 1 Preferred Shares represent a mandatorily redeemable financial instrument, they are presented as a liability on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

The Company made its scheduled payments of Cdn. $1.3 million during each of fiscal year 2018, 2017 and 2016.  The Company also recorded interest expense, which reflects the accretion of the fair value discount of approximately Cdn. $2.8 million, Cdn. $2.6 million and Cdn. $2.4 million, respectively.  As of October 31, 2018 and 2017, the carrying value of the Series 1 Preferred Shares was Cdn. $20.9 million ($15.9 million) and Cdn. $19.4 million ($15.1 million), respectively and is classified as preferred stock obligation of subsidiary on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

In addition to the above, the significant terms of the Series 1 Preferred Shares include the following:

 

Voting Rights —The holders of the Series 1 Preferred Shares are not entitled to any voting rights.

 

Dividends — Dividend payments can be made in cash or common stock of the Company, at the option of FCE Ltd., and if common stock is issued it may be unregistered. If FCE Ltd. elects to make such payments by issuing common stock of the Company, the number of common shares is determined by dividing the cash dividend obligation by 95% of the volume weighted average price in U.S. dollars at which board lots of the common shares have been traded on Nasdaq during the 20 consecutive trading days preceding the end of the calendar quarter for which such dividend in common shares is to be paid converted into Canadian dollars using the Bank of Canada’s noon rate of exchange on the day of determination.

 

Redemption — The Series 1 Preferred Shares are redeemable by FCE Ltd. for Cdn. $25.00 per share less any amounts paid as a return of capital in respect of such share plus all unpaid dividends and accrued interest.

 

Liquidation or Dissolution — In the event of the liquidation or dissolution of FCE Ltd., the holders of Series 1 Preferred Shares will be entitled to receive Cdn. $25.00 per share less any amounts paid as a return of capital in respect of such share plus all unpaid dividends and accrued interest. The Company has guaranteed any liquidation obligations of FCE Ltd.

 

Exchange Rights — A holder of Series 1 Preferred Shares has the right to exchange such shares for fully paid and non-assessable common stock of the Company at the following exchange prices:

 

Cdn. $1,664.52 per share of common stock after July 31, 2015 until July 31, 2020; and

 

at any time after July 31, 2020, at a price equal to 95% of the then current market price (in Cdn. $) of the Company’s common stock at the time of conversion.

The exchange rates set forth above shall be adjusted if the Company: (i) subdivides or consolidates the common stock; (ii) pays a stock dividend; (iii) issues rights, options or other convertible securities to the Company's common stockholders enabling them to acquire common stock at a price less than 95% of the then-current price; or (iv) fixes a record date to distribute to the Company's common stockholders shares of any other class of securities, indebtedness or assets.

For example, assuming the holder of the Series 1 Preferred Shares exercises its conversion rights after July 31 2020 and assuming the common stock price is $0.85 (the common stock closing price on October 31, 2018) and an exchange rate of U.S. $1.00 to Cdn. $1.31 (exchange rate on October 31, 2018) at the time of conversion, the Company would be required to issue approximately 4,192,221 shares of its common stock.

Derivative liability related to Series 1 Preferred Shares

The conversion feature and variable dividend contained in the terms of the Series 1 Preferred Shares are not clearly and closely related to the characteristics of the Series 1 Preferred Shares. Accordingly, these features qualify as embedded derivative instruments and are required to be bifurcated and recorded as derivative financial instruments at fair value.

The conversion feature is valued using a lattice model.  Based on the pay-off profiles of the Series 1 Preferred Shares, it is assumed that we will exercise the call option to force conversion in 2020. Conversion after 2020 delivers a fixed pay-off to the investor, and is modeled as a fixed payment in 2020.  The cumulative dividend is modeled as a quarterly cash dividend component (to satisfy minimum dividend payment requirement), and a one-time cumulative dividend payment in 2020.

The variable dividend is valued using a Monte Carlo simulation model.

The assumptions used in these valuation models include historical stock price volatility, risk-free interest rate and a credit spread based on the yield indexes of technology high yield bonds, foreign exchange volatility as the security is denominated in Canadian dollars, and the closing price of our common stock. The aggregate fair value of these derivatives included within long-term debt and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of October 31, 2018 and 2017 was $0.8 million.