Attached files
file | filename |
---|---|
8-K - FORM 8-K - NYSE Euronext | y81330e8vk.htm |
Exhibit 3.1
AMENDED AND RESTATED
BYLAWS
OF
NYSE EURONEXT
Incorporated under the Laws of the State of Delaware
BYLAWS
OF
NYSE EURONEXT
Incorporated under the Laws of the State of Delaware
Dated as October 1 of December 31, 2009, 2008
ARTICLE I.
OFFICES AND RECORDS
Section 1.1. Registered Office. The registered office of
NYSE Euronext (the Corporation) in the State of Delaware shall
be established and maintained at the office of The Corporation Trust
Company, located at the Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, City
of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware 19801, and The
Corporation Trust Company shall be the registered agent of the Corporation
in charge thereof.
Section 1.2. Other Offices. The Corporation may have such
other offices, either within or without the State of Delaware, at such
places as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate or as the
business of the Corporation may from time to time require.
Section 1.3. Books and Records. The books and records of
the Corporation may be kept outside the State of Delaware at such place or
places as may from time to time be designated by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE II.
STOCKHOLDERS
Section 2.1. Annual Meetings. An annual meeting of
stockholders for the election of directors, and for such other business as
may be stated in the notice of the meeting, shall be held at such place,
either within or without the State of Delaware, and at such time and date
as the Board of Directors, by resolution, shall determine and as set forth
in the notice of the meeting. At each annual meeting, the stockholders
entitled to vote shall elect a Board of Directors and they may transact
such other corporate business as shall be stated in the notice of the
meeting.
Section 2.2. Special Meetings. Special meetings of
stockholders may be called at any time by, and only by, (1) the Board of
Directors acting pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the
directors, (2) the Chairman of the Board of Directors, (3) the Deputy
Chairman of the Board of Directors, (4) the Chief Executive Officer or (5)
the Deputy Chief Executive Officer, in each case, to be held at such date,
time and place either within or without the State of Delaware as may be
stated in the notice of the meeting.
Section 2.3. Notice of Meetings. Written notice, stating
the place, day and hour of the meeting and the general nature of the
business to be considered, shall be given to each stockholder entitled to
vote thereat, at his or her address as it appears on the records of the
Corporation, not less than ten (10) days nor more than sixty (60) days
before the date of the meeting, except as otherwise provided herein or
required by the Delaware General Corporation Law (the DGCL). If
mailed, such notice shall be deemed to have been given when deposited in
the United States mail with postage thereon prepaid, addressed to the
stockholder at such stockholders address as it appears on the records of
the Corporation. Only such business shall be conducted at a special
meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting
pursuant to the Corporations notice of meeting. Any previously scheduled
meeting of the stockholders may be postponed, canceled or adjourned by
resolution of the Board of Directors at any time in advance of the date
previously scheduled for such meeting.
Section 2.4. Quorum and Adjournment. Except as otherwise
provided by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation
(the Certificate of Incorporation), the holders of a majority of
the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of all of the
then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to
vote generally in the election of directors, represented in person or by
proxy, shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of stockholders, except that
when specified business is to be voted on by a class or series of stock
voting as a class, the holders of a majority of the shares of such class
or series shall constitute a quorum of such class or series for the
transaction of such business. The chairman of the meeting or the holders
of a majority of the votes so represented may adjourn the meeting from
time to time, whether or not there is such a quorum. No notice of the
time and place of adjourned meetings need be given except as required by
law. At any such adjourned meeting at which the requisite amount of stock
entitled to vote shall be represented, any business may be transacted that
might have been transacted at the meeting as originally noticed, but only
those stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting as originally noticed
shall be entitled to vote at any adjournment or adjournments thereof. The
stockholders present at a duly called meeting at which a quorum is present
may continue to transact business until adjournment,
notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less
than a quorum.
Section 2.5. Organization. Meetings of stockholders shall
be presided over by such person or persons as the Board of Directors may
have designated or, in the absence of such person, the Chairman or Deputy
Chairman of the Board of Directors, if any, or in the absence of a
Chairman or Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors by the Chief
Executive Officer or Deputy Chief Executive Officer, or in the absence of
a Chief Executive Officer or Deputy Chief Executive Officer by an
Executive Vice President, or in the absence of an Executive Vice
President, by a chairman chosen at the meeting. A Corporate Secretary, or
in the absence of a Corporate Secretary an Assistant Corporate Secretary,
shall act as secretary of the meeting, but in the absence of a Corporate
Secretary and any Assistant Corporate Secretary, the chairman of the
meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.
The order of business at each such meeting shall be as determined by the chairman of the
meeting. The chairman of the meeting shall have the right and authority to adjourn a meeting of
stockholders without a vote of stockholders and to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures
and to do all such acts and things as are necessary or desirable for the proper conduct of the
meeting and are not inconsistent with any rules or regulations adopted by the Board of Directors
pursuant to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, including the establishment of
procedures for the maintenance of order and safety, limitations on the time allotted to questions
or comments on the affairs of the Corporation, restrictions on entry to such meeting after the time
prescribed for the commencement thereof and the opening and closing of the voting polls for each
item upon which a vote is to be taken.
Section 2.6. Inspectors of Elections; Opening and Closing the
Polls. Prior to any meeting of stockholders, the Board of Directors,
the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Deputy Chairman of the Board
of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the Deputy Chief Executive
Officer or any other officer designated by the Board of Directors shall
appoint one or more inspectors, who shall have the powers and duties set
forth in Section 231 of the DGCL as currently in effect or as the same may
hereafter be amended or replaced, which inspectors may include individuals
who serve the Corporation in other capacities, including, without
limitation, as officers, employees, agents or representatives, to act at
such meeting and make a written report thereof and may designate one or
more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to
act. If no inspector or alternate has been appointed to act or is able to
act at a meeting of stockholders, the chairman of the meeting shall
appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector,
before discharging his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath
faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and
according to the best of his or her ability. The
inspectors shall have the duties prescribed by law. The chairman of
the meeting shall fix and announce at the meeting the date and time of the
opening and the closing of the polls for each matter upon which the
stockholders will vote at a meeting.
Section 2.7. Voting; Proxies. Unless otherwise provided
in the Certificate of Incorporation, each stockholder entitled to vote at
any meeting of stockholders shall be entitled to one vote for each share
of stock held by such stockholder which has voting power upon the matter
in question. Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of
stockholders may authorize another person or persons to act for such
stockholder by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after
three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period.
A duly executed proxy shall be irrevocable if it states that it is
irrevocable and if, and only as long as, it is coupled with an interest
sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power, regardless of whether
the interest with which it is coupled is an interest in the stock itself
or an interest in the Corporation generally. A stockholder may revoke any
proxy that is not irrevocable by attending the meeting and voting in
person or by filing an instrument in writing revoking the proxy or another
duly executed proxy bearing a later date with a Corporate Secretary.
Voting at meetings of stockholders need not be by written ballot unless so
directed by the chairman of the meeting or the Board of Directors.
Subject to Section 3.2 of these Bylaws (unless such Section is suspended
or has become void and of no force and effect as provided for under
Section 10.11 of these Bylaws), directors shall be elected by a plurality
of the votes of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at
the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors. In all
other matters, unless otherwise required by law, the Certificate of
Incorporation or these Bylaws, a majority of the votes cast for or against
the matter at the meeting by stockholders entitled to vote on the subject
matter shall be the act of the stockholders. Where a separate vote by
class or classes is required, the affirmative vote of the holders of a
majority (or, in the case of an election of directors, a plurality) of the
votes cast for or against the matter at the meeting by stockholders in
that class or classes entitled to vote on the subject matter shall be the
act of such class or classes, except as otherwise required by law, the
Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws.
Section 2.8. Stockholders Record Date. In order that the
Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to
vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof or entitled
to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of
any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change,
conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful
action, the Board of Directors may, except as otherwise required by the
DGCL, fix a record date, which record date shall not
precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is
adopted by the Board of Directors and which record date: (1) in the case
of determination of stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of
stockholders or adjournment thereof, shall, unless otherwise required by
law, not be more than sixty nor less than ten days before the date of such
meeting and (2) in the case of any other action, shall not be more than
sixty days prior to such other action. If no record date is fixed: (1)
the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to
vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the
day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is
waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on
which the meeting is held and (2) the record date for determining
stockholders for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on
the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating
thereto. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of
or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of
the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new
record date for the adjourned meeting.
Section 2.9. List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote. A
complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting,
arranged in alphabetical order, with the address of each, and the number
of shares held by each, shall be open to the examination of any
stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary
business hours, for a period of at least ten days prior to the meeting, at
the principal place of business of the Corporation or at such other
location as specified in the notice of the meeting. The list shall also
be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole
time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is entitled to
be present.
Section 2.10. Advance Notice of Stockholder Nominees for
Director and Other Stockholder Proposals.
(A) Annual Meetings of Stockholders.
(1) Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors of the Corporation
and the proposal of business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an annual
meeting of stockholders (a) pursuant to the Corporations notice of meeting, (b) by or at
the direction of the Board of Directors or (c) by any stockholder of the Corporation who was
a stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice provided for in this Section 2.10,
who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who complies with the notice procedures set forth
in this Section 2.10.
(2) For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting
by a stockholder pursuant to clause (c) of paragraph (A)(1) of this Section 2.10, the
stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of
the Corporation and such other business must otherwise be a proper matter for
stockholder action. For nominations, such notice must include the documentation necessary
to determine whether the nominee is a U.S. Person or a European Person as of the date of
such notice. To be timely, a stockholders notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at the
principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the
90th day nor earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the first
anniversary of the preceding years annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event
that the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after
such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not
earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not
later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such annual meeting
or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting
is first made by the Corporation. In no event shall the public announcement of an
adjournment of an annual meeting commence a new time period for the giving of a
stockholders notice as described above. Such stockholders notice shall set forth (a) as
to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a
director all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in
solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election contest, or is otherwise
required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the Exchange Act) and Rule 14a-11 thereunder (including such
persons written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving
as a director if elected); (b) as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to
bring before the meeting, a brief description of the business desired to be brought before
the meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any material
interest in such business of such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose
behalf the proposal is made; and (c) as to the stockholder giving the notice and the
beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made (i) the name
and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporations books, and of such
beneficial owner and (ii) the class and number of shares of the Corporation which are owned
beneficially and of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner.
(3) Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of paragraph (A)(2) of this Bylaw
to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board of
Directors of the Corporation is increased and there is no public announcement by the
Corporation naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased
Board of Directors at least 70 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding years
annual meeting, a stockholders notice required by this Bylaw shall also be considered
timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if
it shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation
not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which such public
announcement is first made by the Corporation.
(B) Special Meetings of Stockholders. Only such business shall be conducted at a special
meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporations
notice of meeting. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors may be made at a
special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to
the Corporations notice of meeting (1) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or
(2) provided that the Board of Directors has determined that directors shall be elected at such
meeting, by any stockholder of the Corporation who is a stockholder of record at the time of giving
of notice provided for in this Bylaw, who shall be entitled to vote at the meeting and who complies
with the notice procedures set forth in this Bylaw. In the event that the Corporation calls a
special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board of
Directors, any such stockholder may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be), for election
to such position(s) as specified in the Corporations notice of meeting, if the stockholders
notice required by paragraph (A)(2) of this Bylaw shall be delivered to the Secretary at the
principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than the close of business on the 120th
day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th
day prior to such special meeting or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement
is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of
Directors to be elected at such meeting. In no event shall the public announcement of an
adjournment of a special meeting commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholders
notice as described above.
(C) General.
(1) Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in
this Bylaw shall be eligible to serve as directors and only such business shall be conducted
at a meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance
with the procedures set forth in this Bylaw. Except as otherwise provided by law, the
chairman of the meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether a nomination or
any business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may
be, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Bylaw and, if any proposed
nomination or business is not in compliance with this Bylaw, to declare that such defective
proposal or nomination shall not be presented for stockholder action and shall be
disregarded.
(2) For purposes of this Bylaw, public announcement shall mean disclosure in
a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or comparable
national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d)
of the Exchange Act.
(3) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Bylaw, a stockholder shall also
comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Bylaw. Nothing in this Bylaw shall
be deemed to affect any rights (a) of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the
Corporations proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act or (b) of the
holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect directors under specified circumstances.
Section 2.11. No Stockholder Action by Written Consent.
Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock with
respect to such series of Preferred Stock, any action required
or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation must
be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders of
the Corporation and may not be effected by any consent in writing by such
stockholders.
ARTICLE III.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 3.1. General Powers. The business and affairs of
the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of
Directors. The number of directors on the Board of Directors shall be
fixed and changed from time to time exclusively by the Board of Directors
pursuant to a resolution adopted by two-thirds of the directors then in
office. In addition to the powers and authorities expressly conferred
upon them by these Bylaws, the Board of Directors may exercise all such
powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are
not by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws
required to be exercised or done by the stockholders. A director need not
be a stockholder.
Section 3.2. Certain Qualifications for the Board of
Directors.
(A) In any election of directors, and subject to Section 3.4 of these Bylaws, the nominees
whom shall be elected to the Board of Directors shall be nominees who receive the highest number of
votes such that, immediately after such election, (1) U.S. Persons as of such election shall
constitute at least half of, but no more than the smallest number of directors that will constitute
a majority of, the directors on the Board of Directors, and (2) European Persons as of such
election shall constitute the remainder of the directors on the Board of Directors. Any nominee
who is not elected in accordance with this Section 3.2(A) of these Bylaws shall not be qualified to
serve as a director and therefore shall not be elected to serve as a director. A European
Person shall mean, as of the date of his or her most recent election or appointment as a
director, any person whose domicile as of such date is and for the immediately preceding
twenty-four (24) months shall have been a country in Europe. A U.S. Person shall mean,
as of the date of his or her most recent election or appointment as a director any person whose
domicile as of such date is and for the immediately preceding twenty-four (24) months shall have
been the United States.
(B) For each meeting of stockholders at which directors are elected, the Nominating and
Governance Committee of the Board of Directors shall nominate, and the Board of Directors shall
propose, a slate of directors who, if elected, would meet the requirements of Section 3.2(A) of
these Bylaws.
(C) In the event that Section 3.2(A) shall be suspended or become void pursuant to Section
10.11(A) or 10.11(B), then (in the case of a suspension as provided for under Section 10.11(A),
only so long as such suspension shall remain in effect) the number of directors on the
Board of Directors shall be fixed from time to time pursuant to a resolution adopted by a
majority of the directors then in office.
Section 3.3. Certain Qualifications for the Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer. Either (1) the Chairman of the Board of Directors
shall be a U.S. Person and the Chief Executive Officer shall be a European
Person, in each case, as of the most recent election of directors, or (2)
the Chairman of the Board of Directors shall be a European Person and the
Chief Executive Officer shall be a U.S. Person, in each case, as of the
most recent election of directors.
Section 3.4. Independence Requirements. At least
three-fourths of the members of the Board of Directors shall satisfy the
independence requirements for directors of the Corporation, as modified
and amended by the Board of Directors from time to time. The Chief
Executive Officer of the Corporation and Deputy Chief Executive Officer
may be members of the Board of Directors.
All members of the Board of Directors,
other than the Chief Executive Officer and the Deputy Chief Executive Officer,
shall satisfy the independence requirements for directors of the Corporation,
as modified and amended by the Board of Directors from time to time.
The Chief Executive Officer and
Deputy Chief Executive Officer and any other directors who do not satisfy
the independence requirements shall be recused from acts of the Board of
Directors, whether it is acting as the Board of Directors or as a
committee of the Board of Directors, with respect to acts of any committee
of the Board of Directors that is required to be comprised solely of
directors that satisfy the independence requirements of the Corporation,
as modified and amended by the Board of Directors from time to time.
Section 3.5. Election; Term of Office; Resignation. Each
director shall hold office until his or her successor is elected and
qualified or until his or her earlier resignation or removal. Any
director may resign at any time upon written notice to the Board of
Directors. Such resignation shall take effect at the time specified
therein (and if no time be specified, at the time of its receipt by the
Board of Directors) and unless otherwise specified therein no acceptance
of such resignation shall be necessary to make it effective.
Section 3.6. Vacancies. Any vacancy on the Board of
Directors resulting from death, retirement, resignation, disqualification
or removal from office or other cause, as well as any vacancy resulting
from an increase in the number of directors which occurs between annual
meetings of the stockholders at which directors are elected, shall be
filled only by a majority vote of the remaining directors then in office,
though less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining director (and not by
stockholders, unless there shall be no remaining directors), upon
the recommendation of the Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board of
Directors. If a vacancy results from the death, retirement, resignation,
disqualification or removal from office of a U.S. Person or European
Person as of the most recent election of directors, then the
director chosen to fill such vacancy shall be a U.S. Person or
European Person, respectively, as of the date of the appointment of such
person as a director. If one or more vacancies shall result from an
increase in the number of directors between annual meetings of the
stockholders at which directors are elected, then such vacancies shall be
filled by a majority vote of the remaining directors then in office;
provided that, after filling any such vacancy, (1) U.S. Persons as of the
date of their most recent election or appointment as a director shall
constitute at least half of, but no more than the smallest number of
directors that will constitute a majority of, the directors on the Board
of Directors, and (2) European Persons as of the date of their most recent
election or appointment as a director shall constitute the remainder of
the directors on the Board of Directors. The directors chosen to fill any
vacancies shall hold office for a term expiring at the end of the next
annual meeting of stockholders, but shall continue to serve despite the
expiration of the directors term until his or her successor shall have
been elected and qualified. No decrease in the number of directors
constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten or eliminate the term of
any incumbent director. Whenever the holders of any class or classes of
stock or series thereof are entitled by the Certificate of Incorporation
to elect one or more directors, vacancies and newly created directorships
of such class or classes or series may be filled by, and only by, a
majority of the directors elected by such class or classes or series then
in office, or by the sole remaining director so elected. If the office of
any director becomes vacant and there are no remaining directors, the
stockholders, by the affirmative vote of the holders of shares
constituting a majority of the voting power of the Corporation, at a
special meeting called for such purpose, may appoint any qualified person
to fill such vacancy.
Section 3.7. Removal. Subject to the rights of the
holders of any series of Preferred Stock with respect to such series of
Preferred Stock, any director, or the entire Board of Directors, may be
removed from office at any time, with or without cause, by the holders of
a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of the
then-outstanding shares of the Corporations capital stock entitled to
vote in an election of directors, voting together as a single class.
Section 3.8. Meetings. The newly elected directors may
hold their first meeting for the purpose of organization and the
transaction of business, if a quorum be present, immediately after the
annual meeting of the stockholders; or the time and place of such meeting
may be fixed by consent of all the Directors. Regular meetings
of the
Board of Directors may be held without notice at such places and times as
shall be determined from time to time by resolution of the Board of
Directors. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held with
substantially equal frequency in the United States and Europe.
Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at any time or
place within or without the State of Delaware whenever called by a
Chairman of the Board, the Deputy Chairman of the Board, the Chief
Executive Officer, Deputy Chief Executive Officer or a majority of the
directors then in office, and shall be held at such place or places as may
be determined by the Board of Directors.
Section 3.9. Notice. Notice of any special meeting of
directors shall be given to each director at his business or residence in
writing by hand delivery, first-class or overnight mail or courier
service, facsimile transmission, email or other electronic transmission or
orally by telephone not later than twenty-four (24) hours prior to such
meeting. If mailed by first-class mail, such notice shall be deemed
adequately delivered when deposited in the United States mails so
addressed, with postage thereon prepaid, at least four (4) days before
such meeting; provided, that, any notice sent by U.S. mail to an address
outside of the United States will also be sent by overnight mail or
courier service to such director. If by overnight mail or courier
service, such notice shall be deemed adequately delivered when the notice
is delivered to the overnight mail or courier service company at least
twenty-four (24) hours before such meeting; provided, that, any notice
sent by U.S. mail to an address outside of the United States will also be
sent by overnight mail or courier service to such director. If by
facsimile transmission, email or other electronic transmission, such
notice shall be deemed adequately delivered when the notice is transmitted
at least twenty-four (24) hours before such meeting. If by telephone or
by hand delivery, the notice shall be given at least twenty-four (24)
hours prior to the time set for the meeting. Neither the business to be
transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the
Board of Directors need be specified in the notice of such meeting. A
meeting may be held at any time without notice if all the directors are
present or if those not present waive notice of the meeting in accordance
with Section 10.3 of these Bylaws.
Section 3.10. Participation in Meetings by Conference
Telephone Permitted. Members of the Board of Directors, or any
committee designated by the Board, shall be entitled to participate in a
meeting of the Board or of such committee, as the case may be, by means of
conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which
all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and
participation in a meeting pursuant to this Bylaw shall constitute
presence in person at such meeting.
Section 3.11. Quorum; Vote Required for Action. At each
meeting of the Board of Directors, a whole number of directors equal to at
least a majority of the total number of directors constituting the entire
Board of Directors (including any vacancies) shall constitute a
quorum for the transaction of business. The vote of a majority of
the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be
the act of the Board unless the Certificate of Incorporation or these
Bylaws shall require a vote of a greater number. The directors present at
a duly organized meeting may continue to transact business until
adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough directors to leave
less than a quorum. In case at any meeting of the Board a quorum shall
not be present, the members or a majority of the members of the Board
present may adjourn the meeting from time to time until a quorum shall be
present.
Section 3.12. Organization. Meetings of the Board of
Directors shall be presided over by the Chairman of the Board of
Directors, if any, or in the absence of a Chairman of the Board of
Directors, by the Deputy Chairman of the Board, or in the absence of both
the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman of the Board, a chairman chosen at
the meeting; provided, however, that, if the Chairman of the Board of
Directors or Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors is also the Chief
Executive Officer or Deputy Chief Executive Officer, he or she shall not
participate in executive sessions of the Board of Directors. If the
Chairman of the Board of Directors is not the Chief Executive Officer or
Deputy Chief Executive Officer, he or she shall act as a liaison officer
between the Board of Directors and the Chief Executive Officer and Deputy
Chief Executive Officer. A Corporate Secretary, or in the absence of a
Corporate Secretary an Assistant Corporate Secretary, shall act as
secretary of the meeting, but in the absence of a Corporate Secretary and
any Assistant Corporate Secretary the chairman of the meeting may appoint
any person to act as secretary of the meeting.
Section 3.13. Action by Directors Without a Meeting. Any
action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of
Directors, or of any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if
all members of the Board or of such committee, as the case may be, then in
office consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and the
writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions are filed
with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee.
Section 3.14. Compensation of Directors. Directors may be
paid such compensation for their services and such reimbursement for
expenses of attendance at meetings as the Board of Directors may from time
to time determine. No such payment shall
preclude any director from
serving the Corporation or any of its parents or subsidiaries in any other
capacity and receiving compensation for such service.
Section 3.15. Considerations of the Board.
(A) In discharging his or her responsibilities as a member of the Board, each director also
must, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, take into consideration the effect that
the Corporations actions would have on the ability of:
(1) the European Market Subsidiaries to carry out their responsibilities under the
European Exchange Regulations as operators of European Regulated Markets;
(2) the U.S. Regulated Subsidiaries to carry out their responsibilities under the
Exchange Act; and
(3) the U.S. Regulated Subsidiaries, NYSE Group, Inc. (NYSE Group) (if and to the
extent that NYSE Group continues to exist as a separate entity) and the Corporation (a) to
engage in conduct that fosters and does not interfere with the ability of the U.S. Regulated
Subsidiaries, NYSE Group (if and to the extent that NYSE Group continues to exist as a
separate entity) and the Corporation to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and
practices in the securities markets; (b) to promote just and equitable principles of trade
in the securities markets; (c) to foster cooperation and coordination with persons engaged
in regulating, clearing, settling, processing information with respect to, and facilitating
transactions in securities; (d) to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanisms of a
free and open market in securities and a U.S. national securities market system; and (e) in
general, to protect investors and the public interest.
(B) In discharging his or her responsibilities as a member of the Board or as an officer or
employee of the Corporation, each such director, officer or employee shall (1) comply with the U.S.
federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder, (2) comply with the European
Exchange Regulations and the rules and regulations thereunder, (3) cooperate with the SEC, (4)
cooperate with the European Regulators, (5) cooperate with the U.S. Regulated Subsidiaries pursuant
to and, to the extent of, their regulatory authority and (6) cooperate with the European Market
Subsidiaries pursuant to and, to the extent of, their regulatory authority.
(C) Nothing in this Section 3.15 shall create any duty owed by any director, officer or
employee of the Corporation to any Person to consider, or afford any particular weight to, any of
the foregoing matters or to limit his or her consideration to the foregoing matters. No employee,
former employee, beneficiary, customer, creditor, community or regulatory authority or member
thereof shall have any rights against any director, officer or employee of the Corporation or the
Corporation under this Section 3.15.
ARTICLE IV.
COMMITTEES
Section 4.1. Committees of the Board of Directors. The
Board of Directors may from time to time designate one or more committees
of the Board of Directors, with such lawfully delegable powers and duties
as it thereby confers, to serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors and shall, for those committees
and any others provided for herein, elect a director or directors to serve as the
member or members, designating, if it desires, other directors as alternate
members who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting
of the committee. In the absence or disqualification of any member of any
committee and any alternate member in his or her place, the member or
members of the committee present at the meeting and not disqualified from
voting, whether or not he or she or they constitute a quorum, may by
unanimous vote appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at
the meeting in the place of the absent or disqualified member. Subject to
the requirements of Section 4.4 of these Bylaws (unless such section has
been suspended or become void and of no force and effect as provided for
under Section 10.11 of these Bylaws), the Board of Directors shall have
power at any time to fill vacancies in, to change the membership of, or to
dissolve any such committee. Nothing herein shall be deemed to prevent
the Board of Directors from appointing one or more committees consisting
in whole or in part of persons who are not directors of the Corporation;
provided, however, that no such committee shall have or may exercise any
authority of the Board of Directors.
Section 4.2. Committee Procedures. Each committee may
determine the procedural rules for meeting and conducting its business and
shall act in accordance therewith, except as otherwise provided herein or
required by law. A majority of any committee may fix the time and place
of its meetings, unless the Board of Directors shall otherwise provide.
Adequate provision shall be made for notice of such meetings to be given
to members of the committees.
Section 4.3. Committee Rules. Unless the Board of
Directors otherwise provides, each committee designated by the Board may
adopt, amend and repeal rules for the conduct of its business. In the
absence of a provision by the Board or a provision in the rules of such
committee to the contrary, a majority of the entire authorized number of
members of such committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of
business unless the committee shall consist of one (1) or two (2) members,
in which event one (1) member shall constitute a quorum. The vote of a
majority of the members present at a meeting at the time of such vote if a
quorum is then present shall be the act of such
committee. Action may be
taken by any committee without a meeting if all members thereof consent
thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and the writing or
writings or electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with the
minutes of the proceedings of such committee. Such filing shall be in
paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in
electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.
Section 4.4. Nominating and Governance Committee. The
Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board of Directors shall be
comprised of an equal number of U.S. Persons (as determined as of their
most recent election or appointment as directors) and European Persons (as
determined as of their most recent election or appointment as directors).
ARTICLE V.
OFFICERS; EMPLOYEES
Section 5.1. Officers and Chairmen; Election or
Appointment. The Board of Directors shall take such action as may be
necessary from time to time to ensure that the Corporation has such
officers as are necessary, under this Section 5.1 of these Bylaws and the
DGCL as currently in effect or as the same may hereafter be amended, to
enable it to sign stock certificates. In addition, the Board of Directors
at any time and from time to time may elect (1) a Chairman of the Board of
Directors from among its members, (2) a Deputy Chairman of the Board of
Directors from among its members, (3) a Chief Executive Officer, a Deputy
Chief Executive Officer, one or more Presidents and/or one or more Chief
Financial Officers, (4) one or more Executive Vice Presidents, one or more
Corporate Secretaries and/or (5) one or more other officers, in the case
of each of (1), (2), (3), (4) and (5) if and to the extent the Board deems
desirable. The Board of Directors may give any officer such further
designations or alternate titles as it considers desirable. In addition,
the Board of Directors at any time and from time to time may authorize any
officer of the Corporation to appoint one or more officers of the kind
described in clauses (4) and (5) above. Any number of offices may be held
by the same person and directors may hold any office unless the
Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws otherwise provide.
Section 5.2. Term of Office; Resignation; Removal;
Vacancies. Unless otherwise provided in the resolution of the Board
of Directors electing or authorizing the appointment of any officer, each
officer shall hold office until his or her successor is elected or
appointed and qualified or until his or her earlier resignation or
removal. Any officer may resign at any time upon written notice to the
Board or to
such person or persons as the Board may designate. Such
resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein, and unless
otherwise specified therein no acceptance of such resignation shall be
necessary to make it effective. The Board may remove any officer with or
without cause at any time. Any officer authorized by the Board to appoint
a person to hold an office of the Corporation may also remove such person
from such office with or without cause at any time, unless otherwise
provided in the resolution of the Board providing such
authorization. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the
Corporation by death, resignation, removal or otherwise may be filled by
the Board at any regular or special meeting or by an officer authorized by
the Board to appoint a person to hold such office.
Section 5.3. Powers and Duties. The officers of the
Corporation shall have such powers and duties in the management of the
Corporation as shall be stated in these Bylaws or in a resolution of the
Board of Directors which is not inconsistent with these Bylaws and, to the
extent not so stated, as generally pertain to their respective offices,
subject to the control of the Board. The Board may require any officer,
agent or employee to give security for the faithful performance of his or
her duties.
ARTICLE VI.
STOCK CERTIFICATES AND TRANSFERS
Section 6.1. Certificates; Uncertificated Shares. The
shares of stock in the Corporation shall be represented by certificates;
provided that the Board of Directors of the Corporation may provide by
resolution or resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series
of its stock shall be uncertificated shares. Any such resolution shall
not apply to any such shares represented by a certificate theretofore
issued until such certificate is surrendered to the Corporation. If shares of stock in the Corporation are certificated, any signature on such
certificates may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or
registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon
a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or
registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the
Corporation with the same effect as if such person were such officer,
transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue. Certificates
representing shares of stock of the Corporation may bear such legends
regarding restrictions on transfer or other matters as any officer or
officers of the Corporation may determine to be appropriate and lawful.
If the Corporation is authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series
of any class, the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other
special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications or restrictions
of such preferences and/or rights shall be set forth in full or summarized on the face or back
of the certificate which the Corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock,
provided that, except as otherwise required by law, in lieu of the foregoing requirements, there
may be set forth on the face or back of the certificate which the Corporation shall issue to
represent such class or series of stock a statement that the Corporation will furnish without
charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative,
participating, optional or other special rights of such class or series of stock and the
qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights. Within a reasonable
time after the issuance or transfer of uncertificated shares of any class or series of stock, the
Corporation shall send to the registered owner thereof a written notice containing the information
required by law to be set forth or stated on certificates representing shares of such class or
series or a statement that the Corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so
requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other
special rights of such class or series and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such
preferences and/or rights.
Except as otherwise expressly provided by law, the rights and obligations of the holders of
uncertificated shares and the rights and obligations of the holders of certificates representing
stock of the same class and series shall be identical.
Section 6.2. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Stock Certificates;
Issuance of New Certificates. No certificate for shares of stock in
the Corporation shall be issued in place of any certificate alleged to
have been lost, destroyed or stolen, except on production of such evidence
of such loss, destruction or theft and on delivery to the Corporation of a
bond of indemnity in such amount, upon such terms and secured by such
surety, as the Board of Directors or any financial officer may in its or
his discretion require.
Section 6.3. Transfer of Shares. The shares of stock of
the Corporation shall be transferable only upon its books by the holders
thereof in person or by their duly authorized attorneys or legal
representatives, and upon such transfer the old certificates shall be
surrendered to the Corporation by the delivery thereof to the person in
charge of the stock and transfer books and ledgers, or to such other
person as the Board of Directors may designate, by whom they shall be
cancelled, and new certificates shall thereupon be issued. A record shall
be made of each transfer and whenever a transfer shall be made for
collateral security, and not absolutely, it shall be so expressed in the
entry of the transfer.
ARTICLE VII.
JURISDICTION
Section 7.1. Submission to Jurisdiction of U.S. Courts and the
SEC. The Corporation, its directors and officers, and those of
its employees whose principal place of business and residence is
outside of the United States shall be deemed to irrevocably submit to the
jurisdiction of the U.S. federal courts and the SEC for the purposes of
any suit, action or proceeding pursuant to the U.S. federal securities
laws and the rules and regulations thereunder, commenced or initiated by
the SEC arising out of, or relating to, the activities of the U.S.
Regulated Subsidiaries (and shall be deemed to agree that the Corporation
may serve as the U.S. agent for purposes of service of process in such
suit, action or proceeding), and the Corporation and each such director,
officer or employee, in the case of any such director, officer or employee
by virtue of his acceptance of any such position, shall be deemed to
waive, and agree not to assert by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise
in any such suit, action or proceeding, any claims that it or they are not
personally subject to the jurisdiction of the SEC, that such suit, action
or proceeding is an inconvenient forum or that the venue of such suit,
action or proceeding is improper, or that the subject matter thereof may
not be enforced in or by such courts or agency.
Section 7.2. Submission to Jurisdiction of European
Regulators. The Corporation, its directors and officers and employees
shall be deemed to irrevocably submit to the jurisdiction of the European
Regulators and to courts in the capital city of the country of each such
regulator for the purposes of any suit, action or proceeding pursuant to
the European Exchange Regulations and the rules and regulations
thereunder, commenced or initiated by the European Regulators arising out
of, or relating to, the activities of the European Market Subsidiaries,
and the Corporation and each such director, officer or employee, in the
case of any such director, officer or employee by virtue of his acceptance
of any such position, shall be deemed to waive, and agree not to assert by
way of motion, as a defense or otherwise in any such suit, action or
proceeding, any claims that it or they are not personally subject to the
jurisdiction of the European Regulators, that such suit, action or
proceeding is an inconvenient forum or that the venue of such suit, action
or proceeding is improper, or that the subject matter thereof may not be
enforced in or by such courts or regulator.
Section 7.3. Certain Definitions.
(A) Euronext College of Regulators means (1) the Committee of Chairmen of the French
Financial Market Authority (Autorité des Marchés Financiers), the Netherlands Authority for the
Financial Markets (Autoriteit Financiele Markten), the Belgian Banking, Finance, and Insurance
Commission (Commission Bancaire, Financière, et des Assurances), the Portuguese Securities Market
Commission (Comissão do Mercado de Valores Mobiliários CMVM), and the U.K. Financial Services
Authority (FSA), pursuant to the Memoranda of Understanding, dated March 3, 2003 and March 22,
2001, and (2) a successor body thereto created to include a European Regulator that regulates a
European Market Subsidiary.
(B) European Exchange Regulations shall mean (1) laws providing for the regulation
of securities exchanges in France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Portugal and the United Kingdom and
(2) following the formation or acquisition by Euronext N.V. (Euronext) of any European Regulated
Market not owned and operated by Euronext as of 3:00am Eastern Daylight Time on April 4, 2007 (the
Effective Time), laws providing for the regulation of securities exchanges in the
jurisdiction in which such European Regulated Market operates; provided that (a) the formation or
acquisition of such European Regulated Market shall have been approved by the Board of Directors of
the Corporation and (b) the jurisdiction in which such European Regulated Market operates is
represented in the Euronext College of Regulators.
(C) European Regulated Market means each regulated market (as defined by
the European Directive on Markets in Financial Instruments 2004/39 EC) in Europe that (1) is owned
and operated by Euronext and was owned and operated by Euronext as of the Effective Time; or (2) is
formed or acquired by Euronext after the Effective Time; provided that, in the case of clause (2),
the formation or acquisition of such European Regulated Market shall have been approved by the
Board of Directors of the Corporation and the jurisdiction in which such European Regulated Market
operates is represented in the Euronext College of Regulators.
(D) European Regulator shall mean any of the Euronext College of Regulators, the
Dutch Minister of Finance, the French Minister of the Economy, the French Financial Market
Authority (Autorité des Marchés Financiers), the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets
(Autoriteit Financiele Markten), the Belgian Banking, Finance, and Insurance Commission (Commission
Bancaire, Financière, et des Assurances), the French Committee of Credit Establishments and
Investment Undertakings (Comité des Etablissements de Crédit et des Enterprises dInvestissement
CECEI), the Portuguese Securities Market Commission (Comissão do Mercado de Valores Mobiliários
CMVM), the U.K. Financial Services Authority (FSA), or any other governmental securities regulator
in any European country where the Corporation or any European Market Subsidiary operates a European
Regulated Market, in each case only to the extent that it has authority and jurisdiction in the
particular context.
(E) European Market Subsidiary (and collectively, the European Market
Subsidiaries) shall mean any market operator (as defined by the European Directive
on Markets in Financial Instruments 2004/39 EC) that is (1) owned by Euronext as of the Effective
Time and continues to be owned directly or indirectly by the Corporation; or (2) acquired by
Euronext after the Effective Time; provided that, in the case of clause (2), the acquisition of
such entity shall have been approved by the Board of Directors of the Corporation and the
jurisdiction in which such European Market Subsidiary operates is represented in the Euronext
College of Regulators.
(F) Europe shall mean (1) any and all of the jurisdictions in which Euronext or any
of its subsidiaries operates a European Regulated Market, (2) any member state of the European
Economic Area as of the Effective Time and any state that becomes a member of the European Economic
Area after the Effective Time, and (3) Switzerland.
(G) U.S. Regulated Subsidiaries shall mean New York Stock Exchange LLC, NYSE
Market, Inc., NYSE Regulation, Inc., NYSE Arca, L.L.C., NYSE Arca, Inc., NYSE Arca Equities, Inc.
and NYSE Alternext US LLC or their successors, in each case to the extent that
such entities continue to be controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation (and each,
a U.S. Regulated Subsidiary).
ARTICLE VIII.
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
Section 8.1. Limits on Disclosure. To the fullest extent
permitted by applicable law, all confidential information that shall come
into the possession of the Corporation pertaining to:
(A) the self-regulatory function of New York Stock Exchange LLC, NYSE Market, Inc., NYSE
Regulation, Inc., NYSE Arca, Inc., NYSE Arca Equities, Inc. and NYSE Alternext US LLC or their
successors, in each case to the extent that such entities continue to be controlled, directly or
indirectly, by the Corporation (including but not limited to disciplinary matters, trading data,
trading practices and audit information) contained in the books and records of any of the U.S.
Regulated Subsidiaries (the U.S. Subsidiaries Confidential Information); or
(B) the self-regulatory function of any of the European Market Subsidiaries under the European
Exchange Regulations as operator of a European Regulated Market (including but not limited to
disciplinary matters, trading data, trading practices and audit information) contained in the books
and records of the European Market Subsidiaries (the European Subsidiaries Confidential
Information);
in each case, shall (x) not be made available to any Persons (other than as provided in Sections
8.2 and 8.3 of these Bylaws) other than to those officers, directors, employees and agents of the
Corporation that have a reasonable need to know the contents thereof; (y) be retained in confidence
by the Corporation and the officers, directors, employees and agents of the Corporation; and (z)
not be used for any commercial purposes.
Section 8.2. Certain Disclosure Permitted.
Notwithstanding Section 8.1 of these Bylaws, nothing in these Bylaws shall
be interpreted so as to limit or impede:
(A) the rights of the SEC or any of the U.S. Regulated Subsidiaries to have access to and
examine such U.S. Subsidiaries Confidential Information pursuant to the U.S. federal securities
laws and the rules and regulations thereunder;
(B) the rights of the European Regulators or any of the European Market Subsidiaries to have
access to and examine such European Subsidiaries Confidential Information pursuant to the European
Exchange Regulations; or
(C) the ability of any officers, directors, employees or agents of the Corporation to disclose
(1) the U.S. Subsidiaries Confidential Information to the SEC or the U.S. Regulated Subsidiaries
or (2) the European Subsidiaries Confidential Information to the European Regulators or the
European Market Subsidiaries.
Section 8.3. Inspection. The Corporations books and
records shall be subject at all times to inspection and copying by:
(A) the SEC;
(B) each of the European Regulators;
(C) any U.S. Regulated Subsidiary; provided that such books and records are related to the
operation or administration of such U.S. Regulated Subsidiary or any other U.S. Regulated
Subsidiary over which such U.S. Regulated Subsidiary has regulatory authority or oversight; and
(D) any European Market Subsidiary; provided that such books and records are related to the
operation or administration of such European Market Subsidiary or any European Regulated Market
over which such European Market Subsidiary has regulatory authority or oversight.
Section 8.4. Subject to Section 8.6 of these Bylaws, the
Corporations books and records related to U.S. Regulated Subsidiaries
shall be maintained within the United States. For so long as the
Corporation directly or indirectly controls any U.S. Regulated Subsidiary,
the books, records, premises, officers, directors and employees of the
Corporation shall be deemed to be the books, records, premises, officers,
directors and employees of such U.S. Regulated Subsidiaries for purposes
of and subject to oversight pursuant to the Exchange Act.
Section 8.5. Subject to Section 8.6 of these Bylaws, the
Corporations books and records related to European Market Subsidiaries
shall be maintained within the home jurisdiction of one or more European
Market Subsidiaries. For so long as the Corporation directly or
indirectly controls any European Market Subsidiary, the books, records,
premises, officers, directors and employees of the Corporation shall be
deemed to be the books, records, premises, officers, directors and
employees of such European Market Subsidiaries for purposes of and subject
to oversight pursuant to the European Exchange Regulations.
Section 8.6. If and to the extent that any of the Corporations
books and records may relate to both European Market Subsidiaries and U.S.
Regulated Subsidiaries, the Corporation shall be entitled to maintain such
books and records either in the home jurisdiction of one or more European
Market Subsidiaries or in the United States.
ARTICLE IX.
COMPLIANCE WITH SECURITIES LAWS; OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
Section 9.1. The Corporation shall comply with the U.S. federal
securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder and shall
cooperate with the SEC and the U.S. Regulated Subsidiaries pursuant to and
to the extent of their respective regulatory authority, and shall take
reasonable steps necessary to cause its agents to cooperate, with the SEC
and, where applicable, the U.S. Regulated Subsidiaries pursuant to their
regulatory authority.
Section 9.2. The Corporation shall comply with the European
Exchange Regulations and the rules and regulations thereunder and
shall cooperate with the European Regulators pursuant to and to the extent
of their respective regulatory authority, and shall take reasonable steps
necessary to cause its agents to cooperate, with the European Regulators
pursuant to their regulatory authority.
Section 9.3. The Corporation shall take reasonable steps necessary
to cause its officers, directors and employees, prior to accepting
a position as an officer, director or employee, as applicable, of the
Corporation to consent in writing to the applicability to them of Articles
VII and VIII and Sections 3.15 and 9.4 of these Bylaws, as applicable,
with respect to their activities related to any U.S. Regulated Subsidiary.
Section 9.4. The Corporation, its directors, officers and
employees shall give due regard to the preservation of the
independence of the self-regulatory function of the U.S. Regulated
Subsidiaries (to the extent of each U.S. Regulated Subsidiarys
self-regulatory function) and to its obligations to investors and the
general public, and shall not take any actions that would interfere with
the effectuation of any decisions by the board of directors or managers of
the U.S. Regulated Subsidiaries relating to their regulatory
responsibilities (including enforcement and disciplinary matters) or that
would interfere with the ability of the U.S. Regulated Subsidiaries to
carry out their respective responsibilities under the Exchange Act.
Section 9.5. The Corporation, its directors, officers and
employees shall give due regard to the preservation of the independence of
the self-regulatory function of the European Market Subsidiaries (to the
extent of each European Market Subsidiaries self-regulatory function) and
to its obligations to investors and the general public, and shall not take
any actions that would interfere with the effectuation of any decisions by
the board of directors or managers of the European Market Subsidiaries
relating to their regulatory responsibilities
(including enforcement and disciplinary matters) or that would
interfere with the ability of the European Market Subsidiaries to carry
out their respective regulatory responsibilities under the European
Exchange Regulations.
Section 9.6. No stockholder, employee, former employee,
beneficiary, customer, creditor, community, regulatory authority or member
thereof shall have any rights against the Corporation or any director,
officer or employee of the Corporation under this Article IX.
ARTICLE X.
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 10.1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the
Corporation shall be determined by the Board of Directors.
Section 10.2. Seal. The Corporation may have a corporate
seal which shall have the name of the Corporation inscribed thereon and
shall be in such form as may be approved from time to time by the Board of
Directors. The corporate seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile
thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced.
Section 10.3. Waiver of Notice of Meetings of Stockholders,
Directors and Committees. Whenever notice is required to be given by
law or under any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or these
Bylaws, a written waiver thereof, signed by the person entitled to notice,
or a waiver by electronic transmission by the person entitled to notice,
whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed
equivalent to the giving of such notice. Attendance of a person at a
meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when
the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the
beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the
meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be
transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the
stockholders, directors or members of a committee of directors need be
specified in any written waiver of notice or any waiver by electronic
transmission unless so required by the Certificate of Incorporation or
these Bylaws.
Section 10.4. Contracts. Except as otherwise required by
law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any contracts or
other instruments may be executed and delivered in the name and on the
behalf of the Corporation by such officer or officers of the Corporation
as the Board of Directors may from time to time direct.
Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances as
the Board may determine. The Chairman of the Board, the Deputy Chairman
of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the Deputy Chief Executive
Officer, the President or any Vice President may execute bonds, contracts,
deeds, leases and other instruments to be made or executed for or on
behalf of the Corporation. Subject to any restrictions imposed by the
Board of Directors or the Chairman of the Board, the Deputy Chairman of
the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the Deputy Chief Executive
Officer, the President or any Vice President of the Corporation may
delegate contractual powers to others under his jurisdiction, it being
understood, however, that any such delegation of power shall not relieve
such officer of responsibility with respect to the exercise of such
delegated power.
Section 10.5. Proxies. Unless otherwise provided by
resolution adopted by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board,
the Deputy Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the Deputy
Chief Executive Officer, the President or any Vice President may from time
to time appoint an attorney or attorneys or agent or agents of the
Corporation, in the name and on behalf of the Corporation, to cast the
votes which the Corporation may be entitled to cast as the holder of stock
or other securities in any other corporation, any of whose stock or other
securities may be held by the Corporation, at meetings of the holders of
the stock or other securities of such other corporation, or to consent in
writing, in the name of the Corporation as such holder, to any action by
such other corporation, and may instruct the person or persons so
appointed as to the manner of casting such votes or giving such consent,
and may execute or cause to be executed in the name and on behalf of the
Corporation and under its corporate seal or otherwise, all such written
proxies or other instruments as he may deem necessary or proper in the
premises.
Section 10.6. Indemnification and Insurance.
(A) Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is
involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative (hereinafter a proceeding), by reason of the fact that he or she, or a
person of whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was a director or officer of the
Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer or
employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, whether the basis of such
proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent or
in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee or agent, shall be indemnified
and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL, as the same
exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, to the fullest extent
permitted by law, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader
indemnification rights than said law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment),
against all
expense, liability and loss (including attorneys fees, judgments, fines, amounts paid or to
be paid in settlement, and excise taxes or penalties arising under the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974) reasonably incurred or suffered by such person in connection therewith and
such indemnification shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer,
employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators;
provided, however, that, except as provided in paragraph (C) of this Section 10.6, the Corporation
shall indemnify any such person seeking indemnification in connection with a proceeding (or part
thereof) initiated by such person only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the
Board. The right to indemnification conferred in this Section 10.6 shall be a contract right and
shall include the right to be paid by the Corporation the expenses incurred in defending any such
proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided, however, that, if the DGCL requires, the
payment of such expenses incurred by a director or officer in his or her capacity as a director or
officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such person while a
director or officer, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) in advance
of the final disposition of a proceeding, shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an
undertaking, by or on behalf of such director or officer, to repay all amounts so advanced if it
shall ultimately be determined that such director or officer is not entitled to be indemnified
under this Section 10.6 or otherwise. The Corporation may, by action of the Board, provide
indemnification to employees and agents of the Corporation with the same scope and effect as the
foregoing indemnification of directors and officers. For purposes of this Bylaw, the term
Corporation shall include any predecessor of the Corporation and any constituent corporation
(including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed by the Corporation in a consolidation or
merger.
(B) To obtain indemnification under this Section 10.6, a claimant shall submit to the
Corporation a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as
is reasonably available to the claimant and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to
what extent the claimant is entitled to indemnification. Upon written request by a claimant for
indemnification pursuant to the first sentence of this paragraph (B), a determination, if required
by applicable law, with respect to the claimants entitlement thereto shall be made as follows:
(1) if requested by the claimant, by Independent Counsel (as hereinafter defined), or (2) if no
request is made by the claimant for a determination by Independent Counsel, (i) by the Board of
Directors by a majority of the Disinterested Directors (as hereinafter defined), even though less
than a quorum, or (ii) by a committee of Disinterested Directors designated by majority vote of the
Disinterested Directors, even if less than a quorum, or (iii) if there are no Disinterested
Directors, or if a majority of the Disinterested Directors so directs, by Independent Counsel in a
written opinion to the Board of Directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to the claimant, or
(iv) if a majority of the Disinterested Directors so directs, by the stockholders of the
Corporation. In the event that the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made
by Independent Counsel at the request of the claimant, the Independent Counsel shall be selected by
the Board of Directors unless there shall have occurred within two years prior to the date of the
commencement of the action, suit or proceeding for which indemnification is claimed a Change of
Control, in which case the Independent Counsel shall be selected by the claimant unless the
claimant shall request that such selection be made by the Board of Directors. If it is so
determined that the claimant is entitled to indemnification, payment to the claimant shall be made
within 10 days after such determination.
(C) If a claim under paragraph (A) of this Section 10.6 is not paid in full by the
Corporation within thirty (30) days after a written claim pursuant to paragraph (B) of this Section
10.6 has been received by the Corporation, the claimant may at any time thereafter bring suit
against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and, if successful in whole or in
part, the claimant shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting such claim. It
shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for expenses
incurred in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition where the required
undertaking, if any is required, has been tendered to the Corporation) that the claimant has not
met the standard of conduct that makes it permissible under the DGCL for the Corporation to
indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed, but the burden of proving such defense shall be on
the Corporation. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Board of Directors,
Independent Counsel or stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such
action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he or she has
met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL, nor an actual determination by the
Corporation (including its Board of Directors, Independent Counsel or stockholders) that the
claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or
create a presumption that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.
(D) If a determination shall have been made pursuant to paragraph (B) of this Section 10.6
that the claimant is entitled to indemnification, the Corporation shall be bound by such
determination in any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to paragraph (C) of this Section 10.6.
(E) The Corporation shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding commenced
pursuant to paragraph (C) of this Section 10.6 that the procedures and presumptions of this Bylaw
are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in such proceeding that the Corporation
is bound by all the provisions of this Bylaw.
(F) The right to indemnification and the payment of expenses incurred in defending a
proceeding in advance of its final disposition conferred in this Bylaw shall not be exclusive of
any other right that any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the
Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or Disinterested Directors or
otherwise. No repeal or modification of this Bylaw shall in any way diminish or adversely affect
the rights of any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation hereunder in respect of
any occurrence or matter arising prior to any such repeal or modification.
(G) The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any
director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the
Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss
under the DGCL. To the extent that the Corporation maintains any policy or policies providing such
insurance, each such director or officer, and each such agent or employee to which rights to
indemnification have been granted as provided in paragraph (H) of this Section 10.6, shall be
covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of
the coverage thereunder for any such director, officer, employee or agent.
(H) The Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the Board of Directors,
grant rights to indemnification, and rights to be paid by the Corporation the expenses incurred in
defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition, to any employee or agent of the
Corporation to the fullest extent of the provisions of this Section 10.6 with respect to the
indemnification and advancement of expenses of directors and officers of the Corporation.
(I) If any provision or provisions of this Section 10.6 shall be held to be invalid, illegal
or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (1) the validity, legality and enforceability of the
remaining provisions of this Section 10.6 (including, without limitation, each portion of any
paragraph of this Section 10.6 containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable, that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any
way be affected or impaired thereby; and (2) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this
Section 10.6 (including, without limitation, each such portion of any paragraph of this Section
10.6 containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed
so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal or
unenforceable.
(J) For purposes of this Section 10.6:
(1) Disinterested Director means a director of the Corporation who is not and
was not a party to the matter in respect of which indemnification is sought by the claimant.
(2) Independent Counsel means a law firm, a member of a law firm, or an
independent practitioner, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and shall
include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then
prevailing, would not have a conflict of interest in representing either the Corporation or
the claimant in an action to determine the claimants rights under this Section 10.6.
(3) Change of Control means the first to occur of:
(I) | The acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act (a Person) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 50% or more of either (A) the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the Corporation (the Outstanding Common Stock) or (B) the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the Outstanding Voting Securities); provided, however, that the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change of Control: (i) any acquisition directly from the Corporation, (ii) any acquisition by the Corporation, (iii) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Corporation or any affiliated corporation; or (iv) any acquisition by any |
corporation pursuant to a transaction which complies with clauses (A), (B) and (C) of subsection (III); | |||
(II) | Any transaction as a result of which the individuals who, prior to the commencement of the transaction or the efforts to consummate the same, constituted the Board of Directors (the Incumbent Board) cease in connection with the transaction to constitute at least a majority of the Board of Directors; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director whose election, or nomination for election by the Corporations stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a person other than the Board of Directors; | ||
(III) | Consummation of a reorganization, merger, statutory share exchange or consolidation or similar corporate transaction involving the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries, a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation, or the acquisition of assets or stock of another entity by the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries (each, a Business Combination), in each case unless, following such Business Combination, (A) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities that were the beneficial owners of the Outstanding Common Stock and the Outstanding Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the then-outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the Corporation resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, a corporation that, as a result of such transaction, owns the Corporation or all or substantially all of the Corporations assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership immediately prior to such Business Combination of the Outstanding Common Stock and the Outstanding Voting Securities, as the case may be, (B) no Person (excluding any corporation resulting from such Business Combination or any employee benefit |
plan (or related trust) of the Corporation or such corporation resulting from such Business Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of, respectively, the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination or the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of such corporation, except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination, and (C) at least a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement or of the action of the Board providing for such Business Combination; or | |||
(IV) | Approval by the stockholders of the Corporation of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation. |
(K) Any notice, request or other communication required or permitted to be given to the
Corporation under this Section 10.6 shall be in writing and either delivered in person or sent by
telecopy, telex, telegram, overnight mail or courier service, or certified or registered mail,
postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to the Secretary of the Corporation and shall be
effective only upon receipt by the Secretary.
Section 10.7. Form of Records. Unless otherwise required
by applicable law, any records maintained by the Corporation in the
regular course of its business, including its stock ledger, books of
account and minute books, may be kept on, or be in the form of, punch
cards, magnetic tape, photographs, microphotographs or any other
information storage device, provided that the records so kept can be
converted into clearly legible form within a reasonable time. The
Corporation shall so convert any records so kept upon the request of any
person entitled to inspect the same.
Section 10.8. Laws and Regulations; Close of Business.
For purposes of these Bylaws, any reference to a statute, rule or
regulation of any governmental body means such statute, rule or regulation
(including any successor thereto) as the same currently exists or may be
amended from time to time. Any reference in these Bylaws to the close of
business on any day shall be deemed to mean 5:00 P.M., New York time, on
such day, whether or not such day is a business day.
Section 10.9. Certain Extraordinary Transactions. The
affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then in office
shall be required for (1) the consummation of any Extraordinary
Transaction, or (2) the execution by the Corporation or any of its
subsidiaries of a definitive agreement providing for an Extraordinary
Transaction. An
Extraordinary Transaction shall mean any of the following:
(a) the direct or indirect acquisition, sale or disposition by the
Corporation or any of its subsidiaries of assets or equity securities
where the consideration received in respect of such assets or equity
securities has a fair market value, measured as of the date of the
execution of the definitive agreement providing for such acquisition, sale
or disposition (or, if no definitive agreement is executed for such
acquisition, sale or disposition, the date of the consummation of such
acquisition, sale or disposition), in excess of 30% of the aggregate
equity market capitalization of the Corporation as of such date; (b) a
merger or consolidation of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries with
any entity with an aggregate equity market capitalization (or, if such
entitys equity securities shall not be traded on a securities exchange,
with a fair market value of assets), measured as of the date of the
execution of the definitive agreement providing for such merger or
consolidation (or, if no definitive agreement is executed for such merger
or consolidation, the date of the consummation of such merger or
consolidation), in excess of 30% of the aggregate equity market
capitalization of the Corporation as of such date; or (c) any direct or
indirect acquisition by the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries of
assets or equity securities of an entity whose principal place of business
is outside of the United States and Europe, or any merger or consolidation
of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries with an entity whose
principal place of business is outside of the United States and Europe,
pursuant to which the Corporation has agreed that one or more directors of
the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall be a person who is neither
a U.S. Person nor a European Person as of the most recent election of
directors.
Section 10.10. Amendment of Bylaws.
(A) By the Board.
(1) These Bylaws may be amended or repealed, and new Bylaws may be adopted at any time,
by a majority of the Board of Directors, except as set forth in Section 10.10(A)(2) of these
Bylaws (unless such section has become void as provided for under Section 10.11(B) of these
Bylaws).
(2) None of Section 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.6, 3.9, 3.10, 3.15, 4.4, 7.3(F), 10.9, 10.10(A) or
10.10(B) of these Bylaws may be amended or repealed, and no new bylaw that contradicts these
sections may be adopted, by the Board of Directors, other than pursuant to an affirmative
vote of not less than two-thirds of the directors then in office.
(B) By Stockholders. Stockholders of the Corporation may amend or repeal any Bylaw; provided
that notice of the proposed change was given in the notice of the stockholders meeting at which
such action is to be taken and, provided, further, that in addition to any vote of
the holders of any class or series of stock of the Corporation required by law or the
Certificate of Incorporation:
(1) the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than 80% of the votes entitled to
be cast by the holders of the then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation
entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class,
shall be required for the stockholders to adopt, amend or repeal Section 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.6,
3.9, 3.10, 3.15, 4.4, 7.3(F), 10.9, 10.10(A) or 10.10(B) of these Bylaws; and
(2) the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast
by the holders of the then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled
to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be
required for the stockholders to adopt, amend or repeal any other Section of these Bylaws.
(C) Notwithstanding paragraphs (A) and (B) of this Section 10.10, (1) for so long as the
Corporation shall control, directly or indirectly, any European Market Subsidiary, before any
amendment or repeal of any provision of these Bylaws shall be effective, such amendment or repeal
shall either be (i) filed with or filed with and approved by a European Regulator under European
Exchange Regulations or (ii) submitted to the boards of directors of the European Market
Subsidiaries and, if any or all of such boards of directors shall determine that such amendment or
repeal must be filed with or filed with and approved by a European Regulator under European
Exchange Regulations before such amendment or repeal may be effectuated, then such amendment or
repeal shall not be effectuated until filed with or filed with and approved by the relevant
European Regulator(s); and (2) for so long as the Corporation shall control, directly or
indirectly, any of the U.S. Regulated Subsidiaries before any amendment or repeal of any provision
of these Bylaws shall be effective, such amendment or repeal shall either be (i) filed with or
filed with and approved by the SEC under Section 19 of the Exchange Act and the rules promulgated
thereunder or (ii) submitted to the boards of directors of New York Stock Exchange LLC, NYSE
Market, Inc., NYSE Regulation, Inc., NYSE Arca, Inc., NYSE Arca Equities, Inc. and NYSE Alternext
US LLC or the boards of directors of their successors, in each case only to the extent that such
entity continues to be controlled directly or indirectly by the Corporation, and if any or all of
such boards of directors shall determine that such amendment or repeal must be filed with or filed
with and approved by the SEC under Section 19 of the Exchange Act and the rules promulgated
thereunder before such amendment or repeal may be effectuated, then such amendment or repeal shall
not be effectuated until filed with or filed with and approved by the SEC, as the case may be.
Section 10.11. Automatic Suspension and Revocation of Certain
Provisions.
(A) Immediately following the exercise of a Euronext Call Option, and for so long as the
Foundation shall continue to hold any Priority Shares or ordinary shares of Euronext, or the voting
securities of one or more of the subsidiaries of Euronext that, taken together, represent a
substantial portion of Euronexts business, then each of the second sentence of Section 2.10(A)(2),
the second and third sentences of Section 3.6, the third sentence of Section 3.8 and Sections
3.2(A), 3.2(B), 3.3, 3.15(A)(1), 3.15(B)(2), 3.15(B)(4), 3.15(B)(6), 4.4, 7.2, 8.1(B),
8.2(B), 8.2(C)(2), 8.3(B), 8.3(D), 8.5, 9.2, 9.5 and 10.9 of these Bylaws shall be suspended
and be of no force and effect.
(B) If, (1) after a period of six (6) months following the exercise of a Euronext Call Option,
the Foundation shall continue to hold any ordinary shares of Euronext, or the securities of one or
more subsidiaries of Euronext that, taken together, represent a substantial portion of Euronexts
business, (2) after a period of six (6) months following the exercise of a Euronext Call Option,
the Foundation shall continue to hold any Priority Shares of Euronext, or the priority shares or
similar securities of one or more subsidiaries of Euronext that, taken together, represent a
substantial portion of Euronexts business or (3) at any time, the Corporation no longer holds a
direct or indirect Controlling Interest in Euronext, or in one or more subsidiaries of Euronext
that, taken together, represent a substantial portion of Euronexts business, then each of the
second sentence of Section 2.10(A)(2), the second and third sentences of Section 3.6, the third
sentence of Section 3.8 and Sections 3.2(A), 3.2(B), 3.3, 3.15(A)(1), 3.15(B)(2), 3.15(B)(4),
3.15(B)(6), 4.4, 7.2, 7.3(A), 7.3(B), 7.3(C), 7.3(D), 7.3(E), 7.3(F), 8.1(B), 8.2(B), 8.2(C)(2),
8.3(B), 8.3(D), 8.5, 9.2, 9.5, 10.9, 10.10(A)(2), 10.10(B)(1) and 10.10(C)(1) of these Bylaws,
shall automatically and without further action become void and be of no further force and effect,
and any directors and officers of the Corporation that are European Persons shall resign or be
removed from their offices; provided, however, that, in the case of clause (2) of this Section
10.11(B), such provisions shall be deleted and become void only if and to the extent that the Board
of Directors of the Corporation shall approve of such deletion by resolution adopted by a majority
of the directors then in office.
(C) For the purposes of this Section 10.11:
(1) A Controlling Interest in any entity shall mean fifty percent (50%) or
more of both (1) the then-outstanding shares of each class of voting securities of such
entity and (2) the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of the
such entity entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.
(2) Euronext Call Option shall have the meaning set forth in the Articles of
Formation of the Foundation.
(3) Foundation shall mean Stichting NYSE Euronext, a foundation
(stichting) organized under the laws of The Netherlands, formed by the Corporation
on April 4, 2007.
(4) Priority Shares shall have the meaning set forth in the Articles of
Formation of the Foundation.
Section 10.12. Voting and Ownership Limitations.
(A) Subject to its fiduciary obligations under applicable law, for so long as the Corporation
directly or indirectly controls NYSE Alternext US LLC (or its successor), the Board shall not adopt
any resolution pursuant to clause (2) of Section 1(B) of Article V of the Certificate of
Incorporation unless the Board shall have determined that:
(1) in the case of a resolution to approve the exercise of voting rights in excess of
20% of the then outstanding votes entitled to be cast on such matter, neither such Person
nor any of its Related Persons is a member, as defined in Sections 3(a)(3)(A)(i),
3(a)(3)(A)(ii), 3(a)(3)(A)(iii) and 3(a)(3)(A)(iv) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended, of NYSE Alternext US LLC (or its successor) (a Member) (any such Person that
is a Related Person of such member shall hereinafter also be deemed to be a Member for
purposes of these Bylaws, as the context may require); and
(2) in the case of a resolution to approve the entering into of an agreement, plan or
other arrangement under circumstances that would result in shares of stock of the
Corporation that would be subject to such agreement, plan or other arrangement not being
voted on any matter, or the withholding of any proxy relating thereto, where the effect of
such agreement, plan or other arrangement would be to enable any Person, but for Article V
of the Certificate of Incorporation, either alone or together with its Related Persons, to
vote, possess the right to vote or cause the voting of shares of stock of the Corporation
that would exceed 20% of the then outstanding votes entitled to be cast on such matter
(assuming that all shares of stock of the Corporation that are subject to such agreement,
plan or other arrangement are not outstanding votes entitled to be cast on such matter),
neither such Person nor any of its Related Persons is, with respect to NYSE Alternext US LLC
(or its successor), a Member.
(B) Subject to its fiduciary obligations under applicable law, for so long as the Corporation
directly or indirectly controls NYSE Alternext US LLC (or its successor), the Board shall not adopt
any resolution pursuant to clause (2) of Section 2(B) of Article V of the Certificate of
Incorporation, unless the Board shall have determined that neither such Person nor any of its
Related Persons is a Member.
(C) For the purposes of this Section 10.12, Person shall have the meaning assigned in the
Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, as it shall be in effect from time to time.
(D) Related Person shall have the meaning assigned by the Certificate of Incorporation of
the Corporation, as it shall be in effect from time to time.
Section 10.13. Amendments to the Certificate of
Incorporation. For so long as the Corporation shall control, directly
or indirectly, NYSE Alternext US LLC (or its successor), the Board of
Directors shall not adopt any resolution to repeal or amend any provision
of the Certificate of Incorporation unless such amendment or repeal shall
either be (A) filed with or filed with and approved by the SEC under
Section 19 of the Exchange Act and the rules promulgated thereunder or (B)
submitted to the board of directors of NYSE Alternext US LLC (or the board
of directors of its successor), and if such board of directors determines
that such amendment or repeal must be filed with or filed with and
approved by the SEC under Section 19 of the Exchange Act and the rules
promulgated thereunder before such amendment or repeal may be effectuated,
then such amendment or repeal shall not be effectuated until filed with or filed with and
approved by the SEC, as the case may be.