Delaware | | | 3674 | | | 35-2617337 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | | | (Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number) | | | (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
David C. Karp Ronald C. Chen Viktor Sapezhnikov Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz 51 West 52nd Street New York, New York 10019 (212) 403-1000 | | | Amy Fliegelman Olli Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary VMware, Inc. 3401 Hillview Avenue Palo Alto, California 94304 (650) 427-5000 | | | Barbara L. Becker Saee Muzumdar Andrew Kaplan Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP 200 Park Avenue New York, New York 10166 (212) 351-4000 |
Large accelerated filer | | | ☒ | | | | | Accelerated filer | | | ☐ | |
Non-accelerated filer | | | ☐ | | | (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) | | | Smaller reporting company | | | ☐ |
| | | | | | Emerging growth company | | | ☐ |
1. | to adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 26, 2022 (such agreement, as it may be amended from time to time, is referred to as the merger agreement), by and among VMware, Broadcom Inc. (referred to as Broadcom), Verona Holdco, Inc., a direct wholly owned subsidiary of VMware (referred to as Holdco), Verona Merger Sub, Inc., a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Holdco (referred to as Merger Sub 1), Barcelona Merger Sub 2, Inc., a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Broadcom (referred to as Merger Sub 2) and Barcelona Merger Sub 3, LLC, a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Broadcom (referred to as Merger Sub 3 ), pursuant to which, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the merger agreement, (i) Merger Sub 1 will merge with and into VMware (referred to as the first merger), with VMware surviving the first merger and becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Holdco, (ii) following the effective time of the first merger, VMware, the surviving company of the first merger, will be converted (referred to as the LLC conversion) into a Delaware limited liability company, (iii) following the effective time of the LLC conversion, Merger Sub 2 will merge with and into Holdco (referred to as the second merger), with Holdco surviving the second merger and becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Broadcom and (iv) following the effective time of the second merger, Holdco, the surviving company of the second merger, will merge with and into Merger Sub 3 (referred to as the third merger and collectively with the first merger, the LLC conversion and the second merger, referred to as the transactions), with Merger Sub 3 surviving the third merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Broadcom (adoption of the merger agreement and approval of the first merger and the second merger referred to as the merger agreement proposal); |
2. | to approve on an advisory (non-binding) basis the compensation that may be paid or become payable to VMware’s named executive officers that is based on or otherwise relates to the transactions (referred to as the merger-related compensation proposal); |
3. | to approve the adjournment of the special meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes to approve the merger agreement proposal (referred to as the adjournment proposal); and |
4. | to approve and adopt an amendment to VMware’s certificate of incorporation (referred to as the charter amendment) to eliminate the personal liability of VMware’s officers for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as an officer, except to the extent such an exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (referred to as the charter amendment proposal). |
For Information Regarding Broadcom: | | | For Information Regarding VMware: |
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Broadcom Inc. 1320 Ridder Park Drive San Jose, California 95131 (408) 433-8000 Attention: Investor Relations | | | VMware, Inc. 3401 Hillview Avenue Palo Alto, California 94304 (650) 427-5000 Attention: Investor Relations |
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ANNEXES | | | |
Annex A | | | Merger Agreement |
Annex B | | | MSD Voting Agreement |
Annex C | | | SL Voting Agreement |
Annex D | | | Goldman Sachs Fairness Opinion |
Annex E | | | J.P. Morgan Fairness Opinion |
Annex F | | | General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, Section 262 |
Annex G | | | Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of VMware, Inc. |
Q: | Why am I receiving this proxy statement/prospectus? |
A: | VMware, Inc. (referred to as VMware) is sending these materials to VMware stockholders to help them decide how to vote their shares of VMware common stock with respect to (i) the adoption of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 26, 2022, by and among Broadcom Inc. (referred to as Broadcom), VMware, Verona Holdco, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of VMware (referred to as Holdco), Verona Merger Sub, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Holdco (referred to as Merger Sub 1), Barcelona Merger Sub 2, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Broadcom (referred to as Merger Sub 2) and Barcelona Merger Sub 3, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Broadcom (referred to as Merger Sub 3, and collectively, with Merger Sub 2, as Broadcom Merger Subs), which agreement provides for the acquisition of VMware by Broadcom (such agreement, as it may be amended from time to time, is referred to as the merger agreement), a copy of which is included as Annex A to this proxy statement/prospectus, and approval of the first merger and the second merger (each as defined below), (ii) the adoption of an amendment to VMware’s certificate of incorporation (referred to as the charter amendment) to eliminate the personal liability of VMware’s officers for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as an officer, except to the extent such an exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (referred to as the DGCL) and (iii) the other proposals to be considered at the special meeting of VMware stockholders to be held on [ ], 2022 (referred to as the special meeting). |
Q: | What are the transactions? |
A: | VMware has agreed to be acquired by Broadcom under the terms of the merger agreement, which is further described in this proxy statement/prospectus. If the merger agreement is adopted by VMware stockholders and the other closing conditions under the merger agreement are satisfied or waived, the following transactions (collectively referred to as the transactions) will be consummated: |
• | Merger Sub 1 will merge with and into VMware (referred to as the first merger), with VMware surviving the first merger and becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Holdco; |
• | following the effective time of the first merger, VMware, the surviving company of the first merger, will be converted into a Delaware limited liability company (referred to as the LLC conversion); |
• | following the effective time of the LLC conversion, Merger Sub 2 will merge with and into Holdco (referred to as the second merger), with Holdco surviving the second merger and becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Broadcom; and |
• | following the effective time of the second merger, Holdco, the surviving company of the second merger, will merge with and into Merger Sub 3 (referred to as the third merger), with Merger Sub 3 surviving the third merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Broadcom. |
Q: | Are there any risks that I should consider in deciding whether to vote for the approval of the merger agreement proposal? |
A: | Yes. You should read and carefully consider the risks set forth in the section titled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 27. You should also read and carefully consider the risks related to Broadcom and VMware contained in the documents that are incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus. |
Q: | What will I receive for my shares if the transactions are completed? |
A: | Immediately prior to the effective time of the second merger, the merger consideration is subject to proration so that 50% of VMware common stock issued and outstanding will be converted into cash consideration and 50% will be converted into stock consideration. |
• | If you own 100 shares of VMware common stock and elect to receive solely the cash consideration, and 80% of the outstanding VMware shares elect to receive cash, 15% of the outstanding VMware shares elect to receive Broadcom common stock and 5% of the outstanding VMware shares do not make an election, you will receive cash in exchange for 62.5 of your shares of VMware common stock and Broadcom common stock in exchange for 37.5 of your shares of VMware common stock. |
• | If you own 100 shares of VMware common stock and elect to receive the cash consideration for 55 shares and the stock consideration for 45 shares, and 80% of the outstanding VMware shares elect to receive cash, 15% of the outstanding VMware shares elect to receive Broadcom common stock and 5% of the outstanding VMware shares do not make an election, you will receive cash in exchange for 34.375 of your shares of VMware common stock and Broadcom common stock in exchange for 65.625 of your shares of VMware common stock. |
• | If you own 100 shares of VMware common stock and elect to receive solely the stock consideration, and 80% of the outstanding VMware shares elect to receive Broadcom common stock, 15% of the outstanding VMware shares elect to receive cash and 5% of the outstanding VMware shares do not make an election, you will receive cash in exchange for 37.5 of your shares of VMware common stock and Broadcom common stock in exchange for 62.5 of your shares of VMware common stock. |
• | If you own 100 shares of VMware common stock and elect to receive the cash consideration for 45 shares and the stock consideration for 55 shares, and 80% of the outstanding VMware shares elect to receive Broadcom common stock, 15% of the outstanding VMware shares elect to receive cash and 5% of the outstanding VMware shares do not make an election, you will receive cash in exchange for 65.625 of your shares of VMware common stock and Broadcom common stock in exchange for 34.375 of your shares of VMware common stock. |
Q: | What happens if I am eligible to receive a fraction of a share of Broadcom common stock as part of the stock consideration? |
A: | If the aggregate number of shares of Broadcom common stock that you are entitled to receive as part of the stock consideration otherwise would include a fraction of a share of Broadcom common stock, you will receive cash in lieu of that fractional share. See the section titled “The Transactions—Exchange of Shares; Elections as to Form of Consideration.” |
Q: | How and when do I make my merger consideration election? |
A: | You will receive an election form following the VMware special meeting. You will make your cash and/or stock election by properly completing, signing and returning the election form. In addition, if you hold stock certificates representing VMware common stock, you must return your stock certificates (or guaranty of delivery of such certificates) to the exchange agent in connection with the transactions. If you do not send in the election form with such stock certificates, if applicable, by the election deadline, you will be treated as though you had not made an election. Carefully review and follow the instructions accompanying the election form. If you own VMware common stock in “street name” through a bank, brokerage firm or other nominee and you wish to make an election, you should follow the instructions provided by your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee when making your election. |
Q: | What do I do if I want to revoke my election? |
A: | You may change or revoke your election at any time during the election period, by written notice to the exchange agent prior to the election deadline or by withdrawal of your VMware stock certificates (or of the guarantee of delivery of such stock certificates), if applicable, previously deposited with the exchange agent prior to the election deadline. |
Q: | What happens if I do not make a valid merger consideration election? |
A: | If you do not return a properly completed election form by the election deadline, your shares of VMware common stock will be considered “non-election” shares and will be converted into the right to receive the cash consideration or the stock consideration according to the allocation procedures specified in the merger agreement. Generally, in the event one form of merger consideration (i.e., cash or shares of Broadcom common stock) is undersubscribed (referred to as the undersubscribed consideration), “non-election” shares will be allocated the undersubscribed consideration. |
Q: | If I make a valid merger consideration election, could I receive a form of merger consideration that I did not elect to receive? |
A: | If, after the “non-election” shares have been allocated any undersubscribed consideration, there still remains undersubscribed consideration, then shares of VMware common stock electing the oversubscribed form of merger consideration will be allocated the undersubscribed consideration pursuant to the proration and adjustment procedures. Accordingly, there is no guarantee that you will receive your elected form of merger consideration for all of your shares of VMware common stock. In the event proration is necessary, electing shares will be allocated the undersubscribed consideration only after the undersubscribed consideration is allocated to “non-election” shares. |
Q: | How will I receive the merger consideration to which I am entitled? |
A: | After receiving the proper documentation from you, following the completion of the second merger, the exchange agent will provide to you the cash consideration and/or stock consideration to which you are entitled. More information on the documentation you are required to deliver to the exchange agent may be found in the section titled “The Merger Agreement—Exchange and Payment Procedures.” |
Q: | What will happen to VMware as a result of the transactions? |
A: | If the transactions are completed, VMware, as the surviving corporation of the first merger, will be converted to a limited liability company in the LLC conversion and will become an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Broadcom as a result of the second merger. As a result of the transactions, VMware will no longer be a publicly held company and VMware common stock will be delisted from the New York Stock Exchange and deregistered under the Exchange Act. |
Q: | What are the closing conditions that must be satisfied to complete the transactions and can the parties waive the closing conditions? |
A: | There are a number of conditions to the closing of the transactions. For a summary of the conditions that must be satisfied or waived prior to the consummation of the transactions, see the section titled “The Merger Agreement—Conditions to the Transactions.” The closing conditions can be waived by the applicable parties to the extent permitted by applicable law, but no party is required to waive any closing conditions. |
Q: | When are the transactions expected to be completed? |
A: | Broadcom and VMware currently expect the transactions to be completed during Broadcom’s fiscal year 2023, subject to the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of VMware common stock in favor of adoption of the merger agreement, the expiration or termination of the waiting period (and any extensions thereof) applicable to the transactions under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (referred to as the HSR Act), the receipt of the clearances and approvals applicable to the transactions under the antitrust laws of the European Union and certain other jurisdictions, and the satisfaction or waiver of the other closing conditions contained in the merger agreement. However, Broadcom and VMware cannot predict the actual date on which the transactions will be completed because completion is subject to conditions beyond their control and it is possible that such conditions could result in the transactions being completed earlier or later or not being completed at all. See the sections titled “The Transactions—Regulatory Clearances and Approvals Required for the Transactions” and “The Merger Agreement—Conditions to the Transactions.” |
Q: | What am I being asked to vote on? |
A: | You are being asked to vote upon the following proposals: |
1. | Proposal 1—The Merger Agreement Proposal: the proposal to adopt the merger agreement, which is further described in the sections titled “The Transactions” and “The Merger Agreement” and a copy of which is attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex A, and to approve the first merger and the second merger; |
2. | Proposal 2—The Merger-Related Compensation Proposal: the proposal to approve on an advisory (non-binding) basis the compensation that may be paid or become payable to VMware’s named executive officers that is based on or otherwise relates to the transactions; |
3. | Proposal 3—The Adjournment Proposal: the proposal to approve the adjournment of the special meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes to approve the merger agreement proposal; and |
4 | Proposal 4—The Charter Amendment Proposal: the proposal to approve and adopt the charter amendment, which is further described in the section titled “Proposal 4: The Charter Amendment Proposal,” and the full text of which is set forth in the proposed Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of VMware (with additions shown as underlined and deletions shown as struck through), which is attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex G. |
Q: | How does the VMware board of directors recommend that I vote at the special meeting? |
A: | The VMware board of directors unanimously recommends that VMware stockholders vote “FOR” the merger agreement proposal, “FOR” the charter amendment proposal and “FOR” each of the other proposals described in this proxy statement/prospectus. |
Q: | What do I need to do now? |
A: | After carefully reading and considering the information contained in this proxy statement/prospectus, please submit your proxy as soon as possible so that your shares of VMware common stock will be represented and voted at the special meeting. Please follow the instructions set forth on the proxy card or on the voting instruction card provided by the record holder if your shares are held in “street name” by your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee. |
Q: | Should I send in my VMware stock certificates now? |
A: | No. Please do not send in your VMware stock certificates with your proxy. You should submit your VMware stock certificates with your election form. If a VMware stockholder who holds VMware common stock in certificated form does not submit its, his or her stock certificate(s) with the election form, such VMware stockholder will be sent materials after the transactions close to effect the exchange of such stockholder’s VMware common stock for the merger consideration. See “The Merger Agreement—Exchange and Payment Procedures.” |
Q: | When and where is the special meeting of the VMware stockholders? |
A: | The special meeting will be held on [ ], 2022, beginning at [ ] a.m., Pacific time, unless postponed to a later date, via live audio webcast at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/VMW2022SM. You will need the 16-digit control number provided on your proxy card or voting instruction card in order to participate in the special meeting. |
Q: | Who can vote at the special meeting? |
A: | Only VMware stockholders who held shares of record as of the close of business on [ ], 2022, the record date for the special meeting, are entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the special meeting. VMware’s official stock ownership records will conclusively determine whether a stockholder is a “holder of record” as of the record date. |
Q: | How many votes do I have? |
A: | You are entitled to one vote on each matter properly brought before the special meeting for each share of VMware common stock you hold or beneficially own as of the close of business on the record date. As of the close of business on the record date, there were [ ] shares of VMware common stock outstanding and owned by stockholders (i.e., excluding shares of VMware common stock held in treasury by VMware) held by [ ] holders of record. |
Q: | What constitutes a quorum for the special meeting? |
A: | The presence of holders of shares representing at least a majority of the total outstanding shares of VMware common stock on the record date entitled to vote at the special meeting, represented virtually or by proxy, constitute a quorum. Stockholders choosing to abstain from voting and broker “non-votes” will be treated as present for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present, but will not be counted as votes cast “FOR” any matter. |
Q: | What vote is required to approve each proposal to be considered at the VMware special meeting? |
A: | The votes required for each proposal are as follows: |
1. | Proposal 1—The Merger Agreement Proposal: The affirmative vote, virtually or by proxy, of holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of VMware common stock entitled to vote on the merger agreement proposal is required to approve the merger agreement proposal. |
2. | Proposal 2—The Merger-Related Compensation Proposal: The affirmative vote of holders of at least a majority of the shares of VMware common stock represented at the special meeting, virtually or by proxy, and entitled to vote on the merger-related compensation proposal is required to approve, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, the merger-related compensation proposal. |
3. | Proposal 3—The Adjournment Proposal: The affirmative vote of holders of at least a majority of the shares of VMware common stock represented at the special meeting, virtually or by proxy, and entitled to vote on the adjournment proposal is required to approve the adjournment proposal. |
4. | Proposal 4—The Charter Amendment Proposal: The affirmative vote, virtually or by proxy, of holders of at least 67% of the outstanding shares of VMware common stock entitled to vote on the charter amendment proposal is required to approve the charter amendment proposal. |
Q: | How are proxies counted and what results from a failure to vote, abstention or broker non-vote? |
A: | Proposal 1—The Merger Agreement Proposal: If you are a VMware stockholder on the record date and take any action other than voting (or causing your shares to be voted) “FOR” the merger agreement proposal, it will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” the merger agreement proposal. For example, if you fail to instruct your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee to vote, it will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” the merger agreement proposal. |
Q: | What will happen if the merger-related compensation proposal is not approved? |
A: | The merger-related compensation proposal is advisory only and not binding on VMware or Broadcom, whether or not the transactions are completed. The vote on the merger-related compensation proposal is separate and apart from the vote to adopt the merger agreement and approve the first merger and the second merger and not a condition to the completion of the transactions. If the transactions are completed, the merger-related compensation that is the subject of this proposal may be paid to VMware’s named executive officers in accordance with the terms of their compensation agreements and arrangements even if the VMware stockholders fail to approve this proposal. |
Q: | How do I vote or have my shares voted? |
A: | If you are a stockholder of record, you may vote virtually at the special meeting or vote by proxy using one of the methods described below. Whether or not you plan to participate in the meeting, we urge you to vote by proxy to ensure your vote is counted. You may still participate in the special meeting and vote virtually even if you have already voted by proxy. |
• | To vote via the Internet, submit your proxy by using the Internet at proxyvote.com. Internet voting is available 24 hours a day and will be accessible until 11:59 p.m., Eastern time, on [ ], 2022, the day before the special meeting. |
• | To vote by telephone, submit your proxy by using a touch-tone telephone at 1-800-690-6903. Telephone voting is available 24 hours a day and will be accessible until 11:59 p.m., Eastern time, on [ ], 2022, the day before the special meeting. |
• | To vote using the proxy card, simply complete, sign and return the enclosed proxy card in the postage-paid envelope (if mailed in the United States) included with this proxy statement/prospectus. VMware stockholders who vote this way should mail the proxy card early enough so that it is received before the date of the special meeting. If you return your signed proxy card to us before the special meeting, we will vote your shares as you direct. |
• | To vote virtually at the special meeting, visit www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/VMW2022SM and enter the 16-digit control number included on your proxy card or voting instruction card that accompanied your proxy materials. |
• | If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” by your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee, you should have received a voting instruction card with these proxy materials from that organization rather than from VMware. Follow the instructions from your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee to see which of the above choices are available to you to ensure that your vote is counted. To vote virtually at the special meeting, you must obtain a legal proxy from your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee. |
Q: | How will my proxy be voted? |
A: | If you are a holder of record and submit your proxy via the Internet, by telephone or by completing, signing and returning the enclosed proxy card, your shares will be voted in accordance with your instructions contained in the proxy. If you are a holder of record and submit your proxy without specifying how your shares should be voted on one or more matters, your shares will be voted on those matters as the VMware board of directors recommends. |
Q: | How can I participate in the special meeting? |
A: | To virtually participate in the special meeting, visit www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/VMW2022SM and enter the 16-digit control number included on your proxy card or voting instruction card that accompanied your proxy materials. If you hold your shares in “street name” and wish to vote virtually at the special meeting, you must obtain a legal proxy from your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee that holds your shares, giving you the right to vote the shares at the special meeting. |
Q: | If my shares are held in “street name” by my bank, brokerage firm or other nominee, will my bank, brokerage firm or other nominee vote my shares for me? |
A: | No. If your shares are held in “street name” by your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee, you must direct your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee on how to vote and you will receive instructions from your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee describing how to vote your shares of VMware common stock. The availability of Internet or telephonic voting will depend on the nominee’s voting process. Please check with your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee and follow the voting procedures your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee provides. |
Q: | What is the difference between holding shares as a stockholder of record and in “street name”? |
A: | If your shares of VMware common stock are registered directly in your name with the transfer agent of VMware, American Stock Transfer & Trust Co., you are considered the stockholder of record with respect to those shares. As the stockholder of record, you have the right to vote or to grant a proxy for your vote directly to VMware or to a third party to vote at the special meeting. |
Q: | What should I do if I receive more than one set of voting materials for the special meeting? |
A: | You may receive more than one set of voting materials for the special meeting, including multiple copies of this proxy statement/prospectus and multiple proxy cards or voting instruction cards. For example, if you hold your VMware common stock in more than one brokerage account, you will receive a separate voting instruction card for each brokerage account in which you hold shares. If you are a stockholder of record and your shares are registered in more than one name, you will receive more than one proxy card. Please submit each separate proxy card or voting instruction card that you receive by following the instructions set forth in each separate proxy card or voting instruction card. |
Q: | What do I do if I am a VMware stockholder and I want to revoke my proxy? |
A: | Stockholders of record may revoke their proxies at any time prior to the voting at the special meeting in any of the following ways: |
• | signing and delivering a new proxy relating to the same shares and bearing a later date than the original proxy; |
• | sending a signed, written notice of revocation, which is dated later than the date of the proxy and states that the proxy is revoked, to Attention: Secretary, VMware, Inc. Legal Department, 3401 Hillview Avenue, Palo Alto, California 94304; or |
• | participating in the special meeting and voting virtually. Participation in the virtual special meeting will not, however, in and of itself, constitute a vote or revocation of a prior proxy. |
Q: | What happens if I sell my shares of VMware common stock before the special meeting? |
A: | The record date is earlier than both the date of the special meeting and the closing of the transactions. If you transfer your shares of VMware common stock after the record date but before the special meeting, you |
Q: | Do VMware stockholders have appraisal rights? |
A: | Yes. VMware stockholders are entitled to appraisal rights under Section 262 of the DGCL in connection with the second merger, provided they follow the procedures and satisfy the conditions set forth in Section 262 of the DGCL. VMware stockholders do not, however, have appraisal rights in connection with the first merger. For more information regarding appraisal rights, see the section titled “Appraisal Rights of VMware Stockholders.” In addition, a copy of Section 262 of the DGCL is attached as Annex F to this proxy statement/prospectus. Failure to strictly comply with Section 262 of the DGCL may result in your waiver of, or inability to, exercise appraisal rights. |
Q: | Who will solicit and pay the cost of soliciting proxies? |
A: | VMware will pay for the proxy solicitation costs related to the special meeting. VMware has engaged D.F. King to assist in the solicitation of proxies for the special meeting. VMware estimates that it will pay D.F. King a fee of approximately $17,500, plus reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. VMware will also reimburse banks, brokerage firms, custodians, trustees, nominees and fiduciaries who hold shares for the benefit of another party for their expenses incurred in sending proxies and proxy materials to beneficial owners of VMware common stock. VMware’s directors, officers and employees also may solicit proxies in person by telephone or over the Internet. They will not be paid any additional amounts for soliciting proxies. |
Q: | How can I find more information about Broadcom and VMware? |
A: | You can find more information about Broadcom and VMware from various sources described in the section titled “Where You Can Find More Information.” |
Q: | Who can answer any questions I may have about the special meeting or the proxy materials? |
A: | If you have any questions about the special meeting, the transactions, the proposals or this proxy statement/prospectus, would like additional copies of the proxy statement/prospectus, need to obtain proxy cards or other information related to this proxy solicitation or need help submitting a proxy or voting your shares of VMware common stock, you should contact: |
• | Merger Sub 1 will merge with and into VMware (referred to as the first merger), with VMware surviving the first merger and becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Holdco; |
• | following the effective time of the first merger, VMware, the surviving company of the first merger, will be converted (referred to as the LLC conversion) into a Delaware limited liability company; |
• | following the effective time of the LLC conversion, Merger Sub 2 will merge with and into Holdco (referred to as the second merger), with Holdco surviving the second merger and becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Broadcom; and |
• | following the effective time of the second merger, Holdco, the surviving company of the second merger, will merge with and into Merger Sub 3 (referred to as the third merger), with Merger Sub 3 surviving the third merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Broadcom. |
| Set forth below is a diagram depicting the structure of the first merger and the LLC conversion described under the first and second bullet points above. | |
* | Circled entities are disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes. |
| Set forth below is a diagram depicting the structure of the second merger and the third merger described under the third and fourth bullet points above. | |
* | Circled entities are disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes. |
• | If you own 100 shares of VMware common stock and elect to receive solely the cash consideration, and 80% of the outstanding VMware shares elect to receive cash, 15% of the outstanding VMware shares elect to receive Broadcom common stock and 5% of the outstanding VMware shares do not make an election, you will receive cash in exchange for 62.5 of your shares of VMware common stock and Broadcom common stock in exchange for 37.5 of your shares of VMware common stock. |
• | If you own 100 shares of VMware common stock and elect to receive the cash consideration for 55 shares and the stock consideration for 45 shares, and 80% of the outstanding VMware shares elect to receive cash, 15% of the outstanding VMware shares elect to receive Broadcom common stock and 5% of the outstanding VMware shares do not make an election, you will receive cash in exchange for 34.375 of your shares of VMware common stock and Broadcom common stock in exchange for 65.625 of your shares of VMware common stock. |
• | If you own 100 shares of VMware common stock and elect to receive solely the stock consideration, and 80% of the outstanding VMware shares elect to receive Broadcom common stock, 15% of the |
• | If you own 100 shares of VMware common stock and elect to receive the cash consideration for 45 shares and the stock consideration for 55 shares, and 80% of the outstanding VMware shares elect to receive Broadcom common stock, 15% of the outstanding VMware shares elect to receive cash and 5% of the outstanding VMware shares do not make an election, you will receive cash in exchange for 65.625 of your shares of VMware common stock and Broadcom common stock in exchange for 34.375 of your shares of VMware common stock. |
• | the merger agreement proposal; |
• | the merger-related compensation proposal; |
• | the adjournment proposal; and |
• | the charter amendment proposal. |
• | Proposal 1—The Merger Agreement Proposal. The affirmative vote, virtually or by proxy, of holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of VMware common stock entitled to vote on the merger agreement proposal is required to approve the merger agreement proposal. |
• | Proposal 2—The Merger-Related Compensation Proposal. The affirmative vote of holders of at least a majority of the shares of VMware common stock represented at the special meeting, virtually or by proxy, and entitled to vote on the merger-related compensation proposal is required to approve, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, the merger-related compensation proposal. |
• | Proposal 3—The Adjournment Proposal. The affirmative vote of holders of at least a majority of the shares of VMware common stock present virtually or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the adjournment proposal is required to approve the adjournment proposal. |
• | Proposal 4—The Charter Amendment Proposal. The affirmative vote, virtually or by proxy, of holders of at least 67% of the outstanding shares of VMware common stock entitled to vote on the charter amendment proposal is required to approve the charter amendment proposal. |
• | U.S. holders of VMware common stock who exchange their shares of common stock solely for shares of Broadcom common stock generally will not recognize gain or loss on the exchange, except with respect to cash received in lieu of a fractional share of Broadcom common stock. |
• | U.S. holders of VMware common stock who exchange their shares of common stock solely for cash generally will recognize gain or loss on the exchange. Such gain or loss generally will be equal to the difference, if any, between the amount of cash received and the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in the shares of VMware common stock surrendered. |
• | U.S. holders of VMware common stock who exchange their shares of common stock for a combination of shares of Broadcom common stock and cash generally will recognize gain, but not loss, on the exchange. If the sum of the fair market value of the Broadcom common stock and the amount of cash received by a U.S. holder in exchange for such holder’s shares of VMware common stock exceeds the tax basis in the shares of VMware common stock, such holder generally will recognize taxable gain on the exchange equal to the lesser of the amount of such excess and the amount of cash received in the exchange. |
• | each outstanding VMware restricted stock unit award held by a non-employee director will become vested and will be cancelled in exchange for the right of the holder to receive, in respect of each share of VMware common stock subject to such award, a payment equal to 50% of the cash consideration and 50% of the stock consideration; |
• | each outstanding time-based VMware restricted stock unit award that is not held by a non-employee director will be converted into a Broadcom restricted stock unit award based on an equity award exchange ratio calculated as the sum of (i) 50% of the stock consideration and (ii) 50% of the cash consideration divided by the Broadcom trading price; and |
• | each outstanding performance-based VMware restricted stock unit award will be converted into a Broadcom restricted stock unit award using the same formula described in the above bullet, provided that (i) for each such award granted under the VMware operating performance stock unit plan, performance goals will be deemed achieved (1) at the actual level with respect to performance periods completed prior to the closing of the transactions, or (2) at target level with respect to performance periods not completed prior to the closing of the transactions and (ii) for each such award that was granted under the VMware total shareholder return (TSR) performance stock unit plan, performance will be measured at the closing of the transactions based on the actual level of achievement of the applicable performance goals based on the value of merger consideration (with the value of the stock consideration calculated for such purpose based on the Broadcom trading price). |
• | any governmental entity of competent jurisdiction has issued a final, non-appealable order, injunction, decree or ruling permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the consummation of the transactions; |
• | the effective time of the second merger has not occurred on or before February 26, 2023 (which we refer to as the outside date); however, (i) if, on the outside date, all of the conditions to the transactions (other than those conditions relating to antitrust approvals or no injunction (to the extent the relevant injunction or order is in respect of, or any such law is, the HSR Act or any other antitrust law) or those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied or waived on the closing date (if such conditions would be satisfied or validly waived were the closing of the transactions to occur at such time)) shall have been satisfied or waived, then the outside date may be extended, by either VMware or Broadcom by providing written notice five business days prior to the outside date, for a period of three months, (ii) if, on the outside date, as extended, all of the conditions to the transactions (other than those conditions relating to antitrust approvals or no injunction (to the extent the relevant injunction or order is in respect of, or any such law is, the HSR Act or any other antitrust law) or those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied or waived on the closing date of the transactions (if such conditions would be satisfied or validly waived were the closing of the transactions to occur at such time)) shall have been satisfied or waived, then the outside date may be further extended, by either VMware or Broadcom by providing written notice five business days prior to the as extended outside date, for a period of three months, (iii) if, on the outside date, as extended, all of the conditions to the transactions (other than those conditions relating to antitrust approvals or no injunction (to the extent the relevant injunction or order is in respect of, or any such law is, the HSR Act or any other antitrust law) or those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied or waived on the closing date of the transactions (if such conditions would be satisfied or validly waived were the closing of the transactions to occur at such time)) shall have been satisfied or waived, then the outside date may be further extended, by either VMware or Broadcom by providing written notice five business days prior to the as extended outside date, for a period of three months and (iv) this right to terminate will not be available to any |
• | the special meeting (including any adjournments or postponements thereof) has concluded and the VMware stockholders have not adopted the merger agreement by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of VMware common stock. |
• | the effect of the transactions on the ability to maintain relationships with customers, suppliers and other business partners or operating results and business; |
• | the ability to implement plans, achieve forecasts and meet other expectations with respect to the business after the completion of the transactions and realize expected synergies; |
• | business disruption following the transactions; |
• | difficulties in retaining and hiring key personnel and employees due to the transactions and business combination; |
• | the diversion of management time on transaction-related issues; |
• | the satisfaction of the conditions precedent to consummation of the transactions, including the ability to secure regulatory approvals on the terms expected, at all or in a timely manner; |
• | significant indebtedness, including indebtedness incurred in connection with the transactions, and the need to generate sufficient cash flows to service and repay such debt; |
• | the disruption of current plans and operations; |
• | the outcome of legal proceedings related to the transactions; |
• | the ability to consummate the transactions on a timely basis or at all; |
• | the ability to successfully integrate VMware’s operations; |
• | the impact of public health crises, such as pandemics (including COVID-19) and epidemics and any related company or government policies and actions to protect the health and safety of individuals or government policies or actions to maintain the functioning of national or global economies and markets; |
• | cyber-attacks, information security and data privacy; |
• | global political and economic conditions, including rising interest rates, the impact of inflation and challenges in manufacturing and the global supply chain; and |
• | events and trends on a national, regional and global scale, including the cyclicality in the semiconductor industry and other target markets and those of a political, economic, business, competitive and regulatory nature. |
• | VMware may experience negative reactions from the financial markets, including negative impacts on its stock price; |
• | VMware may experience negative reactions from its customers and suppliers; |
• | VMware may experience negative reactions from its employees and may not be able to retain key management personnel and other key employees; |
• | VMware will have incurred, and will continue to incur, significant non-recurring costs in connection with the transactions that it may be unable to recover; |
• | the merger agreement places certain restrictions on the conduct of VMware’s business prior to completion of the transactions, the waiver of which is subject to the consent of Broadcom (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), which may prevent VMware from making certain acquisitions, taking certain other specified actions or otherwise pursuing business opportunities during the pendency of the transactions that may be beneficial to VMware (see the section titled “The Merger Agreement—Conduct of Businesses of VMware and Broadcom Prior to Completion of the Transactions” for a description of the restrictive covenants applicable to VMware); and |
• | matters relating to the transactions (including integration planning) will require substantial commitments of time and resources by VMware management, which could otherwise be devoted to day-to-day operations and other opportunities that may be beneficial to VMware as an independent company. |
• | preserving customer and other important relationships of VMware and attracting new business and operational relationships; |
• | integrating financial forecasting and controls, procedures and reporting cycles; |
• | consolidating and integrating corporate, information technology, finance and administrative infrastructures; |
• | coordinating sales and marketing efforts to effectively position Broadcom’s capabilities; |
• | coordinating and integrating operations in countries in which Broadcom has not previously operated; and |
• | integrating employees and related HR systems and benefits, maintaining employee morale and retaining key employees. |
• | increasing its vulnerability to adverse general economic and industry conditions; |
• | exposing it to interest rate risk due to its variable rate term facilities, which Broadcom does not typically hedge against; |
• | limiting its flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in the economy and the semiconductor industry; |
• | placing Broadcom at a competitive disadvantage compared to its competitors with less indebtedness; |
• | making it more difficult to borrow additional funds in the future to fund growth, acquisitions, working capital, capital expenditures and other purposes; and |
• | potentially requiring Broadcom to dedicate a substantial portion of its cash flow from operations to payments on its indebtedness, thereby reducing the availability of its cash flow to fund its other business needs. |
• | adversely affect the trading price of, or market for, its debt securities; |
• | increase interest expense under its term facilities; |
• | increase the cost of, and adversely affect its ability to refinance, its existing debt; and |
• | adversely affect its ability to raise additional debt. |
• | Proposal 1—The Merger Agreement Proposal: the proposal to adopt the merger agreement, which is further described in the sections titled “The Transactions” and “The Merger Agreement” and a copy of which is attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex A and to approve the first merger and the second merger; |
• | Proposal 2—The Merger-Related Compensation Proposal: the proposal to approve on an advisory (non-binding) basis the compensation that may be paid or become payable to VMware’s named executive officers that is based on or otherwise relates to the transactions; |
• | Proposal 3—The Adjournment Proposal: the proposal to approve the adjournment of the special meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes to approve the merger agreement proposal; and |
• | Proposal 4—The Charter Amendment Proposal: the proposal to approve and adopt the charter amendment, which is further described in the section titled “Proposal 4: The Charter Amendment Proposal” and the full text of which is set forth in the proposed Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of VMware (with additions shown as underlined and deletions shown as struck through), which is attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex G. |
• | Internet: VMware stockholders may submit their proxy by using the Internet at proxyvote.com. Internet voting is available 24 hours a day and will be accessible until 11:59 p.m., Eastern time, on [ ], 2022, the day before the special meeting. |
• | Telephone: VMware stockholders may submit their proxy by using a touch-tone telephone at 1-800-690-6903. Telephone voting is available 24 hours a day and will be accessible until 11:59 p.m., Eastern time, on [ ], 2022, the day before the special meeting. |
• | Mail: VMware stockholders may submit their proxy by properly completing, signing, dating and mailing their proxy card in the postage-paid envelope (if mailed in the United States) included with this proxy statement/prospectus. VMware stockholders who vote this way should mail the proxy card early enough so that it is received before the date of the special meeting. |
• | To Vote Virtually at the Special Meeting: To vote virtually at the special meeting, visit www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/VMW2022SM and enter the 16-digit control number included on your proxy card or voting instruction card that accompanied your proxy materials. |
• | signing and delivering a new proxy relating to the same shares and bearing a later date than the original proxy; |
• | sending a signed, written notice of revocation, which is dated later than the date of the proxy and states that the proxy is revoked, to Attention: Secretary, VMware, Inc. Legal Department, 3401 Hillview Avenue, Palo Alto, California 94304; or |
• | participating in and voting during the virtual special meeting. Participation in the virtual special meeting will not, however, in and of itself, constitute a vote or revocation of a prior proxy. |
| Set forth below is a diagram depicting the structure of the first merger and the LLC conversion. | |
* | Circled entities are disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes. |
| Set forth below is a diagram depicting the structure of the second merger and the third merger. | |
* | Circled entities are disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes. |
• | If you own 100 shares of VMware common stock and elect to receive solely the cash consideration, and 80% of the outstanding VMware shares elect to receive cash, 15% of the outstanding VMware shares elect to receive Broadcom common stock and 5% of the outstanding VMware shares do not make an election, you will receive cash in exchange for 62.5 of your shares of VMware common stock and Broadcom common stock in exchange for 37.5 of your shares of VMware common stock. |
• | If you own 100 shares of VMware common stock and elect to receive the cash consideration for 55 shares and the stock consideration for 45 shares, and 80% of the outstanding VMware share select to receive cash, 15% of the outstanding VMware shares elect to receive Broadcom common stock and 5% of the outstanding VMware shares do not make an election, you will receive cash in exchange for 34.375 of your shares of VMware common stock and Broadcom common stock in exchange for 65.625 of your shares of VMware common stock. |
• | If you own 100 shares of VMware common stock and elect to receive solely the stock consideration, and 80% of the outstanding VMware shares elect to receive Broadcom common stock, 15% of the outstanding VMware shares elect to receive cash and 5% of the outstanding VMware shares do not make an election, you will receive cash in exchange for 37.5 of your shares of VMware common stock and Broadcom common stock in exchange for 62.5 of your shares of VMware common stock. |
• | If you own 100 shares of VMware common stock and elect to receive the cash consideration for 45 shares and the stock consideration for 55 shares, and 80% of the outstanding VMware shares elect to receive Broadcom common stock, 15% of the outstanding VMware shares elect to receive cash and 5% of the outstanding VMware shares do not make an election, you will receive cash in exchange for 65.625 of your shares of VMware common stock and Broadcom common stock in exchange for 34.375 of your shares of VMware common stock. |
1. | “FOR” the merger agreement proposal; |
2. | “FOR” the merger-related compensation proposal; |
3. | “FOR” the adjournment proposal; and |
4. | “FOR” the charter amendment proposal. |
• | Merger Consideration. The value of the merger consideration to be received by VMware stockholders in relation to the market prices of VMware common stock prior to the VMware board of directors’ approval of the merger agreement. |
• | Premium to Trading Price of VMware Common Stock. The fact that the implied value per share of VMware common stock of $142.50 assuming a cash election and no proration, the implied value per share of VMware common stock of $136.88 assuming a stock election and no proration and a blended value per share of VMware common stock of $139.69 (assuming proration of 50% cash and 50% equity based on the treatment of VMware common stock, stock options, restricted stock units and performance stock units pursuant to the merger agreement), each calculated as of May 20, 2022 (the last trading day prior to market speculation regarding the transactions), represented a premium of 49%, 43% and 46%, respectively, over the closing price per share of VMware common stock of $95.71 on May 20, 2022. The VMware board of directors also considered the fact that the implied value per share of VMware common stock of $142.50 assuming a cash election and no proration, the implied value per share of VMware common stock of $132.10 assuming a stock election and no proration and a blended value per share of VMware common stock of $137.30 (assuming proration of 50% cash and 50% equity based on the treatment of VMware common stock, stock options, restricted stock units and performance stock units pursuant to the merger agreement), each calculated as of May 24, 2022, represented a premium of 49%, 38% and 43%, respectively, over the closing price per share of VMware common stock of $95.71 on May 20, 2022. |
• | Uncertainty of Future Common Stock Market Price. The uncertainty of VMware’s future stock market price if VMware remained independent. The VMware board of directors considered VMware’s business, assets, financial condition, results of operations, management, competitive position and prospects, as well as current industry, economic and stock and credit market conditions. The VMware board of directors also considered VMware’s long range plan and the initiatives and the potential |
• | Negotiations with Broadcom. The benefits that VMware and its advisors were able to obtain during its negotiations with Broadcom. The VMware board of directors believed that the consideration reflected in the merger agreement was the best transaction that could be obtained by VMware stockholders at the time, and that there was no assurance that a more favorable opportunity to sell VMware would arise later or through any alternative transaction. |
• | Stockholder Election Opportunity. The fact that VMware stockholders would have the right to elect to receive the merger consideration either in cash or shares of Broadcom common stock, subject to proration. |
• | Significant Portion of Merger Consideration in Cash. The fact that 50% of the merger consideration will be paid in cash, giving VMware stockholders the opportunity to immediately realize value for a significant portion of their investment and providing certainty of value. The VMware board of directors also considered the fact that VMware stockholders would be able to reinvest the cash consideration received in the transactions in shares of Broadcom common stock if they desired to do so. |
• | Participation in Potential Upside. The benefits of Broadcom that could result from the transactions, including the potential to realize synergies. The VMware board of directors also considered the fact that, since a portion of the merger consideration will be paid in shares of Broadcom common stock, VMware stockholders will benefit from an approximately 12% pro forma continuing equity ownership in Broadcom (based on share data of VMware and Broadcom on May 24, 2022) and have the opportunity to participate in any future earnings or growth of Broadcom and future appreciation in the value of Broadcom common stock following the transactions should they determine to retain the shares of Broadcom common stock payable in the transactions. |
• | Fixed Exchange Ratio for Stock Portion of Merger Consideration. The fact that because the stock consideration is based on a fixed exchange ratio of 0.25200 of a share of Broadcom common stock, VMware stockholders receiving a portion of the merger consideration in shares of Broadcom common stock will have the opportunity to benefit from any increase in the trading price of shares of Broadcom common stock between the announcement of the merger agreement and the completion of the transactions and that the cash portion of the merger consideration will limit the impact of a decline in the trading price of Broadcom common stock on the aggregate value of the merger consideration. |
• | Tax Treatment. The fact that the transactions are intended to qualify for the Intended Tax Treatment, as described in greater detail under “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences.” |
• | Expected Cost Synergies. The expectation that Broadcom will recognize anticipated cost synergies following consummation of the transactions, which VMware stockholders will benefit from as continuing stockholders of Broadcom. The VMware board of directors also considered that there could be no assurance that any particular amount of such synergies would be achieved following completion of the transactions or the timeframe in which they would be achieved. |
• | Financial Analyses and Opinion of Goldman Sachs. The oral opinion of Goldman Sachs rendered to the VMware board of directors, subsequently confirmed by delivery of the written opinion of Goldman Sachs, dated May 26, 2022, that, as of the date of such written opinion and based upon and subject to the various limitations, qualifications and assumptions set forth therein, the aggregate merger consideration to be paid to the holders (other than Broadcom and its affiliates) of shares of VMware common stock pursuant to the merger agreement was fair from a financial point of view to such holders. The opinion is more fully described in the section titled “—Opinion of Goldman Sachs” and the full text of the opinion is attached as Annex D to this proxy statement/prospectus. The VMware board of directors considered that Goldman Sachs, in connection with delivering its opinion, performed a variety of financial and comparative analyses described in the section titled “—Opinion of Goldman Sachs.” |
• | Financial Analyses and Opinion of J.P. Morgan. The oral opinion of J.P. Morgan rendered to the VMware board of directors on May 26, 2022, which was subsequently confirmed by delivery of its written opinion, dated May 26, 2022, that, as of such date and based upon and subject to the various limitations, qualifications and assumptions set forth in its opinion, the merger consideration to be paid to holders of VMware common stock in the transactions was fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders. The opinion is more fully described in the section titled “—Opinion of J.P. Morgan” and the full text of the opinion is attached as Annex E to this proxy statement/prospectus. The VMware board of directors considered that J.P. Morgan, in connection with delivering its opinion, performed a variety of financial and comparative analyses described in the section titled “—Opinion of J.P. Morgan.” |
• | Likelihood of Consummation. The likelihood that the transactions would be completed, in light of, among other things, the conditions to the transactions, the absence of a financing condition, and the efforts required to obtain regulatory approvals. |
• | Board Representation. The fact that one member of the VMware board of directors, to be mutually agreed by VMware and Broadcom, will join the Broadcom board of directors. |
• | Terms of the Merger Agreement. The terms and conditions of the merger agreement, including: |
• | the representations, warranties and covenants of the parties, the conditions to the parties’ obligations to complete the transactions and their ability to terminate the merger agreement; |
• | the provisions of the merger agreement that permit VMware, during a 40-day go-shop period, to solicit alternative proposals from third parties; |
• | the provisions of the merger agreement that allow VMware to engage in negotiations with, and provide information to, a third party that makes a written bona fide acquisition proposal following the go-shop period that did not result from a breach of VMware’s non-solicitation obligations, if the VMware board of directors has determined in good faith, after consultation with its outside legal counsel and financial advisors, that such proposal constitutes or could reasonably be expected to lead to a transaction that is superior to the transactions and VMware complies with certain procedural requirements; |
• | the provisions of the merger agreement that allow the VMware board of directors to change its recommendation in favor of the adoption of the merger agreement in response to a superior proposal and terminate the merger agreement in order to accept a superior proposal if the VMware board of directors has determined in good faith, after consultation with its outside legal counsel and financial advisors, that an acquisition proposal is a superior proposal and, after consultation with its outside legal counsel, that failure to take such action would reasonably be expected to be inconsistent with the VMware board of directors’ fiduciary duties (including taking into account any modifications to the terms of the merger agreement that are proposed by Broadcom and, in connection with the termination of the merger agreement, payment to Broadcom of a $750 million termination fee for termination during the go-shop period or a $1.5 billion termination fee for termination following the go-shop period), subject to VMware’s compliance with certain procedural requirements; |
• | the provisions of the merger agreement that allow the VMware board of directors to change its recommendation in favor of the adoption of the merger agreement (other than in response to the receipt of a written bona fide acquisition proposal, which is subject to the preceding sub-bullet above) if the VMware board of directors has determined in good faith, after consultation with its outside legal counsel, that failure to take such action would reasonably be expected to be inconsistent with its directors’ fiduciary duties (including taking into account any modifications to the terms of the merger agreement that are proposed by Broadcom), subject to VMware’s compliance with certain procedural requirements; |
• | the belief of the VMware board of directors that the payment of either the $1.5 billion termination fee or the $750 million termination fee, as applicable, were not likely to unduly discourage competing third-party proposals or reduce the price of such proposals and that the lower |
• | the fact that upon termination of the merger agreement in certain circumstances, Broadcom would be required to pay to VMware a $1.5 billion termination fee that would help offset some of the costs of the transaction; and |
• | the ability of VMware to specifically enforce the terms of the merger agreement. |
• | Timing Considerations. The belief of the VMware board of directors that the benefits of soliciting interest from other potential parties were outweighed by a number of risks, including that such solicitation would further increase market speculation and jeopardize or, at a minimum, delay the transactions. The VMware board of directors also observed that VMware had the right to solicit alternative proposals during the go-shop period and that VMware retained the ability to consider unsolicited proposals after the go-shop period until the meeting of the VMware stockholders to vote on the merger agreement proposal and to enter into an agreement with respect to an acquisition proposal under certain circumstances (concurrently with terminating the merger agreement and paying the $1.5 billion termination fee or the $750 million termination fee, as applicable). |
• | Strategic Benefits. The VMware board of directors considered that the transactions are expected to provide a number of significant strategic opportunities, including the following (not necessarily listed in order of relative importance): |
• | the transaction would synergistically combine VMware’s proven technology offerings with Broadcom’s broader capabilities. Broadcom would facilitate a diversity of service offerings, client relationships, geographies and end markets and offer enterprise customers greater choice, value and flexibility to address complex IT infrastructure challenges; |
• | the complementary nature of each company’s solutions and platforms; and |
• | the expectation that the transactions would result in a company with increased capabilities and world-class products in core market segments that will be uniquely positioned to serve, facilitate and power the markets of the future. |
• | Broadcom’s Business and Reputation. The results of the due diligence investigation that VMware’s senior management conducted with the assistance of its advisors on Broadcom with respect to certain matters and Broadcom’s business reputation and capabilities of Broadcom and its management. The VMware board of directors also considered Broadcom’s strong track record as an experienced acquirer, which is likely to facilitate an effective and timely integration of VMware’s business and operations. |
• | Financing Strength of Broadcom. The fact that Broadcom has obtained committed debt financing for the transactions from reputable financial institutions and likelihood that Broadcom would be able to finance the transactions given Broadcom’s financial resources and financial profile. |
• | Availability of Appraisal Rights. The fact that appraisal rights would be available to holders of VMware common stock under Delaware law and that there was no condition in the merger agreement relating to the maximum number of shares of VMware common stock that could exercise appraisal rights. |
• | MSD Stockholders and SL Stockholders Voting Agreements. The support of the transactions by the MSD stockholders and the SL stockholders, as evidenced by the execution of the voting agreements. |
• | Fixed Stock Ratio of Merger Consideration. The fact that because the stock portion of the merger consideration is a fixed exchange ratio of shares of Broadcom common stock to VMware common stock, VMware stockholders could be adversely affected by a decrease in the trading price of Broadcom common stock during the pendency of the transactions and the fact that the merger |
• | the VMware board of directors’ review of the relative intrinsic values and financial performance of Broadcom and VMware; and |
• | the fact that VMware stockholders may elect cash consideration, subject to proration, which limits the impact of a decline in the trading price of Broadcom common stock on the value of the merger consideration. |
• | Possible Failure to Achieve Synergies. The risk that the potential benefits and synergies sought in the transactions will not be realized or will not be realized within the expected time period, and the risk associated with the integration by Broadcom of VMware. |
• | Smaller Ongoing Equity Participation in Broadcom by VMware Stockholders. The fact that because only 50% of the merger consideration will be in the form of Broadcom common stock, VMware stockholders will have a smaller ongoing equity participation in Broadcom (and, as a result, a smaller opportunity to participate in any future earnings or growth of Broadcom and future appreciation in the value of Broadcom common stock following the completion of the transactions) than they have in VMware. |
• | Risk of Non-Completion. The possibility that the transactions might not be completed, including as a result of the failure to obtain regulatory approvals or the failure of VMware stockholders to approve the merger agreement proposal, and the effect the resulting public announcement of the termination of the merger agreement may have on: |
• | the trading price of VMware common stock; and |
• | VMware’s business and operating results, particularly in light of the costs incurred in connection with the transactions. |
• | Possible Deterrence of Competing Offers. The risk that various provisions of the merger agreement, including the requirement that VMware must pay to Broadcom a termination fee of either $750 million if the merger agreement is terminated under certain circumstances during the go-shop period or $1.5 billion if the merger agreement is terminated under certain circumstances following the expiration of the go-shop period, may discourage other parties potentially interested in an acquisition of, or combination with, VMware from pursuing that opportunity. |
• | Possible Disruption of the Business and Costs and Expenses. The possible disruption to VMware’s business that may result from the transactions, the resulting distraction of VMware’s management and potential attrition of VMware’s employees, as well as the costs and expenses associated with completing the transactions. |
• | Restrictions on Operation of VMware’s Business. The requirement that VMware conduct its business in a commercially reasonable manner and in all material respects in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice prior to completion of the transactions. |
• | Impact of Announcement. The uncertainty about the effect of the transactions, regardless of whether the transactions are completed, on VMware’s employees, customers and other parties, may impair VMware’s ability to attract, retain and motivate key personnel, and could cause customers, suppliers and others to seek to change existing business relationships with VMware, and the potential for litigation arising in connection with the transactions. |
• | Need to Obtain Required Regulatory Clearances. The fact that completion of the transactions would require approval, or expiration or termination of the applicable waiting periods, under the HSR Act and other applicable non-U.S. antitrust laws. |
• | Other Risks. The risks described under “Risk Factors” beginning on page 27. |
| | Fiscal Year(5) | |||||||||||||
($ in millions) | | | 2023E | | | 2024E | | | 2025E | | | 2026E | | | 2027E |
Revenue | | | $13,350 | | | $14,546 | | | $16,160 | | | $17,494 | | | $18,938 |
Non-GAAP Operating Income(1) | | | $3,671 | | | $4,146 | | | $4,848 | | | $5,336 | | | $5,871 |
Adjusted EBITDA(2) | | | $4,537 | | | $5,102 | | | $5,928 | | | $6,543 | | | $7,221 |
Unlevered Free Cash Flow(3) | | | $3,940 | | | $4,086 | | | $4,340 | | | $4,753 | | | $5,255 |
Unlevered Free Cash Flow (Less Stock-Based Compensation Expenses)(4) | | | $2,686 | | | $2,776 | | | $2,983 | | | $3,283 | | | $3,664 |
(1) | Non-GAAP Operating Income for VMware is calculated as GAAP operating income adjusted to exclude stock-based compensation expense, employer payroll taxes on employee stock transactions, intangible amortization, and acquisition, disposition and other items. |
(2) | Adjusted EBITDA for VMware is calculated as Non-GAAP Operating Income, adding depreciation and amortization (excluding intangible amortization). |
(3) | Unlevered Free Cash Flow for VMware was arithmetically calculated by Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan solely using information provided in the VMware management financial projections and was approved by VMware’s management for use by Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan for purposes of their respective opinions and financial analyses. Unlevered Free Cash Flow for VMware is calculated as Non-GAAP Operating Income, subtracting the impact of cash taxes and capital expenditures, adding the impact of depreciation and amortization (excluding intangible amortization) and adding or subtracting, as applicable, changes in net working capital. |
(4) | Unlevered Free Cash Flow (Less Stock-Based Compensation Expense) for VMware was arithmetically calculated by Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan solely using information provided in the VMware management financial projections and was approved by VMware’s management for use by Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan for purposes of their respective opinions and financial analyses. Unlevered Free Cash Flow (Less Stock-Based Compensation Expense) for VMware is calculated as Non-GAAP Operating Income, subtracting the impact of cash taxes, capital expenditures and stock-based compensation, adding the impact of depreciation and amortization (excluding intangible amortization) and adding or subtracting, as applicable, changes in net working capital. |
(5) | VMware’s fiscal year is the 52 or 53 weeks ending on the Friday nearest to January 31. |
| | Fiscal Year Ending October 31, | |||||||||||||
($ in millions) | | | 2022E | | | 2023E | | | 2024E | | | 2025E | | | 2026E |
Revenue | | | $32,666 | | | $34,625 | | | $36,307 | | | $38,123 | | | $40,029 |
Non-GAAP Operating Income(1) | | | $19,893 | | | $21,122 | | | $22,147 | | | $23,255 | | | $24,418 |
Adjusted EBITDA(2) | | | $20,416 | | | $21,641 | | | $22,692 | | | $23,827 | | | $25,018 |
Unlevered Free Cash Flow(3) | | | $17,494 | | | $18,717 | | | $19,645 | | | $20,625 | | | $21,656 |
Unlevered Free Cash Flow (Less Stock-Based Compensation Expense)(4) | | | $15,697 | | | $16,813 | | | $17,648 | | | $18,528 | | | $19,455 |
(1) | Non-GAAP Operating Income for Broadcom is calculated as GAAP operating income adjusted to exclude stock-based compensation expense, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, restructuring, impairment and disposal charges, and acquisition-related costs. |
(2) | Adjusted EBITDA for Broadcom is calculated as Non-GAAP Operating Income, adding depreciation and amortization (excluding amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets). |
(3) | Unlevered Free Cash Flow for Broadcom is calculated as Non-GAAP Operating Income, subtracting the impact of cash taxes and capital expenditures, adding the impact of depreciation and amortization (excluding amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets) and adding or subtracting, as applicable, changes in net working capital. |
(4) | Unlevered Free Cash Flow (Less Stock-Based Compensation Expense) for Broadcom is calculated as Non-GAAP Operating Income, subtracting the impact of cash taxes, capital expenditures and stock-based compensation, adding the impact of depreciation and amortization (excluding amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets) and adding or subtracting, as applicable, changes in net working capital. |
• | the merger agreement; |
• | annual reports to stockholders and Annual Reports on Form 10-K of VMware for the five fiscal years ended January 28, 2022, for Broadcom for the four fiscal years ended October 31, 2021 and for Broadcom Limited, Broadcom’s predecessor, for the fiscal year ended October 29, 2017; |
• | certain interim reports to stockholders and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q of VMware and Broadcom; |
• | certain other communications from VMware and Broadcom to their respective stockholders; |
• | certain publicly available research analyst reports for VMware and Broadcom; and |
• | certain internal financial analyses and forecasts for VMware prepared by its management, as approved for Goldman Sachs’ use by VMware (referred to in this section titled “—Opinion of Goldman Sachs” as VMware management financial projections and summarized in the section titled “—Certain Financial Projections Utilized by the VMware Board of Directors and VMware’s Financial Advisors—VMware Management Financial Projections”), certain financial analyses and forecasts for Broadcom stand-alone prepared by the management of VMware, as approved for Goldman Sachs’ use by VMware, and certain operating synergies projected by the management of VMware to result from the transactions. |
• | $95.71, the closing price for VMware common stock on the Undisturbed Date; and |
• | $115.94, the closing price for VMware common stock on May 24, 2022. |
| | As of May 20, 2022 | | | As of May 24, 2022 | |||||||||||||
| | Cash Election | | | Stock Election | | | Blended Value | | | Cash Election | | | Stock Election | | | Blended Value | |
Implied Value per Share of VMware Common Stock | | | $142.50 | | | $136.88 | | | $139.69 | | | $142.50 | | | $132.10 | | | $137.30 |
Implied Premium to: | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||
Share Price as of May 20, 2022 of $95.71 | | | 49% | | | 43% | | | 46% | | | 49% | | | 38% | | | 43% |
Share Price as of May 24, 2022 of $115.94 | | | 23% | | | 18% | | | 20% | | | 23% | | | 14% | | | 18% |
Announcement Date | | | Acquiror | | | Target | | | EV/NTM EBITDA |
January 2022 | | | Elliott Investment Management L.P. and Vista Equity Partners Management, LLC | | | Citrix Systems, Inc. | | | 14.1x |
December 2021 | | | Oracle Corporation | | | Cerner Corporation | | | 14.3x |
March 2021 | | | Symphony Technology Group, LLC | | | McAfee Corp. (Enterprise Segment) | | | 11.9x |
August 2019 | | | Broadcom Inc. | | | Symantec Corporation (Enterprise Security Segment) | | | 8.2/27.5x(1) |
July 2018 | | | Broadcom Inc. | | | CA, Inc. | | | 11.1x |
October 2015 | | | Silver Lake Group L.L.C. and Thoma Bravo, LLC | | | SolarWinds, Inc. | | | 16.1x |
April 2015 | | | Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and Permira Advisers LLC | | | Informatica Corporation | | | 17.9x |
December 2014 | | | Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan and Thoma Bravo, LLC | | | Riverbed Technology, Inc. | | | 11.2x |
September 2014 | | | Thoma Bravo, LLC | | | Compuware Corporation | | | 10.3x |
(1) | Higher multiple excludes approximately $1 billion of run-rate cost synergies as disclosed in the press release related to the acquisition. |
• | Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. |
• | Cisco Systems, Inc. |
• | F5, Inc. |
• | International Business Machines Corporation |
• | Microsoft Corporation |
• | Oracle Corporation |
• | SAP SE |
| | 5-Year | | | Since Nov 2, 2021 | |
VMware | | | 14.6x | | | 13.3x |
Selected Companies | | | 14.1x | | | 16.9x |
| | EV/NTM UFCF | |
VMware (based on the VMware management financial projections) | | | 12.7x |
VMware (based on FactSet estimates) | | | 11.4x |
Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. | | | 9.7x |
Cisco Systems, Inc. | | | 11.0x |
F5, Inc. | | | 14.0x |
International Business Machines Corporation | | | 12.4x |
Microsoft Corporation | | | 24.2x |
Oracle Corporation | | | 19.4x |
SAP SE | | | 20.2x |
• | reviewed a draft dated May 26, 2022 of the merger agreement; |
• | reviewed certain publicly available business and financial information concerning VMware and Broadcom and the industries in which they operate; |
• | compared the proposed financial terms of the transactions with the publicly available financial terms of certain transactions involving companies J.P. Morgan deemed relevant and the consideration paid for such companies; |
• | compared the financial and operating performance of VMware and Broadcom with publicly available information concerning certain other companies J.P. Morgan deemed relevant and reviewed the current and historical market prices of VMware common stock and Broadcom common stock and certain publicly traded securities of such other companies; |
• | reviewed certain internal financial analyses and forecasts prepared by the management of VMware relating to VMware and the business of Broadcom, as well as the estimated amount and timing of the cost savings and related expenses and synergies expected to result from the transactions (referred to in this section titled “— Opinion of J.P. Morgan” as the synergies); and |
• | performed such other financial studies and analyses and considered such other information as J.P. Morgan deemed appropriate for the purposes of its opinion. |
Selected Company |
Cisco Systems, Inc. |
International Business Machines Corporation |
Microsoft Corporation |
Oracle Corporation |
SAP SE |
VMware, Inc.(1) |
(1) | Based on unaffected closing share price as of the Undisturbed Date. |
Announcement Date | | | Acquiror | | | Target |
January 2022 | | | Elliott Investment Management L.P. and Vista Equity Partners Management, LLC | | | Citrix Systems, Inc. |
December 2021 | | | Oracle Corporation | | | Cerner Corporation |
March 2021 | | | Symphony Technology Group, LLC | | | McAfee Corp. (Enterprise Segment) |
August 2019 | | | Broadcom Inc. | | | Symantec Corporation (Enterprise Security Segment) |
July 2018 | | | Broadcom Inc. | | | CA, Inc. |
October 2015 | | | Silver Lake Group, L.L.C. and Thoma Bravo, LLC | | | SolarWinds, Inc. |
April 2015 | | | Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and Permira Advisers LLC | | | Informatica Corporation |
Announcement Date | | | Acquiror | | | Target |
December 2014 | | | Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan and Thoma Bravo, LLC | | | Riverbed Technology, Inc. |
September 2014 | | | Thoma Bravo, LLC | | | Compuware Corporation |
Selected Company |
Broadcom Inc.(1) |
Semiconductor |
Analog Devices, Inc. |
Marvell Technology, Inc. |
NXP Semiconductors NV |
Texas Instruments Incorporated |
Qualcomm, Inc. |
Software |
Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. |
Cisco Systems, Inc. |
F5, Inc. |
International Business Machines Corporation |
Oracle Corporation |
(1) | Based on unaffected closing share price as of the Undisturbed Date. |
| | Implied Exchange Ratios | ||||
| | Low | | | High | |
Public Trading Multiples Analysis | | | 0.1232x | | | 0.2579x |
Discounted Cash Flow Analysis | | | 0.1459x | | | 0.2993x |
• | accelerated vesting of restricted stock units held by non-employee directors and conversion of time-based restricted stock units and performance-based restricted stock units held by executive officers into Broadcom restricted stock units and the “double trigger” accelerated vesting of such converted awards; |
• | a seat on Broadcom’s board of directors for one VMware director, to be mutually agreed by VMware and Broadcom, following the closing of the transactions; |
• | potential severance benefits in the event of certain qualifying terminations of employment upon or following the closing of the transactions; and |
• | the right to indemnification and liability insurance coverage that will survive the closing of the transactions. |
• | A per share price of VMware common stock of $130.09, which is the average closing price of VMware common stock on the New York Stock Exchange over the first five business days following the first public announcement of the transactions on May 26, 2022; |
• | The effective time of the second merger is July 13, 2022; and |
• | The employment of each VMware executive officer was terminated by VMware without cause or by the executive officer for good reason, in either case, immediately following the effective time of the second merger. |
• | each outstanding VMware restricted stock unit award held by a non-employee director will become vested and will be cancelled in exchange for the right of the holder to receive, in respect of each share of VMware common stock subject to such award, a payment equal to 50% of the cash consideration and 50% of the stock consideration; |
• | each outstanding time-based VMware restricted stock unit award that is not held by a non-employee director will be converted into a Broadcom restricted stock unit award based on an equity award exchange ratio calculated as (i) the sum of (1) 50% of the stock consideration and (2) 50% of the cash consideration divided by (ii) the Broadcom trading price; and |
• | each outstanding performance-based VMware restricted stock unit award will be converted into a Broadcom restricted stock unit award using the same formula described in the above bullet, provided that (i) for each such award granted under the VMware operating performance stock unit plan, performance goals will be deemed achieved (1) at the actual level with respect to performance periods completed prior to the closing of the transactions, or (2) at target level with respect to performance periods not completed prior to the closing of the transactions; and (ii) for each such award that was granted under the VMware TSR performance stock unit plan, performance will be measured at the closing of the transactions based on the actual level of achievement of the applicable performance goals based on the value of merger consideration (with the value of the stock consideration calculated for such purpose based on the Broadcom trading price). |
• | a lump sum payment equal to 1.5 times (or 2.0 times for Mr. Raghuram) the sum of the executive officer’s highest annual base salary and highest target annual bonus, in each case measured during the protected period (as defined in the CIC Plan); |
• | a lump sum payment equal to the value of 18 months (or 24 months for Mr. Raghuram) of health insurance premiums, which are equal to 150% of the monthly cost required to obtain continuation coverage for the executive officer and their covered dependents; and |
• | full accelerated vesting of outstanding equity awards. |
• | A per share price of VMware common stock of $130.09, which is the average closing price of VMware common stock on the New York Stock Exchange over the first five business days following the first public announcement of the transactions on May 26, 2022; |
• | The effective time of the second merger is July 13, 2022; and |
• | The employment of each named executive officer was terminated by VMware without cause or by the named executive officer for good reason, in either case, on or immediately following the effective time of the second merger. |
Name | | | Cash ($)(1) | | | Equity ($)(2) | | | Total ($) |
Raghu Raghuram | | | $6,070,797 | | | $46,510,167 | | | $52,580,964 |
Zane Rowe | | | $2,921,847 | | | $44,817,956 | | | $47,739,803 |
Sumit Dhawan | | | $2,868,904 | | | $21,581,931 | | | $24,450,835 |
Jean-Pierre Brulard | | | $2,436,015 | | | $21,471,615 | | | $23,907,630 |
Amy Fliegelman Olli | | | $1,997,328 | | | $18,911,964 | | | $20,909,292 |
(1) | Consists of (i) a lump sum payment equal to 1.5 times (or 2.0 times for Mr. Raghuram) the sum of the named executive officer’s highest annual base salary and highest target annual bonus, in each case measured during the protected period (as defined in the CIC Plan); and (ii) a lump sum payment equal to the value of 18 months (or 24 months for Mr. Raghuram) of health insurance premiums, which are equal to 150% of the monthly cost required to obtain continuation coverage for the executive officer and the executive officer’s covered dependents. The cash severance described in clause (i) (severance) and clause (ii) (health insurance premium payments) are “double trigger” and become payable only upon a qualifying termination of employment following a change in control of VMware under the terms of the CIC Plan (see the section titled “Interests of VMware’s Directors and Executive Officers in the Transactions—Change in Control Retention Plan”). The estimated amount of each such payment is shown in the following table: |
Name | | | Severance ($) | | | Health Insurance Premium Payments ($) | | | Total ($) |
Raghu Raghuram | | | $6,000,000 | | | $70,797 | | | $6,070,797 |
Zane Rowe | | | $2,868,750 | | | $53,097 | | | $2,921,847 |
Sumit Dhawan | | | $2,868,750 | | | $154 | | | $2,868,904 |
Jean-Pierre Brulard | | | $2,400,000 | | | $36,015 | | | $2,436,015 |
Amy Fliegelman Olli | | | $1,950,000 | | | $47,328 | | | $1,997,328 |
(2) | Includes accelerated vesting of the VMware restricted stock unit awards (which will be converted to Broadcom restricted stock units upon the effective time of the second merger) upon a qualifying termination of employment following the closing of the transactions pursuant to the CIC Plan; this accelerated vesting is a “double trigger” benefit and is triggered only upon a qualifying termination of employment following a change in control of VMware (see the section titled “Interests of VMware’s Directors and Executive Officers in the Transactions—Treatment of VMware Equity Awards”). The estimated value of such awards are shown in the following table (in the case of any such award that was granted under the VMware operating performance stock unit plan, this estimated value assumes that the applicable performance goals are achieved at actual performance with respect to performance periods completed prior to July 13, 2022 and at target with respect to performance periods that are not completed prior to July 13, 2022 and in the case of any such award that was granted under the VMware TSR performance stock unit plan, this estimated value represents the estimated actual payout level for such award based on the value of the merger consideration, which is equal to $0). |
Name | | | VMware Time- Based Restricted Stock Units ($) | | | VMware Performance- Based Restricted Stock Units ($) | | | Total ($) |
Raghu Raghuram | | | $15,973,621 | | | $30,536,546 | | | $46,510,167 |
Zane Rowe | | | $15,857,971 | | | $28,959,985 | | | $44,817,956 |
Sumit Dhawan | | | $11,584,254 | | | $9,997,677 | | | $21,581,931 |
Jean-Pierre Brulard | | | $10,768,460 | | | $10,703,155 | | | $21,471,615 |
Amy Fliegelman Olli | | | $9,408,889 | | | $9,503,075 | | | $18,911,964 |
• | banks or other financial institutions, |
• | mutual funds, |
• | tax exempt organizations, |
• | governmental agencies or instrumentalities, |
• | insurance companies, |
• | dealers in securities or non-U.S. currency, |
• | traders in securities who elect to apply a mark-to-market method of accounting, |
• | entities or arrangements treated as partnerships or other pass-through entities (including S corporations) for U.S. federal income tax purposes and investors in such partnerships or other pass-through entities (including S corporations), |
• | holders that are not U.S. holders, |
• | certain expatriates, |
• | holders that exercise appraisal rights, |
• | regulated investment companies and real estate investment trusts, |
• | broker-dealers, |
• | holders liable for the alternative minimum tax, |
• | holders that have a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar, |
• | holders who received their VMware common stock through the exercise of employee stock options, through a tax-qualified retirement plan or otherwise as compensation, |
• | holders that hold (or that held, directly or constructively, at any time during the five-year period ending on the date of the disposition of such holder’s VMware common stock pursuant to the transactions) 5% or more of VMware common stock (by vote or value), |
• | holders required to accelerate the recognition of any item of gross income as a result of such income being recognized on an “applicable financial statement,” and |
• | holders who hold VMware common stock as part of a hedge, straddle, constructive sale, conversion transaction or other integrated investment. |
(i) | an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States; |
(ii) | a corporation or other entity taxable as a corporation, created or organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia; |
(iii) | an estate that is subject to U.S. federal income tax on its income regardless of its source; or |
(iv) | a trust that (A) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and all substantial decisions of which are subject to the control of one or more “United States persons” (within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) or (B) has a valid election in effect to be treated as a United States person for U.S. federal income tax purposes. |