UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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400 Valley Drive
Brisbane, California 94005
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD November 19, 2004
Dear Shareholder:
You are invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of bebe stores, inc., a California corporation (the "Company"), which will be held on November 19, 2004, at 9:30 a.m. local time, at the Company's corporate offices located at 400 Valley Drive, Brisbane, California 94005 for the following purposes:
Shareholders of record at the close of business on October 22, 2004, are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, this meeting and any adjournments thereof.
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By Order of the Board of Directors, | ||
Manny Mashouf Chairman of the Board of Directors |
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Brisbane, California October 27, 2004 |
400 Valley Drive
Brisbane, California 94005
PROXY STATEMENT FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
The accompanying proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors of bebe stores, inc., a California corporation ("bebe" or the "Company"), for use at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on November 19, 2004, or any adjournment thereof, for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The date of this Proxy Statement is October 27, 2004, the approximate date on which this Proxy Statement, the accompanying proxy and Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004 were first sent or given to shareholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. All share numbers set forth in this Proxy Statement reflect the 3 for 2 stock split of the Company's common stock that occurred in May 2004.
Annual Report
Our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004, is enclosed with this Proxy Statement.
Voting Securities
Only shareholders of record as of the close of business on October 22, 2004 will be entitled to vote at the meeting and any adjournment thereof. As of that date, we had 39,294,724 shares of common stock outstanding, all of which are entitled to vote with respect to all matters to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Shareholders may vote in person or by proxy. Each shareholder of record is entitled to one vote for each share of stock held by him or her. Our bylaws provide that a majority of all of the shares of the stock entitled to vote, whether present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the meeting. Votes for and against, abstentions and "broker non-votes" will each be counted as present for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum.
Broker Non-Votes
A broker non-vote occurs when a broker submits a proxy card with respect to shares held in a fiduciary capacity (typically referred to as being held in "street name") but declines to vote on a particular matter because the broker has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner. Under the rules that govern brokers who are voting with respect to shares held in street name, brokers have the discretion to vote such shares on routine matters, but not on non-routine matters. Routine matters include the election of directors, increases in authorized common stock for general corporate purposes and ratification of auditors.
Solicitation of Proxies
We will bear the cost of soliciting proxies. In addition to soliciting shareholders by mail through our employees, we will request banks, brokers and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to solicit customers for whom they hold our stock and will reimburse them for their reasonable, out-of-pocket expenses. We may use the services of our officers, directors and others to solicit proxies, personally or by telephone, without additional compensation.
Voting of Proxies
All valid proxies received prior to the meeting will be voted. All shares represented by a proxy will be voted, and where a shareholder specifies by means of the proxy a choice with respect to any matter to be acted upon, the shares will be voted in accordance with the specification so made. If no choice is indicated on the proxy, the shares will be voted in favor of the proposals. A shareholder giving a proxy has the power to revoke his, her or its proxy, at any time prior to the time it is voted, by delivering to our Legal Department, at our principal offices located at 400 Valley Drive, Brisbane, California 94005, a written instrument revoking the proxy or a duly executed proxy with a later date, or by attending the meeting and voting in person.
PROPOSAL NO. 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Our Board of Directors currently consists of seven directors. At the recommendation of the Board of Directors' Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the Board of Directors has designated seven director-nominees for election at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders. If elected, the nominees will serve as directors until our Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 2005, and until their successors are elected and qualified, or until their earlier resignation or removal. If a nominee declines to serve or becomes unavailable for any reason, or if another vacancy occurs before the election, although management knows of no reason to anticipate that this will occur, the proxies may be voted for such substitute nominee as management may designate.
Vote Required and Board of Directors' Recommendation
If a quorum representing a majority of all outstanding shares of common stock is present and voting, either in person or by proxy, the seven nominees for director receiving the highest number of votes will be elected. Abstentions and broker non-votes will each be counted as present for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum, but will not have an effect on the outcome of the vote.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE NOMINEES LISTED BELOW.
Director-Nominees
The table below sets forth our director-nominees to be elected at this meeting, and information concerning their age and background:
Name |
Age |
Position |
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Manny Mashouf | 66 | Chairman of the Board of Directors | ||
Neda Mashouf | 41 | Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors | ||
Barbara Bass | 53 | Director | ||
Cynthia Cohen | 51 | Director | ||
Corrado Federico | 63 | Director | ||
Caden Wang | 52 | Director | ||
Gregory Scott | 41 | Director and Chief Executive Officer |
Manny Mashouf founded bebe stores, inc. and has served as Chairman of the Board since our incorporation in 1976. Mr. Mashouf served as our Chief Executive Officer from 1976 to February 2004. Mr. Mashouf is the husband of Neda Mashouf, Vice Chairman of the Board, father of Paul Mashouf, Vice President of Manufacturing and SourcingBEBE SPORT and uncle of Hamid Mashouf, Vice President of Information Systems and Technology.
Neda Mashouf has served as a director since June 1985 and has served as Vice Chairman of the Board since December 2003. Ms. Mashouf has served as General Merchandising Manager of Design of bebe and BEBE SPORT, as well as various other positions since joining bebe in 1984. Ms. Mashouf is the wife of Manny Mashouf, stepmother to Paul Mashouf and aunt of Hamid Mashouf.
Barbara Bass has served as a director since February 1997. Since 1993, Ms. Bass has served as the President of the Gerson Bakar Foundation, a charitable organization. From 1989 to 1992, Ms. Bass served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Emporium Weinstock Division of Carter Hawley Hale Stores, Inc., a department store chain. Ms. Bass also serves on the Board of Directors of Starbucks Corporation and DFS Group Limited.
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Cynthia R. Cohen has served as a director since December 2003. Ms. Cohen is founder and President of Strategic Mindshare, a strategic management consulting firm. She also serves on the Board of Directors of The Sports Authority and Hot Topic, both publicly traded companies, as well as several privately held companies. Prior to founding Strategic Mindshare in 1990, she was a Partner in Management Consulting with Deloitte & Touche. Ms. Cohen serves on the Executive Advisory Board for the Center for Retailing Education and Research at the University of Florida and is Chairman of the Strategic Mindshare Foundation, a philanthropic organization.
Corrado Federico has served as a director since November 1996. Mr. Federico is President of Solaris Properties and has served as the President of Corado, Inc., a land development firm, since 1991. He is also an active retail consultant. From 1986 to 1991, Mr. Federico held the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of Esprit de Corp, Inc., a wholesaler and retailer of junior and children's apparel, footwear and accessories ("Esprit"). Mr. Federico also serves on the Board of Directors of Hot Topic, Inc.
Caden Wang has served as a director since October 2003. Mr. Wang is currently an affiliate of Jackson Hole Group, a consulting company. From 1999 to 2001, Mr. Wang served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of LVMH Selective Retailing Group, which included various international retail holdings such as DFS, Sephora, and Miami Cruiseline Services. Mr. Wang previously also served as the Chief Financial Officer for DFS, Gumps, and Cost Plus. Mr. Wang is a Certified Public Accountant.
Gregory Scott has served as the Chief Executive Officer since February 2004 and as director since August 2004. From May 2000 to January 2004, Mr. Scott was the President of the Arden B. division of The Wet Seal, Inc. From February 2000 to April 2000, Mr. Scott was President of Laundry, a division of Liz Claiborne. From 1996 to 2000, Mr. Scott was Vice President of Merchandising with bebe stores, inc. From 1994 to 1996, Mr. Scott was a Senior Merchandiser with Ann Taylor, Inc.
The Board of Directors has determined that Barbara Bass, Cynthia Cohen and Caden Wang are "independent directors" for purposes of the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules.
Controlled Company
Under the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules, a "controlled company" is a company of which more than 50% of the voting power is held by an individual, a group or another company. To permit a transition as a result of recent changes in the listing standards of The Nasdaq Stock Market, the Board of Directors has determined that bebe stores, inc. is a "controlled company" within the meaning of the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules. The basis for the Board's determination that the Company is a "controlled company" is Mr. Mashouf's ownership of approximately 79% of the company's voting power. As a "controlled company", the Company is exempt from the certain listing standards of Nasdaq. Specifically, the Company is not required to have: 1) a board of directors comprised of a majority of independent directors; 2) a compensation committee comprised of independent directors; or 3) director nominees selected, or recommended for selection by the board of directors, by a majority of the independent directors or a nominating committee comprised of independent directors. However, the Company is not exempt from the requirements to have an audit committee comprised of at least three independent directors and to hold regularly scheduled meetings in which only the independent directors are present.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, each committee of the Board of Directors, the Audit Committee, the Compensation and Management Development Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, is comprised of directors who have been determined to be independent for purposes of the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules. Moreover, it is anticipated that the Board of Directors will be comprised of a majority of independent directors by March 2005.
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Board Meetings
During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004, the Board of Directors held six meetings. Each director serving on the Board of Directors in fiscal year 2004 attended at least 75% of such meetings of the Board of Directors and the Committees on which he or she serves.
Audit Committee
The members of the Audit Committee are Barbara Bass, Cynthia Cohen and Caden Wang. The Board of Directors designated Mr. Wang as an audit committee financial expert, as defined by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The primary purpose of the Audit Committee is the oversight of the integrity of the financial reports and other financial information provided by the Company to any governmental body or to the public, and on the Company's compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. The Audit Committee is responsible for the engagement, retention, compensation and oversight of the Company's independent auditors, including review of their qualifications, independence and performance, and review and approval of the fee arrangements and terms of engagement of the Company's independent auditors, including the planned scope of the audit and any non-audit services that may be performed by them. The Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing with management and the Company's auditors the adequacy of internal financial controls, reviewing the Company's critical accounting policies and the application of accounting principals, reviewing and approving any related party transactions and preparing any report required by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. During fiscal year 2004, in connection with recent changes in the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules, the Audit Committee adopted a revised audit committee charter which is attached to this Proxy Statement as Appendix A. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004, the Audit Committee held twelve meetings.
All current members of the Audit Committee are independent for purposes of the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules as they apply to audit committee members.
Compensation and Management Development Committee, Interlocks and Insider Participation
The members of the Compensation and Management Development Committee (the "Compensation Committee") during fiscal 2004 were Barbara Bass, Cynthia Cohen and Corrado Federico. On August 12, 2004, Mr. Federico resigned from the Compensation Committee and was replaced by Caden Wang.
The Compensation Committee is responsible for discharging the Board of Directors' responsibilities relating to compensation and benefits of the Company's Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers, director level positions and more senior positions within the Company, overseeing and approving the Company's compensation policies and practices and preparing any report required under the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. In carrying out these responsibilities, the Compensation Committee reviews all components of executive officer and director compensation for consistency with the Compensation Committee's compensation philosophy as in effect from time to time. In addition, the Compensation Committee is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of management development plans and succession practices to ensure that the Company has sufficient management depth to support its continued growth and the talent needed to execute long term strategies in the event that one or more members of senior management retire or otherwise leave the Company. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004, the Compensation Committee held two meetings.
During fiscal 2004, none of our executive officers and no member of our Compensation Committee served as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving as a member of our Board of Directors or Compensation Committee.
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All current members of the Compensation and Management Development Committee are independent for purposes of the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
The members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (the "Nominating Committee") during fiscal 2004 were Barbara Bass, Cynthia Cohen and Corrado Federico. On August 12, 2004, Mr. Federico resigned from the Nominating Committee and was replaced by Caden Wang.
The primary responsibilities of the Nominating Committee are to identify individuals qualified to become members of our Board of Directors, recommend to our Board of Directors director nominees for each election of directors, develop and recommend to the Board of Directors criteria for selecting qualified director candidates, consider committee member qualifications, appointment and removal, recommend corporate governance principles, codes of conduct and compliance mechanisms applicable to the Company, and provide oversight in the evaluation of the Board of Directors and each of its committees. The Nominating Committee held three meetings during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004.
All current members of the Nominating Committee are independent for purposes of the Nasdaq Marketplace Rules.
Director Nominations
Consistent with its charter, the Nominating Committee will evaluate and recommend to the Board of Directors director nominees for each election of directors.
Director Qualifications
In fulfilling its responsibilities, the Nominating Committee considers the following factors in reviewing possible candidates for nomination as director:
The Nominating Committee's goal is to assemble a Board of Directors that brings to the Company a variety of perspectives and skills derived from high quality business and professional experience. Directors should possess the highest personal and professional ethics, integrity and values, and be committed to representing the best interests of our shareholders. They must also have an inquisitive and objective perspective and mature judgment. Director candidates must have sufficient time available in the judgment of the Nominating Committee to perform all Board and Committee responsibilities.
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Board members are expected to prepare for, attend, and participate in all Board and applicable Committee meetings.
Other than the foregoing there are no stated minimum criteria for director nominees, although the Nominating Committee may also consider such other factors as it may deem, from time to time, are in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. The Nominating Committee believes that it is preferable that at least one member of the Board should meet the criteria for an "audit committee financial expert" as defined by SEC rules. Until February 26, 2005, the Company shall be deemed a "controlled company" under Nasdaq Rule 4350(c)(5) to permit a transition as a result of recent changes in the listing standards of The Nasdaq Stock Market; on and after February 26, 2005, a majority of the Board shall meet the independence requirements of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. then in effect. The Nominating Committee also believes it appropriate for one or more key members of the Company's management to participate as members of the Board.
Identifying and Evaluating Candidates for Nomination as Director
The Nominating Committee annually evaluates the current members of the Board of Directors whose terms are expiring and who are willing to continue in service against the criteria set forth above in determining whether to recommend these directors for election. The Nominating Committee regularly assesses the optimum size of the Board and its committees and the needs of the Board for various skills, background and business experience in determining if the Board requires additional candidates for nomination.
Candidates for nomination as director come to the attention of the Nominating Committee from time to time through incumbent directors, management, shareholders or third parties. These candidates may be considered at meetings of the Nominating Committee at any point during the year. Such candidates are evaluated against the criteria set forth above. If the Nominating Committee believes at any time that it is desirable that the Board consider additional candidates for nomination, the Committee may poll directors and management for suggestions or conduct research to identify possible candidates and may engage, if the Nominating Committee believes it is appropriate, a third party search firm to assist in identifying qualified candidates.
The Nominating Committee will evaluate any recommendation for director nominee proposed by a shareholder. In order to be evaluated in connection with the Nominating Committee's established procedures for evaluating potential director nominees, any recommendation for director nominee submitted by a shareholder must be sent in writing to the Corporate Secretary, bebe stores, inc., 400 Valley Drive, Brisbane, CA 94005, 120 days prior to the anniversary of the date proxy statements were mailed to shareholders in connection with the prior year's annual meeting of shareholders and must contain the following information:
In addition the Company's bylaws permit shareholders to nominate directors for consideration at an annual meeting. For more information, see "SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS TO BE PRESENTED AT NEXT ANNUAL MEETING."
All directors and director nominees must submit a completed form of directors' and officers' questionnaire as part of the nominating process. The evaluation process may also include interviews
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and additional background and reference checks for non-incumbent nominees, at the discretion of the Nominating Committee.
The Nominating Committee will evaluate incumbent directors, as well as candidates for director nominee submitted by directors, management and shareholders consistently using the criteria stated in this policy and will select the nominees that in the Committee's judgment best suit the needs of the Board at that time.
Communications with Directors
Shareholders may communicate with any and all company directors by transmitting correspondence by mail, facsimile or email, addressed as follows:
Board
of Directors
c/o Corporate Secretary
bebe stores, inc.
400 Valley Drive
Brisbane, CA 94005
The Corporate Secretary shall maintain a log of such communications and transmit as soon as practicable such communications to the identified director addressee(s), unless there are safety or security concerns that mitigate against further transmission of the communication or the communication contains commercial matters not related to the shareholder's stock ownership, as determined by the Corporate Secretary in consultation with the legal department. The Board of Directors or individual directors so addressed shall be advised of any communication withheld for safety or security reasons as soon as practicable.
The Company will make every effort to schedule its annual meeting of shareholders at a time and date to maximize attendance by directors taking into account the directors' schedules. The company believes that annual meetings provide an opportunity for shareholders to communicate with directors. Last year, a majority of our directors attended our annual meeting of shareholders.
Committee Charters and Other Corporate Governance Materials
The Board has adopted a charter for each of its Committees. The Board has also adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all of our employees, officers and directors. In addition, the Board has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines that address the composition of the Board, criteria for Board membership and other Board matters. Links to these materials are available on our website, www.bebe.com under "Corporate Governance" at http://www.bebe.com/Company/code_conduct.jsp.
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PROPOSAL NO. 2
APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO THE BEBE STORES, INC.
1997 STOCK PLAN, AS AMENDED, TO INCREASE AUTHORIZED NUMBER OF SHARES
The Company's shareholders have previously approved the reservation of 7,995,000 shares of the Company's common stock for issuance to employees, consultants, and outside directors under the 1997 Stock Plan (the "1997 Plan"). As of June 30, 2004, only 330,812 shares remained available for the future grant of stock options, stock purchase rights and restricted stock units under the 1997 Plan, a number that the Board of Directors believes to be insufficient to meet the Company's anticipated needs. Therefore, to enable the Company to continue to provide long-term equity incentives, the Board of Directors has unanimously adopted, subject to shareholder approval, an amendment to increase the maximum number of shares of common stock issuable under the 1997 Plan by 500,000 shares to an aggregate of 8,495,000 shares to ensure that the Company will continue to have available a reasonable number of shares for its stock program.
The Board believes that the Company's 1997 Plan is an important factor in attracting and retaining the high caliber employees and consultants essential to the success of the Company and in aligning their long-term interests with those of the shareholders. Because the Company expects to continue to increase the number of employees and other service providers, and competition to attract and retain highly qualified individuals in the Company's industry and geographic region are intense, management believes that the Company must offer a competitive stock program as an essential component of its compensation packages. The Board of Directors further believes that stock serves an important role in motivating their employee shareholders to contribute to the Company's continued progress. The proposed amendment is intended to ensure that the 1997 Plan will continue to have available a reasonable number of shares to meet these needs.
Accordingly, the Board of Directors believes that approval of this proposal is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.
Summary of the 1997 Plan
The following is a summary of the principal features of the 1997 Plan. Any shareholder who wishes to obtain a copy of the actual plan document may do so upon written request to the Company. A copy of the 1997 Plan is included as Appendix B to this Proxy Statement.
Authorized Shares. The shareholders have previously authorized the reservation of an aggregate of 7,995,000 shares, and pursuant to this Proposal No. 2, such reserve is being proposed to be increased by 500,000 shares to a total of 8,495,000 shares. If any outstanding award expires, terminates or is canceled, or if shares acquired pursuant to an award are repurchased by the Company, the expired or repurchased shares are returned to the 1997 Plan and again become available for grant. However, no more than 8,495,000 shares will be available under the 1997 Plan for issuance upon the exercise of incentive stock options, as defined in Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code, regardless of whether any of such shares are subsequently repurchased. Appropriate adjustments will be made to the number of shares reserved under the 1997 Plan, the share limit affecting incentive stock options, the Section 162(m) grant limit described below and the number of shares and exercise price under each outstanding award in the event of any stock dividend, combination or consolidation, recapitalization, a spin-off, a reclassification or similar change in our capital structure. As of June 30, 2004, awards to purchase 3,167,279 shares of common stock granted pursuant to the 1997 Plan had been issued or exercised, there were 4,496,909 shares outstanding, and there remained 330,812 shares of common stock available for future grants under the 1997 Plan.
Section 162(m) Grant Limit. In order to preserve the Company's ability to deduct compensation related to stock options granted under the 1997 Plan, no employee or prospective employee may be
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granted a stock option award for more than 600,000 shares in any fiscal year. This grant limit is intended to permit compensation received by certain executive officers in connection with options granted under the 1997 Plan to qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. In Proposal No. 3 below, we are proposing to increase the Section 162(m) grant limit by 150,000 shares to a new limit of 750,000 shares.
Administration. The 1997 Plan will be administered by the Board of Directors or the Compensation and Management Development Committee, which, in the case of awards intended to qualify for performance-based compensation treatment under Section 162(m), must be comprised solely of two or more "outside directors" within the meaning of Section 162(m). (For purposes of this discussion, the term "Board of Directors" refers to either the Board of Directors or such committee.) Subject to the provisions of the 1997 Plan, the Board of Directors will determine the persons to whom awards are to be granted, the number of shares to be covered by each award, whether an option is to be an incentive stock option or a nonstatutory stock option, the timing and terms of exercisability and vesting of each award, the purchase price and the type of consideration to be paid to upon the exercise of each award, the time of expiration of each award, and all other terms and conditions of the awards. The Board of Directors may amend or cancel any award, waive any restrictions or conditions applicable to any award, and accelerate, extend or defer the exercisability or vesting of any award. The Board of Directors has the authority to interpret the provisions of the 1997 Plan and awards granted thereunder, and any such interpretation by the Board of Directors will be binding.
Eligibility. Stock options, stock purchase rights and restricted stock unit awards may be granted under the 1997 Plan to employees, outside directors and consultants of the Company or any parent or subsidiary of the Company. In addition, these awards may be granted to prospective service providers in connection with written offers of employment. As of June 30, 2004, we had approximately 2,600 employees including fifteen executive officers, and four outside directors who would be eligible under the 1997 Plan. One of the executive officers resigned subsequent to the fiscal year end. While any eligible person may be granted nonstatutory stock options, only employees may be granted incentive stock options.
Terms and Conditions of Options. Each option granted under the 1997 Plan will be evidenced by a written agreement between the Company and the optionee, specifying the number of shares subject to the option and the other terms and conditions of the option, consistent with the requirements of the 1997 Plan. Incentive stock options must have an exercise price that is not less than the fair market value of a share of our Common Stock on the date of grant, while nonstatutory stock options must have an exercise price that is not less than 85% of such fair market value. However, any incentive stock option granted to a person who at the time of grant owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any parent or subsidiary of the Company (a "10% Shareholder") must have an exercise price equal to at least 110% of the fair market value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant. The closing price of our Common Stock as reported on The Nasdaq National Market on June 30, 2004 was $20.00 per share.
The 1997 Plan provides that the option exercise price may be paid in cash, by check, past services rendered to the Company, any parent or subsidiary, or by the assignment of the proceeds of a sale or loan with respect to some or all of the shares being acquired upon the exercise of the option. No option may be exercised unless the optionee has made adequate provision for the satisfaction of federal, state, local and foreign taxes, if any, relating to the exercise of the option.
Options will become vested and exercisable at such times or upon such events and subject to such terms, conditions, performance criteria or restrictions as may be specified by the Board of Directors. The maximum term of an option granted under the 1997 Plan is 10 years, provided, however, that an incentive stock option granted to a 10% Shareholder must have a term not exceeding five years. Subject to the term of the option, an option generally will remain exercisable for three months
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following the optionee's termination of service, except that if service terminates as a result of the optionee's death or disability, the option generally will remain exercisable for twelve or six months, respectively, or if service is terminated for cause, the option will terminate immediately.
Incentive stock options are nontransferable by the optionee other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and are exercisable during the optionee's lifetime only by the optionee. Nonstatutory stock options granted under the 1997 Plan may be assigned or transferred to the extent permitted by the Board and set forth in the option agreement.
Stock Purchase Rights. Each stock purchase right granted under the 1997 Plan will be evidenced by a written agreement between the Company and the purchaser. The purchase price for shares issuable under a stock purchase right will be established by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion but must have a purchase price that is not less than 85% of the fair market value of the shares. Any right to acquire shares pursuant to a stock purchase right automatically expires within thirty days after the grant of such right. Stock purchase rights may be granted by the Board of Directors subject to such restrictions for such periods as determined by the Board of Directors and set forth in a written agreement between the Company and the purchaser, and the shares acquired pursuant to the award may not be sold or otherwise transferred until the restrictions lapse or are terminated. The purchaser must make adequate provisions for the satisfaction of federal, state, local or foreign taxes, if any, relating to the exercise of the stock purchase right.
Restricted Stock Units. Each restricted stock unit granted under the 1997 Plan will be evidenced by a written agreement between the Company and the participant. A restricted stock unit is a bookkeeping entry representing a right granted to a participant to receive a share of stock on a date determined in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Plan and restricted stock unit agreement. No monetary payment will be required as a condition of receiving a restricted stock unit award, the consideration for which will be past services rendered to the Company, a parent or subsidiary, or for its benefit. Restricted stock unit awards may be granted by the Board of Directors subject to such restrictions, including vesting conditions, for such periods as determined by the Board of Directors and set forth in a restricted stock unit agreement between the Company and the participant. The participant will not have voting rights with respect to the shares of stock represented by restricted stock units until the date of issuance of such shares. If the participant's service with the Company terminates, the participant will forfeit to the Company any restricted stock units which remain subject to vesting or other conditions as of that date. The Company will issue to participant as soon as practicable following termination of service, a number of whole shares of stock equal to the number of whole restricted stock units as set forth in the restricted stock unit agreement which are no longer subject to vesting or other conditions. Prior to issuance of the stock in settlement of a restricted stock unit award, the award is nontransferable other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.
Change in Control. The Plan defines a "Change in Control" of the Company as (i) the consummation of a merger or consolidation with or into another entity or any other corporate reorganization, unless 50% or more of the combined voting power of the continuing or surviving entity's securities outstanding immediately after such merger, consolidation or other reorganization is owned by persons who were shareholders of the Company immediately prior to such merger, consolidation or other reorganization, in substantially the same proportions as their ownership interest of the Company stock prior to the transaction or (2) the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company's assets. If a Change in Control occurs, the surviving, continuing, successor or purchasing entity or its parent may, without the consent of any participant, either continue or assume all outstanding options, stock purchase rights and restricted stock units or substitute substantially equivalent options or rights for its stock. If the outstanding options, stock purchase rights and restricted stock units are not continued, assumed or substituted, then all unexercised and unvested portions of such outstanding awards will become immediately exercisable and vested in full. Any stock
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options, stock purchase rights or restricted stock units which are not assumed in connection with a Change in Control or exercised prior to the Change in Control will terminate effective as of the time of the Change in Control.
Termination or Amendment. The 1997 Plan will continue in effect until the earlier of its termination by the Board of Directors or the date on which all shares available for issuance under the 1997 Plan have been issued and all restrictions on such shares under the terms of the 1997 Plan and the agreements evidencing awards granted under the plan have lapsed, provided that all incentive stock options must be granted within 10 years following the date on which the Board of Directors adopted the 1997 Plan. The Board of Directors may amend suspend or terminate the 1997 Plan at any time. However, without shareholder approval, the Board of Directors may not amend the 1997 Plan to increase the total number of shares of Common Stock issuable thereunder, change the class of persons eligible to receive incentive stock options, or effect any other change that would require shareholder approval under any applicable law. No termination or amendment may affect an outstanding award without the consent of the participant.
Summary of Federal Income Tax Consequences of the 1997 Plan
The following summary is intended only as a general guide to the U.S. federal income tax consequences under current law of participation in the 1997 Plan and does not attempt to describe all possible federal or other tax consequences of such participation or tax consequences based on particular circumstances. Furthermore, the tax consequences are complex and subject to change, and a taxpayer's particular situation may be such that some variation of the described rules is applicable.
Incentive Stock Options. A participant recognizes no taxable income for regular income tax purposes as a result of the grant or exercise of an incentive stock option qualifying under Section 422 of the Code. Participants who neither dispose of their shares within two years following the date the option was granted nor within one year following the exercise of the option will normally recognize a capital gain or loss equal to the difference, if any, between the sale price and the purchase price of the shares. If a participant satisfies such holding periods upon a sale of the shares, we will not be entitled to any deduction for federal income tax purposes. If a participant disposes of shares within two years after the date of grant or within one year after the date of exercise (a "disqualifying disposition"), the difference between the fair market value of the shares on the date of option exercise and the option exercise price (not to exceed the gain realized on the sale if the disposition is a transaction with respect to which a loss, if sustained, would be recognized) will be taxed as ordinary income at the time of disposition. Any gain in excess of that amount will be a capital gain. If a loss is recognized, there will be no ordinary income, and such loss will be a capital loss. Any ordinary income recognized by the participant upon the disqualifying disposition of the shares generally should be deductible by us for federal income tax purposes, except to the extent such deduction is limited by applicable provisions of the Code.
The difference between the option exercise price and the fair market value of the shares on the exercise date of an incentive stock option is treated as an adjustment in computing the participant's alternative minimum taxable income and may be subject to an alternative minimum tax which is paid if such tax exceeds the regular tax for the year. Special rules may apply with respect to certain subsequent sales of the shares in a disqualifying disposition, certain basis adjustments for purposes of computing the alternative minimum taxable income on a subsequent sale of the shares and certain tax credits which may arise with respect to participants subject to the alternative minimum tax.
Nonstatutory Stock Options. Options not designated or qualifying as incentive stock options will be nonstatutory stock options having no special tax status. A participant generally recognizes no taxable income as the result of the grant of such an option. Upon exercise of a nonstatutory stock option, the participant normally recognizes ordinary income in the amount of the difference between the option
11
exercise price and the fair market value of the shares purchased. If the participant is an employee, such ordinary income generally is subject to withholding of income and employment taxes. Upon the sale of stock acquired by the exercise of a nonstatutory stock option, any gain or loss, based on the difference between the sale price and the fair market value on the exercise date, will be taxed as capital gain or loss. No tax deduction is available to us with respect to the grant of a nonstatutory stock option or the sale of the stock acquired pursuant to such grant. We generally should be entitled to a deduction equal to the amount of ordinary income recognized by the participant as a result of the exercise of a nonstatutory stock option, except to the extent such deduction is limited by applicable provisions of the Code.
Stock Purchase Rights. A participant acquiring shares pursuant to a stock purchase award generally will recognize ordinary income equal to the difference between the fair market value of the shares on the "determination date" (as defined below) and their purchase price. If the participant is an employee, such ordinary income generally is subject to withholding of income and employment taxes. The "determination date" is the date on which the participant acquires the shares unless they are subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture and are not transferable, in which case the determination date is the earlier of (i) the date on which the shares become transferable or (ii) the date on which the shares are no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture. If the determination date is after the date on which the participant acquires the shares, the participant may elect, pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code, to have the date of acquisition be the determination date by filing an election with the Internal Revenue Service no later than 30 days after the date the shares are acquired. Upon the sale of shares acquired pursuant to a stock purchase award, any gain or loss, based on the difference between the sale price and the fair market value on the determination date, will be taxed as capital gain or loss. We generally should be entitled to a deduction equal to the amount of ordinary income recognized by the participant on the determination date, except to the extent such deduction is limited by applicable provisions of the Code.
Restricted Stock Units. A participant generally will recognize no income upon the grant of a restricted stock unit award. Upon the settlement of such award, a participant normally will recognize ordinary income in the year of settlement in an amount equal to the fair market value of any unrestricted shares received. If the participant is an employee, such ordinary income generally is subject to withholding of income and employment taxes. Upon the sale of any shares received, any gain or loss, based on the difference between the sale price and the fair market value on the settlement date, will be taxed as capital gain or loss. We generally should be entitled to a deduction equal to the amount of ordinary income recognized by the participant on the settlement date, except to the extent such deduction is limited by applicable provisions of the Code.
Options Granted to Certain Persons
The aggregate numbers of shares of common stock subject to options granted to certain persons under the 1997 Plan as of June 30, 2004 and since its inception are as follows: (i) Greg Scott, Chief Executive Officer, 750,000, of which 150,000 are subject to shareholder approval of Proposal No. 3 below; (ii) Manny Mashouf, Chairman of the Board, no shares; (iii) Neda Mashouf, Vice Chairman of the Board, no shares; (iv) Ferrell Ostrow, Vice President of Store Operations, Loss Prevention and Construction, 269,996 shares; (v) Michelle Perna, Vice President of Human Resources, 127,499 shares, (vi) all current executive officers as a group, an aggregate of 2,602,941 shares; (vii) all current directors who are not executive officers as a group, an aggregate of 746,468 shares; and (viii) all employees, including current officers who are not executive officers, as a group, an aggregate of 4,314,779 shares. Since its inception, no awards have been granted under the 1997 Plan to any other current nominee for election as a director, or any associate of any such current director, nominee or executive officer, and no other person has been granted five percent or more of the total amount of awards granted under the 1997 Plan.
12
Vote Required and Board Of Directors' Recommendation
The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the proposal, at the annual meeting at which a quorum representing a majority of all outstanding shares of common stock of the Company is present, either in person or by proxy, is required for approval of this proposal. Votes for and against, abstentions and broker non-votes will each be counted as present for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum. Neither abstentions nor broker non-votes will have any effect on the outcome of this vote. The Board of Directors believes that the proposed amendment of the 1997 Plan is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders for the reasons stated above.
THEREFORE, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" APPROVAL OF THIS PROPOSAL TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OF THE COMPANY RESERVED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER THE 1997 STOCK PLAN FROM 7,995,000 SHARES TO 8,495,000 SHARES.
13
PROPOSAL NO. 3
APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO THE BEBE STORES, INC.
1997 STOCK PLAN, AS AMENDED, TO INCREASE 162(m) GRANT LIMIT
The Board of Directors has unanimously adopted, subject to shareholder approval, an amendment to the 1997 Plan to increase the maximum number of shares for which stock option awards may be granted to any employee or prospective employee during any fiscal year by 150,000 shares from 600,000 shares to 750,000 shares.
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code generally denies a corporate tax deduction for annual compensation exceeding $1 million paid to the chief executive officer or to any of the four other most highly compensated officers of a publicly held company. However, certain types of compensation, including performance-based compensation, are generally excluded from this limit. To enable compensation in connection with stock option awards granted under the 1997 Plan to qualify as "performance-based" within the meaning of Section 162(m), the grant of such stock option awards must be made by a compensation committee of the Board of Directors comprised solely of two or more "outside directors," as defined by Section 162(m), the compensation an employee could receive in connection with such awards must be based solely on an increase in the value of the common stock after the date of grant, and the 1997 Plan must state the maximum number of shares for which such stock option awards may be granted to any employee during a specified period. In addition, compensation related to such awards will qualify as performance-based only if the shareholders approve the class of employees eligible to receive such awards and the limit on the maximum number of shares for which such stock option awards may be granted to an employee.
At our last annual meeting, the shareholders approved an amendment to the 1997 Plan to include a provision in order to preserve our ability to deduct in full certain plan-related compensation under Section 162(m). This amendment provided that the maximum number of shares for which stock option awards could be granted in any fiscal year was 600,000 shares, after giving effect to the 3 for 2 stock split which occurred in May 2004 (the "162 (m) Grant Limit"). This 162(m) Grant Limit is intended to permit compensation received by certain executive officers in connection with options granted under the plan to qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m).
The Board of Directors has amended the 1997 Plan, subject to shareholder approval, to increase the 162(m) Grant Limit to provide that no employee or prospective employee may be granted a stock option award for more than 750,000 shares in any fiscal year. The Board of Directors believes that it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to continue to preserve the ability of the Company to deduct in full compensation related to awards granted under the 1997 Plan, while at the same time provide the Company greater flexibility in the size of stock option awards that can be granted to employees. Therefore, the shareholders are asked to approve an amendment to the 1997 Plan to increase the 162(m) Grant Limit to provide that no participant may receive a stock option award for more than 750,000 shares of Common Stock in the aggregate per fiscal year, provided that this limit will be appropriately adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends and similar changes to the Company's capital structure.
Effect of Shareholder Approval of Proposal
During fiscal year 2004, the Company's Chief Executive Officer, Greg Scott, was granted an option to purchase up to 750,000 shares. As a result of the 600,000 share 162(m) Grant Limit currently contained in the 1997 Plan, the Compensation and Management Development Committee has conditioned Mr. Scott's exercise of 150,000 shares of this option grant upon shareholder approval of this proposal. If the shareholders approve Proposal No. 3, Mr. Scott will be able to exercise all 750,000 shares of the option, subject to its vesting conditions.
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Summary of the 1997 Plan
A summary of the principal features of the 1997 Plan is available at Proposal No. 2 herein. Any shareholder who wishes to obtain a copy of the actual plan document may do so upon written request to the Company. A copy of the 1997 Plan is included as Appendix B to this Proxy Statement.
Vote Required and Board Of Directors' Recommendation
Approval of this proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares voted affirmatively or negatively on the proposal at the annual meeting of shareholders, as well as the affirmative or negative vote of a quorum representing a majority of all issued and outstanding shares of the Company's Common Stock, either in person or by proxy. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum but will otherwise have no effect on the outcome of this vote.
THEREFORE, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" APPROVAL OF THIS PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE 1997 STOCK PLAN TO INCREASE THE 162(m) GRANT LIMIT UNDER THE 1997 STOCK PLAN BY 150,000 SHARES FROM 600,000 SHARES TO 750,000 SHARES.
15
PROPOSAL NO. 4
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Our Board of Directors has selected Deloitte & Touche LLP as independent auditors to audit our financial statements for the fiscal year ending July 2, 2005. A representative of Deloitte & Touche LLP is expected to be present at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders with the opportunity to make a statement if the representative desires to do so, and is expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions.
The following table sets forth the aggregate fees billed to us for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2003 and June 30, 2004 by our principal accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP:
|
2003 |
2004 |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Audit Fees(1) | $ | 216,000 | $ | 233,000 | ||
Audit Related Fees(2) | 0 | 36,000 | ||||
Tax Fees(3) | 760,000 | 110,000 | ||||
Total | $ | 976,000 | $ | 379,000 |
The Audit Committee approves in advance the engagement of Deloitte & Touche LLP for all audit and non-audit services to be performed by Deloitte & Touche LLP.
Vote Required and Board of Directors' Recommendation
The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, at which a quorum representing a majority of all outstanding shares of Common Stock is present and voting, either in person or by proxy, is required for approval of this proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will each be counted as present for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum but will not have an effect on the outcome of the vote.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP AS BEBE'S INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JULY 2, 2005.
16
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information, as of August 31, 2004, with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock by (i) all persons known by us to be the beneficial owners of more than 5% of our outstanding common stock, (ii) each of our directors and director-nominees, (iii) each of our executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table below and (iv) all of our executive officers and directors as a group:
|
Shares Owned(1) |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name and Address of Beneficial Owners(2) |
Number of Shares |
Percentage of Class |
|||
Manny Mashouf(3) | 31,058,236 | 79.2 | % | ||
Neda Mashouf(4) | 31,058,236 | 79.2 | % | ||
Barbara Bass(5) | 224,074 | * | |||
Cynthia Cohen | 0 | | |||
Corrado Federico(6) | 232,574 | * | |||
Caden Wang | 0 | | |||
Gregory Scott | 0 | | |||
Ferrell Ostrow(7) | 85,194 | * | |||
Michelle Perna(8) | 30,678 | * | |||
All directors, director nominees and executive officers as a group (18 persons)(9) |
31,748,469 | 80.9 | % |
17
18
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND OTHER MATTERS
The following table sets forth information for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2004, 2003 and 2002 concerning the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer and our four other most highly compensated executive officers, whose total salary and bonus for the year ended June 30, 2004 exceeded $100,000 for services in all capacities to bebe and our subsidiaries (the "Named Executive Officers"):
|
|
|
|
Long Term Compensation |
|
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Annual Compensation |
Awards |
|
|||||||||||
Name and Principal Position |
Fiscal Year |
Salary |
Bonus(1) |
Securities Underlying Options |
All Other Compensation |
|||||||||
Manny Mashouf Chairman of the Board of Directors |
2004 2003 2002 |
$ |
488,462 480,769 500,000 |
(2) (2) |
$ |
219,808 |
|
$ |
4,142 27,213 |
(3) (4) |
||||
Neda Mashouf Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors |
2004 2003 2002 |
219,808 214,423 157,692 |
(5) (5) (6) |
98,914 |
|
423 2,264 |
(3) (3) |
|||||||
Gregory Scott Chief Executive Officer |
2004 2003 2002 |
173,077 |
(7) |
77,885 |
750,000 |
(8) |
2,550 |
(9) |
||||||
Ferrell Ostrow Vice President, Store Operations, Loss Prevention and Construction |
2004 2003 2002 |
200,000 172,356 158,000 |
90,000 20,000 32,000 |
60,000 25,000 |
2,400 2,418 |
(3) (3) |
||||||||
Michelle Perna Vice President of Human Resources |
2004 2003 2002 |
174,872 174,113 164,000 |
78,693 10,000 |
30,000 5,000 10,000 |
2,400 2,504 |
(3) (3) |
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OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
The following table provides the specified information concerning grants of options to purchase our Common Stock made during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004, to the Named Executive Officers.
|
Individual Grants in Fiscal 2004 |
|
|
|
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Potential Realized Value at Assumed Annual Rates of Stock Price Appreciation for Option Term(1) |
|||||||||||
|
|
Percent of Total Options Granted to Employees in Fiscal Year(3) |
|
|||||||||
|
Number of Securities Underlying Options Granted (#)(2) |
|
||||||||||
Name |
Exercise or Base Price ($/sh)(4) |
Expiration Date |
5%($) |
10%($) |
||||||||
Manny Mashouf | | | | | | | ||||||
Neda Mashouf | | | | | | | ||||||
Gregory Scott | 750,000 | (5) | 24.8 | 19.43 | 2/17/14 | 9,164,567 | 23,224,812 | |||||
Ferrell Ostrow | | | | | | | ||||||
Michelle Perna | 30,000 | 1.0 | 17.17 | 12/8/13 | 323,944 | 820,937 |
20
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN FISCAL 2004
AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
The following table provides the specified information concerning options to purchase Common Stock that were exercised in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004 by the Named Executive Officers. The following table also provides the specified information concerning unexercised options held as of June 30, 2004, by the Named Executive Officers:
|
|
|
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options at June 30, 2004 |
Value of Unexercised In-the-Money Options at June 30, 2004(1) |
|||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name |
Shares Acquired on Exercise(2) |
Value Realized(3) |
|||||||||||||
Exercisable(4) |
Unexercisable |
Exercisable(4) |
Unexercisable |
||||||||||||
Manny Mashouf | | $ | | 0 | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||
Neda Mashouf | | | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||
Gregory Scott(5) | | | 0 | 750,000 | 0 | 427,500 | |||||||||
Ferrell Ostrow | 88,492 | 716,692 | 73,830 | 83,878 | 15,833 | 780,573 | |||||||||
Michelle Perna | 47,110 | 440,071 | 18,029 | 45,722 | 52,692 | 207,720 |
Employment Contracts and Change in Control Arrangements
In the event of a Change in Control (as defined in the 1997 Plan), all options granted under the 1997 Plan become exercisable in full if (i) bebe is subject to a Change in Control, (ii) such options do not remain outstanding, (iii) such options are not assumed by the surviving corporation or its parent and (iv) the surviving corporation or its parent does not substitute options with substantially the same terms for such options.
We do not have employment agreements with any of our Named Executive Officers.
Non-Employee Director Compensation
Our non-employee directors are paid a fee of $2,500 for each meeting of the Board of Directors that they attend. With respect to meetings of the Audit Committee, members are paid $1,250, with the chairman of such committee paid $2,500. In fiscal 2004, our former director, Mr. Robert Jaffe, was paid an additional $15,000 in fees for his services as a director and committee member. With respect to
21
meetings of the Compensation and Management Development Committee, members are paid $1,250, with the Chairman of such committee paid $2,000. With respect to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, members are paid $1,250, with the chairman of such committee paid $2,000. We also reimburse all directors for their expenses incurred in attending such meetings.
In fiscal 2004, each of our non-employee directors received a restricted stock unit award for 1,455 shares. A restricted stock unit is a bookkeeping entry representing a right granted to a participant to receive a share of stock on a date determined in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Plan and restricted stock unit agreement. In addition, new non-employee directors Cynthia Cohen and Caden Wang each received a grant of options to purchase 11,250 shares of our common stock.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Except as disclosed above or otherwise disclosed in this proxy statement, during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004, there was not, nor is there any currently proposed transaction or series of similar transactions to which bebe was or is to be a party in which the amount involved exceeds $60,000, and in which any executive officer, director or holder of more than 5% of any class of voting securities of bebe and members of that person's immediate family had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.
We entered into indemnification agreements with each of the executive officers and directors. Such indemnification agreements require us to indemnify these individuals to the fullest extent permitted by law.
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
We currently maintain two compensation plans that provide for the issuance of our common stock to officers and other employees, directors and consultants. These consist of our 1997 Plan and our 1998 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, which have been approved by shareholders. The following table sets forth information regarding outstanding options and shares reserved for future issuance under the foregoing plans as of June 30, 2004:
Plan Category |
Number of shares to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (a) |
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights (b) |
Number of shares remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding shares reflected in column (a)) (c) |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Equity compensation plans approved by shareholders | 4,496,909 | $ | 15.24 | 1,246,890 | (1) | |||
Equity compensation plans not approved by shareholders | | | | |||||
Total | 4,496,909 | $ | 15.24 | 1,246,890 |
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires our executive officers, directors and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of our Common Stock to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership with the SEC. These persons are required by SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms that they file. Based solely on our review of such forms furnished to us and written representations from certain reporting persons, we believe that all filing requirements applicable to our executive officers, directors and greater-than-10% stockholders were complied with, except that Mary Jimenez and Caden Wang each filed one late report with respect to an aggregate of two transactions.
22
COMPARISON OF SHAREHOLDER RETURN
The following graph compares the percentage change in bebe's cumulative total shareholder return on Common Stock with (i) Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index ("S&P 500") and (ii) the Standard & Poor's Apparel & Accessories Index ("S&P Apparel Index") (1) from June 30, 1999 to June 30, 2004. The graph assumes an initial investment of $100 and reinvestment of dividends (2). The graph is not necessarily indicative of future price performance.
COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
AMONG BEBE STORES, INC., THE S & P 500 INDEX
AND THE S & P APPAREL, ACCESSORIES & LUXURY GOODS INDEX
*$100 invested on 6/30/99 in stock or index including reinvestment of dividends. Fiscal year ending June 30.
Copyright © 2002, Standard & Poor's, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. www.researchdatagroup.com/S&P.htm
Graph produced by Research Data Group, Inc.
|
6/1999 |
6/2000 |
6/2001 |
6/2002 |
6/2003 |
6/2004 |
||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
bebe stores, inc. | $ | 100.00 | $ | 24.63 | $ | 85.76 | $ | 59.68 | $ | 56.21 | $ | 88.23 | ||||||
S&P500 | $ | 100.00 | $ | 107.25 | $ | 91.34 | $ | 74.91 | $ | 75.10 | $ | 89.45 | ||||||
S&P Apparel Index | $ | 100.00 | $ | 72.15 | $ | 104.52 | $ | 122.35 | $ | 111.26 | $ | 142.67 |
23
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION AND MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The members of the Compensation and Management Development Committee during fiscal 2004 participated in the deliberations concerning compensation reported for fiscal 2004 were Barbara Bass, Cynthia Cohen and Corrado Federico. On August 12, 2004, Mr. Federico resigned from the Compensation Committee and was replaced by Caden Wang.
The primary purpose of the Compensation and Management Development Committee is to discharge the Board of Directors' responsibilities relating to compensation and benefits of the Company's executive officers and director level and more senior positions, and to oversee and approve the Company's compensation policies and practices. In carrying out these responsibilities, the Compensation and Management Development Committee reviews all components of executive officer and director compensation for consistency with the Compensation and Management Development Committee's compensation philosophy as in effect from time to time. In addition, the Committee is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of management development plans and succession practices to ensure that the Company has sufficient management depth to support its continued growth and the talent needed to execute long term strategies even in the event that one or more members of senior management retire or otherwise leave the Company.
Salary
Salaries are set by the Compensation and Management Development Committee for each executive officer, including the Chief Executive Officer, within the range of salary for similar positions in other companies of similar size in the retail apparel industry, based on a number of available published surveys, which do not specifically identify companies, as adjusted for the Company's projected revenue levels and regional salary differences. Salaries generally are targeted at the median of salaries among comparable companies, although the salaries also are adjusted based on each officer's experience, tenure and prior performance. In preparing the performance graph set forth in the section entitled "COMPARISON OF SHAREHOLDER RETURN," the Company has selected Standard and Poor's Apparel & Accessories Index as its published industry index; however, the companies included in the Company's salary survey are not necessarily those included in this index, because companies in the index may not compete with the Company for executive talent, and companies which do compete for executive talent may not be publicly traded.
The Chief Executive Officer annually evaluates the performance of the other executive officers, and recommends salary adjustments to the Compensation and Management Development Committee. The Compensation and Management Development Committee evaluates the individual performance of the executive officer and the financial performance of the Company for that fiscal year. Additionally, the Compensation and Management Development Committee places weight on the competitive employment situation in the Company's industry and geographic area in considering salary adjustments.
Incentive Compensation
The Company maintains a Bonus Plan to reward certain employees of the Company for their participation in the Company's success and to provide incentive for such employees to continue to maximize the Company's profitability. Pursuant to the Bonus Plan, each participant receives an annual discretionary bonus equal to a certain percentage of his or her base salary if the Company meets certain levels of profitability targets based on earnings per share for the fiscal year that had been established during the fiscal year.
24
Stock Options
The Company believes that employee equity ownership provides executive officers with significant additional motivation to maximize value for the Company's shareholders. Because the stock options are granted with an exercise price equal to the prevailing market price, the stock options will only have value if the Company's stock price increases over the exercise price. Therefore, the Compensation and Management Development Committee believes that stock options will serve to align the interests of executive officers closely with other shareholders because of the direct benefit executive officers receive through improved stock performance.
The Compensation and Management Development Committee recommends to the Board of Directors stock option grants to the executive officers based on the achievement of individualized objectives and the financial performance of the Company. The size of grants is based upon relative seniority, and responsibilities of the executive officer, his or her historical and expected contributions to the Company, as well as recruitment and retention considerations. Such grants generally vest over a four year period, with 20% of the shares subject to the grant vesting in each of the first and second years, and 30% vesting in each of the remaining two years.
Chief Executive Officer Compensation
Salary. The Compensation and Management Development Committee generally evaluates the performance and sets the salary of the Company's Chief Executive Officer on an annual basis. In assessing the annual salary of the Chief Executive Officer, the Compensation and Management Development Committee evaluates his performance and the financial performance of the Company for that fiscal year. Additionally, the Compensation and Management Development Committee reviews the competitive employment situation in the Company's industry and geographic area in considering salary adjustments. During fiscal 2004, Manny Mashouf served as the Chief Executive Officer until February 2004, at which time Mr. Gregory Scott was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer. In fiscal 2003, Mr. Mashouf, voluntarily took a 20% reduction in salary until the Company achieved three consecutive months of positive comparable store sales, which reduction remained in effect until August 2003. No other adjustments were made to Mr. Mashouf's salary for fiscal 2004. The salary for Mr. Scott was determined through arm's length negotiations when he joined the Company.
Incentive Compensation. On the basis of the Company's performance during fiscal 2004, Mr. Mashouf was awarded an incentive bonus of $219,808 and Mr. Scott was awarded an incentive bonus of $77,885. The bonus opportunities for Messrs. Mashouf and Scott were determined after a review of a compensation survey prepared by a third party and were based on their responsibilities and respective contributions to the Company. The bonuses were awarded on the achievement of targeted earnings per share. Mr. Scott's bonus was pro-rated for the length of his service during the fiscal year. Mr. Scott was present for the deliberations regarding the bonuses to be awarded eligible employees of the Company, however he did not participate in the deliberations on the bonus awarded to him or cast a vote on the matter.
Stock Options. Because Mr. Mashouf beneficially owns a substantial amount of the Company's outstanding shares of Common Stock, the Compensation and Management Development Committee did not grant Mr. Mashouf any options to purchase additional shares of Common Stock. Upon his joining the Company, the Compensation and Management Development Committee granted Mr. Scott a stock option for 750,000 shares. Under the current terms of the 1997 Stock Plan, the maximum number of shares for which options may be granted to an individual in any fiscal years is 600,000 shares. Therefore, the Committee imposed the condition that the exercise of 150,000 of these option shares is contingent upon shareholder approval of the increase in the 162(m) Grant Limit from 600,000 shares to 750,000 shares set forth in Proposal No. 3. Mr. Scott's option vests over a four year period, with 20% of the shares subject to the option vesting on the one-year anniversary of his employment
25
with the Company, and the remainder of the shares vesting monthly over the three years thereafter, with 20% of the shares subject to the option vesting in the second year and 30% of the shares subject to the option vesting in each of the remaining two years.
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code
The Company has considered the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and related Treasury Department regulations, which restrict deductibility of executive compensation paid to the Chief Executive Officer and each of the four other most highly compensated executive officers holding office at the end of any year to the extent such compensation exceeds $1,000,000 for any of such officers in any year and does not qualify for an exception under the statute or regulations. Income from options granted under the Company's stockholder-approved 1997 Plan would generally qualify for an exemption from these restrictions so long as the options are granted by a committee whose members are non-employee directors and have an exercise price no less than the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant. We expect that the Compensation and Management Development Committee will continue to be comprised of non-employee directors, and that to the extent such committee is not so constituted for any period of time, the options granted during such period will not be likely to result in compensation exceeding $1,000,000 in any year. The Compensation and Management Development Committee does not believe that in general other components of the Company's compensation will be likely to exceed $1,000,000 for any executive officer in the foreseeable future, and therefore concluded that no further action with respect to qualifying such compensation for deductibility was necessary at this time. In the future, the Compensation and Management Development Committee will continue to evaluate the advisability of qualifying its executive compensation for deductibility of such compensation. The Compensation and Management Development Committee's policy is to qualify its executive compensation for deductibility under applicable tax laws as practicable.
Respectfully submitted by the Compensation and Management Development Committee,
Barbara
Bass
Cynthia Cohen
Corrado Federico
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The Audit Committee oversees the quality of the Company's financial statements and the Company's financial reporting on behalf of the Board of Directors. Management has the primary responsibility for the financial statements, maintaining appropriate accounting and financial reporting principles and policies and the reporting process, including internal controls and procedures designed to assure compliance with accounting standards and applicable laws and regulations. Deloitte & Touche LLP, the Company's independent auditors, is responsible for performing an independent audit of the Company's consolidated financial statements and for expressing an opinion as to the conformity of the Company's audited financial statements with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
The Audit Committee consists of three directors each of whom, in the judgment of the Board, is an "independent director" as defined in the listing standards for The Nasdaq National Stock Market. In fiscal 2003, the Audit Committee revised the Audit Committee charter to reflect new rules and standards set form in SEC regulations and proposed changes to the Nasdaq listing standards. A copy of the revised Audit Committee Charter is attached to this proxy statement as Appendix A.
The Audit Committee has discussed and reviewed with the auditors all matters required to be discussed as required by the Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61 (Communication with Audit Committees). The Audit Committee has received from the auditors a formal written statement describing all relationships between the auditors and the Company that might bear on the auditors' independence consistent with Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussions with Audit Committees). The Audit Committee has discussed with the auditors matters that may impact their objectivity and independence, including a review of both audit and non-audit fees, and satisfied itself as to the auditors' independence.
The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with management and Deloitte & Touche LLP the audited financial statements. The Audit Committee has met with Deloitte & Touche LLP, with and without management present, to discuss the overall scope of Deloitte & Touche LLP's audit, the results of its examinations, its evaluations of the Company's internal controls and the overall quality of its financial reporting.
Based on the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Company's audited financial statements be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004.
Respectfully submitted by the Audit Committee,
Barbara
Bass
Cynthia Cohen
Caden Wang
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SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS TO BE PRESENTED
AT NEXT ANNUAL MEETING
Shareholder proposals may be included in our proxy materials for an annual meeting so long as they are provided to us on a timely basis and satisfy the other conditions set forth in applicable SEC rules. For a shareholder proposal to be included in our proxy materials for the 2005 annual meeting, we must receive the proposal at our principal executive offices, addressed to the Secretary, not later than July 11, 2005. In addition, stockholder business that is not intended for inclusion in our proxy materials may be brought before the annual meeting so long as we receive notice of the proposal in compliance with the requirements set forth in our Amended and Restated Bylaws, addressed to the Secretary at our principal executive offices, not later than July 11, 2005.
At the date of this Proxy Statement, the only business which the Board of Directors intends to present or knows that others will present at the meeting is as set forth above. If any other matter or matters are properly brought before the meeting, or any adjournment thereof, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying form of proxy to vote the proxy on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.
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By Order of the Board of Directors, | ||
Manny Mashouf Chairman of the Board of Directors |
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Brisbane, California October 27, 2004 |
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BEBE STORES, INC.
CHARTER OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
I. STATEMENT OF POLICY
This Charter specifies the scope of the responsibilities of the Audit Committee (the "Committee") of the Board of Directors (the "Board") of bebe stores, inc. (the "Company") and the manner in which those responsibilities shall be performed, including its structure, processes and membership requirements.
The primary purpose of the Committee is to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities by reviewing and reporting to the Board on the integrity of the financial reports and other financial information provided by the Company to any governmental body or to the public, and on the Company's compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. The Committee shall also review the qualifications, independence and performance, and approve the terms of engagement of the Company's independent auditor and have prepared and approved any reports required of the Committee under rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").
The Company shall provide appropriate funding, as determined by the Committee, to permit the Committee to perform its duties under this Charter, to compensate its advisors and to compensate any registered public accounting firm engaged for the purpose of rendering or issuing an audit report or related work or performing other audit, review or attest services for the Company. The Committee, at its discretion, has the authority to initiate special investigations, and, hire special legal, accounting or other outside advisors or experts to assist the Committee, as it deems necessary to fulfill its duties under this Charter. The Committee may also perform such other activities consistent with this Charter, the Company's Bylaws and governing law, as the Committee or the Board deems necessary or appropriate.
II. ORGANIZATION AND MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS
The Committee shall comprise three or more directors selected by the Board, each of whom shall satisfy the independence and experience requirements of The Nasdaq Stock Market. In addition, the Committee shall not include any member who:
Each member of the Committee must be able to read and understand fundamental financial statements, including a balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement. In addition, at least one member shall satisfy the Nasdaq listing requirements relating to financial sophistication. No Committee member shall simultaneously serve on the audit committee of more than three public
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companies without prior disclosure to the Committee and the Board and an affirmative determination by the Board that such service does not impair the ability of such member to serve effectively on the Committee, which determination shall be disclosed in the annual proxy statement.
The members of the Committee shall be appointed by the Board and shall serve until their successors are duly elected and qualified or their earlier resignation or removal. Any member of the Committee may be replaced by the Board. Unless a chairman is elected by the full Board, the members of the Committee may designate a chairman by majority vote of the full Committee membership.
III. MEETINGS
The Committee shall meet as often as it determines, but not less frequently than quarterly. A majority of the members shall represent a quorum of the Committee, and, if a quorum is present, any action approved by a majority of the members present shall represent a valid action of the Committee. The Committee may form and delegate authority to subcommittees, or to one or more members of the Committee, when appropriate. The Committee shall meet with management and the independent auditor in separate executive sessions as appropriate. The Committee shall maintain written minutes of its meetings, which minutes will be filed with the minutes of the meetings of the Board. The Committee will also record summaries of its recommendations to the Board in written form, which will be incorporated as part of the minutes of the Board meeting at which those recommendations are presented.
IV. COMMITTEE AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITIES
To fulfill its responsibilities and duties, the Committee shall:
A. Oversight of the Company's Independent Auditor
1. Be directly and solely responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of any independent auditor (including resolution of disagreements between management and the independent auditor regarding financial reporting) engaged by the Company for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or related work, with each such auditor reporting directly to the Committee.
2. Periodically review and discuss with the independent auditor (i) the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended, and (ii) any formal written statements received from the independent auditor consistent with and in satisfaction of Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, as amended, including without limitation, descriptions of (x) all relationships between the auditor and the Company, (y) any disclosed relationships or services that may impact the independent auditor's objectivity and independence and (z) whether any of the Company's senior finance personnel were recently employed by the independent auditor.
3. Evaluate annually the qualifications, performance and independence of the independent auditor, including a review of whether the independent auditor's quality-control procedures are adequate and a review and evaluation of the lead partner of the independent auditor, taking into account the opinions of management and report to the Board on its conclusions, together with any recommendations for additional action.
4. Consult with the independent auditor to and assure the rotation of the lead audit partner having primary responsibility for the audit and the audit partner responsible for reviewing the audit every five years, consider issues related to the timing of such rotation and the transition to new lead and reviewing partners, and consider whether, in order to assure continuing auditor independence, there should be regular rotation of the audit firm, and report to the Board on its conclusions.
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5. Approve in advance the engagement of the independent auditor for all audit services and non-audit services, based on independence, qualifications and, if applicable, performance, and approve the fees and other terms of any such engagement; provided, however, that (i) the Committee may establish pre-approval policies and procedures for any engagement to render such services, provided that such policies and procedures (x) are detailed as to particular services, (y) do not involve delegation to management of the Committee's responsibilities hereunder, and (z) provide that, at its next scheduled meeting, the Committee is informed as to each such service for which the independent auditor is engaged pursuant to such policies and procedures, and (ii) the Committee may delegate to one or more members of the Committee the authority to grant pre-approvals for such services, provided that (a) the decisions of such member(s) to grant any such pre-approval shall be presented to the Committee at its next scheduled meeting and (b) the Committee has established policies and procedures for such pre-approval of services consistent with the requirements of subsections (x) and (y) above.
6. Meet with the independent auditor prior to the audit to discuss the planning and staffing of the audit.
7. Approve as necessary the termination of the engagement of the independent auditor.
8. Approve policies for the hiring of employees or former employees of the independent auditor who participated in any capacity in the audit of the Company, taking into account the impact of such hiring on auditor independence.
9. Regularly review with the independent auditor any significant difficulties encountered during the course of the audit, any restrictions on the scope of work or access to required information and any significant disagreement among management and the independent auditor in connection with the audit of the financial statements. Review with the independent auditor any accounting adjustments that were noted or proposed by the auditor, including those that were "passed" (as immaterial or otherwise), any communications between the audit team and the auditor's national office respecting auditing or accounting issues presented by the engagement, any "management" or "internal control" letter or schedule of unadjusted differences issued, or proposed to be issued, by the auditor to the Company, or any other material written communication provided by the auditor to the Company's management.
10. Review with the independent auditor the critical accounting policies and practices used by the Company, all alternative treatments of financial information within generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") that the independent auditor has discussed with management, the ramifications of the use of such alternative disclosures and treatments and the treatment preferred by the independent auditor.
B. Review of Financial Reporting, Policies and Processes
1. Review and discuss with management and the independent auditor, the Company's annual audited financial statements and any certification, report, opinion or review rendered by the independent auditor, and recommend to the Board whether the audited financial statements should be included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K.
2. Review and discuss with management and the independent auditor the Company's quarterly financial statements.
3. Review and discuss with management and the independent auditor, as appropriate, the Company's annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.
4. Review and discuss earnings press releases and other information provided to securities analysts and rating agencies, including any "pro forma" or adjusted financial information.
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5. Periodically meet separately with management.
6. Periodically meet separately with the independent auditor.
7. Review with management and the independent auditor any significant judgments made in management's preparation of the financial statements and the view of each as to appropriateness of such judgments.
8. Review with management its assessment of the effectiveness and adequacy of the Company's internal control structure and procedures for financial reporting ("Internal Controls"), review annually with the independent auditor the attestation to and report on the assessment made by management, and consider with management and the independent auditor whether any changes to the Internal Controls are appropriate in light of management's assessment or the independent auditor's attestation and, require any such changes to be implemented.
9. To the extent that it deems appropriate, review with management its evaluation of the Company's procedures and controls designed to assure that information required to be disclosed in its periodic public reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported in such reports within the time periods specified by the SEC for the filing of such reports ("Disclosure Controls"), and consider whether any changes are appropriate in light of management's evaluation of the effectiveness of such Disclosure Controls.
10. Review and discuss with management and the independent auditor, any off-balance sheet transactions or structures and their effect on the Company's financial results and operations, as well as the disclosure regarding such transactions and structures in the Company's public filings.
11. Review with management and the independent auditor the effect of regulatory and accounting initiatives on the financial statements. Review any major issues regarding accounting principles and financial statement presentation, including any significant changes in selection of an application of accounting principles. Consider and approve, if appropriate, changes to the Company's auditing and accounting principles and practices as suggested by the independent auditor or management.
12. Review any analyses prepared by management and/or the independent auditor setting forth significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of the financial statements, including the effects of alternative GAAP methods on the financial statements.
13. Review any special audit steps adopted in light of material control deficiencies.
C. Risk Management, Related Party Transactions, Legal Compliance and Ethics
1. Review with the chief executive and chief financial officer of the Company any report on significant deficiencies in the design or operation of the Internal Controls that could adversely affect the Company's ability to record, process, summarize or report financial data, any material weaknesses in Internal Controls identified to the auditors, and any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company's Internal Controls.
2. Review and approve any "related-party transactions" (as defined by the SEC and the Nasdaq Stock Market) after reviewing each such transaction for potential conflicts of interests and other improprieties in compliance with Nasdaq listing requirements.
3. Establish procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, and the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of the Company of concerns regarding
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questionable accounting or auditing matters. Adopt, as necessary, appropriate remedial measures or actions with respect to such complaints or concerns.
4. Consider and present to the Board for adoption a Code of Conduct for all employees and directors, which meets the requirements of Item 406 of the SEC's Regulation S-K, and provide for and review prompt disclosure to the public of any change in, or waiver of, such Code of Conduct.
5. As requested by the Board, review and investigate conduct alleged by the Board to be in violation of the Company's Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, and adopt as necessary or appropriate, remedial, disciplinary, or other measures with respect to such conduct.
6. Discuss with management and the independent auditor any correspondence with regulators or governmental agencies that raise material issues regarding the Company's financial statements or accounting policies.
7. Review with the Company's general counsel and report to the Board on litigation, material government investigations and compliance with applicable legal requirements and the Company's Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.
8. Prepare the report required by the rules of the SEC to be included in the Company's annual proxy statement.
9. Develop and implement an annual performance evaluation of the Committee
10. Regularly report to the Board on the Committee's activities, recommendations and conclusions.
11. Review and reassess the Charter's adequacy annually.
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bebe stores, inc.
1997 STOCK PLAN
1. Establishment and Purpose.
The purpose of the Plan is to offer selected individuals an opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest in the success of the Company, or to increase such interest, by purchasing Shares of the Company's Stock. The Plan provides for the direct award or sale of Shares, the grant of Options to purchase Shares and the grant of Restricted Stock Units. Options granted under the Plan may include Nonstatutory Options ("NSOs") as well as Incentive Stock Options ("ISOs") intended to qualify under Section 422 of the Code.
Capitalized terms are defined in Section 13.
2. Administration.
(a) Committees of the Board of Directors. The Plan may be administered by one or more Committees. Each Committee shall consist of two or more members of the Board of Directors who have been appointed by the Board of Directors. Each Committee shall have such authority and be responsible for such functions as the Board of Directors has assigned to it. If no Committee has been appointed, the entire Board of Directors shall administer the Plan. Any reference to the Board of Directors in the Plan shall be construed as a reference to the Committee (if any) to whom the Board of Directors has assigned a particular function.
(b) Authority of the Board of Directors. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Board of Directors shall have full authority and discretion to take any actions it deems necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan. All decisions, interpretations and other actions of the Board of Directors shall be final and binding on all Purchasers, all Optionees, all Participants and all persons deriving their rights from a Purchaser, Optionee and Participant.
(c) Administration with Respect to Insiders. With respect to participation by Insiders in the Plan, at any time that any class of equity security of the Company is registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, the Plan shall be administered in compliance with the requirements, if any, of Rule 16b-3.
(d) Committee Complying with Section 162(m). If the Company (or any Parent or Subsidiary) is a "publicly held corporation" within the meaning of Section 162(m), the Board of Directors may establish a committee of "outside directors" within the meaning of Section 162(m) to approve any grants under the Plan which might reasonably be anticipated to result in the payment of employee remuneration that would otherwise exceed the limit on employee remuneration deductible for income tax purposes pursuant to Section 162(m).
3. Eligibility and Award Limitation.
(a) General Rule. Only Employees, Outside Directors and Consultants shall be eligible for the grant of Options, the direct award or sale of Shares and the grant of Restricted Stock Units. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, "Employees," "Outside Directors" and "Consultants" shall include prospective Employees, prospective Outside Directors and prospective Consultants to whom Options or Shares are granted in connection with written offers of an employment or other service relationship with the Company (or any Parent or Subsidiary). Only Employees shall be eligible for the grant of ISOs.
(b) Ten-Percent Shareholders. An individual who owns more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of outstanding stock of the Company, its Parent or any of its
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Subsidiaries shall not be eligible to be granted an ISO unless (i) the Exercise Price is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant, and (ii) the ISO, by its terms is not exercisable after the expiration of five years from the date of grant. For purposes of this Subsection (b), in determining stock ownership, the attribution rules of Section 424(d) of the Code shall be applied.
(c) Section 162(m) Grant Limit. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 9(a), at any such time as the Company is a "publicly held corporation" within the meaning of Section 162(m), no Employee or prospective Employee shall be granted one or more Options within any fiscal year of the Company which in the aggregate are for the purchase of more than four hundred thousand (750,000) shares (the "Section 162(m) Grant Limit"). An Option which is canceled in the same fiscal year of the Company in which it was granted shall continue to be counted against the Section 162(m) Grant Limit for such period.
4. Stock Subject to Plan.
(a) Basic Limitation. The aggregate number of Shares that may be issued under the Plan (upon exercise of Options, Stock Purchase rights, Restricted Stock Units or other rights to acquire Shares) shall not exceed eight million four hundred ninety five thousand (8,495,000) Shares, subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 9. The number of Shares that are subject to Options or other rights outstanding at any time under the Plan shall not exceed the number of Shares that then remain available for issuance under the Plan. The Company, during the term of the Plan, shall at all times reserve and keep available sufficient Shares to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.
(b) Additional Shares. In the event that any outstanding Option, Stock Purchase right, Restricted Stock Units or other right for any reason expires or is canceled or otherwise terminated, the Shares allocable to the unexercised portion of such Option or other right shall again be available for the purposes of the Plan. In the event that Shares issued under the Plan are reacquired by the Company pursuant to any forfeiture provision, right of repurchase or right of first refusal, such Shares shall again be available for the purposes of the Plan, except that the aggregate number of Shares which may be issued upon the exercise of ISOs shall in no event exceed five million three hundred thirty thousand (5,330,000) Shares (subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 9).
5. Terms and Conditions of Stock Purchase Awards or Sales.
(a) Stock Purchase Agreement. Each award or sale of Shares pursuant to Section 5 shall be evidenced by a Stock Purchase Agreement between the Purchaser and the Company. Such award or sale shall be subject to all applicable terms and conditions of the Plan and may be subject to any other terms and conditions which are not inconsistent with the Plan and which the Board of Directors deems appropriate for inclusion in a Stock Purchase Agreement. The provisions of the various Stock Purchase Agreements entered into under the Plan need not be identical.
(b) Duration of Offers and Nontransferability of Rights. Any right to acquire Shares pursuant to Section 5 shall automatically expire if not exercised by the Purchaser within 30 days after the grant of such right was communicated to the Purchaser by the Company in writing. Such right shall not be transferable and shall be exercisable only by the Purchaser to whom such right was granted.
(c) Purchase Price. The Purchase Price of Shares to be offered pursuant to Section 5 shall not be less than 85% of the Fair Market Value of such Shares. Subject to the preceding sentence, the Purchase Price shall be determined by the Board of Directors at its sole discretion. The Purchase Price shall be payable in a form described in Section 8.
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(d) Withholding Taxes. As a condition to the purchase of Shares, the Purchaser shall make such arrangements as the Board of Directors may require for the satisfaction of any federal, state, local or foreign withholding tax obligations that may arise in connection with such purchase.
(e) Restrictions on Transfer of Shares and Vesting. Any Shares awarded or sold under the Plan shall be subject to such special forfeiture conditions, rights of repurchase, rights of first refusal and other transfer restrictions as the Board of Directors may determine. Such restrictions shall be set forth in the applicable Stock Purchase Agreement and shall apply in addition to any restrictions that may apply to holders of Shares generally.
(f) Accelerated Vesting. Unless the applicable Stock Purchase Agreement provides otherwise, any right to repurchase a Purchaser's Shares at the original Purchase Price (if any) upon termination of the Purchaser's Service shall lapse and all of such Shares shall become vested if (i) the Company is subject to a Change in Control and (ii) the repurchase right is not assigned to the entity that employs the Purchaser immediately after the Change in Control or to its parent or subsidiary.
6. Terms and Conditions of Options.
(a) Stock Option Agreement. Each grant of an Option under the Plan shall be evidenced by a Stock Option Agreement between the Optionee and the Company. Such Option shall be subject to all applicable terms and conditions of the Plan and may be subject to any other terms and conditions which are not inconsistent with the Plan and which the Board of Directors deems appropriate for inclusion in a Stock Option Agreement. The provisions of the various Stock Option Agreements entered into under the Plan need not be identical.
(b) Number of Shares. Each Stock Option Agreement shall specify the number of Shares that are subject to the Option and shall provide for the adjustment of such number in accordance with Section 9. The Stock Option Agreement shall also specify whether the Option is an ISO or an NSO.
(c) Exercise Price. Each Stock Option Agreement shall specify the Exercise Price. The Exercise Price of an ISO shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant, and a higher percentage may be required by Section 3(b). The Exercise Price of an NSO shall not be less than 85% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant. Subject to the preceding two sentences, the Exercise Price under any Option shall be determined by the Board of Directors at its sole discretion. The Exercise Price shall be payable in a form described in Section 8.
(d) Withholding Taxes. As a condition to the exercise of an Option, the Optionee shall make such arrangements as the Board of Directors may require for the satisfaction of any federal, state, local or foreign withholding tax obligations that may arise in connection with such exercise. The Optionee shall also make such arrangements as the Board of Directors may require for the satisfaction of any federal, state, local or foreign withholding tax obligations that may arise in connection with the disposition of Shares acquired by exercising an Option.
(e) Exercisability. Each Stock Option Agreement shall specify the date when all or any installment of the Option is to become exercisable. The exercisability provisions of any Stock Option Agreement shall be determined by the Board of Directors at its sole discretion.
(f) Accelerated Vesting and Exercisability. Unless the applicable Stock Option Agreement provides otherwise, all of an Optionee's Options shall become exercisable and vested in full if (i) the Company is subject to a Change in Control, (ii) such Options are not assumed by the surviving corporation or its parent and (iii) the surviving corporation or its parent does not substitute options with substantially the same terms for such Options. Any options which are not assumed or substituted for in connection with the Change in Control shall, to the extent not
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exercised as of the date of the Change in Control, terminate and cease to be outstanding effective as of the date of the Change in Control.
(g) Basic Term. The Stock Option Agreement shall specify the term of the Option. The term of an ISO shall not exceed 10 years from the date of grant, and a shorter term may be required by Section 3(b). Subject to the preceding sentence, the Board of Directors at its sole discretion shall determine when an Option is to expire.
(h) Nontransferability of ISOs. No Option shall be transferable by the Optionee other than by beneficiary designation, will or the laws of descent and distribution. An Option may be exercised during the lifetime of the Optionee only by the Optionee or by the Optionee's guardian or legal representative. No Option or interest therein may be transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated by the Optionee during the Optionee's lifetime, whether by operation of law or otherwise, or be made subject to execution, attachment or similar process. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an NSO shall be assignable or transferable to the extent permitted by the Board of Directors and set forth in the Stock Option Agreement evidencing such Option.
(i) Termination of Service (Except by Death or for Cause). Unless otherwise specified in the Stock Option Agreement, if an Optionee's Service terminates for any reason other than the Optionee's death or for Cause (as defined below), then the Optionee's Options shall expire on the earliest of the following occasions:
The Optionee may exercise all or part of the Optionee's Options at any time before the expiration of such Options under the preceding sentence, but only to the extent that such Options had become exercisable before the Optionee's Service terminated (or became exercisable as a result of the termination) and the underlying Shares had vested before the Optionee's Service terminated (or vested as a result of the termination). The balance of such Options shall lapse when the Optionee's Service terminates. In the event that the Optionee dies after the termination of the Optionee's Service but before the expiration of the Optionee's Options, all or part of such Options may be exercised (prior to expiration) by the executors or administrators of the Optionee's estate or by any person who has acquired such Options directly from the Optionee by beneficiary designation, bequest or inheritance, but only to the extent that such Options had become exercisable before the Optionee's Service terminated (or became exercisable as a result of the termination) and the underlying Shares had vested before the Optionee's Service terminated (or vested as a result of the termination).
(j) Leaves of Absence. For purposes of Subsection (i) above, Service shall be deemed to continue while the Optionee is on a bona fide leave of absence, if such leave was approved by the Company in writing and if continued crediting of Service for this purpose is expressly required by the terms of such leave or by applicable law (as determined by the Company).
(k) Death of Optionee. Unless otherwise specified in the Stock Option Agreement, if an Optionee dies while the Optionee is in Service, then the Optionee's Options shall expire on the earlier of the following dates:
or
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All or part of the Optionee's Options may be exercised at any time before the expiration of such Options under the preceding sentence by the executors or administrators of the Optionee's estate or by any person who has acquired such Options directly from the Optionee by beneficiary designation, bequest or inheritance, but only to the extent that such Options had become exercisable before the Optionee's death or became exercisable as a result of the death. The balance of such Options shall lapse when the Optionee dies.
(l) Termination for Cause. Unless otherwise specified in the Stock Option Agreement, if an Optionee's Service is terminated for Cause, the Option shall terminate and cease to be exercisable immediately upon such termination of Service. Unless otherwise defined by the Optionee's Stock Option Agreement or contract of employment or service, for purposes of this Section 6(l) "Cause" shall mean any of the following: (1) the Optionee's theft, dishonesty, or falsification of any Company documents or records; (2) the Optionee's improper use or disclosure of a the Company's confidential or proprietary information; (3) any action by the Optionee which has a material detrimental effect on the Company's reputation or business; (4) the Optionee's failure or inability to perform any reasonable assigned duties after written notice from the Company of, and a reasonable opportunity to cure, such failure or inability; (5) any material breach by the Optionee of any employment or service agreement between the Optionee and the Company, which breach is not cured pursuant to the terms of such agreement; (6) the Optionee's conviction (including any plea of guilty or nolo contendere) of any criminal act which impairs the Optionee's ability to perform his or her duties with the Company; or (7) Optionee's conviction for a violation of any securities law.
(m) No Rights as a Shareholder. An Optionee, or a transferee of an Optionee, shall have no rights as a shareholder with respect to any Shares covered by the Optionee's Option until such person becomes entitled to receive such Shares by filing a notice of exercise and paying the Exercise Price pursuant to the terms of such Option.
(n) Modification, Extension and Assumption of Options. Within the limitations of the Plan, the Board of Directors may modify, extend or assume outstanding Options or may accept the cancellation of outstanding Options (whether granted by the Company or another issuer) in return for the grant of new Options for the same or a different number of Shares and at the same or a different Exercise Price. The foregoing notwithstanding, no modification of an Option shall, without the consent of the Optionee, impair the Optionee's rights or increase the Optionee's obligations under such Option.
(o) Restrictions on Transfer of Shares and Vesting. Any Shares issued upon exercise of an Option shall be subject to such special forfeiture conditions, rights of repurchase, rights of first refusal and other transfer restrictions as the Board of Directors may determine. Such restrictions shall be set forth in the applicable Stock Option Agreement and shall apply in addition to any restrictions that may apply to holders of Shares generally.
7. Terms and Conditions of Restricted Stock Units.
(a) Restricted Stock Units Agreement. Each Restricted Stock Units award pursuant to Section 7 shall be evidenced by a Restricted Stock Units Agreement between the Participant and the Company. Such award shall be subject to all applicable terms and conditions of the Plan and may be subject to any other terms and conditions which are not inconsistent with the Plan and which the Board of Directors deems appropriate for inclusion in a Restricted Stock Units Agreement. The provisions of the various Restricted Stock Units Agreements entered into under the Plan need not be identical.
(b) Purchase Price. No monetary payment (other than applicable tax withholding, if any) shall be required as a condition of receiving a Restricted Stock Units award, the consideration for which shall be services actually rendered to the Company, a Parent or Subsidiary, or for its benefit.
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(c) Vesting. Restricted Stock Units may or may not be made subject to vesting conditions based upon the satisfaction of such Service requirements, conditions or restrictions, as shall be established by the Board of Directors and set forth in the Restricted Stock Units Agreement.
(d) Voting. Participant shall have no voting rights with respect to shares of Stock represented by Restricted Stock Units until the date of the issuance of such shares (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company).
(e) Effect of Termination of Service. Unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors in the grant of Restricted Stock Units and set forth in the Restricted Stock Units Agreement, if a Participant's Service terminates for any reason, whether voluntary or involuntary (including the Participant's death or disability), then the Participant shall forfeit to the Company any Restricted Stock Units which remain subject to vesting conditions as of the date of the Participant's termination of Service.
(f) Settlement of Restricted Stock Unit Award. The Company shall issue to the Participant as soon as practicable following the date of termination of the Participant's Service, a number of whole shares of Stock equal to the number of whole Restricted Stock Units as set forth in and subject to the Restricted Stock Units Agreement which are no longer subject to vesting conditions, subject to withholding of applicable taxes, if any.
(g) Accelerated Vesting and Settlement of Restricted Stock Unit Awards. Unless the applicable Restricted Stock Units Agreement provides otherwise, all of a Participant's Restricted Stock Units shall become vested in full if (i) the Company is subject to a Change in Control, (ii) such Restricted Stock Units do not remain outstanding, (iii) such Restricted Stock Units are not assumed by the surviving corporation or its parent and (iv) the surviving corporation or its parent does not substitute a substantially equivalent award. The Restricted Stock Units shall be settled in accordance with Section 7(f) immediately prior to the effective date of the Change in Control to the extent the Restricted Stock Units are neither assumed or substituted for in connection with the Change in Control.
(h) Restrictions on Transfer of Restricted Stock Unit Awards. Prior to the issuance of shares of Stock in settlement of a Restricted Stock Unit award, the award shall not be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, or garnishment by creditors of the Participant or the Participant's beneficiary, except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.
8. Payment for Shares.
(a) General Rule. The entire Purchase Price or Exercise Price of Shares issued under the Plan shall be payable in cash or cash equivalents at the time when such Shares are purchased, except as otherwise provided in this Section 8.
(b) Surrender of Stock. To the extent that a Stock Option Agreement so provides, payment may be made all or in part with Shares owned by the Optionee or the Optionee's representative. Such Shares shall be surrendered to the Company in good form for transfer and shall be valued at their Fair Market Value on the date when the Option is exercised. This Subsection (b) shall not apply to the extent that acceptance of Shares in payment of the Exercise Price would cause the Company to recognize compensation expense with respect to the Option for financial reporting purposes.
(c) Services Rendered. At the discretion of the Board of Directors, Shares may be awarded under the Plan in consideration of services rendered to the Company, a Parent or a Subsidiary prior to the award.
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(d) Exercise/Sale. To the extent that a Stock Option Agreement so provides, and if Stock is publicly traded, payment may be made all or in part by the delivery (on a form prescribed by the Company) of an irrevocable direction to a securities broker approved by the Company to sell Shares and to deliver all or part of the sales proceeds to the Company in payment of all or part of the Exercise Price and any withholding taxes.
(e) Exercise/Pledge. To the extent that a Stock Option Agreement so provides, and if Stock is publicly traded, payment may be made all or in part by the delivery (on a form prescribed by the Company) of an irrevocable direction to pledge Shares to a securities broker or lender approved by the Company, as security for a loan, and to deliver all or part of the loan proceeds to the Company in payment of all or part of the Exercise Price and any withholding taxes.
9. Adjustment of Shares.
(a) General. In the event of a subdivision of the outstanding Stock, a declaration of a dividend payable in Shares, a declaration of an extraordinary dividend payable in a form other than Shares in an amount that has a material effect on the Fair Market Value of the Stock, a combination or consolidation of the outstanding Stock into a lesser number of Shares, a recapitalization, a spin-off, a reclassification or a similar occurrence, the Board of Directors shall make appropriate adjustments in one or more of (i) the number of Shares available for future grants under Section 4, (ii) the number of Shares covered by each outstanding Option and Restricted Stock Unit award, (iii) the Section 162(m) Grant Limit set forth in Section 3(c) or (vi) the Exercise Price under each outstanding Option. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any fractional shares resulting from an adjustment pursuant to this Section 9 shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number, and no any event may the exercise price be decreased to an amount less than the par value, if any, of the Stock.
(b) Mergers and Consolidations. In the event that the Company is a party to a merger or consolidation, outstanding Options, Stock Purchase rights and Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to the agreement of merger or consolidation. Such agreement, without the Optionees', Purchasers' or Participants' consent, may provide for:
(c) Reservation of Rights. Except as provided in this Section 9, an Optionee, Purchaser or Participant shall have no rights by reason of (i) any subdivision or consolidation of shares of stock of any class, (ii) the payment of any dividend or (iii) any other increase or decrease in the number of shares of stock of any class. Any issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall not affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or Exercise Price of Shares subject to an Option. The grant of an Option pursuant to the Plan shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Company to make adjustments, reclassifications, reorganizations or changes of its capital or business structure, to merge or consolidate or to dissolve, liquidate, sell or transfer all or any part of its business or assets.
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10. Securities Law Requirements.
(a) General. Shares shall not be issued under the Plan unless the issuance and delivery of such Shares comply with (or are exempt from) all applicable requirements of law, including (without limitation) the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, state securities laws and regulations, and the regulations of any stock exchange or other securities market on which the Company's securities may then be traded.
(b) Financial Reports. Each Optionee, Purchaser and Participant shall be given access to information concerning the Company equivalent to that information generally made available to the Company's common shareholders.
11. No Retention Rights.
Nothing in the Plan or in any right, Option or Restricted Stock Unit granted under the Plan shall confer upon the Purchaser, Optionee, or Participant any right to continue in Service for any period of specific duration or interfere with or otherwise restrict in any way the rights of the Company (or any Parent or Subsidiary employing or retaining the Purchaser, Optionee or Participant) or of the Purchaser, Optionee or Participant which rights are hereby expressly reserved by each, to terminate his or her Service at any time and for any reason, with or without cause.
12. Duration and Amendments.
(a) Term of the Plan. The Plan, as set forth herein, shall become effective on the date of its adoption by the Board of Directors, subject to the approval of the Company's shareholders. In the event that the shareholders fail to approve the Plan within 12 months after its adoption by the Board of Directors, any grants of Options or sales or awards of Shares that have already occurred shall be rescinded, and no additional grants, sales or awards shall be made thereafter under the Plan. The Plan shall continue in effect until the earlier of its termination by the Board or the date on which all of the Shares available for issuance under the Plan have been issued and all restrictions on such Shares under the terms of the Plan and the agreements evidencing Options and awards granted under the Plan have lapsed. However, all ISOs shall be granted, if at all, within ten (10) years from the earlier of the date the Plan is adopted by the Board of Directors or the date the Plan is duly approved by the shareholders of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the maximum number of Shares issuable pursuant to the Plan as provided in Section 4 has been increased at any time (other than pursuant to Section 9), all ISOs shall be granted, if at all, within ten (10) years from the earlier of (i) the date on which the latest such increase in the maximum number of Shares issuable under the Plan was approved by the shareholders of the Company or (ii) the date such amendment was adopted by the Board of Directors.
(b) Right to Amend or Terminate the Plan. The Board of Directors may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan at any time and for any reason; provided, however, that any amendment of the Plan which increases the number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan (except as provided in Section 9), or which materially changes the class of persons who are eligible for the grant of ISOs, shall be subject to the approval of the Company's shareholders. Shareholder approval shall not be required for any other amendment of the Plan.
(c) Effect of Amendment or Termination. No Shares shall be issued or sold under the Plan after the termination thereof, except in settlement of Restricted Stock Unit awards and upon exercise of an Option granted prior to such termination. The termination of the Plan, or any amendment thereof, shall not affect any Share previously issued or any Option previously granted under the Plan.
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13. Definitions.
(a) "Board of Directors" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company, as constituted from time to time.
(b) "Change in Control" shall mean:
A transaction shall not constitute a Change in Control if its sole purpose is to change the state of the Company's incorporation or to create a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who held the Company's securities immediately before such transaction.
(c) "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(d) "Committee" shall mean a committee of the Board of Directors, as described in Section 2(a).
(e) "Company" shall mean bebe stores, inc., a California corporation.
(f) "Consultant" shall mean an individual who performs bona fide services for the Company, a Parent or a Subsidiary as a consultant or advisor, excluding Employees and Outside Directors.
(g) "Disability" shall mean that the Optionee is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment.
(h) "Employee" shall mean any individual who is a common-law employee of the Company, a Parent or a Subsidiary.
(i) "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(j) "Exercise Price" shall mean the amount for which one Share may be purchased upon exercise of an Option, as specified by the Board of Directors in the applicable Stock Option Agreement.
(k) "Fair Market Value" shall mean, as of any date, the value of a Share as determined by the Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, subject to the following:
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(l) "Insider" shall mean an officer or a director of the Company or any other person whose transactions in Stock are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
(m) "ISO" shall mean an employee incentive stock option described in Section 422(b) of the Code.
(n) "NSO" shall mean a stock option not described in Sections 422(b) or 423(b) of the Code.
(o) "Option" shall mean an ISO or an NSO granted under the Plan and entitling the holder to purchase Shares.
(p) "Optionee" shall mean an individual who holds an Option.
(q) "Outside Director" shall mean a member of the Board of Directors who is not an Employee.
(r) "Parent" shall mean any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations ending with the Company, if each of the corporations other than the Company owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain. A corporation that attains the status of a Parent on a date after the adoption of the Plan shall be considered a Parent commencing as of such date.
(s) "Plan" shall mean this bebe stores, inc. 1997 Stock Plan.
(t) "Participant" shall mean an individual to whom the Board of Directors has granted a Restricted Stock Unit pursuant to Section 7.
(u) "Purchase Price" shall mean the consideration for which one Share may be acquired under the Plan (other than upon exercise of an Option), as specified by the Board of Directors.
(v) "Purchaser" shall mean an individual to whom the Board of Directors has offered the right to acquire Shares under the Plan (other than upon exercise of an Option).
(w) "Restricted Stock Unit" shall mean a bookkeeping entry representing a right granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 7 of the Plan to receive a share of Stock on a date determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 7 and the Participant's Restricted Stock Units Agreement.
(x) "Restricted Stock Units Agreement" shall mean a written agreement between the Company and a Participant who is granted Restricted Stock Units under the Plan which contains the terms, conditions and restrictions pertaining to the acquisition of such award.
(y) "Rule 16b-3" shall mean Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, as amended from time to time, or any successor rule or regulation.
(z) "Section 162(m)" shall mean Section 162(m) of the Code.
(aa) "Service" shall mean service as an Employee, Outside Director or Consultant. Service shall not be deemed to have terminated merely because of a change in the capacity in which an individual renders Service to the Company (or any Parent or Subsidiary) or a change in the corporation for which the individual renders such Service, provided that there is no interruption or termination of the individual's Service.
(bb) "Share" shall mean one share of Stock, as adjusted in accordance with Section 9 (if applicable).
(cc) "Stock" shall mean the Common Stock of the Company.
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(dd) "Stock Option Agreement" shall mean the agreement between the Company and an Optionee which contains the terms, conditions and restrictions pertaining to the Optionee's Option.
(ee) "Stock Purchase Agreement" shall mean the agreement between the Company and a Purchaser who acquires Shares under the Plan which contains the terms, conditions and restrictions pertaining to the acquisition of such Shares.
(ff) "Subsidiary" means any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company, if each of the corporations other than the last corporation in the unbroken chain owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain. A corporation that attains the status of a Subsidiary on a date after the adoption of the Plan shall be considered a Subsidiary commencing as of such date.
14. Execution.
The undersigned hereby certifies that the foregoing is the bebe stores, inc. 1997 Stock Plan as amended.
bebe stores, inc. | |||
By: |
/s/ MANNY MASHOUF |
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Title: | President |
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Proxy for 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
Solicited by the Board of Directors
The undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Gregory Scott and Walter Parks, and each of them, as his or her true and lawful agents and proxies with full power of substitution to represent the undersigned and to vote all of the shares of stock in bebe stores, inc. which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held at 400 Valley Drive, Brisbane, California 94005 on November 19, 2004 at 9:30 a.m. local time, and at any adjournment thereof (1) as hereinafter specified upon the proposals listed below and as more particularly described in bebe's proxy statement, receipt of which is acknowledged and (2) in their discretion upon such other matters as may properly come before the meeting.
WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON, YOU ARE URGED TO SIGN AND PROMTLY MAIL THIS PROXY IN THE RETURN ENVELOPE SO THAT YOUR STOCK MAY BE REPRESENTED AT THE MEETING.
A vote FOR the following proposals is recommended by Management and the Board of Directors:
1. | Election of Directors listed below. | |||||
Nominees: Manny Mashouf, Neda Mashouf, Barbara Bass, Cynthia Cohen, Corrado Federico, Caden Wang and Gregory Scott |
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o FOR |
o WITHHOLD |
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INSTURCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any nominee, mark the above box and list the name(s) of the nominee(s) in the space provided. |
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2. |
To approve an increase in the maximum number of shares that may be issued under the Company's 1997 Stock Plan by 500,000 shares from 7,995,000 shares to 8,495,000 shares. |
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o FOR |
o AGAINST |
o ABSTAIN |
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3. |
To approve an increase in the maximum number of shares that may be granted to an individual in any fiscal year under the Company's Stock Plan by 150,000 shares from 600,000 shares to 750,000 shares. |
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o FOR |
o AGAINST |
o ABSTAIN |
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4. |
To ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as bebe's independent auditors for the fiscal year ending July 2, 2005. |
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o FOR |
o AGAINST |
o ABSTAIN |
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5. |
To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. |
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o FOR |
o AGAINST |
o ABSTAIN |
This proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner directed herein. If no direction is made, such shares shall be voted FOR the Company's nominees for election to the Board of Directors, FOR the amendment to our 1997 Stock Plan to increase the maximum number of shares issuable by 500,000 shares, FOR the amendment to our 1997 Stock Plan to increase the grant limit by 150,000 shares, and FOR ratification of Deloitte & Touche LLP, or said proxies deem advisable on such other matters as may properly come before the meeting.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF BEBE STORES, INC.
Dated , 2004 | ||
(Be sure to date Proxy) | ||
Signature(s) | ||
Print Name(s) |
(Sign exactly as your name(s) appears on your stock certificate. If shares of stock stand on record in the names of two or more persons or in the name of husband and wife, whether as joint tenants or otherwise, both or all of such persons should sign the above proxy. If shares of stock are held of record by a corporation, the proxy should be executed by the President or Vice President and the Secretary or Assistant Secretary, and the corporate seal should be affixed thereto. Executors or administrators or other fiduciaries who execute the above proxy for a deceased stockholder should give their full title. Please date the proxy.
Even if you are planning to attend the meeting in person, you are urged to sign and mail the proxy in the return envelope so that your stock may be represented at the meeting.