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name: atm-equity-distribution-agreement language: en description: Drafts a market-standard At-The-Market (ATM) Equity Distribution Agreement for public issuers conducting continuous shelf offerings under Rule 415(a)(4). Use when establishing or renewing an ATM program under an effective Form S-3, drafting a sales agent agreement, or structuring a continuous equity offering program. tags:

• agreement
• corporate
• drafting

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ATM Equity Distribution Agreement

Generates an Equity Distribution Agreement for an ATM offering program compliant with Rule 415(a)(4), Regulation M, and applicable exchange listing rules.

Prerequisites

Collect before drafting:

1. Issuer — legal name, state of incorporation, principal office
2. Registration statement — Form S-3 file number, effective date, maximum aggregate offering amount
3. Securities — class, par value, proposed ATM program maximum (must not exceed shelf availability)
4. Agent(s) — legal name(s), FINRA registration status, commission rate (market: 2–3%)
5. Exchange — principal listing market (NYSE/Nasdaq); 20%-cap shareholder approval status
6. Existing arrangements — prior ATM agreements, lock-ups, co-manager arrangements

Document Structure

Section	Key Contents
Parties & Recitals	Party names; shelf registration citation; Rule 415(a)(4) characterization
Definitions	Shares, Placement Notice, Floor Price, Commission, Applicable Time, VWAP, Issuance Cap, Suspension Notice
Agency Appointment	Non-exclusive; commercially reasonable efforts; not an underwriter; sub-agent consent
Sale Mechanics	Placement notice process; volume caps; daily confirmations; T+2 settlement; DTC delivery
Compensation	Commission % of gross proceeds; expense allocation; wire instructions
Reps & Warranties	Corporate, registration/disclosure, capitalization, financial, compliance, litigation
Issuer Covenants	Registration maintenance, reporting, notification, blackouts, due diligence access, ongoing deliverables
Indemnification	Mutual indemnification; defense procedures; contribution (cap = commissions received)
Conditions Precedent	Initial closing deliverables; per-placement conditions
Termination	Mutual notice; immediate triggers; automatic events; post-termination obligations
General Provisions	NY/DE governing law; jury waiver; notices; integration; severability; confidentiality

Sale Mechanics

Placement Notice — Issuer delivers written notice specifying max shares, floor price, and sales period. Agent sells on commercially reasonable efforts basis and provides daily confirmations (shares sold, gross/net proceeds, VWAP).

Volume Limits — Daily cap typically ≤ 25% of average daily trading volume. Program cap must not exceed shelf availability; track against exchange listing limits.

Settlement — T+2 via DTC through issuer's transfer agent.

Mandatory Suspension Triggers:

• Issuer possesses undisclosed MNPI
• Quarterly earnings blackout
• Registration statement not effective or stop order in effect/threatened
• Exchange trading halt

Representations & Warranties

Corporate — Duly organized; full authority; agreement enforceable (subject to bankruptcy/equity carve-outs); no conflicts; no outstanding consents.

Registration & Disclosure — Registration statement effective, no stop order; compliant with Securities Act; no material misstatement/omission (10b-5 standard); Exchange Act filings current.

Capitalization — Accurate share counts; shares when issued will be validly issued, fully paid, non-assessable; no undisclosed preemptive rights; options/warrants/convertibles disclosed.

Financial — Financials present fairly per GAAP; no undisclosed MAC since most recent financials.

Compliance & Litigation — Material permits held; no undisclosed proceedings with potential MAE.

Issuer Covenants

• Maintain registration statement effectiveness; provide agent advance copies of amendments
• Furnish all Exchange Act filings and material communications
• Immediately notify agent of any event causing prospectus misstatement/omission
• Suspend sales during MNPI possession and earnings blackouts
• Provide reasonable due diligence access
• Deliver quarterly (and on request): officer's certificate (CEO + CFO), counsel opinion, negative assurance letter, auditor comfort letter

Indemnification & Contribution

• Issuer → Agent: Losses from misstatement/omission in registration statement, prospectus, or supplements (except agent-furnished information)
• Agent → Issuer: Losses from agent-furnished written information only
• Defense: Prompt notice; indemnitor may assume defense; no settlement without consent unless unconditional release with no fault admission
• Contribution: When indemnification unavailable; allocated by relative benefit and fault; agent cap = total commissions received

Conditions Precedent

Initial Closing — Executed agreement; counsel opinion; negative assurance letter; comfort letter; officer's certificate; exchange listing approval; registration statement confirmed effective.

Per-Placement — Reps true in all material respects; covenants performed; no stop order; no MAC; shares not suspended/delisted; updated opinions and comfort letters as required.

Termination

Type	Terms
Mutual notice	5–10 business days (allows pending transaction wind-down)
Agent immediate	Trading suspension; stop order; issuer MAC; material breach; market disruption
Automatic	All shares sold; registration expires; delisting; bankruptcy
Post-termination	Settle pending trades; pay commissions; final reconciliation; indemnification survives

Pitfalls & Verification

• Rule 415(a)(4): Confirm all sales qualify as at-the-market (existing trading market, not fixed price); verify block transaction provisions preserve this characterization
• Regulation M: Address agent market activity restrictions during distribution periods [VERIFY current SEC guidance]
• Exchange 20% Cap: Confirm shareholder approval status (NYSE § 312 / Nasdaq Rule 5635) [VERIFY current rule text]
• Form S-3 Eligibility: Public float ≥ $75M; Baby Shelf Rule limits issuers with float < $75M to 1/3 of float per 12 months [VERIFY]
• No Underwriter Characterization: Agent must act on commercially reasonable efforts basis throughout — avoid Securities Act § 11 underwriter liability
• Shelf Tracking: Include mechanism to track shares sold against program maximum and remaining availability
• FINRA: Confirm registered broker-dealer status; Rule 5110 filing requirements may apply [VERIFY]
• Concurrent Programs: Track aggregate issuances across all ATM and equity programs against exchange caps
• Governing Law: Default NY; consider DE if charter-related issues are central
• Survival: Indemnification must expressly survive termination (statute of limitations period recommended)