askvity

What is a Control Sale?

Published in Corporate Transaction Definition 2 mins read

A Control Sale refers specifically to a transaction involving the sale of a significant percentage of a company's shares by its existing shareholders to a buyer or group of buyers.

Based on the provided reference, a Control Sale is defined as:

Understanding the Definition of a Control Sale

A Control Sale is a specific type of transaction undertaken by existing owners (Shareholders) of a company's stock. It involves the transfer of a substantial portion of the company's ownership stake to a new party or related parties.

Here are the key components based on the definition:

Key Elements of a Control Sale

A transaction qualifies as a Control Sale if it meets the following criteria:

  • Parties Involved: The sale is conducted by one or more Shareholder(s) of the company.
  • Buyer: The shares are sold to any Person or group of related Persons.
  • Transaction Type: It can be a single transaction or a series of related transactions.
  • Threshold: The amount of Shares sold must meet one of two conditions:
    • Condition 1: Aggregating at least 30% of all Shares then outstanding.
    • Condition 2: Shares which, together with all other Shares theretofore sold to any such Person or... (The definition is incomplete here, but implies previous sales to the same buyer(s) contributing to a threshold).

In essence, a Control Sale signifies a transaction where enough shares are transferred to potentially shift or consolidate control of the company into the hands of the buyer(s), typically indicated by reaching or exceeding a specific ownership percentage threshold (like the 30% mentioned).

This definition is often found in legal agreements, such as shareholder agreements or investment documents, to define events that trigger specific rights or obligations among shareholders or the company.

Related Articles