8-KOther Events

FIRSTENERGY CORP 8-K Report (Dec 2, 2002)

Filed December 2, 2002For Securities:FE

Summary

FirstEnergy Corp. (FE) announced on December 2, 2002, a significant operational update regarding its employee savings plans. The GPU Employees Savings Plan will be merged into the FirstEnergy System Savings Plan, with the merger effective January 6, 2003. This consolidation is a strategic move aimed at streamlining benefits for employees following previous integrations or operational expansions. Investors should note the implications for employee morale and retention as this unification of plans progresses. A critical aspect of this merger is a brief 'blackout period' affecting both plans. This period, from December 31, 2002, to January 6, 2003, will temporarily restrict transactions within the savings plans. While short, lasting only two full business days, it's important for stakeholders to be aware of this temporary cessation of activity. The company has also requested its executive officers and directors to refrain from trading company stock acquired through employment during this period, aligning with but not strictly mandated by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act's provisions on blackout periods.

Key Highlights

  • 1FirstEnergy Corp. is merging the GPU Employees Savings Plan into the FirstEnergy System Savings Plan, effective January 6, 2003.
  • 2The merger aims to consolidate and streamline employee savings benefits.
  • 3A temporary 'blackout period' for savings plan transactions will occur from December 31, 2002, to January 6, 2003.
  • 4The blackout period is scheduled to last for two full business days.
  • 5Company executive officers and directors are requested to avoid trading company stock acquired through employment during the blackout period.
  • 6This request is in line with, but not mandated by, Section 306(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, as the period is less than three consecutive business days.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main purpose of this 8-K filing is to inform investors about the upcoming merger of the GPU Employees Savings Plan into the FirstEnergy System Savings Plan, and to announce a temporary blackout period for transactions within these plans.

The merger will be effective January 6, 2003. The blackout period, during which transactions in the savings plans will be temporarily suspended, will run from 4 p.m. on December 31, 2002, through 6 a.m. on January 6, 2003.

The blackout period is necessary to facilitate the technical and administrative processes involved in merging the two employee savings plans. This ensures a smooth transition of assets and account information.

Yes, FirstEnergy's executive officers and directors have been asked to refrain from buying or selling any company stock acquired in connection with their employment during the blackout period. This is a voluntary request that aligns with the spirit of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, though the company's blackout period does not meet the criteria for mandatory compliance under that act.