CVR Energy (CVI) Risk Analysis

Various provisions of our amended certificate of incorporation and second amended and restated bylaws and of Delaware corporate law may discourage, delay, or prevent a change in control or takeover attempt of our Company by a third-party. Public stockholders who might desire to participate in such a transaction may not have the opportunity to do so. These anti-takeover provisions could substantially impede the ability of public stockholders to benefit from a change of control or change in our management and Board. These provisions include preferred stock that could be issued by our Board to make it more difficult for a third-party to acquire, or to discourage a third-party from acquiring, a majority of our outstanding voting stock; limitations on the ability of stockholders to call special meetings of stockholders; limitations on the ability of stockholders to act by written consent in lieu of a stockholders' meeting; and advance notice requirements for nominations of candidates for election to our Board or for proposing matters that can be acted upon by our stockholders at stockholder meetings.

A company of which more than 50% of the voting power is held by an individual, a group, or another company is a "controlled company" within the meaning of the NYSE rules and may elect not to comply with certain corporate governance requirements of the NYSE, including the requirements that a majority of our Board consist of independent directors; we have a nominating/corporate governance committee that is composed entirely of independent directors; and we have a compensation committee that is composed entirely of independent directors. We are relying on all of these exemptions as a controlled company. Accordingly, our stockholders may not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to all of the corporate governance requirements of the NYSE. In addition, CVR Partners is relying on exemptions from the same NYSE corporate governance requirements described above.

Sales of substantial amounts of the Company's common stock, or the perception that these sales may occur, or the acquisition of additional shares, by Mr. Icahn or entities he controls may adversely affect the price of the Company's common stock and impede its ability to raise capital through the issuance of equity securities in the future. Mr. Icahn could elect in the future to request that the Company file a registration statement to sell shares of the Company's common stock. Additional acquisitions of shares by Mr. Icahn could further reduce the shares of the Company eligible for trading. If Mr. Icahn were to sell a large number of shares into the public markets, or if investors perceived that such a sale may occur, or if Mr. Icahn were to acquire additional shares, the price of the Company's common stock could decline. We cannot predict future fluctuations in our stock price resulting from actions of Mr. Icahn, nor can we control perceptions in the market or investor sentiment with respect to actions Mr. Icahn may or may not take concerning his ownership of our common stock.

As of December 31, 2025, Mr. Carl C. Icahn indirectly controlled approximately 70% of the voting power of our common stock and, by virtue of such stock ownership, is able to control or exert substantial influence over the Company, including the election and appointment of directors; business strategy and policies; mergers or other business combinations; acquisition or disposition of assets; future issuances of common stock, common units, or other securities; occurrence of debt or obtaining other sources of financing; and the payment of dividends on the Company's common stock and distributions on the common units of CVR Partners. The existence of a controlling stockholder may have the effect of making it difficult for, or may discourage or delay, a third-party from seeking to acquire a majority of the Company's outstanding common stock, which may adversely affect the market price of the Company's common stock. Mr. Icahn's interests may not always be consistent with the Company's interests or with the interests of the Company's other stockholders. Mr. Icahn and entities controlled by him may also pursue acquisitions or business opportunities in industries in which we compete, and there is no requirement that any additional business opportunities be presented to us. We also have and may in the future enter into transactions to purchase goods or services with affiliates of Mr. Icahn. To the extent that conflicts of interest may arise between the Company and Mr. Icahn and his affiliates, those conflicts may be resolved in a manner adverse to the Company or its other stockholders. In addition, in the event of a sale or transfer of some or all of Mr. Icahn's interests in us to an unrelated party or group, a change of control could be deemed to have occurred under the terms of the indenture governing CVR Energy's 5.750% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2028, under the indenture governing CVR Partners' 6.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2028 and under the indenture governing CVR Energy's 7.500% Senior Notes due February 2031 and 7.875% Senior Notes due February 2034, which, in each case, could require the issuers to offer to repurchase all outstanding notes at 101% of their principal amount plus accrued interest to the date of repurchase, and an event of default could be deemed to have occurred under the CVR Energy ABL and the CVR Partners ABL, which, in each case, could allow lenders to accelerate indebtedness owed to them. If such an event were to occur, it is possible that we will not have sufficient funds at the time of the change of control to make the required repurchase of notes or repay amounts outstanding under the CVR Energy ABL or the CVR Partners ABL, if any.