Science & Technology
Tue, June 12, 2012
SAN FRANCISCO--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro, an investor-rights law firm, today reminded investors that only 42 days remain before the July 23, 2012, lead plaintiff deadline in a securities class action filed against Facebook (NASDAQ: FB), Zuckerberg and Underwriters.
The lawsuit, filed May 24, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, as Chang et al. v. Facebook, Inc. et al., case number 12-cv-2680, alleges that Facebook, Inc., Mark Zuckerberg, David A. Ebersman, David M.Spillane, Marc L. Andreesen, Erskine Bowles, James W. Breyer, Donald E Graham, Reed Hastings, Peter Thiel, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC (NYSE: MS), J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (NYSE: JPM), Goldman, Sachs & Co. (NYSE: GS), Merrill Lynch (NYSE: BAC), Peirce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Barclays Capital Inc. (NYSE: BCS) violated Section 11, 12 and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933. The complaint can be accessed [ here ].
Over the next 42 days, investors who purchased or otherwise acquired shares of Facebook common stock between May 18, 2012, and May 22, 2012 (the aClass Perioda), and who have suffered substantial financial losses are encouraged to contact Hagens Berman Partner Reed Kathrein by calling (510) 725-3000. Investors may also contact the firm via email at [ FB@hbsslaw.com ] or by visiting [ http://hb-securities.com/investigations/Facebook ].
Any member of the putative class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member.
Hagens Bermanas lawsuit alleges that defendants violated federal securities laws by omitting material information in their registration statement and prospectus, and by selectively disclosing this material information to their premier clients and preferred investors prior to the IPO.
Specifically, the complaint alleges that Facebook privately pre-announced that its second quarter would fall short of analysts' estimates. Facebook allegedly only told their underwriters analysts and directed them to change their estimates which were then verbally conveyed to preferred clients. As a result, many of the underwritersa large clients said they would only buy at $32.00 per share, according to the lawsuit. Knowing from research that many retail investors were willing to pay $43.00 per share, the lawsuit alleges that Facebook increased its allocation to retail investors to reach its $100 million goal at an offering price of $38.00 per share. This resulted in the stock shooting up above $43.00, according to the suit, but without the demand from the large institutional investors who knew the estimate revisions, Facebookas stock plummeted to around $32.00 per share within three days.
The Senate Banking Committee and the House Committee on Financial Services are investigating the issues surrounding Facebookas IPO. On May 22, 2012, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and the Securities and Exchange Commission also announced they will review allegations of impropriety around Facebookas IPO.
Whistleblowers
Persons with knowledge that may help the investigation are encouraged to contact the firm. The SEC recently finalized new rules as part of its implementation of the whistleblower provisions in the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Bill. The new rules protect whistleblowers from employer retaliation and allow the SEC to reward those who provide information leading to a successful enforcement with up to 30 percent of the recovery.
Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP is an investor-rights class-action law firm with offices in 10 cities. The firm represents whistleblowers, workers and consumers in complex litigation. More about the law firm and its successes can be found at [ www.hbsslaw.com ]. The firmas securities law blog is at [ www.meaningfuldisclosure.com ].