Search
Search through the thousands of lawsuits, complaints and recalls on our site.

Pixar Violated Federal Securities Laws

Report Fraud
Case ID: 4504 | Stocks | 10/25/2005

A class action has been filed against Pixar (PIXR), certain of its officers and directors by stockholders who purchased the company's common stock between January 18, 2005 and June 30, 2005. The action claims that the defendants violated federal securities laws by issuing a series of material misrepresentations to the market over this time period, thereby artificially inflating the price of the company's securities. The stockholders seek to recover compensatory damages for the loss of value of their stock.

According to a press release dated October 21, 2005, the complaint alleges defendants Pixar and certain of its executive officers violated sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act, and Rule 10b-5, by issuing a series of material misrepresentations to the market during the Class Period.

Specifically, the complaint alleges that Pixar creates, develops, and produces animated films and related products. During the Class Period, the Company had a co-production agreement with The Walt Disney Company ("Disney") for the development and production of animated feature-length theatrical motion pictures. Defendants claimed that one such film, The Incredibles, was a "Box-Office smash hit" and would also be successful in the home video market. According to the complaint, defendants stated, among other things, that during the Class Period, sales of The Incredibles home videos, including DVDs and VHS, would enable the Company to produce earnings of at least $0.15 per share by the second fiscal quarter of 2005. Unbeknownst to investors, however, defendants' statements were materially false and misleading because defendants knew, or recklessly disregarded, that recent trends in the home video market indicated a slow down in the sales of new home video releases and therefore, increased returns of unsold copies from retailers that would negatively impact the Company's earnings. In fact, according to an article published in The Wall Street Journal, a new DVD release would realize approximately 50-70% of its total sales in its first week, compared to 33% and a steady increase in sales thereafter five years ago. Defendants' response to the change in sales trends of home videos was to flood the market with units of The Incredibles home video, far in excess of what retailers could sell, prior to and during the first weeks of release to maximize sales. Defendants knew or recklessly disregarded, however, that this strategy would result in a disproportionate number of early sales followed by a disproportionate number of product returns, but failed to make the necessary adjustments to account therefor. As a result of defendants' wrongful and illegal scheme, the price of Pixar securities became artificially inflated during the Class Period and enabled Company insiders, including defendants Bax and Catmull, to sell hundreds of thousands of shares of their personally held Pixar stock for over $27.1 million in proceeds.

The complaint further alleges that on or around June 30, 2005, the last day of the Class Period, the Company issued a press release lowering its second quarter 2005 earnings guidance to $0.10 per diluted share from $0.15, the difference of approximately $6 million in net income, as a result of disappointing sales of The Incredibles home video units and an increase in the Company's reserves for returns. As a result of this news, the price of Pixar common stock fell more than $9.00 per share to $43.00 from the prior day's close of almost $52.00 per share, representing a one-day decline of over 17% on very heavy trading volume. On August 26, 2005, defendants announced that the SEC had commenced an investigation of Pixar in connection with reported sales of The Incredibles DVD and that the SEC had "requested information leading up to the filmmaker's report earlier this month of lower second-quarter earnings." As a result of this news, Pixar shares fell an additional $1.01 per share to close at below $42.00.

If you bought Pixar securities between January 18, 2005 and June 30, 2005, inclusive, and would like to obtain information about the Pixar lawsuit, then you are invited to call (866) 467-1400 to speak with an attorney.


At Lawcash.com, it is our goal to keep you informed about important legal cases, class actions and settlements. Our lawyers offer free legal evaluations in tort cases, class actions, personal injury, and other lawsuits because we are dedicated to helping you resolve your legal complaints.

Other Stocks Cases of Interest

A class action has been filed against St. Jude Medical, Inc. (STJ), certain of its officers and directors by stockholders who purchased the company's common stock between January 25, 2006 and April 4, 2006. The action claims that the defendants violated federal securities laws by issuing a series of material misrepresentations to the market over this time period, thereby artificially inflating the price of the company's securities. The stockholders seek to recover compensatory damages for the loss of value of their stock.
 
A class action lawsuit has been filed in the Northern District Court of Illinois against Peter S. Voss and others for violations of the Investment Company Act. Class members seek compensatory damages, disgorgement of the fees paid to the investment advisors and punitive damages.
 
The role of specialist trading firms on stock market floors has been largely unknown by the trading public for years. A class action has been filed against stock market operator New York Stock Exchange, Inc., and numerous specialist investment firms by investors who have traded on the exchange over the past five years. The action alleges that the defendants violated federal securities laws by utilizing illegal trading practices.
 
A class action has been filed in the District Court of Massachusetts against Aspen Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq:AZPN), a global technology company, by stockholders who purchased the company's common stock between August 8, 2000 and October 29, 2004. The action claims that the defendants violated federal securities laws by issuing a series of material misrepresentations to the market over this time period, thereby artificially inflating the price of the company's securities. The stockholders seek to recover compensatory damages for the loss of value of their stock.
 
The parties have reached a $10 million settlement in an SEC enforcement action filed against Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc., (Nasdaq:GMST) on behalf of stockholders who purchased the company's common stock between 1999 and 2002. The action claims that the defendants violated federal securities laws by issuing a series of material misrepresentations to the market over this time period, thereby artificially inflating the price of the company's securities. Persons eligible to take part in the settlement should contact the attorneys who prosecuted the action for more information.
 
On March 31, 2008, several motions to appoint lead plaintiffs, counsels and to consolidate cases were filed by different groups and individuals.
 
Become a LawCash Member - FREE!
'Find Money' E-Book
Weekly Email Alerts




privacy policy
YouNewz Beta
IT'S FREE

Report

Report Newz and easily upload your own newzworthy photos from your cell phone or computer to the web.

Share

Quickly share your photos with family, friends, co-workers, or the world with your own Newzpaper.

Read

Instantly find Newz and photos from other YouNewzers and read other YouNewzers Newzpapers.
 
Class Action Lawsuit Center || Product Recall Center || Consumer Complaint Center || About LawCash Link Exchange
Privacy Policy || Legal Policies || Terms & Conditions || Website Advertising Policy || Site Map || Top Lawsuits
LawCash® is a service of nola3, llc
© 2000 - 2008 Copyright. All rights reserved nola3, llc.

[ Home ]
LawCash
login
Justice is a click away.