Lawsuit Takes Wind Out of Vestas Sails
The suit alleges that misleading information was posted about the company’s 2010 earnings, which resulted in losses to investors of Vestas stock and their pension fund. Four of Vestas’ officers are singled out for knowingly releasing the false statements in financial reports and press releases.
Apparently an accounting procedure, which failed to be implemented by its January 2010 due date would have prevented the false statements from being disseminated. Vestas did not make this accounting change until November of 2010.
During the time period in question, it is alleged that ordinary shares traded at unnaturally inflated prices. Then when sobering second quarter news was posted, stating that several million dollars in revenue would have to be deferred, the market reacted accordingly with a 22.5 share drop in one day.
The lawsuit goes on to accuse Vestas officers of benefiting by receiving millions of Euros in salary and incentive-based compensation.
Vertas and its individual defendants are planning on vigorously defending this lawsuit claiming that the suit was filed without merit. So you make the call, meritorious claim or a lot of hot air?