Week Adjourned: 4.1.11

Top Class Actions

Rosetta Stone getting a lesson in securities litigation? The manufacturer of learning software—and apparent sure-fire way to win the girl (see ad above), got hit with a securities lawsuit this week, over allegations that they’re not playing straight, so to speak. The suit, which has not yet been certified, was filed on behalf of purchasers of the common stock of Rosetta Stone, Inc. (“Rosetta Stone” or the “Company”) (NYSE: RST) between February 25, 2010 and March 1, 2011, inclusive (the “Class Period”).

The specific allegations? Violations of federal securities laws—such as the free and lower-priced competitive product offerings, not a temporary reduction in advertising, was having a material adverse effect on the Company’s Class Period revenues, particularly U.S. consumer revenues; and that the favorable sales booking numbers Rosetta Stone reported during the Class Period was the result of key retail partners maintaining inventory of the Company’s products well above historic levels; and—oh yes—there’s more—that Rosetta Stone’s reported sales bookings and revenues during the Class Period were the product of manipulation.

However, on February 28, Rosetta Stone announced fourth quarter revenue of $74.3 million, a 5% decrease from the prior year, net income on a GAAP basis of $5.0 million, a decrease of 60% from the 2009 fourth quarter. On this news, RS’s shares fell $1.77 to $13.19 per share. Let’s hope it’s not just the shareholders who get an education from this. 

Top Settlements

$17 million for workplace asbestos exposure. Sounds nice—but maybe not so much. As big Continue reading “Week Adjourned: 4.1.11”