A class action has been commenced in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts on behalf of purchasers of Waters Corporation (NYSE: WAT) common stock during the period between January 24, 2007 and January 22, 2008 (the “Class Period”). The complaint charges Waters Corp. and certain of its officers and directors with violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Waters Corp. provides high-performance liquid chromatography products and services. The Company distributes its products worldwide to a wide range of industries, such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and environmental testing.
The complaint alleges that the representations contained in Water Corp.’s press releases, SEC filings, conference calls, and presentations during the Class Period were materially false and misleading when made because they failed to disclose: (i) that the Company was experiencing a slowdown in sales in the Japanese market as a result of decreased government regulation, which reduced the need for the Company’s products and services; (ii) that the Company’s earnings were being materially impacted by an increased tax rate; and (iii) as a result of the foregoing, the Company had no reasonable basis for its 2007 earnings guidance.
According to the complaint, on January 22, 2008, Waters Corp. announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and year-end 2007, the period ended December 31, 2007. Following this press release, the defendants held a conference call with analysts and investors and revealed that “an unexpected increase in [its] annual tax rate, among other factors, adversely affected [its] bottom-line performance.” Moreover, the Company stated that its Japanese sales were “weaker than anticipated due to [] a change in the testing protocols for drinking water analysis in Japan” which the Company knew about since “last year.” Upon this news, shares of the Company’s stock fell $14.65 per share, or approximately 20%, to close at $58.58 per share, on heavy trading volume.
If you are a current shareholder and purchased during the period between January 24, 2007 and January 22, 2008 and would like to discuss your options of exercising your rights as a shareholder, please contact us.
Please submit the following information so we can determine if you qualify for the suit. If you don't know all the specific details, partial information is also acceptable.