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Labaton Keller Sucharow LLP Announces Securities Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against QuidelOrtho Corporation and Certain Executives

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NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Labaton Keller Sucharow LLP (Labaton) announces that, on April 12, 2024, it filed a securities class action lawsuit (the Complaint) on behalf of its client Bristol County Retirement System (Bristol County) against QuidelOrtho Corporation, formerly known as Quidel (NASDAQ:) Corporation (QuidelOrtho or the Company) (NASDAQ: QDEL), and certain QuidelOrtho officers (collectively, Defendants). The action, which is captioned Bristol County Retirement System v. QuidelOrtho Corporation, No. 24-cv-02804 (S.D.N.Y. Apr. 12, 2024), asserts claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, on behalf of all persons or entities who purchased or otherwise acquired QuidelOrtho common stock between February 18, 2022 and April 1, 2024, inclusive (the Class Period).

QuidelOrtho provides tests for the detection and diagnosis of various respiratory diseases and other medical conditions. The Company’s respiratory business has historically been tied to the sale of seasonal flu tests and more recently to COVID-19 detection tests. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company has generated a significant portion of its revenue through the sale of high-margin COVID-19 tests to government customers, healthcare providers (through its authorized distributors), and large retail pharmacy chains. QuidelOrtho manufactures respiratory tests under various brands, including QuickVue, Sofia, and Savanna.

In December 2022, the Company announced that it had agreed to merge with Ortho Clinical Diagnostics Holdings plc (Ortho). The merger closed in May 2022, shortly after the start of the Class Period. Meanwhile, COVID-19 was transitioning from pandemic to endemic status (i.e., COVID-19 infections no longer growing exponentially). Despite COVID-19 transitioning into an endemic, Defendants assured investors that it was well positioned to maintain a stable high margin revenue stream from its respiratory business. Among other strategies, the Company aimed to launch its next flagship product, a new test called the Savanna Respiratory Viral Panel-4 (the Savanna RVP4 Test, which tests for COVID-19 along with other respiratory conditions) by utilizing Ortho’s commercial distribution network. During the Class Period, the Savanna RVP4 Test was not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the FDA) to be marketed or sold in the United States. Therefore, investors closely monitored the Company’s progress in getting the Savanna RVP4 Test approved.

Throughout the Class Period, Defendants misled investors by making statements that were false and misleading when made because they knew or deliberately disregarded and failed to disclose the following adverse facts about QuidelOrtho’s business, operations, and prospects: (a) that QuidelOrtho sold more COVID-19 tests to its distributors and pharmacy chain customers than they could resell to healthcare providers and end customers; (b) that excess inventories of COVID-19 tests existed throughout the supply chain; (c) that, as a result of (a)-(b), QuidelOrtho’s distributors and pharmacy chain customers were poised to significantly reduce their COVID-19 test orders; (d) that undisclosed problems created a heightened risk that the Savanna RVP4 Test would experience a delayed commercial launch in the United States; and (e) that, as a result of (a)-(d), Defendants lacked a reasonable basis for their positive statements about QuidelOrtho’s business, financials, and growth trajectory.

The truth began to emerge on February 13, 2024, when QuidelOrtho reported underwhelming results for its fourth quarter ended December 31, 2023. Among other things, the Company’s Adjusted Earnings Per Share was 46% below the midpoint of Wall Street analysts’ expectations. This miss was largely attributed to lower COVID-19 revenues during the quarter due to distributor destocking. QuidelOrtho also lowered its annual endemic COVID-19 revenue forecast from the range of $200-$400 million to $200 million. On this news, the price of QuidelOrtho stock dropped $21.50, or more than 32 percent, to close at $45.27 on February 14, 2024. Then, on April 2, 2024, QuidelOrtho announced that it had withdrawn its FDA 510(k) submission for approval to sell the Savanna RVP4 Test in the United States after recent data did not meet expectations. On this news, the price of QuidelOrtho stock dropped $4.85, or more than 10 percent, to close at $42.15 on April 2, 2024.

If you purchased or acquired QuidelOrtho common stock during the Class Period and were damaged thereby, you are a member of the Class and may be able to seek appointment as Lead Plaintiff. Lead Plaintiff motion papers must be filed no later than June 11, 2024. The Lead Plaintiff is a court-appointed representative for absent members of the Class. You do not need to seek appointment as Lead Plaintiff to share in any Class recovery in this action. If you are a Class member and there is a recovery for the Class, you can share in that recovery as an absent Class member. You may retain counsel of your choice to represent you in this action.

If you would like to consider serving as Lead Plaintiff or have any questions about this lawsuit, you may contact Francis P. McConville, Esq. of Labaton, at (212) 907-0650, or via email at fmcconville@labaton.com. You can view a copy of the Complaint here.

Plaintiff Bristol County Retirement System is represented by Labaton, which represents many of the largest pension funds in the United States and internationally with combined assets under management of more than $3.5 trillion. Labaton’s litigation reputation is built on its half-century of securities litigation experience, more than sixty full-time attorneys, and in-house team of investigators, financial analysts, and forensic accountants. Labaton has been recognized for its excellence by the courts and peers, and it is consistently ranked in leading industry publications. Offices are located in New York, NY, Wilmington, DE, and Washington, D.C. More information about Labaton is available at www.labaton.com.

Francis P. McConville, Esq.
Labaton Keller Sucharow LLP
(212) 907-0650
fmcconville@labaton.com

Source: Labaton Keller Sucharow LLP

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The Cannabist Company Celebrates the Biden Administration’s Monumental Decision to Reschedule Cannabis

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NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Cannabist Company Holdings Inc. (Cboe CA: CBST) (OTCQX: CBSTF) (FSE: 3LP) (The Cannabist Company or the Company), one of the largest and most experienced cultivators, manufacturers, and retailers of cannabis products in the U.S., released the following statements in response to President Biden and his administration’s decision to move cannabis from a Schedule I Controlled Substance to a Schedule III Controlled Substance under the federal Controlled Substances Act.

This is a truly momentous and historic occasion for the entire cannabis community. Our federal government has finally formally accepted that cannabis has medicinal value and is following the science that we in this industry have understood and poured our collective passion into while supporting this movement and building our businesses. Once finalized, this change will make state-regulated cannabis more accessible and affordable for our customers and patients. The end of the 280E tax code for cannabis businesses will allow us to operate our business more sustainably and reinvest more deeply into our teams, innovation, and product development to benefit the communities we serve, said David Hart, CEO, The Cannabist Company.

We are proud to have worked closely with the Biden Administration through every step of this 20-month-long process. Reclassifying cannabis is an important and pragmatic step on the path to full legalization, said Adam Goers, SVP “ Corporate Affairs, The Cannabist Company & the Founder and Co-Chair of the Coalition for Cannabis Scheduling Reform (CCSR). This move will not only eliminate the draconian taxation of cannabis businesses under 280E, but it will open research opportunities, protect public health and safety, and further signal that cannabis is being normalized under federal law.

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About The Cannabist Company (f/k/a Columbia Care (OTC:))

The Cannabist Company, formerly known as Columbia Care, is one of the largest and most experienced cultivators, manufacturers and providers of cannabis products and related services, with licenses in 15 U.S. jurisdictions. The Company operates 123 facilities including 92 dispensaries and 31 cultivation and manufacturing facilities, including those under development. Columbia Care, now The Cannabist Company, is one of the original multi-state providers of cannabis in the U.S. and now delivers industry-leading products and services to both the medical and adult-use markets. In 2021, the Company launched Cannabist, its retail brand, creating a national dispensary network that leverages proprietary technology platforms. The company offers products spanning flower, edibles, oils and tablets, and manufactures popular brands including Seed & Strain, Triple Seven, Hedy, gLeaf, Classix, Press, and Amber. For more information, please visit www.cannabistcompany.com.

Caution Concerning Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains certain statements that constitute forward-looking information or forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws and reflect the Company’s current expectations regarding future events. Forward-looking statements or information contained in this release include, but are not limited to, statements or information with respect to taxation of the Company as well as the Company’s ability to execute on retail, wholesale, brand and product initiatives. These forward-looking statements or information, which although considered reasonable by the Company, may prove to be incorrect and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking information. In addition, securityholders should review the risk factors discussed under Risk Factors in Columbia Care’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as, filed with Canadian and U.S. securities regulatory authorities and described from time to time in subsequent documents filed with applicable securities regulatory authorities.

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Investor Contact

Lee Ann Evans
SVP, Capital Markets
investor@cannabistcompany.com

Media Contact

Lindsay (NYSE:) Wilson
SVP, Communications
media@cannabistcompany.com

Source: The Cannabist Company Holdings Inc.

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UBS maintains ‘neutral’ on Dow with $61 price target

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On Thursday, UBS reaffirmed its Neutral stance on Dow Inc. (NYSE:), maintaining a price target of $61.00. The chemical giant Dow is expected to reach a higher earnings corridor, with mid-cycle earnings potentially near approximately $9 billion in EBITDA, compared to the consensus estimates of roughly $6.3 billion and $7.5 billion for the years 2024 and 2025, respectively. Dow has several projects underway that are projected to contribute an additional $1.2 billion in incremental EBITDA by the middle of the decade. Furthermore, the company’s net-zero Alberta cracker is anticipated to add around $1 billion by 2030.

Dow’s strategy also includes a commitment to sustainability, with goals to reduce scope 1 and 2 emissions by about 30% by 2030, aiming for net zero by 2050. The company plans to decrease water usage and increase the shift towards circular plastics, with a target of over 3 million tons per year by 2030. These initiatives are part of a broader ‘transform the waste’ strategy that is expected to yield an additional $0.5 billion.

In addition to environmental goals, Dow is also focusing on increasing its low-cost feedstock mix to approximately 70%, up from the current 65%, and expanding product capacity by about 15%. While UBS acknowledges that Dow is making significant investments in the right areas, there is still uncertainty regarding the timing of the turn in the cycle for a number of Dow’s product markets. The company’s forward-looking strategy aims to position it strongly for future market conditions.

InvestingPro Insights

As Dow Inc. (NYSE:DOW) continues to navigate the competitive landscape of the chemicals industry, recent data and analysis from InvestingPro provide an insightful look into the company’s financial health and market performance. With a market capitalization of $41.25 billion and a notable P/E ratio of 27.11 for the last twelve months as of Q1 2024, Dow is trading at a significant earnings multiple. This could suggest that investors have high expectations for the company’s future earnings growth.

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One of the key InvestingPro Tips highlights that management has been aggressively buying back shares, which could signal confidence in the company’s future prospects. Additionally, while analysts have revised their earnings expectations downwards for the upcoming period, Dow is still expected to be profitable this year with a predicted net income growth. This aligns with UBS’s outlook on Dow’s potential to reach higher earnings with its strategic initiatives.

Investors may also find the dividend yield of 4.74% as of the last dividend ex-date on February 28, 2024, to be a compelling aspect of Dow’s investment profile, particularly in an industry that suffers from weak gross profit margins like chemicals. With the stock trading near its 52-week high and a price percentage of 96.9% of that high, Dow’s stability and profitability over the last twelve months are evident in its performance metrics.

For those looking to delve deeper into Dow’s financials and future prospects, InvestingPro offers additional insights. Readers can use the coupon code PRONEWS24 to get an additional 10% off a yearly or biyearly Pro and Pro+ subscription, providing access to a total of 10 InvestingPro Tips for Dow at https://www.investing.com/pro/DOW, which may further inform investment decisions.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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BJ’s restaurants CIO sells shares worth over $56k

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Brian S. Krakower, the Chief Information Officer of BJ’s Restaurants Inc. (NASDAQ:), has recently sold 1,600 shares of the company’s common stock. The transaction, which took place on May 15, 2024, was executed at a price of $35.56 per share, resulting in a total sale value of $56,896.

Krakower’s sale reflects a straightforward cashing in of equity, as the company’s insider continues to hold a significant number of shares following the transaction. According to the filing, after the sale, Krakower still owns 7,652 shares of BJ’s Restaurants, which includes 5,339 unvested Restricted Stock Units.

Investors often monitor insider sales as they can provide insights into an executive’s perspective on the company’s current valuation. In the case of BJ’s Restaurants, the transaction by Krakower could be interpreted in various ways, but it remains a single data point in the broader context of the company’s financial health and market performance.

The sale comes at a time when the market is closely observing the movements of insiders to gauge the confidence level of those who are most familiar with the company’s operations. For BJ’s Restaurants, which operates in the competitive retail eating places sector, insider transactions are watched by investors seeking to understand the internal confidence in the company’s growth prospects and strategic direction.

Investors and analysts will continue to look at the future filings and market activities to inform their perspectives on BJ’s Restaurants’ stock and the decisions of its executives.

InvestingPro Insights

As BJ’s Restaurants Inc. (NASDAQ:BJRI) continues to navigate the competitive landscape of the retail eating places sector, certain metrics from InvestingPro provide a snapshot of the company’s financial position and market performance. With a market capitalization of 882.48 million USD and a P/E ratio of 37.19, the company is trading at a valuation that reflects investor expectations for future earnings growth. However, a closer look at the adjusted P/E ratio for the last twelve months as of Q1 2024 shows a lower figure of 30.02, suggesting a potential moderation in valuation expectations. Meanwhile, the company’s revenue growth has been relatively flat, with a slight increase of 0.21% over the last twelve months as of Q1 2024.

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An InvestingPro Tip for BJRI indicates that the company is trading at a high earnings multiple, which is supported by the P/E ratio data. This could be a point of consideration for investors who are evaluating the stock’s current price against its earning capacity. Additionally, the company’s gross profit margin stands at 13.94%, which aligns with another InvestingPro Tip highlighting BJRI’s weak gross profit margins. These insights may help investors understand the company’s profitability and cost management.

For those looking to delve deeper into BJRI’s financials and market performance, InvestingPro offers additional tips, including insights into dividend trends, earnings revisions, and stock price volatility. There are 12 more InvestingPro Tips available for BJ’s Restaurants, which can be accessed for a more comprehensive analysis. Investors interested in these detailed insights can use the coupon code PRONEWS24 to get an additional 10% off a yearly or biyearly Pro and Pro+ subscription at InvestingPro.

With the next earnings date scheduled for July 25, 2024, market participants will be keen to see how BJRI’s financial results align with these metrics and tips. Until then, investors can continue to track the company’s performance to inform their investment decisions.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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