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Hagens Berman Investigates Securities Fraud Claims Over Terminated Cooper Tire Merger on Behalf of Institutional Investors; Announces March 18, 2014 Lead Plaintiff DeadlineSEATTLE --(Business Wire)-- Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP ("Hagens Berman"), a national investor-rights law firm, today announced it is investigating, on behalf of institutional investors, the terminated merger of Cooper Rubber & Tire Company ("Cooper" or the "Company") (NYSE: CTB) following the filing of a securities class-action lawsuit claiming the Company and its officers caused significant financial losses to stockholders by withholding risks and misrepresenting information associated with a failed sale to India-based Apollo Tyres Ltd ("Apollo"). Investors or stockholders who suffered significant financial losses related to the case are invited to email [email protected] for more information. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of all persons or entities that purchased or acquired securities or company stock between June 12, 2013, and Nov. 8, 2013 (the "Class Period"). The lawsuit is also on behalf of Cooper stockholders of record as of the close of business on Aug. 30, 2013, that had been entitled to vote on the proposed merger between Cooper and Apollo. Intuitional investors, money managers, funds and persons with losses in excess of $300,000 who would like to discuss the investigation, the merits of the claims, or the options for participating in litigation are invited to contact Hagens Berman Partner Reed Kathrein, who is leading the firm's investigation, by calling 510-725-3000 or emailing [email protected]. The deadline to file as Lead Plaintiff in the case is March 18, 2014. Additional information is available at http://hb-securties.com/investigations/CTB. On June 12, 2013, Cooper announced that it had entered into an agreement to be acquired by Apollo for $35 per share, which would create the seventh-largest tire manufacturer in the world by revenue. Following this announcement Coopers stock price skyrocketed from around $23 per share to over $34 per share. According to the firm's investigation, beginning on Oct. 4, 2013, a series of disclosures alerted stockholders that the merger was in jeopardy. On Oct. 4, 2013, Cooper filed a lawsuit against Apollo in an attempt to force through the deal. Cooper stock fell from $31.27 per share on October 3, 2013 to close at $25.72 per share on October 7, 2013, wiping out over $300 million in shareholder value. To date, Hagens Berman's investigation strongly suggests that Cooper was aware of severe undisclosed risks to the merger but never informed investors. Evidence produced in a November trial over the terminated merger indicates Cooper and Apollo pursued the merger in the face of opposition by Che Hongzhi - the chairman of the Chengshan Group, which is the 35 percent joint venture owner of Cooper's most important subsidiary, Cooper Chengshan Tire Company, Ltd. According to that testimony, formal negotiations beginning in May 2013 revealed that Chengshan objected to the deal, and eventually demanded $400 million for its stake in the venture - or nearly one-sixth of the cost of the entire deal. Hagens Berman is also investigating other potential undisclosed issues, which the firm believes were material to investors, including:
Hagens Berman is continuing its investigation and invites further information. Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP is an investor-rights class-action law firm with offices in nine cities including Seattle, San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, Colorado Springs, Los Angeles, New York City, Phoenix, and Washington D.C. The Firm represents investors, whistleblowers, workers and consumers in complex litigation. More about the law firm and its successes can be found at www.hbsslaw.com. The Firm's Securities Newsletter is at http://www.hb-securities.com/newsletter. The Firm's securities law blog is at http://www.meaningfuldisclosure.com.
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