Thu 10 Feb 2011, 14:29 GMT

Aegean facing class action lawsuit


US law firm files class action suit against bunker supplier Aegean Marine Petroleum.



Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP has today announced that a class action has been commenced in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on behalf of purchasers of Aegean Marine Petroleum Network Inc. common stock between January 4, 2010 and February 3, 2011.

The complaint charges Aegean Marine and certain of its officers and directors with violations of the Exchange Act. It alleges that, throughout the class period, defendants failed to disclose material adverse facts about the company's true financial condition, business and prospects.

Specifically, the complaint alleges:

(a) that the company was experiencing declining demand for its products and services, especially in the Singapore and Rotterdam ports;

(b) that the company was reducing its prices in competitive markets, which had a significant impact on its profit margins;

(c) that the company's acquisition of Verbeke Bunkering N.V. was not performing according to internal expectations; and

(d) that, as a result of the foregoing, defendants lacked a reasonable basis for their positive statements about the company and its prospects.

On August 11, 2010, Aegean announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2010, the period ended June 30, 2010. The company reported a net income of $12.0 million, and total revenues of $1,336.6 million. In reaction to the company's second quarter financial results, the price of Aegean Marine stock fell $3.40 per share, or 18 percent, to close at $15.65 per share, on heavy trading volume.

On November 10, 2010, Aegean announced its financial results for the third quarter of 2010, the period ended September 30, 2010. The company reported net income of $4.6 million, and total revenues of $1,340.0 million. In reaction to this announcement, the price of Aegean Marine stock fell $5.68 per share, or 36 percent, to close at $10.28 per share, also on heavy trading volume.

on February 3, 2011, the company announced its preliminary financial results for the fourth quarter of 2010. For the quarter, the company expected to report a net loss of between $12.0 million and $13.0 million. As a result, the price of Aegean stock fell $2.22 per share, or 20 percent, to close at $8.68 per share, on heavy trading volume.

The claimant is seeking to recover damages on behalf of all purchasers of Aegean Marine common stock during the class period.


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