Slater+Gordon, with funding from IMF, files class action against Bellamy’s on behalf of aggrieved investors
SYDNEY, 24 February 2017: Leading class action law firm Slater+Gordon, backed by litigation funder IMF Bentham, has today commenced proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia against Bellamy’s Australia Limited.
The action was filed on behalf of all investors who acquired shares in the company between 14 April 2016 and 9 December 2016.
It alleges that Bellamy’s made misleading statements to the market about its growth strategy in China and also failed to keep the market informed about its declining market share in Australia during 2016.
IMF Investment Manager Simon Dluzniak is available for interview upon request.
IMF Bentham Investment Manager Simon Dluzniak said shareholders’ potential losses will be in the tens or hundreds of millions.
“The market was clearly shocked by the recent announcements made by Bellamy’s in relation to its trading performance in Australia and China and also regarding its anticipated trading performance for the FY17 year,” Mr Dluzniak said.
“It is important shareholders large and small have the ability to hold companies to account and, in funding this action, IMF provides a mechanism for them to do so.”
The class action is funded by IMF Bentham and participants will not be required to pay any fees unless the class action is successful.
Slater and Gordon senior class action lawyer Mathew Chuk said the firm has received a significant response from aggrieved Bellamy’s investors.
“Hundreds of investors have now signed up with our class action after each of them saw the value of their Bellamy’s shareholdings plummet,” Mr Chuk said.
“Mum and dad investors placed their faith in the Bellamy’s story and have been horrified by the revelations of the past few months.
“Our investigation has confirmed our initial view that Bellamy’s made misleading statements about its continuing growth in circumstances where it had no proper basis to do so, particularly given the likely impact of regulatory reform in China.
“More and more aggrieved shareholders are registering for this class action every day and the commencement of proceedings today is a significant step towards recovery of their losses.”
Investors who acquired BAL securities between 14 April 2016 and 11 December 2016 can register their interest in the class action by visiting:http://www.imf.com.au/cases/register/bellamys-australia-limited-overview
Media Contact: Simon Dluzniak 03 9913 3305
Background information
The class action was filed by Slater and Gordon with litigation funder IMF Bentham in the Federal Court of Australia against Bellamy’s Australia Limited on 23 February 2017.
The action was filed on behalf of all investors who acquired shares in the company between 14 April 2016 and 9 December 2016.
Bellamy’s shares fell more than 65 per cent in reaction to announcements made by the company in December 2016 and January 2017 that:
Regulatory reform in China had resulted in significant discounting by competitors, reducing demand for its product;
Reduced market share in Australia had caused the company’s revenue and profitability to fall below expectations; and
It would be obliged under “take or pay” provisions in supply agreements to make substantial “shortfall” payments to its suppliers.
The class action alleges
Bellamy’s made misleading statements to the market about its growth strategy in China in circumstances where it was clear that regulatory changes would place competitive strain on the sale of its product. Bellamy’s failed to keep the market informed about its declining market share in Australia during 2016, leaving investors shocked by the state of Bellamy’s performance when it eventually released information to the market.