Valuation expert’s credibility takes several hits
In a New York fair value case, one of the 50% owners filed for dissolution and the other owner elected to buy him out.
Rosenthal v. Erber
In a New York business dispute, the court analyzed valuation reports from both sides and then determined the fair value of the entity and of the selling shareholder’s 50% interest. Offering criticisms of both reports, she then started with the report of the selling shareholder’s report and discarded the report of the buying shareholder, which had some evidentiary issues as to back rent due and other issues.
Fair Value Decision Analyzes Valuation Issues
In a New York business dispute, the court analyzed valuation reports from both sides and then determined the fair value of the entity and of the selling shareholder’s 50% interest. Offering criticisms of both reports, she then started with the report of the selling shareholder’s report and discarded the report of the buying shareholder, which had some evidentiary issues as to back rent due and other issues.
In re Multiplan Corp. Stockholders Litig.
This case dealt with a motion to dismiss the claims of the plaintiffs (by the defendants) in a stockholder suit against a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC). The claims were primarily that the plaintiffs’ claims were derivative, which failed to plead demand futility and that the business judgment rule applied. Many of the parties’ arguments centered around unique characteristics of a SPAC. In concluding that the entire fairness standard of review applied, the Delaware Chancery Court noted that “the fact that a reasonably conceivable impairment of public stockholders’ redemption rights—in the form of materially misleading disclosures—has been pleaded in this case.” The case was to go forward against all but two defendants.
Delaware Chancery Court Allows Breach of Fiduciary Suit to Move Forward on a SPAC
This case dealt with a motion to dismiss the claims of the plaintiffs (by the defendants) in a stockholder suit against a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC). The claims were primarily that the plaintiffs’ claims were derivative, which failed to plead demand futility and that the business judgment rule applied. Many of the parties’ arguments centered around unique characteristics of a SPAC. In concluding that the entire fairness standard of review applied, the Delaware Chancery Court noted that “the fact that a reasonably conceivable impairment of public stockholders’ redemption rights—in the form of materially misleading disclosures—has been pleaded in this case.” The case was to go forward against all but two defendants.
New DOL process agreement confronts control issue in ESOP valuations
The Department of Labor recently settled ESOP litigation with the trustee Farmers National Bank of Danville (FNB).
DOL Processing Agreement Contains Stringent Rules on Controlling Interest Transactions, Indemnification
Under new processing agreement between DOL and specific ESOP trustee, trustee is bound by strict rules on how to handle controlling-interest acquisitions and indemnification issues; trustee must ensure ESOP plan acquires a series of specified rights before approving payment of a control premium.
Scalia v. Farmers National Bank of Danville & Weddle Bros. Const. Co.
Under new processing agreement between DOL and specific ESOP trustee, trustee is bound by strict rules on how to handle controlling-interest acquisitions and indemnification issues; trustee must ensure ESOP plan acquires a series of specified rights before approving payment of a control premium.
In re Tesla Motors Stockholder Litig.
Court of Chancery says Tesla dissenting shareholders allege sufficient facts to show company CEO, Elon Musk, was a controlling shareholder, despite holding a minority interest; court allows breach of fiduciary claims concerning acquisition of related company to proceed.
Court Allows Tesla Dissenting Shareholder Suit to Go Forward
Court of Chancery says Tesla dissenting shareholders allege sufficient facts to show company CEO, Elon Musk, was a controlling shareholder, despite holding a minority interest; court allows breach of fiduciary claims concerning acquisition of related company to proceed.
Chancery says bids in squeeze-out merger are not comparable
The Delaware Court of Chancery recently cut short a challenge to a going-private merger when it dismissed the plaintiffs' complaint. The plaintiffs unsuccessfully argued the defendants breached their fiduciary duties when they favored the controller's lower bid over a third-party bidder's higher offer.
Expert’s Poor Grasp of Valuation Issues Undercuts Shareholder Suit
Appeals court affirms soundness of going private merger; court says plaintiffs failed to point to better offer and their expert lacked formal accounting, economics, and valuation training and displayed a light grasp of issues related to company’s value.
Rubin v. Bedford
Appeals court affirms soundness of going private merger; court says plaintiffs failed to point to better offer and their expert lacked formal accounting, economics, and valuation training and displayed a light grasp of issues related to company’s value.
Corwin v. KKR Fin. Holdings LLC
Regarding breach of fiduciary duty claims, Delaware Supreme Court says business judgment rule (lower standard of review) applies where disinterested stockholder majority approves merger with third party and vote was uncoerced and fully informed.
Zelouf Court Reasserts Its Objection to DLOM
New York court rejects majority owners’ post-trial objection to prior ruling against DLOM based on unlikelihood of sale of the business; court is guided by fairness, noting “a DLOM here would be the economic equivalent of imposing a minority discount.”
Zelouf International Corp. v. Zelouf (II)
New York court rejects majority owners’ post-trial objection to prior ruling against DLOM based on unlikelihood of sale of the business; court is guided by fairness, noting “a DLOM here would be the economic equivalent of imposing a minority discount.”
Valuations Underpin DE Chancery’s Ruling in Going-Private Merger
DE Chancery adopts business judgment review standard where controlling stockholder buyout includes two procedural protections for minority and finds valuations from independent financial advisor demonstrate merger was favorable to minority stockholders.
In re MFW Shareholders Litig.
DE Chancery adopts business judgment review standard where controlling stockholder buyout includes two procedural protections for minority and finds valuations from independent financial advisor demonstrate merger was favorable to minority stockholders.
Craig Alan Dunn v. Matrix Exhibits, Inc.
The Tennessee Court of Appeals reversed a lower court’s decision denying the plaintiff the value of an interest in the defendant because the value was too speculative in this breach of contract action.