HARTFORD, Conn., March 28, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- The law firm of Schatz Nobel Izard P.C., which has significant experience representing investors in prosecuting claims of securities fraud, announces that a lawsuit seeking class action status has been filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky on behalf of all persons who purchased the common stock of Humana, Inc. ("Humana" or the "Company") (NYSE:HUM) between February 4, 2008 and March 11, 2008, inclusive (the "Class Period").
The Complaint charges that Humana and certain of its officers and directors violated federal securities laws. Specifically, the Complaint alleges that Defendants issued materially false and misleading statements concerning the Company's anticipated earnings per share ("EPS") for the first quarter of 2008 and full year 2008. As alleged in the Complaint, these statements were materially false and misleading because defendants failed to disclose: (i) that the Company was unable to properly calculate the prescription drug costs of its newly acquired members; (ii) that the Company's costs associated with its prescription drug plans had dramatically increased; and (iii) that as a result of the foregoing, defendants' statements concerning the Company's anticipated EPS for the first quarter of 2008 and full year 2008 were lacking in a reasonable basis at all relevant times and were therefore materially false and misleading.
On March 12, 2008, the Company announced that it would be revising its earnings estimates because of, among other things, increased costs that it was experiencing with the Company's prescription drug plans. Following this announcement, shares of Humana stock fell $6.50 per share, or approximately 13.7%, to close at $40.88 per share.
If you are a member of the class, you may, no later than May 26, 2008, request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff of the class. A lead plaintiff is a class member that acts on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Although your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision whether or not to seek appointment as a lead plaintiff, lead plaintiffs make important decisions which could affect the overall recovery for class members.
While Schatz Nobel Izard P.C. has not filed a lawsuit against the defendants, to view a copy of the Complaint initiating the class action or for more information about the case, class action cases in general, and your rights, please contact Schatz Nobel Izard P.C. toll-free at (800) 797-5499, or by e-mail at firm@snilaw.com, or visit our website: www.snilaw.com.