CHICAGO, Nov. 26, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- The deadline for purchasers of Sears, Roebuck & Co. ("Sears" or the "Company") (NYSE:S) publicly traded securities to move for lead plaintiff in a securities fraud class action brought against Sears, and certain of its officers and directors, is rapidly approaching. If you purchased Sears securities between January 17, 2002 and October 17, 2002, inclusive ("Class Period"), and you wish to be a lead plaintiff in the case, you must move to serve as lead plaintiff by filing a motion in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division by December 17, 2002.
If you wish to discuss your rights and interests, have questions regarding this notice or have information relevant to the lawsuit, you may contact Carol V. Gilden or Michael E. Moskovitz at Much Shelist Freed Denenberg Ament & Rubenstein, P.C., by calling a toll-free number 1-800-470-6824, or by sending an e-mail to investorhelp@muchshelist.com. Your e-mail should refer to Sears.
According to the complaint, defendants, throughout the Class Period, represented that Sears was growing its earnings strongly, driven by its Credit and Financial Products segment and that it would achieve earnings growth of 22% in 2002 over 2001. In addition, in each of its press releases and SEC reports filed during the Class Period, Sears reported its provisions for uncollectible accounts and in, its 2001 annual report represented that such reserves were "adequate." These, and other statements detailed in the complaint, were allegedly false and misleading because, according to the complaint, they did not disclose that the Company's risk for uncollectible accounts had increased materially throughout the Class Period and, in addition, that Sears was under-reserving for its uncollectible accounts which inflated its earnings and balance sheet. On October 17, 2002, Sears reported in a press release that it will grow its 2002 earnings by 15%, rather than the 22% it reaffirmed as recently as ten days previously, because of a "$222 million increase in the domestic provision for uncollectible accounts." In addition, according to the press release, earnings for the third quarter were 26% less than the previous year. In reaction to the press release, the price of Sears common stock plummeted, falling 32%, from an October 16 close of $33.95 per share to close at $23.15 per share on October 17, on extremely heavy trading volume.
Plaintiff seeks to recover damages on behalf of all those who purchased Sears securities during the Class Period (January 17, 2002 through October 17, 2002). If you purchased Sears securities the Class Period and either lost money on the transactions or still hold the common stock, you may, if you meet certain other legal requirements, file a motion to serve as a lead plaintiff. You must file your motion no later than December 17, 2002.
A lead plaintiff is a representative party that acts on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. In order to be appointed lead plaintiff, the court must determine that the class member's claim is typical of the claims of other class members, and that the class member will adequately represent the class. Under certain circumstances, one or more class members may together serve as "lead plaintiff." Your ability to share in any recovery is not, however, affected by the decision whether or not to serve as a lead plaintiff. The requirements for serving as a lead plaintiff are set forth in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. Section 78u-4).
Much Shelist's history is one of experience, leadership and results. For more than 25 years, Much Shelist has represented plaintiffs in class action litigation in federal and state courts across the United States. The firm has successfully prosecuted cases involving securities fraud, antitrust violations, consumer fraud, unlawful business practices and insurance company fraud. Under Much Shelist's leadership, class members have obtained judgments and settlements in excess of $4 billion. Please contact the Much Shelist website for more information about the firm.
More information on this and other class actions can be found on the Class Action Newsline at www.primezone.com/ca