OptionsExpress shareholders on Schwab deal: Not so fast

OptionsExpress shareholders on Schwab deal: Not so fast
Say discount brokerage buying company on the cheap; three separate lawsuits filed
APR 15, 2011
OptionsXpress Holdings Inc. investors filed three lawsuits challenging Charles Schwab Corp.'s plan to buy the retail options brokerage for about $1 billion in stock, claiming the board failed to get the best possible price. The trio of lawsuits, filed yesterday and today in Illinois state court in Chicago, where OptionsXpress is based, claim the company's directors breached their fiduciary duties to shareholders. Each complaint seeks a court order blocking the transaction. Schwab, the largest independent broker by client assets, announced the deal in a statement jointly issued yesterday by the San Francisco-based company and OptionsXpress. The agreed-upon $17.91-a-share value of the transaction “substantially undervalues the company and is merely an attempt by Schwab to acquire OptionsXpress for a bargain during a temporary downturn in the economy,” according to one complaint. OptionsXpress closed March 18 at $15.33 in Nasdaq Stock Market trading. The plaintiffs in each case seek class-action, or group, status on behalf of all OptionsXpress investors who were allegedly harmed in the transaction. Named as defendants in each of the complaints are OptionsXpress Chairman and co-founder James A. Gray, Vice- Chairman and co-founder Ned W. Bennett, and six other directors. Schwab, too, is a defendant in each case. Greg Gable, a spokesman for Schwab, said it was against company policy to discuss pending litigation and declined to comment. Patrick Van De Wille, an outside spokesman for OptionsXpress, didn't immediately reply to after-hours voice- mail and e-mail messages seeking comment. --Bloomberg News--

Latest News

Federal judge dismisses Eltek manipulation lawsuit against Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
Federal judge dismisses Eltek manipulation lawsuit against Morgan Stanley Smith Barney

Nine-month electronic trading freeze and share lending program at the center of dismissed claim.

RIA wrap: Dynamic strikes South Carolina deal to reach $7B AUM milestone
RIA wrap: Dynamic strikes South Carolina deal to reach $7B AUM milestone

Meanwhile, Rossby Financial's leadership buildout rolls on with a new COO appointment as Balefire Wealth welcomes a distinguished retirement specialist to its national network.

Rethinking diversification amid a concentrated S&P 500
Rethinking diversification amid a concentrated S&P 500

With a smaller group of companies driving stock market performance, advisors must work more intentionally to manage concentration risks within client portfolios.

Merrill pays second settlement to former Miami Dolphins player, client of ex-broker
Merrill pays second settlement to former Miami Dolphins player, client of ex-broker

Professional athletes are often targets of scam artists and are particularly vulnerable to fraud.

Schwab touts AI as its biggest growth lever at investor day
Schwab touts AI as its biggest growth lever at investor day

The brokerage giant tells Wall Street it will use artificial intelligence to reach clients it has never been able to serve — and turn the technology's perceived threat into a competitive edge.

SPONSORED Beyond wealth management: Why the future of advice is becoming more human

As technical expertise becomes increasingly commoditized, advisors who can integrate strategy, relationships, and specialized expertise into a cohesive client experience will define the next era of wealth management

SPONSORED Durability over scale: What actually defines a great advisory firm

Growth may get the headlines, but in my experience, longevity is earned through structure, culture, and discipline