On October 18, 2021, the Company announced that Zillow Offers suspended signing of new contracts through 2021 and would focus on its current inventory, citing “a backlog in renovations and operational capacity restraints.” Zillow claimed that “[p]ausing new contracts will enable us to focus on sellers already under contract with us and our current home inventory.” On this news, Zillow’s Class A share price fell $8.84, or 9.4%, to close at $85.46 per share on October 18, 2021, and Zillow’s Class C share price fell $8.97, or 9.4%, to close at $86.00 per share on October 18, 2021, on unusually heavy trading volume. Then, on November 2, 2021, Zillow announced that it was winding down Zillow Offers because “the unpredictability in forecasting home prices far exceeds what we anticipated and continuing to scale Zillow Offers would result in too much earnings and balance-sheet volatility.” As a result, third quarter 2021 financial results included a $304 million inventory writedown, and the Company further expected “an additional $240 million to $265 million of losses to be recognized in Q4.” On this news, Zillow’s Class A share price fell $19.62, or 23%, to close at $65.86 per share on November 3, 2021, thereby injuring investors. Zillow’s Class C share price fell $21.73, or 25%, to close at $65.47 per share on November 3, 2021, on unusually heavy trading volume. The complaint filed in this class action alleges that throughout the Class Period, the defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts about the Companys business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants failed to disclose to investors: (1) that, despite operational improvements, the Company experienced significant unpredictability in forecasting home prices for its Zillow Offers business; (2) that such unpredictability, as well as labor and supply shortages, led to a backlog of inventory; (3) that, as a result of the foregoing, the Company was reasonably likely to wind-down its Zillow Offers business, which would have a material adverse impact on its financial results; and (4) that, as a result of the foregoing, Defendants positive statements about the Companys business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.
Notes:
The alleged class includes : All persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Zillow securities between February 10, 2021 and November 2, 2021, inclusive.
For More information as well as to join this case please contact Atara Twersky, Esq. at atara@twerskylawgroup.com or atwersky@aftlaw.com. Atara is Principal at Twersky Law Group and Of counsel at AF&T law firm where she is director of Investor Services. Atara focuses her practice on assisting her clients with increasing their investment portfolio recoveries and ensuring that their portfolios remain healthy and robust. For more information on shareholder recoveries click here and to listen to Atara’s podcast with notable guests in the Pension fund Industry listen to Pension and Investments Podcast, on all matters related to your investment portfolio and more. For more information on Atara and her legal work connected to shareholder protection click here
