Apple’s attempt to dismiss a class-action lawsuit has been denied by a U.S. judge, signaling potential trouble for Chief Executive Tim Cook. The lawsuit alleges that Cook defrauded shareholders by concealing declining iPhone sales in China. With this latest development, shareholders, led by a prominent British pension fund, are now authorized to proceed with their legal action, seeking restitution for the significant market value loss Apple experienced—a staggering $74 billion in just one day.
The Controversial Comment
The genesis of the lawsuit can be traced back to a statement made by Tim Cook during an analyst call on November 1, 2018. Although Tim Cook acknowledged sales challenges in various markets affected by weakened currencies, such as Brazil, India, Russia, and Turkey, he notably exempted China from that category. However, this assertion proved misleading, as shortly thereafter, Apple instructed its suppliers to scale back production. Subsequently, on January 2, 2019, the tech giant unexpectedly slashed its quarterly revenue forecast by a staggering $9 billion, attributing the decline to escalating trade tensions between the United States and China.
Judge’s Rationale
U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, based in Oakland, California, rejected Apple’s plea to dismiss the lawsuit. Judge Rogers reasoned that a reasonable jury could interpret Cook’s comment as a reflection on Apple’s sales outlook in China, rather than an assessment of past performance or the impact of currency fluctuations. Furthermore, the judge highlighted that Apple was aware of the slowdown in China’s economy and possessed data indicating a potential decline in demand. In light of this information, Judge Rogers determined that shareholders could assert that Apple’s failure to disclose these risks led to their financial harm.
Apple’s Response
Apple and its legal representatives have not yet issued an official response following the judge’s decision. Requests for comment remain unanswered as of now. Similarly, lawyers representing the shareholders have not responded to inquiries seeking their viewpoint on the matter.
The Leading Plaintiff
The lawsuit is spearheaded by the Norfolk County Council, acting as the Administering Authority of the Norfolk Pension Fund, situated in Norwich, England. With the court’s approval, the case has garnered significant attention due to the potential ramifications for both Apple and its shareholders.
Implications and Apple’s Market Value
Since January 2019, Apple’s share price has surged approximately fivefold, propelling the company’s market value to nearly $3 trillion. The ongoing lawsuit may have far-reaching consequences, impacting Apple’s financial standing and reputation.
