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H&R Block may have misrepresented to investors the liquidity of Auction Rate Securities.
Investigation Source (Case #08-cv-00667)
- Nationwide
Investigation Scope
Category Information
Investigation Topics
- Investments
- Unsuitable Investments
Product or Service
- Auction Rate Securities
Injury Type
- Monetary Loss
Investigation Details
Investigation and pending class action against H&R Blocks on behalf of investors who purchased auction rate securities from H&R Block.
Auction rate securities are also known as auction rate preferred stock; auction market preferred stock; variable rate preferred securities; money market preferred securities; auction rate bonds.
H&R Block represented to investors that auction rate securities were equivalent to cash or money market funds, were highly liquid and safe investments for short term investments. H&R Block knew but failed to disclose material facts about auction rate securities including the fact that auction rate securities were in fact long-term financial instruments that were artificially supported and manipulated by broker-dealers thereby creating the appearance of liquidity and stability.
On February 13, 2008, 87% of all auction for auction rate securities failed. This collapse left investors holding 300 billion in auction rate securities with no means of liquidating the investments.
Auction rate securities are also known as auction rate preferred stock; auction market preferred stock; variable rate preferred securities; money market preferred securities; auction rate bonds.
H&R Block represented to investors that auction rate securities were equivalent to cash or money market funds, were highly liquid and safe investments for short term investments. H&R Block knew but failed to disclose material facts about auction rate securities including the fact that auction rate securities were in fact long-term financial instruments that were artificially supported and manipulated by broker-dealers thereby creating the appearance of liquidity and stability.
On February 13, 2008, 87% of all auction for auction rate securities failed. This collapse left investors holding 300 billion in auction rate securities with no means of liquidating the investments.
Defendant Details
| Name (Stock Symbol) | Brief Description |
|---|---|
| H&R Block, Inc. (HRB) | H&R Block, Inc. primarily is a tax preparation company, but also offers investment products and services. |