The Gross Law Firm notifies investors that a class action has commenced in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina on behalf of shareholders of Advance Auto Parts, Inc. who purchased securities between November 16, 2022 and May 30, 2023.
The complaint alleges that defendants made false and/or materially misleading statements that: 1) misrepresented the efficacy of AAP’s strategic pricing initiative and the impact of price reductions; 2) omitted and/or concealed the negative impacts of the pricing initiative; 3) provided investors with an overly optimistic perception of AAP’s operations; and 4) created the false impression that inflation and macroeconomic factors had an insubstantial impact on the Company’s margins. On May 31, 2023, AAP held its quarterly earnings call for 2023 first quarter. During that call, President and CEO Thomas R. Greco (“Greco”) conceded, “our financial results in the first quarter were well below expectations.” Because the Company slashed prices on products, Greco stated “we had less price realization than plans, which put substantially higher pressure on our product margin price.” Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Jeffrey W. Shepherd revealed during the May call that the Company’s strategic pricing program resulted in the Company being “unable to price to cover product costs in the quarter.” The Company consequently revised downward its 2023 guidance to an operating margin of 5% to 5.3% from the previously announced 7.8% to 9.2% margins. Following this news, the Company’s stock price fell by $39.31 per share, from $112.20 per share to $72.89 per share on May 31, 2023.
If you wish to choose counsel to represent you and the class, you must apply to be appointed lead plaintiff and be selected by the Court. The lead plaintiff will direct the litigation and participate in important decisions including whether to accept a settlement for the class in the action. The lead plaintiff will be selected from among applicants claiming the largest loss from investment in the respective securities during the class periods. Members of the class will be represented by the lead plaintiff and counsel chosen by the lead plaintiff. No class has yet been certified in the above action. Appointment as Lead Plaintiff is not required to partake in any recovery.
Shareholders have until December 8, 2023 to request that the court appoint them lead plaintiff.
To receive more information, please fill out the form.
