LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Feb. 15, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- The Law Firm of Cauley Geller Bowman & Coates, LLP announced today that it had filed a class action lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Central District of California on behalf of purchasers of Homestore.com, Inc. ("Homestore" or the "Company") (Nasdaq:HOMS) common stock during the period between July 20, 2000 and December 21, 2001, inclusive (the "Class Period"). The class period is being expanded to include purchases between May 4, 2000 and December 21, 2001, inclusive. A copy of the complaint filed in this action is available from the Court, or can be viewed on the firm's Website at http://www.classlawyer.com/pr/homestore.pdf.
The complaint charges Homestore and certain of its officers and directors with violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Homestore provides an online marketplace for home and real estate-related information, products and services. On July 19, 2000 (after the close of the market), Homestore issued a release of its positive 2Q 00 results, causing Homestore's stock price to soar by more than $7 (or 25%) the following trading day. The complaint alleges that as part of their effort to boost the price of Homestore stock, defendants misrepresented Homestore's true prospects in an effort to conceal Homestore's improper acts until they were able to sell at least $16 million of their own Homestore stock. In order to overstate revenues and assets in 2Q 00, 3Q 00, 4Q 00, 1Q 01, 2Q 01 and 3Q 01, the complaint charges that Homestore violated Generally Accepted Accounting Principals and SEC rules by engaging in improper "roundtrip" transactions. These transactions had the effect of dramatically overstating revenues and assets. This came to an end (though unbeknownst to the public) in the Company's 3Q 01 as the Company's main "roundtrip" partner stopped doing these transactions with the Company.
Following the release of the Company's 3Q 01 results, the Company also slashed its revenue projections for 2002 from $563 million to $375-$425 million as a result of a material decline in its business with its main "roundtrip" partner. On this news the Company's shares dropped by more than 50% the following trading day. Then, on December 21, 2001 (after the close of the market), the Company partially admitted that its past accounting for its prior results was inaccurate. On this news the Company's shares were halted. Trading resumed on Monday, January 7, 2002 at a price well below where the stock traded during the Class Period.
If you bought Homestore common stock between July 20, 2000 and December 21, 2001, inclusive, and you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than February 25, 2002. If you are a member of this class, you can join this class action online at http://www.classlawyer.com/sign_up.html. Any member of the purported class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through Cauley Geller Bowman & Coates, LLP or other counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member.
Cauley Geller Bowman & Coates, LLP has substantial experience representing investors in securities fraud class action lawsuits such as this. The firm has offices in Florida, Arkansas and California, but represents investors throughout the nation. If you have any questions about how you may be able to recover for your losses, or if you would like to consider serving as one of the lead plaintiffs in this lawsuit, you are encouraged to call or e-mail the Firm or visit the Firm's Website at www.classlawyer.com.
CAULEY GELLER BOWMAN & COATES, LLP Investor Relations Department: Jackie Addison, Sue Null or Shelly Nicholson P.O. Box 25438 Little Rock, AR 72221-5438 Toll Free: 1-888-551-9944 E-mail: info@classlawyer.com
More information on this and other class actions can be found on the Class Action Newsline at www.primezone.com/ca