ZAHN V. TRANSAMERICA CORP., 3d Cir. Ct. of App., 162 F.2d 36 (1947) CASE BRIEF

ZAHN V. TRANSAMERICA CORP.

162 F.2d 36 (1947)

NATURE OF THE CASE: Action to recover payments made upon liquidation. Zahn (P) Class A stockholder appealed the decision dismissing his class action complaint alleging breach of fiduciary duty on the part of Transamerica (D) Class B stockholder in its decision to redeem Class A stock and then liquidate the company.

FACTS: Zahn (P) owned class A common stock of the Axton-Fisher Tobacco Co. Axton's stock was divided into three groups: preferred, class A and class B. The corporate charter provided that, upon liquidation of the corporation, a set amount was to be paid to the preferred shareholders, with the remainder of the assets to be divided between the class A and class B shareholders as set by the directors. The charter also provided a right of redemption of the class A stock by the board at any time for $60 per share plus accrued dividends. Over a period of time, Transamerica (D) acquired 80% of the class B stock and two-thirds of the overall voting stock of Axton. When the value of Axton's assets increased, the board, now controlled by D, redeemed the class A stock and then sold the assets of the corporation, thereby liquidating the company. They gave no disclosure to the class A holders. P alleges that if the Class A stockholders had been allowed to participate in the assets on liquidation of Axton-Fisher and had received their respective shares of the assets, he and the other Class A stockholders would have received $240 per share instead of $80.80.

ISSUE:


RULE OF LAW:


HOLDING AND DECISION:


LEGAL ANALYSIS:





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