Pilgrim’s Pride Corp., a subsidiary of JBS S.A., has agreed to pay $41.5 million in a class action lawsuit settlement with investors. The lawsuit accused the company of misrepresenting the competition within the broiler industry in order to artificially inflate its stock price.

The agreement was reached after nearly a decade of legal proceedings, with the initial complaint filed in October 2016. The plaintiffs filed a motion on Jan. 24 with the US District Court for the District of Colorado seeking preliminary approval of the settlement.

The lawsuit alleged that Pilgrim’s Pride violated the Securities Exchange Act by portraying the poultry industry as highly competitive, attributing the company’s strong financial performance to its product mix, diverse portfolio model, and pricing strategy. However, the investors claimed that the actual reason for the company’s success was an illegal price-fixing conspiracy with its competitors.

Investors became aware of the alleged scheme through third-party disclosures, which led to significant declines in Pilgrim’s stock. One such disclosure was the filing of an antitrust class action lawsuit by a group of Pilgrim’s customers and other chicken producers, accusing the company of participating in a price-fixing scheme. Additional disclosures came from news outlets such as The New York Times and The Washington Post.

The $41.5 million settlement represents a significant financial resolution for the investors who were harmed by Pilgrim’s alleged misconduct. This case serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and honesty in financial reporting, as well as the potential consequences of engaging in deceptive business practices.

Pilgrim’s Pride has not admitted to any wrongdoing as part of the settlement, but the payment of $41.5 million indicates a willingness to resolve the matter and move forward. The company may also implement changes to its corporate governance and compliance practices to prevent similar issues from arising in the future.

The settlement of this class action lawsuit highlights the need for companies to adhere to strict ethical standards and comply with all relevant laws and regulations. Investors rely on accurate and truthful information to make informed decisions about where to invest their money, and any misrepresentation can have serious consequences for both the company and its shareholders.

Moving forward, Pilgrim’s Pride will need to rebuild trust with investors and demonstrate a commitment to integrity and transparency in its business practices. By learning from this experience and taking proactive steps to prevent future misconduct, the company can work towards regaining the confidence of the market and ensuring long-term success for its shareholders.