Securities Class Settlements Fall To New Low, as Settlement Amounts Increase

Despite a 14-year low in the number of securities class action settlements in 2012, the total settlement amount increased by more than 100 percent from 2011, according to a Cornerstone Research study released March 20.

The increase in the total settlement amount was due mainly to a number of “mega-settlements”—settlements over $100 million, the report said.

The study, titled Securities Class Action Settlements 2012 Review and Analysis, was authored by Cornerstone Boston Office Manager Ellen M. Ryan and Senior Advisor Laura E. Simmons.

“Based on the volume of recent securities class action filings, the unusually low number of settlements ...