41. The omission of this material information renders the statements in the “Opinion of Inphi’s Financial Advisor, Qatalyst Partners” and “Unaudited Prospective Financial Information” sections of the Registration Statement false and/or materially misleading in contravention of the Exchange Act.
Material Omissions Concerning Qatalyst’s Potential Conflicts of Interest
42. The Registration Statement fails to disclose material information concerning the potential conflicts of interest faced by Qatalyst.
43. The Registration Statement sets forth:
Pursuant to a letter agreement, dated as of September 4, 2019, Qatalyst Partners provided Inphi with financial advisory services in connection with the Mergers for which it will be paid approximately $82 million (provided that the final actual fee will be, in part, based on Marvell’s closing share price at the time of the closing of the Mergers, and, accordingly, the final fee may vary significantly from this estimate), $5 million of which became payable upon delivery of its opinion (regardless of the conclusion reached in the opinion), and the remaining portion of which will be paid upon, and subject to, the completion of the Mergers.
Id. at 122. The Registration Statement fails, however, to disclose how Qatalyst’s fee is based on Marvell’s closing share price at the time of closing of the Proposed Transaction, such that Qatalyst’s “final fee may vary significantly” from the $82 million currently estimated.
44. Full disclosure of investment banker compensation and all potential conflicts is required due to the central role played by investment banks in the evaluation, exploration, selection, and implementation of strategic alternatives
45. The omission of this material information renders the statements in the “Opinion of Inphi’s Financial Advisor, Qatalyst Partners” section of the Registration Statement false and/or materially misleading in contravention of the Exchange Act.
46. The Individual Defendants were aware of their duty to disclose the above-referenced omitted information and acted negligently (if not deliberately) in failing to include this information in the Registration Statement. Absent disclosure of the foregoing material information prior to the
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COMPLAINT FOR VIOLATIONS OF THE FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS