Reliance Electric Company v. Emerson Electric Company

United States Supreme Court

404 U.S. 418

Reliance Electric Co.  v.  Emerson Electric Co.

Certiorari to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit

No. 70-79  Argued: November 10-11, 1971 --- Decided: January 11, 1972

Respondent, the owner of more than 10% of Dodge Mfg. Co.'s stock, within six months of the purchase thereof sold enough shares to a broker to reduce its holding to 9.96%, for the purpose of immunizing the disposal of the remainder from liability under § 16 (b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Under that provision a corporation may recover for itself the profits realized by an owner of more than 10% of its shares from a purchase and sale of its stock within any six-month period, provided the owner held more than 10% "both at the time of purchase and sale."

Held: Under the terms of § 16 (b) respondent is not liable to petitioner (Dodge's successor) for profits derived from the sale of the 9.96% to Dodge within six months of purchase. Pp. 422-427.

434 F. 2d 918, affirmed.

STEWART, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which BURGER, C.J., and MARSHALL and BLACKMUN, JJ., joined. DOUGLAS, J., filed a dissenting opinion, in which BRENNAN and WHITE, JJ., joined, post, p. 427. POWELL and REHNQUIST, JJ., took no part in the consideration or decision of the case.

Thomas P. Mulligan argued the cause for petitioner. With him on the briefs were Patrick J. Amer, Stephen J. Burns, and Kenneth S. Teasdale.

Albert E. Jenner, Jr., argued the cause for respondent. With him on the brief were Wesley G. Hall, R.H. McRoberts, and Thomas C. Walsh.

Walter P. North argued the cause for the Securities and Exchange Commission as amicus curiae. With him on the briefs were Solicitor General Griswold, Samuel Huntington, Philip A. Loomis, Jr., and Jacob H. Stillman.

Whitney North Seymour and John A. Guzzetta filed a brief for Gulf & Western Industries, Inc., as amicus curiae.

Notes