(Reuters) -Shares of FTAI Aviation plummeted more than 30% on Tuesday after the U.S. aircraft lessor announced that its audit committee would investigate claims of financial irregularities made by short-seller Muddy Waters Research.
“Although the review will take longer than some may like, it is the most thorough way to clear the accounting allegations and remove the overhang on the stock, assuming no wrongdoing” said Jefferies analyst Sheila Kahyaoglu.
Earlier this month, Muddy Waters said that it was short on FTAI, criticizing the company’s financial reporting as “highly misleading.”
The New York-based firm, which leases aircraft and provides after-market maintenance for commercial jet engines, said while it disagreed with Muddy Waters’ assertions, it may delay its annual report filing to allow the review to be completed.
The short seller said that FTAI was misleading investors by reporting one-time engine sales as Maintenance Repair & Overhaul revenue in its Aerospace Products segment.
In the third quarter ended Sept. 30, FTAI reported $303.5 million in revenue from its Aerospace Products segment, accounting for about 65% of its total quarterly sales.
(Reporting by Anshuman Tripathy in Bengaluru; Editing by Tasim Zahid)
