The company I used to work for laid me off about a year ago. Since then, they’ve downsized even more and were not doing good.
The stock was very very low. I have a few shares of it, and I am totally clueless with the stock market world…
I found out today (being tipped off by the stock going up) that this company was acquired by another one.
Since finding that out, I just wonder what’s gonna happen to my shares? I figure it will just now bare the name of this other company but I don’t see the new company listed at all!
What will happen to my stocks if the new company isn’t listed on the market?
(I don’t know if I am “allowed” to post the companies names here, although I have no personal problem doing so if needed).
I have been debating if I should sell this stock as well, it is almost worthless and it would be a loss, but better than if the company goes down the toilet I guess…
No problems from our side. As long as you don’t have a non-disclosure agreement or something else that prevents you from doing it from your side, post away! 
It does depend on the deal, but usually when company A acquires Company B, stockholders in Company B are able to exchange their shares for shares of Company A stock. The exchange rate is usually set in the acquisition. You can usually figure it out by checking the ratio between the two stocks’ prices.
This exchange, BTW, usually has no expiration date. If you find 80 year old stock certificates, and that company was acquired by, say, General Motors in 1937, then you are entitled to shares of GM stock. A broker would determine how many.
Now if the acquiring company isn’t listed, it’s probably private. If it is, though, they still must pay shareholders something for their stock. The shareholders are owners of the company, and they get compensation in some manner for their stock.
Heh. Buddy of mine used to research stuff like that way back early in his career. Most interesting job in the world for 6 months. Then, the worst.
So if company A isn’t listed would they give us the shares at whatever they’re worth when the deal is booked?
OK the company acquiring my old company is Platinum Equity, LLC. Can’t find their symbol anywhere…??
Tanning Technologies? It’s being acquired for $1.15/share in cash, subject to closing adjustments. If your shares live at a brokerage account, just wait – they’ll send you the necessary documents to convert the shares to cash. If you have physical shares or shares registered with the company itself, they’ll send you the docs directly.
Because it’s a cash deal, you won’t get any shares in Platinum, a private company. You can find a press release about the deal here.
manhattan, you ROCK!
I did see some press releases, I guess I just could not understand this part!!
So I get 1.15 a share huh? YIKES!
Oh well, what can I do, the stock market ate me alive… Thank God I am a little person here, not a huge share holder…
Thank you so much for looking into this for me, I appreciate it.
PS : RealityChuck, thanks to you too! You ROCK as well 