What happens if I don't sell delisted shares?

Asked by: Dayna Ryan  |  Last update: August 2, 2026
Score: 4.6/5 (56 votes)

If a stock is delisted, you still own your shares, but they can no longer be traded on major exchanges like the NYSE or Nasdaq, moving to less regulated Over-the-Counter (OTC) markets, which often causes a significant drop in value, reduced liquidity (harder to sell), wider spreads, and less transparency, though voluntary delistings (mergers, going private) can offer buyouts or shares in a new entity, resulting in different outcomes.

Do stocks ever come back after being delisted?

Yes, a delisted stock can come back and be relisted on a major exchange like the NYSE or Nasdaq, but it's often a difficult, lengthy process requiring the company to resolve the issues that caused the delisting (like low share price or financial non-compliance) and meet all exchange requirements again, though many don't successfully relist and end up trading on the less liquid over-the-counter (OTC) market or become worthless. 

Can I get money back from delisted stock?

It really depends. Sometimes a company delists and then liquidates (sells its assets and pays its liabilities), the net proceeds are paid out to shareholders. Sometimes a company gets taken over and you get paid, sometimes it goes bankrupt etc etc. So the options are endless.

What happens if you own shares in a company that delists?

When a company delists, investors still own their shares. However, they'll no longer be able to sell them on the exchange.

Are delisted shares worth anything?

In case of Involuntary Delisting, your ownership of the shares is not affected, however, the value of your shares might get devalued after delisting. Thus, traders or investors generally sell their shares when the company announces buyback.

What Happens When a Stock Gets Delisted?

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What to do when a stock you own is delisted?

If you still hold shares after they are delisted, you can sell them—just not on the exchange on which they traded before. Stock exchanges are very advantageous for buying and selling shares. When they delist and trade over the counter (OTC), selling shares and getting a reasonable price for them becomes much harder.

How to recover delisted shares?

What to Do When a Stock or Share is Delisted

  1. Contact the company directly or visit their shareholder assistance area for guidance and information.
  2. Double-check your email or postal mailbox for any announcements or correspondence from either the company itself, CHESS, your share broker, the ASX, or the share registry.

Who buys delisted shares?

The remaining investors will be able to sell their shares to the promoters. The promoters must accept all of the shares at the same final price. This is allowed for a period of one year from the date of delisting. 2.

Can I sell stock that has been delisted?

Although some brokerages restrict such OTC transactions, you generally can sell a delisted stock just as you would a stock that trades on an exchange. A delisted stock can continue to trade over the counter for years, even if the company files for bankruptcy.

What happens if I don't sell my shares in a tender offer?

If you do not tender shares in the tender offer, those shares will be cashed out in connection with the merger and you should receive payment for those shares, generally within 7-10 business days after the merger.

Can delisted companies relist?

Yes, a company delisted its shares can relist on the stock exchange, but it's not easy. Relisting is like starting fresh, similar to when a company goes public through an Initial Public Offering (IPO).

Can you claim loss for delisted shares?

If you own securities, including stocks, and they become totally worthless, you have a capital loss but not a deduction for bad debt. Worthless securities also include securities that you abandon.

What to do with untradeable stock on Robinhood?

If a stock is untradeable on Robinhood, you won't be able to buy or sell shares of it. You can learn more about why a stock may be untradeable in Mergers, stock splits, and more. If you sell a stock for a loss, and then buy the same stock or a similar stock within 30 calendar days, you've executed a wash sale.

What are the potential benefits of delisting?

Delisting may be an attractive option for a company with a low share price and where there is a lack of liquidity in the market for the company's shares. It may be possible for shareholders in some companies to realise an improved price for their shares as a private company and raise capital in the private markets.

Is a stock worthless if delisted?

Once a stock is delisted, stockholders still own the stock. However, a delisted stock often experiences significant or total devaluation. Therefore, even though a stockholder may still technically own the stock, they will likely experience a significant reduction in ownership.

What is the 7% sell rule?

The 7% sell rule is a stock trading guideline to cut losses quickly, advising you to sell a stock if it drops 7-8% below your purchase price to protect capital, remove emotion, and prevent small losses from becoming catastrophic, a strategy popularized by William O'Neil's CAN SLIM method for growth investing. It assumes that truly strong stocks typically don't fall much below their buy point, so a dip signals something is wrong, requiring you to exit the trade to preserve funds for better opportunities.
 

How do you get money from delisted shares?

Though delisting does not affect your ownership, shares may not hold any value post-delisting. Thus, if any of the stocks that you own get delisted, it is better to sell your shares. You can either exit the market or sell it to the company when it announces buyback.

Do I get my money back if a stock is delisted?

Your assets may be converted into cash or alternative assets such as shares of a company which instigated a merger or acquisition. If the company in which you own delisted shares is going into liquidation, there is a chance you may be entitled to a share of the residual value of its assets.

Is it possible to profit from a delisted stock?

Traders can potentially profit from voluntary and involuntary delistings. If a company delists voluntarily, its share price can increase depending on the reasons for the privatisation. In this case, a trader can open a position to 'buy' (go long) if they think the share price will increase.

Can a delisted stock ever come back?

Yes, a delisted stock can come back and be relisted on a major exchange like the NYSE or Nasdaq, but it's often a difficult, lengthy process requiring the company to resolve the issues that caused the delisting (like low share price or financial non-compliance) and meet all exchange requirements again, though many don't successfully relist and end up trading on the less liquid over-the-counter (OTC) market or become worthless. 

How long does the delisting process take?

If it fails in its appeal to Nasdaq, the company can move its case to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and then on to the federal courts. On Nasdaq the delisting procedure for various violations of the exchange's standards can take anywhere from 30 days to seven months.

How do I report worthless stock on my taxes?

You must determine the holding period to determine if the capital loss is short term (one year or less) or long term (more than one year). Report losses due to worthless securities on Part I or Part II of Form 8949.

Can I transfer delisted shares?

If the exit offer is unavailable or has expired, investors can transfer their delisted shares off-market to another buyer. How It Works: Fill out a Delivery Instruction Slip (DIS) from your depository participant (linked to NSDL or CDSL). Enter the recipient's demat account details accurately.