The only thing delisting does is that the stock doesn't trade on whatever exchange it got delisted from. It would still exist and you would still own it. No one is going to pay you out. It would trade over the counter.
If a delisted company can return to stability and meet the listing criteria, it may re-list later. A company may also voluntarily delist shares due to a merger or acquisition, going private, or if it feels that the costs outweigh the benefits to remain listed.
Delisting does not necessarily make the stock worthless (although the company is probably not in good shape at this point). Regardless of the reason for the company's delisting, you would still need to sell these stocks through your broker in order to claim the losses in most cases.
So though the shares are not traded on the stock exchanges after delisting, they are still there in your demat account. So, delisting cannot amount to extinguishment of the shares or your rights in the shares.
When a stock is delisted, options trading on that stock typically ceases. This means that options holders are no longer able to buy or sell their options on the open market. However, they still have the right to exercise their options if they choose to do so.
If the security cannot be sold in the market, it may be possible to dispose of the worthless security by gifting it to another person who can be related or unrelated to you. If you gift the worthless security to a family member, you will need to ensure that the person is not your spouse or minor child.
The delisted company would have to avoid bankruptcy, solve the issue that forced the delisting, and again become compliant with the exchange's standards. What's more common than a relisting is that a delisted company goes bankrupt and the delisted stock becomes worthless.
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. Decisions taken with a careful and prudent analysis of the situation can help you achieve your long-term investment goals.
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.
As a shareholder, you can sell your shares by applying for a buyback. There are chances that the company offers buyback at a premium price when they opt for delisting due to expansion or merger. Being a shareholder, you can earn significant gain by opting for a buyback at a premium price.
Delisting of shares can have significant consequences for shareholders, ranging from reduced liquidity to potential loss in value. It's essential for investors to stay informed about the reasons behind the delisting and how it may affect their investments.
The Impact of Delisting on Investors
However, a delisted stock often experiences significant or total devaluation.
If the suspended company complies with all regulations, the exchange might revoke the suspension, and the shares will start trading again. If the company gets suspended and eventually closes, shareholders will have to write it off as a loss.
As these stocks are not listed on the stock exchange, you need to approach the broker or buyer privately to sell unlisted shares in India. You need to provide Demat A/c details, CMR copy, and bank details to the buyer after which the shares need to be transferred.
If a stock is untradeable on Robinhood, you won't be able to buy or sell shares of it.
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.
Many companies can and have returned to compliance and relisted on a major exchange like the Nasdaq after delisting. To be relisted, a company has to meet all the same requirements it had to meet to be listed in the first place.
When a stock's value falls to zero, or near zero, it typically signals that the company is bankrupt. The stocks are frozen and unless the company restructures, it's likely you will lose your investment.
The value of shares doesn't automatically rise or fall with a delisting, but when an involuntary listing takes place, it's often a sign that a company is approaching bankruptcy. In this case, there's a chance investors might lose their investment.
Although the investment seems to be completely irrecoverable and is actual loss, you cannot claim this loss as the shares have neither been extinguished nor transferred by you.
If it's an “all-cash” deal, your shares will vanish from your portfolio upon closing, replaced by the specified cash value. Conversely, if it's an “all-stock” deal, your shares will be swapped for shares of the acquiring company.
When a company delists, investors still own their shares. However, they'll no longer be able to sell them on the exchange. Instead, they'll have to do so over the ounter (OTC).
If a company's stock is delisted from an exchange, shareholders still own their shares in the company, but the stock may trade over-the-counter, which could lead to decreased liquidity and less transparency for investors.
Here's what you need to do to report your loss: Report any worthless securities on Form 8949. You'll need to explain to the IRS that your loss totals differ from those presented by your broker on your Form 1099-B and why. You need to treat securities as if they were sold or exchanged on the last day of the tax year.