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The
process of tracing the current value or verifying
the worthlessness of an old stock certificate can
vary greatly depending on the history of the
company. Sometimes the answer is straightforward;
other times, the research can be confusing and
time-consuming. Since there is no single source for
information on older public companies, it helps to
familiarize yourself with some of the most likely
places to find information before beginning your
research.
The following is a summary of some of the most
widely-used sources at Kirstein for tracing the
history and value of old stocks. Shelf locations
follow each title. Please consult a librarian for
assistance in your research.
National Quotation Bureau Stock Summary
(Last ed. (2003) at Desk, older in Basement Row 8 (1931-2003))
This contains a list of stocks currently trading at
the time of publication. It will give you clues about
the location of the company, what exchange it was traded
on and sometimes a stock price range.
Capital Changes Reports (CCH) (1st Floor -
Alcove)
Each entry in Capital Changes contains a
chronological history of the stock's changes in
corporate capital structure, including name
changes, mergers, spin-offs, bankruptcy filings,
stock splits, and other information which may help
to determine an old stock's current worth. It is
arranged alphabetically by company. References to
name changes are noted, sometimes leading the
researcher to a "dead-end" such as a bankruptcy
notice, and other times resulting in an entry in
which the stock is traded under a different
name.
Directory of Obsolete Securities (Financial
Information, Inc.) (1st Floor - Ask at
Desk)
This valuable source "contains a brief profile of
banks and companies whose original identities have
been lost as a result of...change in name, merger,
acquisition, dissolution, reorganization,
bankruptcy, chapter cancellation." As the title
implies, if your company is listed in this
directory, chances are that it is currently
worthless, although in some cases it may have some
remaining value. This book includes company
information from 1926 through the present.
Scudder-Fisher Manuals (1st Floor -
Alcove)
Fifteen volumes spanning over one hundred years of
securities information, this source lists the name
of the obsolete company, the state in which it was
incorporated, and the year in which the stock
became worthless. Occasionally, an explanation is
provided for a stock's demise. [Note:
Updates have been made at irregular intervals since
1926, resulting in a tricky indexing
structure]. Some Canadian stocks can also be
found in these manuals. For a more comprehensive
source for Canadian companies, see below.
Survey of Predecessor and Defunct Companies
(Financial Post) (1st floor - 300fp)
"The comprehensive record of Canadian public
corporations covering more than 60 years," this
directory will provide dates and explanations of a
Canadian stock's worthlessness. For directories of
active Canadian public companies, use Financial
Post's Survey of Industrials (1st floor
- 300f) and Survey of Mines and Energy
Resources (1st floor - 656).
Additionally, Kirstein Business Branch maintains a
collection of older editions of the National
Stock Summary dating back to 1931, as well as
its predecessor, Standard Stock Offerings,
dating back to 1926.
Other methods of searching:
•
Articles
about companies in periodical databases.
•
Wall
Street Journal: we have 10 years of issues
& indexes
•
Moody's/Mergent
Manuals: 1909- present
Click
here for information on Finding Historical Stock
Prices
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