How to Research Old Stocks

Old stock certificate

Wondering how to redeem your old stocks or simply find out what they're worth? Depending on the amount of time and money you're willing to spend, you could undertake the research on your own or hire a company that researches old stocks.

Instructions

1. 

   Find out whether the company that issued the stock is still listed in the stock exchange. To do this, visit the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) website and look up company filings. You can do so by typing the name of the company or its ticker symbol in the "search" field. If nothing comes up, it is likely that the company has been de-listed, or its name could have changed as a result of mergers.

2. 

   The SEC lists the following companies that will research old stocks for a fee.
   Scripophily.com
   Financial Information Inc.
   R.M. Smythe & Co.
   Mergent Company's Moody's Industrial Manual and Moody's OTC Industrial Manual
   The Pink Sheets LLC

3. 

   Don't be discouraged if you find that your stock has no value. It may be of value in the field of scripophily (the collecting of old stock and bond certificates). You can locate collectors on eBay or through an old stock research firm.

References

• SEC
• Research Companies (fee charged)
• Internet Public Library