Voluntary Delisting


Introduction

A corporation may choose to delist its stock voluntarily for several reasons, such as amalgamation, merger, or underperformance. The corporation must provide you with two options if you own stock in the company that chooses to voluntarily delist:

Your shares will be purchased back by a promoter or buyer of the company using a reverse book-building procedure. Promoters are required to advertise buybacks in the media. They accomplish this by sending a letter of offer and a bid form to each shareholder who qualifies. The price at which the greatest amount of stocks has been offered is used to establish the final price. The price may be taken into consideration by the promoter or acquirer. All legitimate proposals up to the ultimate cost will be accepted if the promoter finds the pricing to be acceptable.

Additionally, stockholders have the choice to sell their shares to promoters. They may do so for a maximum of a year following the delisting. The share price at the end of the deal must be accepted by the promoters.

Process of Voluntary Delisting

  • The board of directors of the corporation must first give its blessing before deciding to seek voluntary delisting. The board assesses the rationale for delisting, weighs the potential effects on the business and its stockholders, and decides whether delisting is consistent with the strategic goals of the organization.

  • The governing board of management of the company would normally send the delisting proposal to the shareholders for formal shareholder approval. Depending on regional laws and stock exchange regulations, the precise voting criteria and thresholds may differ.

  • The company must officially notify the stock market wherever its stock options are listed of its intention to voluntarily delist after receiving the required board and shareholder approvals. A formal request or notification detailing the delisting request and its justification must normally be made by the company to the stock market.

  • Any special guidelines for delisting procedures established by the securities exchange must be followed by the company. This could entail adhering to certain regulatory requirements, presenting needed documentation, and keeping to predetermined deadlines.

  • Following receipt of the firm's notification by the stock exchange, the company is often required to publicly disclose its intention to voluntarily delist. The public, investors, and shareholders are often informed of the delisting decision via news releases or regulatory filings.

  • Normally, the stock exchange offers a schedule for the delisting procedure. This schedule outlines the precise dates on which trading in the company's shares will cease, the final day on which shareholders may sell or exchange their shares, along with other important deadlines.

  • The corporation must keep up with its regulatory requirements up until the delisting is finished, particularly after the delisting procedure has begun. This includes submitting the required paperwork, offering financial statements, and making sure all relevant rules and regulations are followed.

  • The shares of the business will no longer be openly offered on the exchange and trading in them will cease on the date set by the stock exchange. The voluntary delisting procedure will result in the company's removal from the stock exchange's official list.

Advantages of Voluntary Delisting

  • Being listed on a stock market comes with several regulatory obligations and reporting obligations, which come at a major cost to publicly traded companies. A corporation may be able to reduce these expenditures, including those for audit and compliance, by delisting.

  • The public, analysts, and investors are more likely to scrutinize publicly traded corporations. A business can reclaim some privacy and operate under less public scrutiny by delisting. This could be especially enticing to businesses that desire to operate in secrecy or those undergoing significant strategic changes.

  • Delisting frees up a company's decision-making capabilities and lessens the burden of rules that occur with having a publicly traded company. Management might then be better equipped to focus on long-term strategic goals rather than urgent market needs and short-term reporting responsibilities.

  • Delisting gives management and the company's main owners more influence over operations and decision-making. They may be able to concentrate on creating long- term value as opposed to meeting short-term shareholder expectations as a result.

Disadvantages of Voluntary Delisting

  • The stock of a business can no more be traded on an open exchange once it is delisted. This may limit access to capital through secondary offerings or the issue of stock and make it tougher for present owners to sell their interests. Additionally, it might significantly reduce the shares' liquidity.

  • Delisting would not be seen favorably by all investors, which might make them doubt the company's transparency and governance. This lack of confidence among investors may make it more challenging for the company in future years to acquire capital or attract new investors.

  • The ability to trade a company's shares on an open market is removed when it is delisted. The present owners' ability to sell their interests may become more challenging as a result of this, which may The regulatory burden is not entirely eliminated by delisting, albeit it does reduce some of its elements. Companies can continue to need to adhere to certain rules even after being delisted; these rules will vary depending on the company's characteristics and the country in which it is based.

  • Getting a company published on an exchange of stocks increases its popularity and accessibility to different types of buyers, thereby which can aid in determining a fair market price. Delisting could reduce the company's visibility, which could affect how valuable it is viewed as and its capacity to draw in investors.

Conclusion

Delisting voluntarily is a calculated action that might have benefits including cost savings, mobility, and privacy. It also comes with difficulties including less liquidity, a potential decline in investor trust, and continuous regulatory concerns. When considering whether to seek voluntary delisting, companies must carefully examine these aspects, take into account their unique ambitions, and take into account their situation.

FAQs

Qns 1. Can I sell delisted shares?

Ans. Shares that have been delisted from trading in the stock exchange must be sold in the market for over-the-counter securities.

Qns 2. Can I still own delisted shares?

Ans. Even while it may be more difficult for shareholders to sell their shares than in the past, they nevertheless maintain their legal entitlements and stake in a delisted stock.

Qns 3. If an investment is delisted, do I still have my money?

Ans. Even though delisting has no impact on the ownership you have, shares may lose value after delisting. So it is best to dispose of your shares if some of the companies you own are delisted

Updated on: 20-Nov-2023

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