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Unlisted Security: Overview, Types, Risks

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What is an Unlisted Security?

An unlisted security is a financial instrument that is not traded on a formal exchange because it does not meet 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:listing requirements. Trading of unlisted securities is done on the 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:over-the-counter (OTC) market and they are often called OTC securities. 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:Market makers, or dealers, facilitate the buying and ๊selling of unlisted securities on the OTC market.

Key Takeaways

  • An unlisted security is a financial instrument that is not traded on a formal exchange because it does not meet listing requirements.
  • Unlisted securities are also called OTC securities, as trading is done on the over-the-counter (OTC) market mostly by market makers.
  • Unlisted stocks can be tracked via pink sheets or on the OTCBB.

Understanding Unlisted Security

Unlisted securities are usually issued by smaller or new firms that cannot or do not wish to comply with the requirements of an official exchange, such as 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:market capitalization thresholds or listing fees. Furthermore, because they are not exchange traded, unlisted securities are often less liquid than 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:listed securities. Unlisted stock can be tracked via 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:pink sheets or on the 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board (OTCBB).

Securities must meet a number of requirements to be listed on an exchange. For example, to be listed on the 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), a publicly traded stock must represent a company that surpasses an annual income or market capitalization threshold. The company also must have issued a specific number of shares and be able to afford the exchange's listing fee.

These reqไuirements ensure that only the highest quality companies trade on exchanges. Thus, unlisted securities🐎 may be of lower quality and present a greater risk to investors.

Types of Unlisted Financial Instruments

The most familiar type of unlisted security is common stock, often traded on the OTCBB or the pink sheets. This includes 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:penny stocks, which trade for extremely low prices, while some are legitimate foreign companies that don't wish to file r൩eports with the SEC.

There are also many 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:unlisted non-stock instruments including 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:corporate bonds, 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:government securities, and certain derivative products such as swaps which are traded in the OTC market.

Risks Investors Should Know

The normal risks associated with investing are magnified with unlisted securities. Because size and other requirements for companies are reduced or eliminated, some 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:unlisted companies may be 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:undercapitalized, have highly ris﷽ky business plans, and be no more than an idea without a plan for 🌟success.

Other unlisted transactions carry 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:counterparty risk, 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:liquidity concerns, and intercon💎nection risks. This can include one side reneging𒅌 on the contract. Also, since there is no formal exchange or clearing mechanism, it is up to the reputation of dealers and/or counterparties to fulfill all obligations of the transactions, including delivery of securities and payment of any monies required.

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  1. New York Stock Exchange. "," Pages 2-3. Accessed March 20, 2021. 

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