There is a great deal of abuse going on in the OTC Bulletin Board Market and a lot of money is being made as result of it. Regulators are trying to deal with the problem but are unable to put a halt to it, unless they take drastic steps which will be detrimental to the small and micro-cap market.
The small and micro-cap market is an essential part in bringing small and mid-size companies public through Reverse merger and Regulation D (504) offering, these are the two most popular methods used by small and mid-size companies to go public.
This two avenues are prefer by small and mid size companies because they simpler and less expensive than the traditional IPO, It can be refer to as a simplified fast track method by which a private company can become a public company.
I described the process in detail how small and mid-size companies can go public in previous articles, if you miss them, you can email me and I will be happy to explain it.
I have over 25 years of experience in the securities industry as market maker and trader. In my own brokerage firm and with a couple of the largest wholesalers in Wall Street. I believe my experience qualify me to write on the subject with clarity and honesty from a birds eye view.
I believe in short selling as a legitimate way of providing liquidity to the market as an essential part market making, that is not what I am referring to.
A short position is established when somebody sells a stock they do not own hoping to be able to buy it bac at a later day for a lower price.
There are several reasons why selling short the stock of companies that have gone public through a reverse merger is profitable and easy, I will identify them and suggest ways that this can be stopped once all for all without affecting the legitimate short seller who are willing to sell and bear the risks associated with carrying a short position. Reason number one (1). Corporate shells, in order for an operating private company to go public in a Reverse merger it must merger with a public shell. A public shell is what remains when a public company is bankrupt or liquidated, also some shell are created as Blank Check companies,
A Blank Check company has shareholder and maybe some cash in its books but nothing else, they are created by enterprising entrepreneurs for the sole purpose of merging an operating private company into it.
What happens is that when the shell owner sell the shell to the private company he retains 5-15% of the shares for himself, on top of collecting any where upward of $500,000.00 for himself. And even if he signed and agreement not to sell for a year, most of these people can not be trusted and will at some point dump the stock or have somebody create a short position in their behalf.
Solution: The shell owner must be made to sell the entire position and be content with the money, which in most cases represents an enormous profit. I don't have anything against anybody making a lot of money, I am all for it because I also stand to make a lot of money, I am against the way they do it.
(2). The shareholder base: In order for a company be listed on the NASDAQ Small-Cap market or the OTC Bulletin Board it must have a specified number of shareholders to qualify for listing.
(2A). Improper due diligence: Prior to purchasing a shell the private company along with the consultant that they retain to assist them in the Reverse merger should do a complete review of the shareholder list. some of those shareholder may have excessive number of shares and the true beneficial owner may be the shell owner or the consultant himself, there are a lot of smooth talking wolves posing as consultant who are operating in conjunction with the shell owner.
Solution: First run the consultant's named and his previous employer through google and see if he has been convicted of any securities related crimes and has been barred from participating in any stock related transactions. Second write the regulator and request that consultants be required to have a website with their name on it, most of this unscrupulous character operate in a stealth manner so that regulators can't detect their activities.
Petition the Securities and Exchange commission requesting a reduction in the number of shareholders require for listing, and if a shell has too many shares outstanding don't buy it!
(3), Market Makers: Market makers in OTC Bulletin Board Securities are permitted to maintain a short position in securities that they are acting as market makers, but what some trader do is they register for a stock and go out sell stock on the bid (the price other market makers are willing to pay) and immediately cease to make a market in the stock and keep the short position.
Technically when a trader does this, he is circumventing the intent of the rule which allows market makers to short a stock in his role as a market maker.
Solution: Require traders to remain acting as market makers until they purchase the stock back, also regulators must make clearing agent to enforce the rules concerning the delivery of the securities on settlement or execute a buy in (buy the stock back and charge the seller) if the seller fails to deliver the stock within the prescribed period of time.
I believe that these reforms will go a long way in altering the climate for participant in Reverse merger, and in removing the vultures the prey on unsophisticated business owner from the market place.
But until the regulators act the responsibility is on the business owner to perform the proper research, if I sound like a crusader maybe that is because the industry has been good to me and I hate to see the vultures taking it over.
Joseph D. Quinones, President of Genesis Corporate Advisors has spent over 25 years in the securities industry. In 1992 he founded JDQ Financial Group, Inc. and proceeded to build it up from a one man operation to the point where it employed many traders, advised numerous client and generate millions in revenues.
If you are thinking about doing a reverse merger and have questions contact us at: www.genesiscorporateadvisors.com
Email: josephquinones@genesiscorporateadvisors.com
recurring cleaning service Mundelein ..Senior citizens are generally not a large marketing segment for... Read More
A Small Business Opportunities Magazine is one of the new... Read More
1. TargetYou are not all things to all people. Decide... Read More
What is a Virtual Assistant?? A Virtual Assistant is that... Read More
In general, all of us know how to accomplish the... Read More
The Workers' Compensation situation in this country is unbelievable. Why,... Read More
When is advice free and when should you charge for... Read More
Most business owners know when they need an accountant, but... Read More
If I had $1.00 every time I heard someone say... Read More
Your business is only as good as the number of... Read More
Large corporations use employee manuals to both educate employees about... Read More
Attorneys and Lawyers are ruining the franchise industry. It is... Read More
That sizzling sound you're hearing may be a symptom of... Read More
If you plan to do business online, then your website... Read More
All franchises must meet the legal definition of a franchise... Read More
Concrete Roof Tile Business: During the 2004 summer season, storms... Read More
Many small companies work very hard to get new accounts.... Read More
Do you spend every waking minute in your business? Do... Read More
Purchasing a franchise has become one of the most popular... Read More
Pardon my enthusiasm, but a large part of your small... Read More
I frequently give presentations at small business gatherings, providing me... Read More
So it's time to invest some finances into advertising your... Read More
Many people ask how many graphs or charts they should... Read More
At first blush this idea might be difficult to wrap... Read More
Researching information for a recent business plan, I came across... Read More
tidy up service Buffalo Grove ..Should you buy a business opportunity or Franchise if you... Read More
Incorporation in Nevada has become an attractive option for savvy... Read More
A recent survey showed that only 28.7% of small business... Read More
-- The One Pager Shortcut Series --People do business with... Read More
What is in an information plan?Before you even meet with... Read More
In the summer, I can't drive two blocks without seeing... Read More
One of the biggest fears people have about starting a... Read More
You have spent considerable time pulling your business plan together,... Read More
Would you rather have one good client paying you five... Read More
The story is told of a tiger chasing some goats... Read More
The Federal Trade Commission is upgrading the franchise law and... Read More
Many small business startups fail within the first 2 years... Read More
Providing high quality customer service is a must for any... Read More
If your home business is not performing the way you... Read More
Small business owners can relieve a lot of their own... Read More
There's been a recent rise in the number of elderly... Read More
Work smarter, not harderWhat is one of the best ways... Read More
What will your business look like a year from today?If... Read More
Hi, Charles...here, Your Cap and t-shirt guy From Texas. How... Read More
After over 30 years of participating in hundreds of businesses,... Read More
So it's time to invest some finances into advertising your... Read More
I have a confession to make. My name is Caroline... Read More
It has been discussed allowing Franchising companies to electronically disclose... Read More
When is advice free and when should you charge for... Read More
Frankly, given the legal and regulatory requirements involved in attempting... Read More
Small Business |