Ask the Advisor – Q. What is a reverse merger and when is it appropriate?

Description

Abstract: Reverse mergers allow privately owned companies to merge with an existing (but typically dormant) public company and issue publicly traded stock on behalf of the merged entity. Since the U.S. economy nosedived in late 2008, reverse mergers have declined in popularity, but they began climbing again in the fourth quarter of 2009. Companies that want to go public but are put off by the cost of an IPO, or have been shut out of the tight credit market but require new capital, might consider a reverse merger. There are three basic steps to pursuing one.