An unlisted security is a financial instrument that does not meet the conditions for listing on a formal exchange. Unlisted securities are traded on the over-the-counter (OTC) market and are sometimes referred to as OTC securities. On the OTC market, market makers, also known as dealers, assist in buying and selling unlisted securities.
TAKEAWAYS IMPORTANT
An unlisted security is a financial instrument that does not meet the conditions for listing on a formal exchange.
Unlisted securities are sometimes known as OTC securities since they are traded over-the-counter (OTC) by market makers.
Stocks that aren’t publicly traded can be followed.
Unlisted Security: An Overview
Unlisted securities are typically issued by smaller or new businesses that are unable or unwilling to comply with official exchange requirements such as market capitalization thresholds or listing fees. Unlisted securities are also less liquid than listed securities because they are not traded on an exchange. Pink sheets or the Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board can be used to track unlisted shares (OTCBB).
To be listed on an exchange, securities must fulfil several criteria. To be listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), a publicly traded stock must, for example, represent a corporation with an annual income or market valuation of more than $1 billion.
Only the highest-quality corporations are allowed to trade on exchanges, thanks to these regulations. As a result, unlisted securities may be of inferior quality and pose a higher risk to investors.
Unlisted Financial Instruments: What Are They?
The most well-known unlisted security is common stock, which is frequently traded on the OTCBB or pink sheets. This includes penny stocks, which trade at meager prices and actual foreign corporations that do not want to file reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Many non-listed non-stock instruments are traded in the OTC market, including corporate bonds, government securities, and certain derivative items like swaps.