I need to find a data service that can provide me with historical
stock prices for companies that are no longer trading (Dead
companies).  These companies were publicly traded at one time, but
either because they went bankrupt, merged or were taken over, they no
longer trade publicly.  Examples include Salomon Brothers (taken over
by Citibank), CIT (taken over by Tyco and now public again), etc.  I
need daily data (open high low close).  Weekly data is helpful as
well.  I have monthly data, so I don't need that.  Can you help?

Dear chartwell:

Thank you for your question. I believe I can help you find what are
are looking for.

You asked for a service that can provide you historical stock prices
for companies that are no longer trading. After conducting an
extensive online search, I have found only one service that provides
this feature: DataStream Research Service: Unfortunately, it is a for
pay service for institutions and libraries. However, it is possible to
obtain access to this service for free, as many Universities and
libraries subscribe to this service.

From the Babson College Website on how to use the Datastream Research
Service:

Finding Prices for Companies No Longer Trading (Dead Stocks/Dead
Series)



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Click on Flashlight icon for finding code. 
Click on Remote Search, Dead Series. 
In find box at the bottom of the window, type in your Company Name and
click Run Now button.
In the results box, look for the Mnemonic. (ex. U:CHF) 
Type mnemonic code into Find Box and check Find by Mnemonic box. 
Click Data for Single Series icon, then Time Series data. 
Click Clock icon to set the data date range.

(Note: Datatype is generally set for daily price - adjusted in local
currency.
To change Frequency, click Settings then select weekly, monthly,
quarterly
or yearly.) 
Click Run Now. 

Source: http://fusion.babson.edu/html/library/pg.cfm?ID=105#dead

If you would like to obtain access directly to their service, you may
need to contact Thompson Financial, the producers of Datastream, for
more information. You may do so here:
http://www.datastream.com/pmktfin/index.htm


Google Search Terms:   

       historical price data no longer trading companies dead
       ://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&q=historical+price+data+no+longer+trading+companies+dead


If you need any clarifications, please don't hesitate to ask. I would
be more than happy to assist you further.

Best Regards,
blader-ga

---

Request for Answer Clarification by chartwell-ga on 11 Jul 2002 20:00 PDT

Thank you.  Datastream is a well known vendor and does supply data for
publicly traded companies.  Were you able to verify that they have
data for dead companies.  Could you get data for Salomon Brothers and
CIT or other dead companies?

---

Clarification of Answer by blader-ga on 11 Jul 2002 20:56 PDT

Dear chartwell:

Thank you for your clarification request. From the information at the
Babson College website, DataStream Research Service does provide data
from dead companies. The Babson College website gives specific
directions from doing the following: "Finding Prices for Companies No
Longer Trading (Dead Stocks/Dead
Series)"
Source: http://fusion.babson.edu/html/library/pg.cfm?ID=105#dead

The instructions specifically mention "Dead Stocks" and "Dead Series."
However, I was unable to personally verify that they offer this
service, since the library next to my home does not subscribe to
DataStream.

If you have any more questions, please let me know. I would be more
than happy to assist you further.

Best Regards,
blader-ga

Reply did not satisfy the question.  Solution the researcher might be
appropriate for a student or academic, but not someone without access
to free university databases.

Dow Jones Interactive has daily trade data on securities that are no
longer traded (http://www.factiva.com/dji.asp?node=sub-menu3-link7). 
Lexis-Nexis (http://www.lexis.com/) used to have this available
through their Quotes library, although I have not used this service
for a few years and don't know if they still have it.  Both of these
are fee-based services, although you may be able to find access to
them through a library.

I don't live near Babson and can't use any of their resources.  I have
tried the Datastream website and they do not have the info I am
looking for.

Dear chartwell-ga:

The Datastream service is probably available in major universities or
libraries near where you live. Also, to get more information on
DataStream or to order the service, you need to go to the following
website:
http://www.datastream.com/pmktfin/index.htm

Click on "Product Information." Then, fill out the form, and a
DataStream representative will get in touch with you.

Best Regards,
blader-ga