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The Ultimate Ghost Stocks List of Bankrupt Stock Symbols

What Are Ghost Stocks?

Ghost stocks are shares of bankrupt or defunct companies that continue to trade on over-the-counter (OTC) markets or remain suspended/delisted. Investors sometimes buy these hoping for a resurrection — but in most cases, the equity is worthless. Knowing which symbols these are can help you avoid costly mistakes.

The Ghost Stocks List: 50 Bankrupt Stock Symbols

Here is a list of 50 bankrupt or defunct companies whose stocks are (or were) still trading, either on over-the-counter (OTC) markets or in some cases suspended/delisted:

  1. Blockbuster Inc. – BLIAQ
  2. Sears Holdings Corporation – SHLDQ
  3. RadioShack Corporation – RSHCQ
  4. Toys “R” Us – TOYRF
  5. Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. – LEHMQ
  6. Pacific Gas & Electric Co. – PCG
  7. Eastman Kodak – EKDKQ
  8. American Apparel – APPQ
  9. JC Penney – JCPNQ
  10. Borders Group, Inc. – BGPIQ
  11. Washington Mutual Inc. – WAMUQ
  12. Enron Corporation – ENRNQ
  13. General Motors (Old GM) – MTLQQ
  14. Delphi Automotive – DPHIQ
  15. Edison Mission Energy – EMESQ
  16. Peabody Energy – BTUUQ
  17. Nortel Networks Corporation – NRTLQ
  18. Circuit City Stores, Inc. – CCTYQ
  19. Chrysler LLC – CSLRQ
  20. Filene’s Basement – FBSTQ
  21. Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts – DJTCQ
  22. Conseco, Inc. – CNOQ
  23. WorldCom/MCI – WCOEQ
  24. Adelphia Communications – ADELQ
  25. Global Crossing Ltd. – GBLXQ
  26. Polaroid Corporation – PRDCQ
  27. Bethlehem Steel Corporation – BTHM
  28. Kmart Corporation – KMARTQ
  29. Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. – WNDXQ
  30. Refco Inc. – RFXCQ
  31. US Airways Group – UAIRQ
  32. Delta Air Lines (Old) – DALRQ
  33. Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation – SSCCQ
  34. Tribune Company – TRBCQ
  35. Extended Stay America – EXTDQ
  36. Charter Communications (Old) – CHTRQ
  37. Six Flags Entertainment (Old) – SIXFQ
  38. Frontier Airlines Holdings – FRNTQ
  39. Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation – SSCCQ
  40. Midway Games Inc. – MWYGQ
  41. Muzak LLC – MUZK
  42. Daewoo Motor Company – DWMZF
  43. FairPoint Communications – FRPQ
  44. Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation (Old) – PGPDQ
  45. Palm Inc. – PALMQ
  46. Lernout & Hauspie Speech Products – LHSPQ
  47. Tyco International – TYCO
  48. Integrated Health Services – IHSIQ
  49. Bethlehem Steel Corporation – BTHM
  50. US LEC Corp. – USLCQ

Why Ghost Stocks Are Dangerous for Investors

Ghost stocks are often targeted by pump-and-dump schemes. Low share prices and high OTC volume can make them look attractive, but the underlying companies have no viable business. Unless you are an expert in bankruptcy proceedings, it’s best to avoid these entirely. If you spot these symbols in your feed or on a watchlist, treat them as a warning sign.

Before placing any trade — even on a hunch — make sure you understand how to use a stop loss to limit downside, and review the key investing principles every trader should know before risking real money.