Publicly traded companies making strategic pivots from their current primary business focus may be unintentionally becoming “shell companies” if they dispose or monetize their legacy business assets before, upon completion of, or shortly after their pivot. The NYSE is also considering suspensions for companies changing their primary business focus after listing.
Smaller publicly-traded companies that do not meet the public float requirements for Form S-4 incorporation by reference face an expensive and time-consuming public M&A process; the SEC’s focus on capital formation by smaller public companies should not overshadow efforts to aid in their future growth through acquisitions.