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G4S takeover - what to do with shares

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I received a few thousand shares in G4S from an inheritance some years ago. I've left them untended and just thought that G4S, over time, is likely to be fairly safe. I've now heard within the family of a takeover by an American company/corp and some advice that a relative received from a broker was that there was a possibility, unless the shares are sold soon, they could end up having little value. I speak from a position of ignorance of share investing but, not surprisingly, have an urgent feeling I need to find out more. Could anyone help with a few things, specific and general, to push my learning curve quickly:

1.  Specific to G4S - what to do given the inherent risk of holding shares. Is it likely the shares I have will plummet/become valueless? Might it be a realistic expectation that they would stay stable or increase after the takeover? Could it be a case of being forced to accept the offered value per share in the takeover bid or could I hold onto the shares, if I would like? Will the shares be replaced by others etc. I know I'll have to bury into some paperwork at this end, but hoped someone on the forum might be clued up on these things.
2. If I want to get to grips with my small shareholdings, I'd like to be able quickly and easily (and cheaply) to manage them, probably online. Any recommendations for how to do this and through whom? Also, how easy and quick is it to move my paper shares into an online setup? 
3. If I want to sell my shares now, what is the quickest, easiest, cheapest way to sell my 'paper' share certificates. The relative who updated me on what is happening with G4S told me her broker said they were not handling sales of certificates at the moment due to Covid. Don't see why that should be or if it is true and a widespread practice. Is it true that there's a moratorium among some brokers to handling share transfers/sales?

Any help would be appreciated. And, very happy Christmas to everyone

Chris

Comments

  • masonic
    masonic Posts: 27,049 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    edited 24 December 2020 at 10:45AM
    It is generally advisable to sell single company shares you acquire that are not part of a balanced portfolio of shares as soon as practicable, due to concentration risk. Several online stockbrokers/investment platforms will allow you to deposit paper share certificates for free, from there you can sell them and reinvest in a broader investment fund that spreads the risk over many companies/assets.
    Turning to the G4S shares specifically, their current value will almost certainly have any future price expectation priced in, so if what you have been told is correct they would already have fallen significantly.
  • MaxiRobriguez
    MaxiRobriguez Posts: 1,783 Forumite
    Sixth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 24 December 2020 at 10:56AM
    Your shares won't become valueless but I'd sell them. The price has bounced back from the sell-off earlier this year so you're not crystalising a bad loss any more and you can use the proceeds to buy a more diversified investment which will suit someone hands off like yourself.

  • A big thankyou for your replies and, Bowlhead99, forgive the pun, but bowled over by the speed and detail of your reply. I'm still digesting all the info, but this seems the best sort of info I was hoping to receive. I'll share the info with other family members who'll also be very appreciative. 

    Chris
  • westv
    westv Posts: 6,441 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Related to G4S shares, we found mention of the Securicor Share Scheme in my late mother's documents. The document mentions Abbey National and an account number so must be very old and is also in my late father's name - who died in 2010.
    The fact that it still mentions my father makes me think there are no longer any shares but  we'll still investigate.
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