Shares. Do I own ....anything?

sams247

I am moving. In the clear out I found a paper I had as a gift many years ago.  Turns out my friend bought me shares in a company called Wanadoo in 2002. I looked them up, they seem to have been bought out, I think by Orange.  So are my shares now worthless?  Or do I still own something?  Is there any way I can find out?  Thank you

wmb194

sams247 said:

I am moving. In the clear out I found a paper I had as a gift many years ago.  Turns out my friend bought me shares in a company called Wanadoo in 2002. I looked them up, they seem to have been bought out, I think by Orange.  So are my shares now worthless?  Or do I still own something?  Is there any way I can find out?  Thank you

Seems like it was bought by France Telecom in 2004 which itself later became Orange. They're both French companies so are a little harder to easily research but the Guardian reported, "France Télécom is offering Wanadoo shareholders cash or shares or a mixture of the two." Are you sure you didn't take the cash? Do you have any France Telecom/Orange shares that could be related to this? 

If you did nothing it looks like they were compulsorily purchased but I don't know whether this would be cash only or some combination but something will have happened.

The bottom line is that you could try connecting the registrar - its name might be on the "paper" you've found - and/or contacting Orange's registrar. Its name will probably be on its website in its investor relations section.

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2004/feb/24/newmedia.france

https://www.theregister.com/2004/03/09/france_telecom_cleared_to_buy/

HHarry

That’s probably going to take some untangling.  It looks like they were bought out for just under 9 euro a share by French Telecom.

Do you have enough shares to make it worthwhile?

sams247

Thank you for that.  At 9 eu a share - not worth the hassle, I have very few.  

I appreciate the advice 

MX5huggy

Maybe see if these guys could use them 

https://www.sharegift.org/

sams247

MX5huggy said:

Maybe see if these guys could use them 

https://www.sharegift.org/

Looks good!  I'll donate them, then all to a good end