I cannot explain it in technical terms, but I can say this.
Occasionally, those companies who no longer have symbols become symbols again. I believe the company (or company officers) have to make the request through FINRA.
I have 4 of them in my account right now. I could have my broker clear them out for tax loss purposes, but then I would lose out in the ultra-rare event that they come back.
So I think the company (or shell?) still exists even without having a ticker.
Thinking maybe the SEC has to do something to make it "all dead" -- verses "mostly dead".
Register for free to join our community of investors and share your ideas. You will also get access to streaming quotes, interactive charts, trades, portfolio, live options flow and more tools.