Will the reverse split improve the company’s compliance with Nasdaq’s minimum bid‑price requirement and prevent a possible delisting?
Answer
Yes – the 1‑for‑100 reverse split is being used expressly to lift LanzaTech’s share price above Nasdaq’s $1‑minimum‑bid rule and, in theory, to keep the company from being delisted. By consolidating 100 pre‑split shares into a single post‑split share, the market‑price per share should rise roughly 100 times (ignoring any immediate market reaction). If the pre‑split price is, for example, $0.12, the post‑split price would be about $12, comfortably clearing the $1 threshold. Nasdaq’s rule also requires the stock to stay above $1 for at least 30 consecutive trading days, so the split alone does not guarantee compliance; the company still must sustain a healthy price level and maintain adequate public float.
Market & technical view
The announcement is a clear “compliance‑driven” catalyst, which typically triggers a short‑run rally as investors price in the expected price boost and the removal of a delisting risk. However, reverse splits often bring a temporary liquidity squeeze and can lead to heightened volatility, especially if the underlying fundamentals (cash burn, revenue growth, carbon‑tech commercialization) remain weak. Technically, the post‑split chart will start on a much higher price level, but the historical price‑trend line will be compressed; traders should watch for a breakout above the new 30‑day $1 floor and for volume to confirm the move.
Actionable insight
- If you are bullish on the company’s long‑term carbon‑capture business and believe the price boost will be sustained, consider a modest long position after the split, ideally on the first day of trading when the price may still be discounted relative to the $12‑ish level.
- If you are risk‑averse or the fundamentals look shaky, stay on the sidelines or limit exposure to a short‑term speculative trade, as the price could fall back below $1 once the novelty fades, re‑triggering Nasdaq’s delisting warning.
In short, the reverse split should improve compliance with Nasdaq’s minimum‑bid requirement, but the delisting risk is only eliminated if the post‑split price holds above $1 for a sustained period and the company’s fundamentals support that price level. Traders should price‑in the compliance benefit while remaining mindful of the potential for a post‑split pull‑back.