Why do some inactive companies file annual reports (10-k) with the SEC?

Question

I am looking over extensive data files and have found that some inactive companies in the US and elsewhere continue to file annual reports. Can anyone explain this?

Answer 1

As long as they want to keep their status as a public company, they have to continue to make filings.

Some of the inactive companies may be looking to establish operations, or they know that there is value in being a "shell" company that can be acquired by a non-public company (usually in a reverse merger) as a quicker and cheaper way to become a public company.