Is Martha Stewart Stock Still Trading? The 2015 Delisting Explained

If you’ve ever wondered whether martha stewart stock remains available as a publicly traded investment, the short answer is no. The ticker MSO (Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia) stopped trading on public exchanges in 2015 when the company was acquired. But understanding what happened—and how it affects former shareholders or curious investors today—requires looking at the company’s full history, the transaction details, and how to verify such events through authoritative sources.

The Rise and Fall of MSO: A 16-Year Public Journey

Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia launched as a lifestyle media and merchandising enterprise built around Martha Stewart’s brand. The company went public in October 1999, listing on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker MSO. That IPO marked the beginning of a 16-year run as an independent, publicly traded entity. During those years, the company operated multiple revenue streams: magazine publishing, television broadcasting, product licensing, and e-commerce. MSO’s stock price fluctuated based on advertising trends, retail performance, and brand perception—like most media companies of that era.

For investors who held martha stewart stock during its public years, the company filed quarterly and annual reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), held shareholder meetings, and issued earnings releases. These documents remain available today in the SEC’s EDGAR database, providing a complete record of the company’s financial performance from 1999 through 2015.

What Happened in 2015: The Acquisition That Changed Everything

In 2015, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia agreed to be acquired by Sequential Brands Group, a brand management and licensing company. The transaction was structured as a cash-and-stock deal and received all necessary regulatory and shareholder approvals. By November 2015, the deal closed, and martha stewart stock as an independent, publicly traded security ceased to exist.

The acquisition meant that holders of MSO shares at the record date received consideration according to the merger agreement. This typically included cash per share, shares of the acquirer, or a combination of both. The exact amount and structure were detailed in the proxy statement that shareholders received before voting on the deal. Once the merger closed, the original MSO ticker was delisted from the NYSE, meaning it no longer traded on any public exchange.

From that point forward, the Martha Stewart brand, intellectual property, and operating business became part of Sequential Brands’ privately held portfolio. The consumer-facing brand continued to operate through licensing deals and product partnerships, but investors could no longer buy or sell martha stewart stock through their brokerage accounts.

What Became of Former Shareholders

If you owned MSO shares in 2015, your position was handled according to the merger terms. You would have received either:

• A cash payment per share (the most common scenario in all-cash deals)
• Shares of the acquiring company at a specified exchange ratio
• A mix of cash and acquiring-company stock

The exact details appear in three key documents: the merger proxy (sent to shareholders before the vote), the Form 8-K filed by MSO with the SEC after closing, and your own broker statement from the settlement date. If you were a shareholder and later forgot what happened to your position, your broker can retrieve that 2015 transaction record for you.

One important note: if you were owed taxes on any gains or losses from the merger consideration, the tax treatment depends on the structure of the deal and your basis in the original shares. Many former shareholders consult tax professionals to understand their filing obligations.

How to Verify That a Stock Is Delisted: A Practical Guide

If you encounter a ticker you’re unsure about—whether it’s still trading, was delisted, or changed hands—follow this checklist:

Step 1: Search SEC EDGAR
Go to sec.gov/cgi-bin/browse-edgar and search for the company name or ticker. Look for a Form 8-K announcing a merger or a notice of delisting. For MSO, these filings clearly state the acquisition date and effective delisting date.

Step 2: Check the exchange’s delisting notice
The NYSE publishes delisting notices on its website. These notices confirm when a company’s shares were removed from trading.

Step 3: Review press releases and news coverage
Major acquisitions are covered by financial media outlets. A quick news search reveals the transaction date, buyer, and basic terms.

Step 4: Examine your broker account
If you held the security, your brokerage statement will show the corporate action—such as a merger close or stock conversion—and the proceeds or new shares you received.

Step 5: Use financial data archives
Platforms like MarketBeat, Investing.com, and StockTwits maintain historical pages for delisted tickers. As of February 2026, these sites still host MSO’s historical price data and trading ranges for research purposes. These pages are archival and serve researchers and investors studying past performance.

Step 6: Read the merger agreement
The definitive merger agreement is often cited in proxy materials. This document spells out the consideration, timing, and treatment of shares. It is the authoritative source for transaction details.

Understanding the Legal and Tax Impact

Delisting and merger transactions carry several important implications:

Taxable events: Receipt of cash or stock in a merger typically triggers a taxable event. Your tax basis, holding period, and gain-or-loss recognition depend on the merger structure and consideration received. Consult a qualified tax advisor for your specific situation.

Record retention: Keep your merger proxy, broker confirmation, Form 8-K, and any correspondence from your broker. These documents are essential for tax reporting and basis calculation.

Regulatory authority: The SEC filings are definitive. If you need exact dates, per-share amounts, or exchange ratios, the Form 8-K and merger agreement are the authoritative sources.

Legal recourse: If you believe your shares were mishandled, your options depend on the merger agreement and applicable securities law. An attorney experienced in mergers and acquisitions can advise whether a claim exists.

The Current Status of Martha Stewart Stock and Brand

Today, the martha stewart stock ticker no longer exists as a public equity. However, the Martha Stewart brand remains active. The intellectual property, product licensing, and brand partnerships continue to operate, now under the umbrella of Sequential Brands (or any subsequent owner if the assets were later transferred). Consumer-facing martha stewart products—from cookbooks to home décor—remain in retail circulation and online marketplaces, but these are licensed products, not securities.

For anyone researching the history of the company or its stock performance during its public years (1999–2015), the SEC EDGAR database and financial-data archives offer complete historical records. Historical price data, earnings reports, and market activity from MSO’s public era remain available for retrospective analysis and research.

Key Takeaways for Anyone Asking About Martha Stewart Stock

1. Martha stewart stock no longer trades. MSO was delisted in 2015 following a private acquisition. You will not find an MSO ticker in your brokerage platform.

2. Former shareholders received consideration. Those who held shares at the record date were paid according to the merger terms—either cash, stock, or a combination.

3. Historical records remain accessible. SEC filings, proxy statements, and Form 8-Ks document the full transaction. Financial data platforms retain historical price charts for research.

4. Verification is straightforward. By checking SEC EDGAR, your broker records, and financial-data sites, you can confirm that MSO was publicly traded from 1999 to 2015 and is no longer listed.

5. Tax and legal matters are complex. If you are a former shareholder with questions about taxes or the treatment of your shares, consult a tax professional or securities attorney.

Where to Go Next

If you are a former shareholder: Retrieve your 2015 broker statement and any proxy materials you received. These documents will show exactly how your shares were treated and what consideration you received.

If you are researching historical performance: Visit the SEC EDGAR database and search for “Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia” or the ticker “MSO.” Download the company’s annual reports (10-Ks), quarterly reports (10-Qs), and the merger proxy for complete financial and operational history.

If you want to monitor current brand developments: Check press releases from Sequential Brands or any subsequent owner of the Martha Stewart brand assets. These announcements describe licensing agreements, product partnerships, and brand management changes.

The story of martha stewart stock—from its 1999 IPO through its 2015 delisting—is a snapshot of how consumer media brands evolved in the digital era. While the public security no longer exists, the brand itself remains recognizable and commercially active, demonstrating that a company’s operational life can extend well beyond its tenure as a publicly traded stock.