Getting historical prices for a stock that no longer exists.

March 1, 2008 2:49 PM

What was the price of Alcan Aluminum (NYSE: AL) on March 2, 1985?

Alcan Aluminum was bought out by Rio Tinto last year. I sold some shares that I'd received back in 1985. I'm trying to figure out the cost basis for my shares, but since AL is no longer listed, I can't find the historical stock price on Google finance or ETrade.

I'm sure some financially competent mefite knows how to look up historical prices for stocks that no longer exist. If you are that person, thanks!

Bonus points if you can tell me how many times the stock split between 1985 an 2007.

posted by i love cheese to Work & Money (6 answers total)

I haven't tracked down a number yet, but this chart suggests you did pretty well.
posted by Partial Law at 3:08 PM on March 1, 2008

Best answer: I have closing prices for 1-March-1985 (March 2, 1985 was a Saturday): unadjusted was $28, and split adjusted price $12.444.

Split dates it shows as:
12-June-1989 - 3 for 2
02-June-1987 - 3 for 2
21-April-1980 - 2 for 1
posted by milkrate at 3:28 PM on March 1, 2008

Best answer: If I'm reading this page from the WSJ correctly, it looks like it closed at 12 ¹/₂ on Friday, March 1, 1985.
posted by Partial Law at 3:30 PM on March 1, 2008

Best answer: Historical Prices
List of all splits
posted by mathlete at 3:34 PM on March 1, 2008

Response by poster: Thanks!
posted by i love cheese at 6:23 PM on March 1, 2008

I have a similar problem; I need to look up the price of Amoco on March 22, 1994. I tried WSJ in ProQuest and can't get the stock listings to come up. Any other ideas? Or a link to something public?
posted by dw at 2:29 PM on March 12, 2008