Does anyone know how to calculate the approximate values of shares?

[HilHilly123]

We own approx 1.5% of the shares of a large company (turnover last year 55m) - we were gifted these have never been involved in shares before and very confused. We've received some random dividend payouts but that has been it so far. How do I get a handle on this?

If they are traded then you can look it up on the BBC
www.bbc.co.uk/news/business/market_data/shares/default.stm
If they are not traded then you have more of a problem.

You should have a share certificate. . Even with private limited companies they should be listed at Companies House. Why didn't you ask whoever gave them to you to explain things and why they gave you the shares. Sounds a bit of an odd situation to me if you know nothing about a company you own 1.5 % of.

Hi, I’m a share valuer by profession so may be able to help (my time has come )

Why do you need to value them? Are you thinking of e.g selling them? When were you gifted them and were you not given a value then? If you received them in an inheritance you should have been given a value.

If it’s a very large company the company may value its own shares annually which will give you some indication of value - contact the company for this. You could also check Companies House to see if any shares have recently been bought and sold in the company and at what price.

Beyond that if you wanted an independent valuation of the shares there are a few methods but you may need a professional to do this.

Let me know if I can be of any further help

Its a bit of an odd situation. My husband was gifted them about 10 years ago - we never really thought about it and in truth I wasn't really aware (not a secret just wasn't made 'anything' of). It has started as a very small company and he assume they were worthless. Last year the company got in touch with us (we'd moved and they had to track us down) as there was an important decision that needed a vote and he carried a significant amount of the vote. This was when we became of aware it. We were then paid dividends, end of last year. I'm now trying to work out what it actually is we own. We have the company accounts for this year but I don't believe the shares a re traded.

If you are happy to keep hold of the shares and receive dividends that’s one thing. But if you are looking to sell the shares (probably back to the company?) and get the money, or just want to know what they are worth so you know what you might want to do with them, I would do the following things:

First of all check Companies House beta.companieshouse.gov.uk to see if any shares have been bought or sold in recent years and at what price - click on filing history then annual returns and capital and look for anything mentioning allotment, subscription or purchase of shares

Then I would contact the company and ask if they calculate a share value each year

Then you could either look into coming up with a rough value yourself (I can point you to some online advice on this), or you could ask an accountant to do this for you (but obviously that would cost you and the shares may not be worth enough to justify the cost)

HTH

Vivienne
The nominal value of the shares is unlikely to be their sale value

Share valuation of unlisted companies is a very dark art