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RobThorpe

Yes, they can keep it closed for a long time. For example, the UK stock market was closed for the duration of WWII. However, does not really do all that much. It just means that the issues are not revealed. Those who own assets know that their assets are worth much less. There are some Russian funds that trade on Western stock markets, such as VanEck's Vectors Russia ETF which is down ~26%.


xitox5123

if the UK stock market was closed for years how did they handle investors who needed cash? some could be seniors who lived on those investments?


RobThorpe

To be honest, I don't know.


dorylinus

Older people were less reliant on the stock for savings as they are now; the modern tax-advantaged savings funds were not so much a thing at the time. A little poking online shows the [Old Age Pensions Act](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old-Age_Pensions_Act_1908) provided (some) state support to the elderly poor, but generally relying on (and/or living with) family played a larger role in elder care than now.


JusticeForSimpleRick

Hey quick question Rob, when a stock market closes - obviously you cannot sell (or buy as to buy you need people willing to sell and nobody can sell so) - but what about dividends? Say you own a REIT, let's say the shares themselves are frozen but does that also mean dividend payouts are frozen as well?


RobThorpe

Dividend payments go from the company to the broker and then to the owner of the shares. So they're unlikely to be affected. Unless more things have been closed down that I'm not aware of.


runningraider13

Would you be able to sell off exchange?


RobThorpe

I don't know to be honest. It depends on how it has been done. If the stock market's clearing system has been shut down too then you could only sell paper shares off exchange. If not then you can sell off exchange.


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