Board of directors

QWhere can I see a list of a company’s board of directors?

AGo to the company’s website and look around for a link or tab that says “About” or “Company.” There you’ll often find photos and brief descriptions of the board. You can also just call the company to inquire — ask for the investor relations department when you call.

Another source is the company’s annual report. The 10-K reports and proxy (“DEF 14A”) statements that public companies file with the Securities and Exchange Commission also typically include board members, along with their compensation and stock ownership. Go to Sec.gov and search under “Filings.”

QI see that Hertz has filed for bankruptcy protection and its stock has crashed. Does that make it a good buy now? — H.W., Detroit

AAbsolutely not. When a company files for bankruptcy protection, it typically gets a chance to reorganize itself and try to pay off its creditors as much as possible. Hertz might sell some of its fleet to pay off holders of its secured debt. It might negotiate to pay holders of its unsecured debt a lesser sum, perhaps also offering them shares of newly minted stock.

Shareholders of its common stock won’t be that lucky, though. In most bankruptcies, these folks typically end up with little or nothing, with their shares of stock essentially discontinued. When companies emerge from bankruptcy, as many of them do, they may still have shares of stock you can buy — but those will be newly minted shares, leaving the old ones worthless (or nearworthless).

Companies in or facing bankruptcy are in trouble, and are best avoided.