Mergers? Acquistions?

With the threat of a reverse stock split behind them, the folks over at Advanced Environmental Recycling Technologies Inc. are now asking for the authority to issue more stock. Shareholders are being asked to approve an increase from 50 million to 75 million shares.

But chairman and co-CEO Joe G. Brooks says the idea is to position AERT so it can take advantage of opportunities, including possible mergers and acquisitions, as they arise.

A couple of years ago, shareholders approved a reverse stock split of up to 6-for-1, a move that appeared might become necessary to preserve the company’s listing on the Nasdaq exchange. But the company’s managers managed to stave off that action and finally canceled that possibility just a few weeks ago after convincing Nasdaq that AERT is in full compliance with the exchange’s requirements.

The stockholders’ meeting is scheduled for July 23 in Springdale.