Defining Stock

Ownership Nature of Stock

The Ownership Nature of Stock

The capital stock (or stock) of a business entity represents the original capital paid into or invested in the business by its founders. It serves as a security for the creditors of a business since it cannot be withdrawn to the detriment of the creditors. Stock is different from the property and assets of a business, both of which may fluctuate in quantity and value. A company's stock is valued according to market demand and overall business health, which fluctuates over time. Ownership of stock represents a stake of ownership in the business entity. The stock is a security that represents equity in the company.

Ownership of shares is documented by the issuance of a stock certificate. A stock certificate is a legal document that specifies the amount of shares owned by the shareholder, It also specifies other aspects of the shares like the par value or class of the shares. Other documents will specify what rights come with ownership of certain classes of stock.

1903 stock certificate of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Ownership of shares is documented by the issuance of a stock certificate and represents the shareholder's rights with regards to the business entity.

Stakeholders

A shareholder or stockholder is an individual or institution (including a corporation) that legally owns a share of stock in a public or private corporation. Stockholders or shareholders are considered by some to be a subset of stakeholders, which may include anyone who has a direct or indirect interest in the business entity. For example, labor, suppliers, customers, and the community are typically considered stakeholders because they contribute value and/or are impacted by the corporation.

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Control and Preemption

Shareholders have the right of preemption, meaning they have the first chance at buying newly issued shares of stock before the general public.

Rights of Stockholders

A shareholder or stockholder is an individual or institution (including a corporation) that legally owns a share of stock in a public or private corporation. Stockholders are granted special privileges depending on the class of stock. These rights may include:

• The right to sell shares,
  
  
• The right to vote on directors nominated by the board,
  
  
• The right to nominate directors (although this is very difficult in practice because of minority protections) and propose shareholder resolutions,
  
  
• The right to dividends if they are declared,
  
  
• The right to purchase new shares issued by the company,
  
  
• The right to what assets remain after a liquidation.

Owners of common and preferred stock generally have to wait until debt-holders receive assets after bankruptcy to see any assets after liquidation.

Control and Preemption

Control and preemption are particular stockholder rights.

A preemption right, or right of preemption, is a contractual right to acquire certain property coming into existence before it can be offered to any other person or entity. This right is frequently applied for shareholders of a business entity as they are usually offered the first chance to buy newly issued shares of stock before it becomes available to the general public. While shareholders are offered the option of early purchase, they do not necessarily have to take it. The incentive to exercise this option is based on the desire to protect individual ownership or stake in a company from dilution. The conditions of preemptive rights will vary from company to company and share type to share type.

Shareholder Meeting This scene from "The Office" humorously illustrates a shareholder meeting, where the shareholder can exercise their right to vote on company issues or question company directors.