When people talk about a company's stock, they usually mean common stock When you own common stock in a company, you share in its success or failure As part owner, you vote on important policy issues, such as picking the board of directors If the company prospers, you may get part of the profits, called a dividend Also, the value of your share of the company many go up; common stock generally has the most potential for growth However, that value also can drop if the company does poorly, and if it goes bankrupt common stockholders are the last to receive any payment
Shares of an ownership interest in the equity of a corporation or other entity with limited liability entitled to dividends, with financial rights junior to preferred stock and liabilities
A class of securities representing ownership and control in a corporation and that may pay dividends as well as appreciate in value (See preferred stock)
The primary stock of a corporation This stock gives shareholders the right to participate in management of the corporation and give the shareholder a proportionate share of the dividends
A security that represents ownership in a corporation Holders of common stock exercise control by electing a board of directors and voting on corporate policy See also equity; preferred stock
Shares in the ownership of a corporation that are entitled to residual dividends, after bonds and preferred stock have first received interest and dividends A common stockholder usually has a vote in deciding company affairs, including the election of a corporation's board of directors
A unit of ownership of a corporation In the case of a public company, the stock is traded between investors on various exchanges Owners of common stock are typically entitled to vote on the selection of directors and other important events and in some cases receive dividends on their holdings Investors who purchase common stock hope that the stock price will increase so the value of their investment will appreciate Common stock offers no performance guarantees Additionally, in the event that a corporation is liquidated, the claims of secured and unsecured creditors and owners of bonds and preferred stock take precedence over the claims of those who own common stock
Securities which represent an ownership interest in a corporation If the company has also issued preferred stock, both common and preferred have ownership rights The preferred normally is limited to a fixed dividend but has prior claim on dividends and, in the event of liquidation, assets Claims of both common and preferred stockholders are junior to claims of bondholders and other creditors of the company Common stockholders assume the greater risk, but generally exercise the greater control and may gain the greater reward in the form of dividends and capital appreciation The terms common stock and capital stock are often used interchangeably when the company has no preferred stock
Shares held in a public company that give holders of those shares voting rights and the right to receive dividends when they are declared by the board of directors In general, there are two types of shares, common and preferred stock Common stock holders share in the success when a company profits However, they are also at risk if the company falters In the event of liquidation of the corporation, common stock has lower priority than preferred stock and bonds (debt)
stock other than preferred stock; entitles the owner to a share of the corporation's profits and a share of the voting power in shareholder elections; "over 40 million Americans invest in common stocks
Common stock refers to the shares in a company that are owned by people who have a right to vote at the company's meetings and to receive part of the company's profits after the holders of preferred stock have been paid. The company priced its offering of 2.7 million shares of common stock at 20 cents a share. see also preferred stock. Capital stock that is secondary to preferred stock in the distribution of dividends and often of assets
Securities that represent equity ownership in a company Common shares let an investor vote on such matters as the election of directors They also give the holder a share in a company's profits via dividend payments or the capital appreciation of the security Units of ownership of a public corporation with junior status to the claims of secured/unsecured creditors, bondholders and preferred shareholders in the event of liquidation
Securities that represent an ownership interest in a corporation If the company has also issued preferred stock, both common and preferred stockholders have ownership rights, but the preferred normally has a prior claim on dividends and, in the event of liquidation, assets Claims of both common and preferred stockholders are junior to claims of bondholders or other creditors of the company Common stockholders assume the greater risk, but generally exercise the greater control and may gain the greater reward in the form of dividends and capital appreciation
A unit of ownership of a corporation Owners of common stock are typically entitled to vote on the selection of directors and other important matters and sometimes receive dividends on their holdings Investors who purchase common stock hope that the stock price will increase so the value of their investment will appreciate Common stock offers no performance guarantees Additionally, in the event that a corporation is liquidated, the claims of secured and unsecured creditors and owners of bonds and preferred stock take precedence over the claims of those who own common stock
Security representing partial ownership interest in a corporation Ownership may also be shares with Preferred Stock, which has prior claim on any dividends to be paid and, in the event of liquidation, to the distribution of the corporation's assets Common stockholders assume the primary risk if business is poor, and realize greater gains in the event of success They also elect the board of directors that controls the company
Common stock is the residual corporate interest that bears the ultimate risks of loss and receives the benefits of success Common stock shares give the investor a vote on such matters as the election of directors They also give the holder a share in a company's profits via dividend payments or the capital appreciation of the security KEEP IN MIND: There is no guarantee one will receive dividends or assets upon the dissolution of a firm
Securities that show ownership in a corporation Stockholders share profits or losses in the corporation through dividends and changes in the stock's market value Common stock is the most prevalent type of stock issued
Equities issued as ownership shares in a publicly listed company They entitle the holder to voting rights and a share of the dividend payments periodically announced by the company
Securities that represent an ownership interest in a corporation If the company has also issued preferred stock, both common and preferred have ownership rights Common stockholders assume the greater risk, but generally exercise the greater control and may gain the greater award in the form of dividends and capital appreciation The terms common stock and capital stock are often used interchangeably when the company has no preferred stock
Represents part ownership of a company Holders of common stock have voting rights but no guarantee of dividend payments In the event that a corporation is liquidated, the claims of owners of bonds and preferred stock take precedence over those who own common stock For the most part, however, common stock has more potential for appreciation BACK TO TOP