Part of the ownership of a company. A person who buys a portion of a company's capital becomes a shareholder in that company's assets and as such receives a share of the company's profits in the form of an annual dividend. Lucky or astute investors may also reap a capital gain as the market value of the shares increases. Shares come in different forms: ordinary shares No special rights (except voting rights) are attached to these, and the bulk of a company's capital is issued this way. preference shares These have priority over ordinary shares in entitlements to dividend payments and in claims to the assets of a company if it is wound up. cumulative preferences shares The holder of these shares is entitled to a fixed annual dividend, and if this is not produced one year, the amount due is carried forward and paid the following year. This entitlement ranks ahead of ordinary shareholders' dividends. (Sometimes these are redeemable, in which case they are similar to loan securities.) participating preference shares The holder receives a stated dividend each year and is entitled to share in any profits remaining after ordinary shareholders have had their bite.
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