Becoming A Stakeholder Through Stock Ownership

By Michael Swanson

Stocks have in past history earned their investors more money than other choices like money markets and bonds. Basically it's like you're buying a part of a business and investing in them. It's the case of you giving them money to do what they do; your payment is partial ownership of a company.

You have what is called common stock, which is easily placed as the most common type of stock you will come across. The most popular choice of people to invest in stocks with no type of restrictions being placed on a person. Anyone can buy this type of stock.

You will become what is known as a shareholder in a company. Meaning you own part of the company for the money you have placed into this stock. When the business succeeds and earns more money the price for the stock will increase, and you will earn money.

As part owner of the business you also will vote in decisions that are made for the company. You will vote when the board of directors is placed together, and you may well have a huge say in which way the company goes in many decisions.

It's not all about making money when it comes to the stock market though. You can have times when a company may lose some money, or they could go bankrupt. You can lose all the money you've invested in some cases too.

Different types of stock are available. As an example we will talk about a family owned company. If they may want to bring in extra funds they will create another class of stock. These stocks may only entitle the holder to one vote, while the class of stock the family holds will be worth 10 votes. However, they have found a way in which more money can come into the business. - 23310

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