In this article, we will look at what are shares and its types
First, we will understand what is a share or stock? A share represents a unit of ownership of the issuing company. There are various factors that may influence which way its price moves. When a company performs well and grows, its stock price tends to go up. In such cases, if you’re a shareholder you can sell some of the company’s stocks at a profit.
What are the Different Types of Shares?
Broadly, there are two – equity shares and preference shares.
Equity Shares
Equity shares are also referred to as ordinary shares. They are one of the most common kinds of shares. These stocks are documents that give investors ownership rights of the company. Equity shareholders bear the highest risk. Owners of these shares have the right to vote on various company matters. Equity shares are also transferable and the dividend paid is a proportion of profit. One thing to note, equity shareholders are not entitled to a fixed dividend. The liability of an equity shareholder is limited to the amount of their investment. However, there are no preferential rights in holding.
Equity shares are classified as per the type of share capital.
Types of Ordinary Equity Shares
Equity shares are classified as per the type of share capital.
Authorised share capital:
This is the maximum amount of capital a company can issue. It can be increased from time to time. For this, a company needs to conform to some formalities and also pay required fees to legal entities.
Issued share capital:
This is the portion of authorised capital which a company offers to its investors.
Subscribed share capital:
This refers to the portion of issued capital upon which investors accept and agree.
Paid-up capital:
This refers to the portion of the subscribed capital for which the investors pay. Since most companies accept the entire subscription amount at one go, issued, subscribed, and paid capital are the same thing.
There are a few other types of shares.
Right share:
These are the kind of shares a company issues to its existing investors. Such stocks are issued to protect the ownership rights of existing shareholders.
Bonus share:
Sometimes, companies may issue shares to their shareholders as a dividend. Such stocks are called bonus shares.
Sweat equity share:
When employees or directors perform their role exceptionally well, sweat equity shares are issued to reward them.
Preference shares:
In our discussion on what are types of shares, we will now we will look at preference shares. When a company is liquidated, the shareholders who hold preference shares are paid off first. They also have the right to receive profits of the company before the ordinary shareholders.
Types of Preference Shares
Cumulative and non-cumulative preference shares: In the case of cumulative preference share, when the company does not declare dividends for a particular year, it is carried forward and accumulated. When the company makes profits in the future, these accumulated dividends are paid first. In case of non-cumulative preference shares, dividends do not get accumulated, which means when there are no future profits, no dividends are paid.
Participating and non-participating preference shares: Participating shareholders have the right to participate in remaining profits after the dividend has been paid out to equity shareholders. So in years where the company has made more profits, these shareholders are entitled to get dividends over and above the fixed dividend. Holders of non-participating preference shares, do not have a right to participate in the profits after the equity shareholders have been paid. So in case a company makes any surplus profit, they will not get any additional dividends. They will only receive their fixed share of dividends every year.
Convertible and non- convertible preference shares: Here, the shareholders have an option or right to convert these shares into ordinary equity shares. For this, specific terms and conditions need to be met. Non-convertible preference shares do not have a right to be converted into equity shares.
Redeemable and Irredeemable preference shares: Redeemable preference shares can be claimed or repurchased by the issuing company. This can happen at a predetermined price and at a predetermined time. These do not have a maturity date which means these types of shares are perpetual. So companies are not bound to pay any amount after a fixed period.
Understanding shares meaning and types will help an investor understand how the stock market works.
Conclusion
Understanding share types will help an investor understand how the stock market works. By knowing about equity and preference shares, you can weigh ownership rights, dividend payouts, and risk profiles to align your investments with your financial goals. Start your investment journey with a confident grasp of share fundamentals!
FAQs
What do you mean by share?
In the stock market jargon, a share is a portion of a company’s ownership – it can be bought and sold in exchange for money (although who the shares are sold to sometimes depends on the value the shareholder brings to the company).
What are the 4 types of shares?
- Preference shares – These shareholders get preference in dividends as well as repayments during insolvency.
- Equity shares or ordinary shares – Holders of such shares have voting rights in board meetings, but receive their dividends after preference shareholders.
- Differential Voting Rights (DVR) shares – They have lower voting rights and even lower price than equity shares but give higher dividends
- Treasury shares – These are shares that the company acquired from shareholders
How can I buy shares?
In order to buy shares, you have to first open a bank account and a demat plus trading account via a stockbroker. Transfer adequate money into your trading account from the bank account, and finally, choose the stock that you want to buy.
Can I buy a share for ₹100?
If the share is being traded in the spot market for ₹100, then surely you can. You can also buy an option contract to buy a share at ₹ 100 (if such a contract is available), and on the expiry date, you can buy the stock at the strike price of ₹ 100.
