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StockCram is not a broker-dealer, investment adviser, or financial institution. All content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment advice. Consult a qualified financial professional before making investment decisions. Past performance does not guarantee future results.Simple Definition
A person who owns shares in a company. Also called a stockholder.
Why It Matters
The moment you buy even one share, you become a shareholder - a real part-owner of the business. Apple has about 24 million shareholders. As a shareholder, you can vote on major company decisions, receive dividends, and share in the company's success (or failure). It's not just Wall Street insiders; regular people own most of the stock market.
Key Points
- You get voting rights on big decisions like board members and mergers (1 share = 1 vote)
- Shareholders are paid LAST if a company goes bankrupt - after employees, bondholders, and creditors
- Institutional shareholders (like Vanguard and BlackRock) own huge chunks and can influence company policy
Related Terms
Common Questions
A person who owns shares in a company. Also called a stockholder. The moment you buy even one share, you become a shareholder - a real part-owner of the business. Apple has about 24 million shareholders.
The moment you buy even one share, you become a shareholder - a real part-owner of the business. Apple has about 24 million shareholders. As a shareholder, you can vote on major company decisions, receive dividends, and share in the company's success (or failure). It's not just Wall Street insiders; regular people own most of the stock market.
You get voting rights on big decisions like board members and mergers (1 share = 1 vote)
Shareholders are paid LAST if a company goes bankrupt - after employees, bondholders, and creditors
Institutional shareholders (like Vanguard and BlackRock) own huge chunks and can influence company policy