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Share (finance)

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A share is a small unit of ownership in a company.

Greyhound stock certificate
Greyhound stock certificate

When you buy a share, you become a shareholder. This means you own a piece of that business. Some people call these shares stock or equity. Shares can also be parts of mutual funds or real estate groups. All the shares of a company together are called share capital. This system helps people and companies work together.

Ownership works in a very specific way. A share shows the link between the company and the owner. Each share has a face value. This is the number written on the share itself. The total face value of all shares is the company's capital. However, this number is not always the market value. The market value is what people actually pay for them.

Greyhound stock certificate
Greyhound stock certificate

This price changes based on what people are willing to spend.

There are many different kinds of shares to know about. Some are called equity shares. Others might be preference shares or deferred shares. There are also redeemable shares and bonus shares. Some companies give right shares to their owners. Employees might even get shares through a special plan.

Greyhound stock certificate
Greyhound stock certificate

These different types help companies manage their money and their people.

When a company makes money, it may share it. This payment to shareholders is called a dividend. Rules for these payments change depending on where you live. In India, dividends are tax free up to 1 million INR. However, the company must pay a 12.5% tax on that money.

Greyhound stock certificate
Greyhound stock certificate

There are also rules to stop something called dividend stripping. These laws help keep the money system fair for everyone.

How we prove we own shares has changed over time. In 1936, people used paper certificates to show ownership.

Greyhound stock certificate
Greyhound stock certificate

These were called share certificates. Today, most ownership is recorded on computers. Systems like CREST or DTCC keep these digital records safe. This makes it easier to buy and sell shares quickly. It is a very different world from the days of paper.

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