Equities – MoneyWeek Glossary
Equities, shares and stocks are all names for the individual units that give you a financial interest in a company.
Equities, shares and stocks are all names for the individual units that give you a financial interest in a company. The terms are often used in slightly different ways. For example, investors sometimes refer to shares when discussing a single company, shares or stocks when they talk about a small or loose group of companies and equities when they mean more formally defined groups (or when they just want to sound more professional). But those distinctions are not absolute and all three words will often be used interchangeably.
Terms used:
- An equity investor in a company is known as a shareholder. The terms equity holder and stockholder are less common.
- The stockmarket is the name for a market on which shares trade (also known as the share market in a handful of countries, such as Australia).
- The term equity markets is also sometimes used, but most commonly to refer to a group of stockmarkets (for example, European equity markets).
Shareholders are often described as the owners of a company. This is not strictly true: under most systems, companies are separate legal entities whose relationship with their shareholders, managers, employees, creditors and customers are governed by a wide range of regulations and contracts. But owning equities does give you certain rights and control over a company. These rights typically include appointing the board of directors, approving certain actions (for example, the issuance of new shares that may dilute their ownership) and getting a share of any dividends declared by the directors.
Subscribe to MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
In essence, equities amount to a claim on the assets and accumulated earnings that would be left after paying back liabilities (known as shareholders’ equity). Equities rank below creditors (such as bonds and loans) in priority when being paid, but receive all the excess profits if the business is successful. On average, they are riskier than bonds but should produce higher returns in the long term.
Sign up to Money Morning
Our team, led by award winning editors, is dedicated to delivering you the top news, analysis, and guides to help you manage your money, grow your investments and build wealth.
-
Shein’s London IPO could go ahead, despite forced labour concerns
The chief executive of the financial conduct authority suggests that alleged human rights breaches aren’t a reason to block Shein’s proposed London IPO
By Dan McEvoy Published
-
Elon Musk's $56bn Tesla pay deal rebuffed again by US judge
It is the second time Musk's pay deal has been rejected, with judge Kathaleen McCormick upholding her previous January decision
By Chris Newlands Published