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common stock :: legal definition


Common stock - n. stock in a corporation in which dividends (payouts) are calculated upon a percentage of net profits, with distribution determined by the board of directors. Usually holders of common stock have voting rights. These are distinguished from preferred stock in which the profits are a predetermined percentage and are paid before the common shareholders who gamble on higher profits, and collectively have voting control of the corporation.

See also: corporation preferred stock share stock and Related Law Terms ↓


Related Law Terms

articles of incorporation :: n. the basic charter of a corporation which spells ... year's taxes. See also: corporation
blue sky laws :: n. laws intended to protect the public from purcha ... e sky." See also: corporation stock
bond :: n. 1) written evidence of debt issued by a company ... good up to the amount of the bond.
capital stock :: n. the original amount paid by investors into a co ... price. See also: corporation stock
common area :: n. in condominium and some cooperative housing pro ... tage of total store space occupied.
corporation :: n. an organization formed with state governmental ... ation public corporation securities
dividend :: n. a portion of profit, usually based on the numbe ... . See also: corporation shareholder
franchise :: 1) n. a right granted by the government to a perso ... on property, income or profits tax.
incorporate :: v. 1) to obtain an official charter or articles of ... te by reference incorporation stock
insider :: n. someone who has a position in a business or sto ... ange Act. See also: insider trading
issue :: 1) n. a person's children or other lineal descenda ... the body incorporation share stock
limited partnership :: n. a special type of partnership which is very com ... mited liability partner partnership
non-profit corporation :: n. an organization incorporated under state laws a ... harity corporation cy pres doctrine
par :: n. 1) an equal level. 2) the face value of a stock ... common stock preferred stock stock
partnership :: n. a business enterprise entered into for profit w ... partnership partner silent partner
preemptive right :: n. the right of a shareholder in a corporation to ... also: corporation shareholder stock
preferred stock :: n. a class of shares of stock in a corporation whi ... on stock corporation dividend stock
promotional stock :: n. stock issued in a newly formed corporation and ... assets or money. See also: promoter
prospectus :: n. a detailed statement by a corporation required ... rporation limited partnership stock
royalty :: n. a percentage of gross or net profit or a fixed ... also: copyright infringement patent
securities :: n. generic term for shares of stock, bonds and deb ... ee also: bond debenture share stock
self-dealing :: n. in the stock market, using secret "inside" info ... ederal Securities and Exchange Act.
shareholder :: n. the owner of one or more shares of stock in a c ... : corporation shareholders' meeting
stock certificate :: n. printed document which states the name, incorpo ... . See also: corporation share stock
transfer agent :: n. a person or company retained by a corporation t ... stockbroker. See also: share stock
treasury stock :: n. stock of a private corporation which was issued ... be entitled. See also: share stock
unissued stock :: n. a corporation's shares of stock which are autho ... poration share stock treasury stock
voting trust :: n. a trust which solicits vote proxies of sharehol ... ation proxy shareholder stockholder
watered stock :: n. shares of stock of a corporation which have bee ... . See also: corporation share stock

Popular Law Searches

legal definition ministerial act :: n. an act, particularly of a governmental employee ... exercising any individual judgment.
chancery legal definition :: n. a court that can order acts performed. Today ch ... ts in most states. See also: equity
testamentary disposition legal definition :: n. how the terms of a will divide the testator's ( ... named beneficiaries. See also: will
contract of sufferance :: n. a "hold-over" tenancy after a lease has expired ... y tenancy at will unlawful detainer
forthwith legal definition :: adv. a term found in contracts, court orders and s ... mediacy, with no excuses for delay.
forthwith definition legal :: adv. a term found in contracts, court orders and s ... mediacy, with no excuses for delay.
what is to wit in a legal contract :: prep. that is to say. Example: "the passengers in ... tty Bumgartner and Sherry Younger."
mirror wills legal definition :: n. the wills of a husband and wife which are ident ... d each names the other as executor.
clean hands doctrine latin :: n. a rule of law that a person coming to court wit ... ices. See also: affirmative defense
sine qua non only relates to contract law :: (see-nay kwah nahn) prep. Latin for "without which ... qua non of the injury to Playmate.

Other Law Terms - C

C.I.F. :: n. the total of cost, insurance and freight charge ... aid on goods purchased and shipped.
calendar :: 1) n. the list of cases to be called for trial bef ... clerk of the court calendars cases.
calendar call :: n. the hearing at which a case is set for trial. ... g at which a case is set for trial.
call :: n. the demand by a corporation that a stockholder ... assessment on shares already owned.
calumny :: n. the intentional and generally vicious false acc ... 's reputation. See also: defamation
cancel :: v. to cross out, annul, destroy, void and/or resci ... g, so that it cannot be used again.
cancellation :: cancel ... cancel
caning :: n. a punishment for crimes employed in certain Asi ... last century in the United States.
canon law :: n. laws and regulations over ecclesiastical (churc ... nduct with no religious connection.
cap :: n. slang for maximum, as the most interest that ca ... "adjustable rate" promissory note.
capital :: 1) n. from Latin for caput, meaning "head," the ba ... count capital assets stock in trade
capital account :: n. the record which lists all basic assets of a bu ... or the alleged value of good will.
capital assets :: n. equipment, property, and funds owned by a busin ... . See also: capital capital account
capital expenditure :: n. payment by a business for basic assets such as ... y intended to improve productivity.
capital gains :: n. the difference between the sales price and the ... so: basis delayed exchange exchange
capital investment :: capital expenditure ... capital expenditure
capital offense :: n. any criminal charge which is punishable by the ... . See also: bail capital punishment
capital punishment :: n. execution (death) for a capital offense. The U. ... or death. See also: capital offense
capital stock :: n. the original amount paid by investors into a co ... price. See also: corporation stock
capitalization :: n. 1) the act of counting anticipated earnings and ... for conversion into capital assets.