voting shares
Equity with voice
Voting shares are stock in a corporation that entitle the holder to vote on company matters—electing board members, approving mergers, or changing corporate bylaws.
Most common stock carries voting rights, while preferred stock typically does not.
Shareholders with more voting shares wield more influence: The founder retained 51% of voting shares to maintain control.
- common stockBasic corporate ownership units
- activist investorStockholder seeking corporate change
- majority ruleDecisions by greater number
- board electionsSelection of governing members
- minority protectionsLaws shielding less-powerful groups
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