- ordinary shares
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Ordinary shares carry the residual economic value of a company. They carry rights to distribution of profits through dividends, to the surplus assets of a company on a winding up and to votes at general meetings of the company.
Easyform Glossary of Law Terms. — UK law terms.
- ordinary shares
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the shares issued to members of a limited company. These represent the equity or risk capital of a company; they carry no prior rights in terms of entitlement to dividend or return of capital on a winding up. Ordinary shares generally carry full voting rights. Different are preference shares, which entitle the holder to a stipulated fixed rate return in the form of a dividend (like the fixed rate return to which holders of loan stock are entitled) whereas the dividend declared in respect of the former is purely a matter for the directors and subject to approval by the shareholders in general meetings. In the event of a winding up, holders of preference shares are entitled to be paid before ordinary shareholders.
Collins dictionary of law. W. J. Stewart. 2001.
- ordinary shares
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The most common form of share. Holders usually have voting rights and receive dividends in line with the company's profitability and recommendation of its directors.
Practical Law Dictionary. Glossary of UK, US and international legal terms. www.practicallaw.com. 2010.