Company shares are portions of ownership in a company limited by shares, with each one representing a percentage of the company.

Shares are owned by one or more individuals and/or corporate bodies known as ‘shareholders’ or ‘members’. The number, value, and types of company shares owned by members determine:

• how much control and voting power they have
• how much profit they’re entitled to
• the limit of their financial liability for company debt

Shares are a form of property, which means they can be bought, sold, and transferred to other people.