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Shareholders

A shareholder is an individual who holds shares in a business.

Public Limited Companies

Public Limited Companies

  • In a public limited company, any member of the public can buy shares through the Stock Exchange.
  • Shareholders usually provide a public limited company with finance, though they are not routinely involved in the running of the business as this is controlled by a board of directors.
Private Limited Companies

Private Limited Companies

  • In a private limited company, shares can only be bought by the friends and family of the original owner. Shareholders usually provide a private limited company with finance, and they are usually involved in the running of the business.
Meetings

Meetings

  • Shareholders have a right to attend a business' Annual General Meeting (AGM) which is where votes can be made on key decisions affecting the business, including appointing a Board of Directors.
  • The number of shares held is used to calculate a shareholder’s power so that each shareholder has a vote relative to the number of shares they hold.
  • For example, Airbus is seeking to appoint a new Executive Director and is currently waiting for an AGM where shareholders can vote on this appointment.
Factors influencing shareholders

Factors influencing shareholders

  • Shareholders may decide to invest in a business for different reasons:
    • Shareholders may decide to purchase shares if they think that the share price may increase in future years, as this will create a return for the shareholder.
    • Shareholders may decide to purchase shares as they would like to receive an annual dividend.
    • Shareholders may decide to purchase shares if they agree with a company’s aims and values and wish to be part of the company’s future journey.
Factors influencing the value of shares

Factors influencing the value of shares

  • Business performance affects demand for its shares and greater performance will increase demand, which increases the share price.
  • Economic performance affects demand for shares as economic growth gives individuals confidence in the market which may increase the demand for shares which increases the share price.
  • News articles may affect demand for shares as businesses accused of being involved in scandals may receive a bad reputation which decreases demand for shares, therefore, decreasing share price.
Impact of changing the value of shares

Impact of changing the value of shares

  • Decreasing and increasing share prices can have a significant effect on a business.
  • Decreasing share prices may mean future investors are concerned about the business and this will make it more difficult for the company to raise additional finance through the sale of shares.
Jump to other topics
1

What is Business?

2

Managers, Leadership & Decision Making

3

Decision Making to Improve Marketing Performance

4

Decision Making to Improve Operational Performance

5

Decision Making to Improve Financial Performance

6

Improving Human Resource Performance

7

Analysing the Strategic Position of a Business

8

Choosing Strategic Direction

9

How to Pursue Strategies

10

Managing Strategic Change

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