What is the importance of being a shareholder?

Asked by: Demetris Waters V  |  Last update: February 18, 2026
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Shareholders essentially own the company, which comes with the right to share in the profits. If a company is successful, shareholders benefit from increased stock valuations or profits distributed as dividends. Shareholders also have the right to participate in corporate elections.

Why are shareholders so important?

Shareholders will invest their money into a business, providing financial security, as well as overseeing how the directors of the company manage it. In return, shareholders receive a percentage of profits generated by the said company.

What are the benefits of being a shareholder?

Shareholders have the potential to profit from a rising share price and the potential to earn an income from dividend payments. Shareholders also have a range of other rights and benefits. Although, they differ slightly depending on whether you own ordinary shares or preference shares.

What is the main purpose of a shareholder?

Shareholders are the owners of a company and provide financial backing in return for potential dividends or other compensation over the lifetime of the company.

Why would you become a shareholder?

Dividend Rights

Owning shares entitles shareholders to a portion of the company's profits, usually distributed as dividends. The amount and frequency of dividend payments can vary based on the company's performance and policies.

Company Law: Shares and Shareholders in 3 Minutes

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Is it worth being a shareholder?

Becoming a shareholder in a company can bring great rewards but it can also carry significant risk, particularly when investing a lot of cash.

What is the shareholder benefit?

The CRA considers a “benefit” to include any payment, appropriation of property or advantage conferred on the shareholder by the corporation. Accordingly, where any corporate property is misappropriated by a shareholder, the value of that benefit is included in the income of the shareholder.

What is the disadvantage of being a shareholder?

Shareholders bear the risk of the share price falling, which can lead to capital losses. Capital growth: If share prices rise, shareholders benefit from the increase in the value of their shares. No guaranteed dividends: Dividends are not guaranteed and depend on the company's decision.

What is the main objective of a shareholder?

A shareholder is an individual or organization that owns shares in a corporation or project. The main interest of a shareholder is the profitability of the project or business. In a public corporation, shareholders want the business to earn high revenues so they can get higher share prices and dividends.

How do shareholders make money?

Shareholders make money in two main ways: Capital appreciation and dividend payments. Common shareholders are granted six rights: voting power, ownership, the right to transfer ownership, a claim to dividends, the right to inspect corporate documents, and the right to sue for wrongful acts.

Do you get perks for being a shareholder?

These benefits are often referred to as “shareholder perks” or just “perks”. Perks can vary from company to company and can range from discounts on products the companies sell to free or discounted services.

What do shareholders get in return?

Dividend is: “A portion of the company's earnings distributed amongst its class of shareholders decided upon by the directors.” Companies distribute a dividend in the form of a quarterly payment paid to shareholders for each share they own. This provides the investors a stream of income.

What do shareholders really value?

Put more simply, value is created for shareholders when the business increases profits. Since the value of a company and its shares are based on the net present value of all future cash flows, that value can be increased or decreased by changes in cash flow and changes in the discount rate.

What power do shareholders have?

Shareholder Rights

The power to sue the corporation for the misdeeds of its directors and/or officers. The right to vote on key corporate matters, such as naming board directors and deciding whether or not to green-light potential mergers. The entitlement to receive dividends if the board decides to pay them.

What are the risks of becoming a shareholder?

Risks to shareholders
  • Directors duties. ...
  • Reliance on profitability and dividends. ...
  • Control over management. ...
  • Selling shares and exiting the company. ...
  • Insolvency.

Is a shareholder an owner?

Shareholders are owners of the company, technically part-owners if there's more than one, but they aren't always involved in the day-to-day running of the business – that duty is left to the directors and company management. However, company directors can also be shareholders.

What happens when you become a shareholder?

Shareholders own part of a company in relation to the proportion of shares they hold. A company can have just one shareholder or many shareholders. Each one is entitled to receive a portion of profits in relation to the number and value of their shares. Shareholders are commonly referred to as 'members'.

What are the three types of shareholders?

Types of Shareholders:
  • Common shareholders. These shareholders own common stock in a company and have voting rights in shareholder meetings. ...
  • Preferred shareholders. ...
  • Insiders. ...
  • Institutional investors. ...
  • Retail investors. ...
  • Passive investors.

Can a shareholder sell his shares to anyone?

Shareholders may purchase or sell shares in a company for various reasons, such as financial gain or personal circumstances. However, can a shareholder sell his shares to anyone? Shareholders may choose to sell their shares to anyone, subject to specific legal and regulatory requirements.

Why is it good to be a shareholder?

People become shareholders for a number of reasons, but the main attraction is the potential to make a profit if the company performs well. Dividends are also taxed at a lower rate than income tax and you are not required to make national insurance contributions on them.

Can you lose money as a shareholder?

If a liquidator makes a written declaration that they have reasonable grounds to believe there is no likelihood shareholders will receive any further distribution in the winding up, shareholders can realise a capital loss.

What are shareholders not allowed to do?

While some shareholders have voting rights, allowing them to make some company decisions, such as electing board members, they are now allowed to participate in every facet of a company. Shareholders are not allowed to participate in the day-to-day management of a company.

Do you get money for being a shareholder?

Dividends are payments made by a company to its shareholders. These payments are typically made on a regular basis such as quarterly or annually. Dividends are usually paid out in cash, but they can also be paid in stock. The amount of dividends a shareholder receives is based on the number of shares they own.

What are the disadvantages of being a shareholder?

Cons:
  • Unstable market. If the value of the stock decreases after a shareholder has purchased it, they've lost that money.
  • Dividends. Even when they're prospering, companies are under no obligation to the shareholders to offer dividends. ...
  • Limited rights. The downside of limited risk is limited rights.

What is a beneficial owner of a shareholder?

As a shareholder of a public company you may hold shares directly or indirectly: A registered owner or record holder holds shares directly with the company. A beneficial owner holds shares indirectly, through a bank or broker-dealer.