A Move Towards Ownership !
An Investment That Can Take You To Great Heights
Equity is the amount of money invested or owned by a company’s owner. The equity of a company can be calculated by subtracting its liabilities from the assets on its balance sheet. An equity value is based on the current share price or a value set by professionals or investors. Owners’ equity and stockholders’ equity are other names for this balance.
Features of Equity?
Following are the key features of equity shares:
Permanent Shares
Equity shares are permanent assets of a company. And are returned only when the company winds up.
Voting Rights
The majority of stockholders can vote. This allows them to select the company's leaders. Effective managers boost a company's annual revenue. The result is higher average dividend income.
Liquidity
The majority of stockholders can vote. This allows them to select the company's leaders. Effective managers boost a company's annual revenue. The result is higher average dividend income.
Limited Liability
Regular shareholders don't suffer losses. They aren't responsible for the company's debts. Stock prices drop, which affects shareholder ROI.
Dividends
Equity shareholders share company profits. A company may distribute dividends from annual profits. If a company doesn't make enough money, it can choose not to pay dividends.
Additional Profits
Equity holders are entitled to a share of the company's additional earnings.
How Does Equity Work?
Equity represents an investor’s share of a company’s value. Owning stock can lead to capital gains and dividends. Owning stock gives shareholders the right to vote on corporate actions and board elections. These equity ownership benefits boost shareholders’ company interest.
Equity can be positive or negative. If positive, the company has enough assets to cover its liabilities. When negative, a company’s liabilities exceed its assets; this is balance sheet insolvency. Negative shareholder equity is considered a risky investment. Shareholder equity alone is not a definitive indicator of a company’s financial health; using other tools and metrics, an investor can accurately analyze a company’s financial performance.
There Are Two Forms Of Public Issue
Initial Public Offer (IPO)
Initial public offerings (IPOs) are public issues made by companies for the first time (IPO).
Further public offer (FPO)
A further public or follow-on offer (FPO) is a second public issue made by a company to raise capital.
Who Issues Equity?
Long-term funds can be raised from lenders, banks, institutions, etc. These loans carry recurring interest charges. Another way to raise long-term capital is through public issue. Public issue means raising funds from the public.
Comparison Of Equity With Other Products
| Differences | EQUITY | FIXED INCOME |
| Status | Equity owners have shared companies, allowing them to claim profits. | Bond holders are creditors who can only claim the loan amount. |
| Issuers | Corporates mainly issue equity. | Firms issue government, financial, or corporate bonds or corporate deposits. |
| Risk | It is highly risky as it depends on its performance and the market conditions. | Low risk is promised a fixed interest irrespective of the firm's performance. |
| Claim to assets | In case of bankruptcy; they have the last claim to assets. | In the case of default debt holders are prioritized over stockholders. |
| Returns | High returns to compensate for high risk in the form of cost appreciation. | Low but guaranteed interest returns. |
| Dividends | Dividends are cash flow of equity but paid at the discretion of management. | No dividends are paid. |
| Involvement | Since stock owners are the firm's owners; they have voting rights. | Bond holders have no say in the company matters and voting. |