1. Home
  2. Business & Finance
  3. Investing for Beginners

Common Stock

By Joshua Kennon, About.com

Definition: Common stock is one of the two main classes of a corporation's stock (the other is preferred stock). Common stock gives the holder the right to vote at shareholder meetings and may or may not pay a dividend depending upon management's policies.

For more information, read An Introduction to Capital Structure.

Explore Investing for Beginners
About.com Special Features

Start your new business on the right foot with these helpful tips. More >

Easy steps to take control of your credit card debt. More >

  1. Home
  2. Business & Finance
  3. Investing for Beginners
  4. Investing 101
  5. Investing Glossary
  6. Common Stock>

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.