Ordinary shares

Holding ordinary shares usually gives the right to vote at the company´s annual general meeting (AGM) and the right to any dividend payments (as long as they weren´t bought at the time when the shares were ex-dividend). The share price is dependent upon market forces. If there are more people wanting to buy than sell, the share price will rise. If there are more people wanting to sell than buy, the price will fall. Ordinary shareholders´ rights are unsecured. If the company goes bust, then the shareholders are last in line for any payout.