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joint-stock company

noun

Definition of joint-stock company

: a company or association consisting of individuals organized to conduct a business for gain and having a joint stock of capital represented by shares owned individually by the members and transferable without the consent of the group

Examples of joint-stock company in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 All major companies owned by the central government, excluding financial and cultural firms, will be transformed into limited-liability or joint-stock companies by Dec. 31, according to a plan released by the State Council, or cabinet. — WSJ, "China’s Overhaul of State Companies Approaches Modernization Milestone," 26 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'joint-stock company.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of joint-stock company

1776, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for joint-stock company

joint-stock company

noun

Financial Definition of joint-stock company

What It Is

A joint stock company is a company whose stockholders have the same privileges and responsibilities as an unlimited partnership.

How It Works

A joint stock company issues shares similar to a public company that trades on a registered exchange. Joint stock holders may buy or sell these shares freely in the market. But unlike ordinary shares or preferred shares, the shares of a joint stock company carry explicit obligations. Holders have a direct vote in company management decisions as well as a joint and several liability for the company's outstanding debts.

For example, suppose Bob holds shares of Company ABC, a joint stock company. These shares give Bob a percentage of the vote on Company ABC's management decisions, board elections, etc. The shares also give Bob unlimited responsibility for company ABC's outstanding unpaid liabilities. In other words, unless Bob sells his shares of Company ABC, he is liable in whole and in part for principal and interest obligations on bonds or other outstanding loans.

Why It Matters

Due to the nature of the stock, investors who hold shares of a joint stock company put their own assets at risk of being liquidated if the issuing company were to file for bankruptcy.

Source: Investing Answers

joint-stock company

Legal Definition of joint-stock company

see company

More from Merriam-Webster on joint-stock company

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about joint-stock company

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