Equity securities issued by a company to raise funds. Common stock holders are owners of the company and are entitled to vote in a shareholders' meeting to elect the company directors to participate in policies making and major business decision. Stockholders receive a share of company profits in the form of dividends and hold a right to buy new stocks the company issues for business expansion. In the case of liquidation, they are entitled to a share of the company's assets after debts and other liabilities are paid off.