Investor / Shareholder

An investor or shareholder is an individual or entity that contributes capital to a business in exchange for ownership stakes or shares. Shareholders own a portion of the company based on the number of shares they hold and are entitled to a share of the company’s profits, typically distributed as dividends, and may benefit from the appreciation of the business's value. While shareholders have ownership rights, their liability is generally limited to the amount of their investment. Depending on the type and number of shares, shareholders may have voting rights in company decisions and play a role in influencing its direction, though day-to-day operations are typically managed by executives or managers.