How Did Stock Ownership Begin
A stock is a certificate that proves partial ownership in a corporation. The percentage of ownership is based on how many shares a stockholder possesses in relation to the ratio of shares outstanding (on the market).
Stock ownership (shares) are broken up into two categories in terms of sales: common stock and preferred stocks. Common stocks include with it, that the shareholders possessing of these stocks, have voting rights in company changes. Preferred stocks, while they carry no voting privileges, do receive priority rights when it comes to bankruptcy. These shareholders are the first to receive dividends and cash payments. There are other exceptions in terms of categories of shareholders, but these are the most common.
The History of Stock Ownership
According to historical academia, stock ownership dates at least as far back as the Roman Republic. The Republic would lease out services to companies. These respective companies would issue partes and particulae, similar to today’s privately traded corporate shares, sold outside of the stock exchange. The first issuer of shares to the public, our version of publicly listed shares on the exchange, would be the Dutch East India Company. These were issued in the 17th century.
Today, for those interested in tracing ownership of listed companies on a stock exchange, the simplest way to do it is to inquire internally through your broker. The internet also has professional services online to trace, a simple search of these can uncover options. Typically, you need the CUSIP number, a nine-digit alphanumeric code which is used to identify securities.
However, it is best if you have a trade ticket number, which expedites the whole process. A quick search on Bloomberg or contacting the appropriate exchange, will allow you to trace ownership quite easily.
If all you have is the Ticker i.e. the three or four-letter name of the stock, do not fret as there is still hope. Stock Exchanges and even the company in question should have a list of the current shareholders. You may just need to dig deeper but you will get the list, the question would be the waiting time.
