General Investing
  -General information about
  getting started.
Stocks
  -How investing in the stock
  market works
Bonds
  -How bond investing works
Mutual Funds
  -How mutual funds work
Economics
  -A basic intro to the economy
Advanced Investing Topics
  -This section covers topics
   like futures and options

Public Company - Definition
Below, you'll find a definition of this investing term...

Definition: A company that investors can buy and sell shares of on the open market.  As opposed to a private company, in which they can't.

TeenAnalyst Advice: A company "goes public" when it issues stock for the first time.  This represents the first time regular investors can buy or sell shares openly.

A private company is much harder to invest in.  Not everyone can do it and it's usually at the discretion of management.

The downside to being a public company is that the company must report more information.  They're also liable to shareholders and must look out for their interests.  If shareholders get upset, it can get messy for the company.

 

Related Sections on Our Website

Investing - Learn more about investing basics and strategies.

Stocks - Learn about investing in the stock market.

 

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