What is a ‘Majority Shareholder’
A majority shareholder is a person or entity that owns more than 50% of a company’s outstanding shares. The majority shareholder is often the founder of the company or, in the case of long-established businesses, the founder’s descendants. By virtue of controlling more than half of the voting interests in the company, the majority shareholder has a very significant influence in the business operations and strategic direction of the company, though not all companies have a majority shareholder.
Explaining ‘Majority Shareholder’
Majority shareholders differ in their approach to how the company is managed. While some continue to be heavily involved in the daily operations of the company, others may prefer to take a hands-off approach and leave the management of the company to the executives and managers. Majority shareholders who wish to exit their business or dilute their position may make overtures to their competition or private equity firms, with the objective of getting a good price for their stake. Since the majority shareholder usually has an iron grip on the fortunes of the company, a hostile bid for it is generally out of the question.
Who Is the Majority Shareholder?
The majority shareholder of a company may or may not be a member of upper management, such as the chief executive officer (CEO). In smaller companies with a limited number of total shares, the CEO may also function as the majority shareholder. In larger firms with significant market capitalization, such as numbers in the billions of dollars, the firm’s investors may include other institutions that possess a larger number of shares.
Majority Shareholders and Buyouts
In order for a buyout to occur, an outside entity must acquire over 50% of the target company’s outstanding shares. While a majority shareholder may hold more than 50% of a company’s stocks, he may not have the authority to authorize a buyout without additional support depending on certain corporate bylaws. In cases where a super-majority is required for a buyout, the majority shareholder can be the sole deciding factor only in cases where he holds enough of the company’s stock to meet the super-majority requirement, and the minority shareholders do not have additional rights to block the effort.
What are the benefits of being a majority shareholder
Being a majority shareholder comes with a lot of responsibility. Not only are you tasked with making decisions that will impact the company, but you also have to ensure that the interests of the minority shareholders are taken into account. However, there are also a number of benefits that come with being a majority shareholder. For one, you have greater control over the direction of the company. You can also use your voting power to elect a board that is aligned with your vision for the company. Additionally, majority shareholders are typically entitled to a larger share of the profits. As such, being a majority shareholder can be a lucrative proposition for those who are willing to take on the added responsibility.
What are the risks of being a majority shareholder
Being a majority shareholder comes with a number of different risks. One of the most significant risks is that, as the majority shareholder, you may be held liable for any debts or losses incurred by the company. This means that if the company goes into debt, or is sued, you could be personally responsible for repaying that debt.
Additionally, as majority shareholder, you may have difficulty selling your shares. This is because potential buyers may be hesitant to take on such a large stake in the company. Finally, being a majority shareholder also gives you a lot of responsibility. You will likely be expected to play an active role in running the company and making decisions about its future. This can be a lot of pressure, and if you are not prepared to handle it, it can be very stressful.
How to become a majority shareholder
In order to become a majority shareholder, an individual would need to obtain more than 50% of the outstanding shares of a company. This can be done through a variety of methods, including purchasing shares on the open market, acquiring shares from other shareholders, or participating in a share repurchase program. Majority ownership confers a number of privileges, including the ability to elect a majority of the board of directors and to approve major corporate decisions. In addition, majority shareholders are typically entitled to a larger portion of the company’s profits. As such, becoming a majority shareholder is often seen as a way to gain control of a company and increase one’s financial stake in its success.
What happens if you sell your shares as a majority shareholder
Selling your shares will give up this control. The new owners may have different ideas about how to run the business, and they may make decisions that you disagree with. In addition, selling your shares will likely trigger a tax bill. When you sell shares in a publicly traded company, you are required to pay capital gains tax on the profit from the sale. The tax rate will depend on how long you have owned the shares and other factors, but it is typically around 20%. So if you are thinking about selling your shares as a majority shareholder, you need to weigh the pros and cons carefully. Give up control of the company, but you may get a good return on your investment.
