Which description best matches stock as a form of ownership in a company that can be traded publicly?

• A. Stock
• B. Bond
• C. Mutual Fund
• D. Certificate of Deposit

Answer: (A)

Ownership in a company that can be traded publicly is represented by stock, which is equity—you own a piece of the business and can benefit from its growth through price increases and potential dividends, with the possibility of voting rights on certain corporate matters. This differs from bonds, which are loans to the company that pay fixed interest and return principal but don’t confer ownership. A mutual fund is a pooled investment that owns a collection of assets; owning fund shares doesn’t give you direct ownership of the issuing companies. A certificate of deposit is a bank deposit with a fixed term and interest, not an equity stake and not traded on public markets.