common stock

This term refers to the primary form of equity ownership in a corporation. It carries a higher risk than preferred stock because common shareholders are last in line to receive assets if a company goes bankrupt, but it offers higher potential for long-term capital appreciation.

In a financial context, the term is almost always used as an uncountable mass noun when referring to the general category of equity or the total pool of shares. While one can speak of "shares of common stock," the phrase "common stock" itself does not typically take a plural form in professional accounting or investment discourse.