{"id":135,"date":"2026-08-15T18:07:20","date_gmt":"2026-08-15T16:07:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zambiashares.com\/learn-investing\/?p=135"},"modified":"2026-08-15T18:11:12","modified_gmt":"2026-08-15T16:11:12","slug":"lesson-9-ordinary-shares-explained","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zambiashares.com\/learn-investing\/lesson-9-ordinary-shares-explained\/","title":{"rendered":"Lesson 9 \u2014 Ordinary Shares Explained"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>\r\n.zs9-lesson {\r\n    max-width: 1100px;\r\n    margin: 30px auto;\r\n    font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\r\n    color: #374151;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.zs9-card {\r\n    background: #ffffff;\r\n    border: 1px solid #DDE5E0;\r\n    border-radius: 18px;\r\n    box-shadow: 0 5px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.07);\r\n    overflow: hidden;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.zs9-header {\r\n    background: #008C3A;\r\n    color: #ffffff;\r\n    padding: 28px 35px;\r\n    text-align: center;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.zs9-header h2 {\r\n    color: 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       padding: 23px 18px;\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    .zs9-header h2 {\r\n        font-size: 25px;\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    .zs9-slide {\r\n        padding: 30px 22px 25px;\r\n        min-height: 500px;\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    .zs9-slide h3 {\r\n        font-size: 23px;\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    .zs9-slide p,\r\n    .zs9-slide ul {\r\n        font-size: 16px;\r\n        line-height: 1.7;\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    .zs9-navigation {\r\n        padding: 16px;\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    .zs9-btn {\r\n        padding: 11px 17px;\r\n        font-size: 14px;\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    .zs9-flow {\r\n        flex-direction: column;\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    .zs9-arrow {\r\n        transform: rotate(90deg);\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    .zs9-compare {\r\n        grid-template-columns: 1fr;\r\n    }\r\n}\r\n<\/style>\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-lesson\">\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-card\">\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-header\">\r\n    <h2>Lesson 9: Ordinary Shares Explained<\/h2>\r\n    <p>Understand the most common type of share ownership.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-progress\">\r\n    <div class=\"zs9-progress-bar\" id=\"zs9Progress\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<!-- 01 -->\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-slide active\">\r\n\r\n<span class=\"zs9-number\">01 \/ 13<\/span>\r\n\r\n<h3>What Are Ordinary Shares?<\/h3>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-visual\">\r\n    <div class=\"zs9-icon\">\ud83c\udfe2 \u2192 \ud83d\udcca \u2192 \ud83d\udc64<\/div>\r\n    <strong>Company \u2192 Shares \u2192 Investor<\/strong>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\nOrdinary shares are a type of share that represents ownership in a company.\r\nThey are commonly used by companies to divide ownership among investors.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\nWhen you buy ordinary shares in a company, you become an ordinary\r\nshareholder. Your shares represent an ownership interest in that business.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\nThe number of shares you own determines how much of the company you own\r\nrelative to the total number of ordinary shares.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-highlight\">\r\n<strong>Simple meaning:<\/strong> An ordinary share is a unit of ownership\r\nin a company that can give the shareholder certain rights and potential\r\nfinancial benefits.\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<!-- 02 -->\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-slide\">\r\n\r\n<span class=\"zs9-number\">02 \/ 13<\/span>\r\n\r\n<h3>Why Are They Called \u201cOrdinary\u201d Shares?<\/h3>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-visual\">\r\n    <div class=\"zs9-icon\">\ud83d\udcca<\/div>\r\n    <strong>Ordinary = Standard form of share ownership<\/strong>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\nThe word \u201cordinary\u201d does not mean the shares are unimportant.\r\nIt is simply the name used to distinguish this type of share from\r\nother classes, such as preference shares.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\nOrdinary shares generally represent the basic ownership interest\r\nin a company.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\nFor many investors, ordinary shares are the type they first think\r\nabout when they hear the word \u201cshares\u201d.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-tip\">\r\nDo not confuse \u201cordinary\u201d with \u201clow value\u201d or \u201cless important\u201d.\r\nIt refers to the class of shares.\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<!-- 03 -->\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-slide\">\r\n\r\n<span class=\"zs9-number\">03 \/ 13<\/span>\r\n\r\n<h3>How Does an Ordinary Share Represent Ownership?<\/h3>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-visual\">\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-flow\">\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-box\">\ud83c\udfe2 Company<\/div>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-arrow\">\u2192<\/div>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-box\">100% Ownership<\/div>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-arrow\">\u2192<\/div>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-box\">\ud83d\udcca Shares<\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\nThink of a company as having its ownership divided into many small pieces.\r\nThose pieces are represented by shares.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\nIf a company has 1,000,000 ordinary shares and you own 10,000 of them,\r\nyour shares represent 1% of those ordinary shares.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\nYour ownership percentage is therefore connected to the number of shares\r\nyou own and the total number of shares.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-highlight\">\r\nThe share price tells you the market value of one share. Your ownership\r\npercentage depends on how many shares you own.\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<!-- 04 -->\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-slide\">\r\n\r\n<span class=\"zs9-number\">04 \/ 13<\/span>\r\n\r\n<h3>A Simple Zambian Example<\/h3>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-example\">\r\n\r\n<h4>Imagine You Buy 500 Ordinary Shares<\/h4>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\nSuppose an ordinary share is trading at K10.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\nIf you buy 500 shares:\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n<strong>500 \u00d7 K10 = K5,000<\/strong>\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\nYour investment would therefore be K5,000 before any applicable\r\ntransaction costs.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\nYou now hold 500 ordinary shares in the company.\r\nThose shares represent your ownership interest.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-tip\">\r\nThis is only an educational example. A real share price can change,\r\nand transaction costs may also apply.\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<!-- 05 -->\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-slide\">\r\n\r\n<span class=\"zs9-number\">05 \/ 13<\/span>\r\n\r\n<h3>Ordinary Shareholders May Have Voting Rights<\/h3>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-visual\">\r\n    <div class=\"zs9-icon\">\ud83d\udc65 \ud83d\uddf3\ufe0f \ud83c\udfe2<\/div>\r\n    <strong>Share ownership can include voting rights.<\/strong>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\nOne important feature of ordinary shares is that they may provide\r\nvoting rights to shareholders, depending on the company's share\r\nstructure and applicable rules.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\nVoting can allow eligible shareholders to participate in certain\r\ndecisions presented to shareholders.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\nFor example, shareholders may vote on matters at a shareholders'\r\nmeeting.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-highlight\">\r\nVoting rights are connected to the particular class of shares and\r\nthe company's governing documents and applicable law.\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<!-- 06 -->\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-slide\">\r\n\r\n<span class=\"zs9-number\">06 \/ 13<\/span>\r\n\r\n<h3>Ordinary Shares May Pay Dividends<\/h3>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-visual\">\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-flow\">\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-box\">\ud83c\udfe2 Company<\/div>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-arrow\">\u2192<\/div>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-box\">\ud83d\udcb0 Dividend<\/div>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-arrow\">\u2192<\/div>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-box\">\ud83d\udc64 Shareholder<\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\nA company may decide to pay dividends to its shareholders.\r\nA dividend is a payment made to eligible shareholders according to\r\nthe company's declared dividend and applicable requirements.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\nFor example, suppose a company declares a dividend of K0.40 per\r\nordinary share.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\nIf you own 2,000 eligible ordinary shares, the gross dividend would be:\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-highlight\">\r\n<strong>2,000 \u00d7 K0.40 = K800<\/strong>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\nThe amount actually received can be affected by applicable deductions\r\nand taxes.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-tip\">\r\nA company is not automatically required to pay a dividend every year.\r\nDividends depend on the company's decisions and applicable rules.\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<!-- 07 -->\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-slide\">\r\n\r\n<span class=\"zs9-number\">07 \/ 13<\/span>\r\n\r\n<h3>Ordinary Shares Can Increase in Value<\/h3>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-visual\">\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-flow\">\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-box\">K10<\/div>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-arrow\">\u2192<\/div>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-box\">K15<\/div>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-arrow\">\u2192<\/div>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-box\">Potential Gain<\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\nThe market price of an ordinary share can change.\r\nIf the price increases after you buy the shares, your investment\r\nmay have increased in market value.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\nFor example, imagine you buy 1,000 ordinary shares at K10 each.\r\nYour purchase value is K10,000 before costs.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\nIf the share price later rises to K15, the market value of those\r\n1,000 shares would be K15,000 before costs and taxes.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-highlight\">\r\nThe K5,000 difference is an unrealised gain if you still own the shares.\r\nThe gain becomes realised when you sell, subject to the actual sale\r\nprice and applicable costs.\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<!-- 08 -->\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-slide\">\r\n\r\n<span class=\"zs9-number\">08 \/ 13<\/span>\r\n\r\n<h3>Ordinary Shares Can Also Fall in Value<\/h3>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-visual\">\r\n    <div class=\"zs9-icon\">\ud83d\udcc8 \u2195 \ud83d\udcc9<\/div>\r\n    <strong>Share prices can move in both directions.<\/strong>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\nThere is no guarantee that ordinary shares will increase in value.\r\nTheir market price can fall.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\nSuppose you buy 1,000 shares at K10 each.\r\nYour investment value is K10,000 before costs.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\nIf the market price later falls to K7, those shares would have a\r\nmarket value of K7,000.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-highlight\">\r\nThat would represent a K3,000 decrease in market value before considering\r\nany costs or taxes.\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\nThis is why ordinary shares should be treated as investments that\r\ncarry risk.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<!-- 09 -->\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-slide\">\r\n\r\n<span class=\"zs9-number\">09 \/ 13<\/span>\r\n\r\n<h3>Ordinary Shares and Company Growth<\/h3>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-visual\">\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-flow\">\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-box\">\ud83c\udfe2 Business<\/div>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-arrow\">\u2192<\/div>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-box\">\ud83d\udcc8 Growth<\/div>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-arrow\">\u2192<\/div>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-box\">\ud83d\udc65 Shareholders<\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\nAs an ordinary shareholder, you have an ownership interest in a real\r\nbusiness.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\nIf that business grows successfully, increases sales, improves its\r\nprofitability or expands its operations, investors may view the company\r\nmore positively.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\nThis can potentially support an increase in the market value of its shares.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-tip\">\r\nA good business does not guarantee a rising share price. Share prices\r\nare affected by many factors and can move differently from the company's\r\nshort-term business performance.\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<!-- 10 -->\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-slide\">\r\n\r\n<span class=\"zs9-number\">10 \/ 13<\/span>\r\n\r\n<h3>Ordinary Shares vs Preference Shares<\/h3>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-compare\">\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-compare-box\">\r\n\r\n<strong>Ordinary Shares<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\nUsually represent the basic ownership interest in a company.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\nThey may include voting rights, depending on the share class.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\nDividends may be declared but are not guaranteed.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-compare-box\">\r\n\r\n<strong>Preference Shares<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\nHave different rights and features from ordinary shares.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\nThey may have preferential treatment regarding dividends or capital\r\nin certain circumstances, depending on their terms.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\nVoting rights can also differ.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-highlight\">\r\nThe exact rights attached to each class of shares depend on the\r\ncompany's share structure and applicable rules.\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<!-- 11 -->\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-slide\">\r\n\r\n<span class=\"zs9-number\">11 \/ 13<\/span>\r\n\r\n<h3>What Are the Main Benefits of Ordinary Shares?<\/h3>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\nOrdinary shares can provide several potential benefits to investors.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n    <li>Ownership in a company<\/li>\r\n    <li>Potential capital growth<\/li>\r\n    <li>Potential dividend income<\/li>\r\n    <li>Possible voting rights<\/li>\r\n    <li>Participation in the long-term success of a business<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-visual\">\r\n    <div class=\"zs9-icon\">\ud83d\udcca + \ud83d\udcb0 + \ud83d\uddf3\ufe0f<\/div>\r\n    <strong>Ownership + Potential Return + Possible Voting Rights<\/strong>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-tip\">\r\nThese are potential benefits, not promises. Ordinary shares also carry\r\ninvestment risk.\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<!-- 12 -->\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-slide\">\r\n\r\n<span class=\"zs9-number\">12 \/ 13<\/span>\r\n\r\n<h3>What Should a Beginner Check Before Buying?<\/h3>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\nBefore buying ordinary shares, do not look only at the share price.\r\nTry to understand the company behind the share.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n    <li>What does the company actually do?<\/li>\r\n    <li>How does the company make money?<\/li>\r\n    <li>How has the business performed?<\/li>\r\n    <li>Does the company have significant debt?<\/li>\r\n    <li>Has it paid dividends in the past?<\/li>\r\n    <li>What risks could affect the business?<\/li>\r\n    <li>Does the investment match your financial goal?<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-highlight\">\r\n<strong>Think like an owner:<\/strong> If you would not understand\r\nthe business, take time to learn about it before investing.\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<!-- 13 -->\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-slide\">\r\n\r\n<span class=\"zs9-number\">13 \/ 13<\/span>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-complete\">\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-complete-icon\">\ud83c\udf93<\/div>\r\n\r\n<h3>Lesson Complete!<\/h3>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\nWell done! You now understand the basic idea of ordinary shares.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\nYou have learned that ordinary shares represent ownership in a company,\r\nand that ordinary shareholders may have voting rights and may potentially\r\nreceive dividends or benefit from an increase in share value.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\nYou have also learned the most important point: ordinary shares can\r\nlose value, so investing always involves risk.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-tip\">\r\n\r\n<strong>Key message:<\/strong><br>\r\n\r\nAn ordinary share represents an ownership interest in a company.\r\nUnderstand the business, understand the risks and invest based on\r\nyour own informed decision.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-navigation\">\r\n\r\n<button type=\"button\"\r\nclass=\"zs9-btn zs9-prev\"\r\nid=\"zs9Prev\">\r\n\u2190 Previous\r\n<\/button>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"zs9-counter\" id=\"zs9Counter\">\r\n1 \/ 13\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<button type=\"button\"\r\nclass=\"zs9-btn zs9-next\"\r\nid=\"zs9Next\">\r\nNext \u2192\r\n<\/button>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<script>\r\n(function() {\r\n\r\n    const lesson = document.querySelector('.zs9-lesson');\r\n\r\n    if (!lesson) return;\r\n\r\n    const slides = lesson.querySelectorAll('.zs9-slide');\r\n    const nextButton = lesson.querySelector('#zs9Next');\r\n    const prevButton = lesson.querySelector('#zs9Prev');\r\n    const counter = lesson.querySelector('#zs9Counter');\r\n    const progress = lesson.querySelector('#zs9Progress');\r\n\r\n    let current = 0;\r\n\r\n    function showSlide(number) {\r\n\r\n        slides.forEach(function(slide, index) {\r\n\r\n            slide.classList.toggle(\r\n                'active',\r\n                index === number\r\n            );\r\n\r\n        });\r\n\r\n        counter.textContent =\r\n            (number + 1) + ' \/ ' + slides.length;\r\n\r\n        progress.style.width =\r\n            (((number + 1) \/ slides.length) * 100) + '%';\r\n\r\n        prevButton.style.visibility =\r\n            number === 0 ? 'hidden' : 'visible';\r\n\r\n        if (number === slides.length - 1) {\r\n            nextButton.style.display = 'none';\r\n        } else {\r\n            nextButton.style.display = 'block';\r\n        }\r\n\r\n        lesson.scrollIntoView({\r\n            behavior: 'smooth',\r\n            block: 'start'\r\n        });\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    nextButton.addEventListener('click', function() {\r\n\r\n        if (current < slides.length - 1) {\r\n            current++;\r\n            showSlide(current);\r\n        }\r\n\r\n    });\r\n\r\n    prevButton.addEventListener('click', function() {\r\n\r\n        if (current > 0) {\r\n            current--;\r\n            showSlide(current);\r\n        }\r\n\r\n    });\r\n\r\n    showSlide(current);\r\n\r\n})();\r\n<\/script>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">When you hear people talk about buying <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zambiashares.com\/learn-investing\/lesson-6-what-is-a-share\/\">shares<\/a>, they are often talking about ordinary shares. Ordinary shares represent an ownership interest in a company and are one of the main types of shares investors may encounter.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Imagine a company divided into many small ownership pieces. These pieces are represented by shares. When you buy ordinary shares, you become an ordinary shareholder and own a portion of the company represented by those shares.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Being an ordinary shareholder can come with potential benefits. Depending on the share class and applicable rules, you may have voting rights on certain company matters. A company may also declare dividends, which can provide income to eligible shareholders. If the market price of your shares increases, you may potentially make a capital gain when you sell.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">But there is another side that every beginner must understand: ordinary shares carry risk. The share price can fall. If you buy shares at K10 and later their market price falls to K7, your investment is worth less while you hold them. If you sell at that lower price, you may realise a loss.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">In this lesson, we will learn what ordinary shares are, why companies issue them, how ownership works, how dividends can work, how shareholders may benefit from company growth, and why ordinary shares can also lose value.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">We will use simple examples in <strong>Zambian Kwacha (K)<\/strong> so that the concepts are easy to understand.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The goal is not to tell you which shares to buy. The goal is to help you understand what you are actually buying when you buy ordinary shares.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When you hear people talk about buying shares, they are often talking about ordinary shares. Ordinary shares represent an ownership [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_theme","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-135","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-understanding-shares"],"rttpg_featured_image_url":null,"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"ZambiaShares.com","author_link":"https:\/\/www.zambiashares.com\/learn-investing\/author\/invstzmadmin\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.zambiashares.com\/learn-investing\/category\/stock-market-learning\/understanding-shares\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Understanding Shares<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"When you hear people talk about buying shares, they are often talking about ordinary shares. Ordinary shares represent an ownership [&hellip;]","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zambiashares.com\/learn-investing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/135","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zambiashares.com\/learn-investing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zambiashares.com\/learn-investing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zambiashares.com\/learn-investing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zambiashares.com\/learn-investing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=135"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.zambiashares.com\/learn-investing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/135\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zambiashares.com\/learn-investing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=135"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zambiashares.com\/learn-investing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=135"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zambiashares.com\/learn-investing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=135"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}