Investing term

What is Share register?

The company's official list of who owns its shares on a given date.

The share register is a company's official record of who owns its shares on a given date. It's what the company consults on the record date to determine who receives dividends or gets to vote and participate in corporate actions. Being properly registered (which depends on settling your purchase in time) is what entitles you to a shareholder's benefits.

For example

On the record date the company checks its share register; if you're listed, the dividend is yours — if your purchase hadn't settled, it isn't.

Share register is taught hands-on in Stage 8 — Corporate Actions: What Lands in Your Account.

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Related terms

AcquisitionOne company buys another. The bought company's shares are converted to cash, acquirer stock, or a mix at the closing price.Carve-outA parent company sells part of a subsidiary in an IPO, keeping a stake.Corporate actionAny event initiated by a company that changes its securities or distributes value to holders.Cost basisWhat you originally paid for a holding, used to calculate gains and losses when you eventually sell.
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