creditors of a company with a guaranteed return on their investment, whereas shareholders are owners, with all the risks and rewards ownership entails.

5. International equity investment is not limited to the major financial center of London, New York, and Tokyo. Equity ownership can now mean a share of a fastfood store in Moscow, or it can mean a part of Thailand's booming manufacturing industry. It can be part ownership of a hotel in Rio de Janeiro or a light bulb company in Budapest. Equity means ownership, and ownership is now allowed in almost every country in the world.

COMPREHENSION CHECK

Exercise 1. Find the answer in the paragraphs of the text.

1.What is the risk for stockholders since they are paid last?

2.By what documents is ownership in an equity certified?

3.How are benefits of shareholders realized when the company makes a profit?

4.Is the equity investment limited to the major financial centers?

5.What is the price of the shares when the company goes bankrupt?

6.In what way do bonds differ from shares?

Exercise 2. Find the suitable equivalent of the underlined words.

1.Any individual who holds shares owns a part of a company.

a)stocks

b)ownership

c)money

2.Ownership is now allowed in almost every country in the world.

a)friendship

b)partnership

c)private business

3.Equity means ownership which is now allowed in almost every country in the world.

a)share

b)goods

c)interest rate

INCREASE YOUR VOCABULARY

Exercise 1. Match the antonyms.

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