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| Credits stepupmoney.com |
Ed’s Note: You can begin by reading the first part of this blog series by Teingo on Shares and what they mean in a company Here
Share Capital explained
Share Capital explained
In my last post [Shares: What does it mean in a Company? By Teingo Inko-Tariah] I attempted to explain what shares
in a company mean and how they can be acquired. This post will explain some
other related issues for a better appreciation of the subject.
in a company mean and how they can be acquired. This post will explain some
other related issues for a better appreciation of the subject.
Femi opted out of his paid job to set up his own company – Naija4Life Ltd.
He registered the company at the CAC with a share capital of N1m. There was no
N1m anywhere except on paper i.e. the CAC documentation. Femi took up 500,000
shares in the company and gave another 10,000 shares to his younger brother,
Yemi who was also made a Director of the company.The operations of the block
moulding and interlocking tiles company was largely funded by Femi but he
realized that he needed additional funds to scale up the business and open
branches in other locations. He began to consider how to raise money. If you
are like Femi, please read on to understand the basics of equity funding.
He registered the company at the CAC with a share capital of N1m. There was no
N1m anywhere except on paper i.e. the CAC documentation. Femi took up 500,000
shares in the company and gave another 10,000 shares to his younger brother,
Yemi who was also made a Director of the company.The operations of the block
moulding and interlocking tiles company was largely funded by Femi but he
realized that he needed additional funds to scale up the business and open
branches in other locations. He began to consider how to raise money. If you
are like Femi, please read on to understand the basics of equity funding.
Generally, companies get funding for their operations through debt or
equity. Debt funding includes personal/family loans, bank loans, etc. This type
of funding usually comes with the condition to pay interest on the loan amount
though some loans could also be without interest. Equity funding on the other
hand, is the kind of funding generated by sale of shares of the company to
raise capital for its operations. The implication is that the person funding
becomes a shareholder of the company and becomes entitled to share in the
benefits thereof. The funds raised by a
company by issuing shares for cash or other considerations is referred to as
‘share capital’.
equity. Debt funding includes personal/family loans, bank loans, etc. This type
of funding usually comes with the condition to pay interest on the loan amount
though some loans could also be without interest. Equity funding on the other
hand, is the kind of funding generated by sale of shares of the company to
raise capital for its operations. The implication is that the person funding
becomes a shareholder of the company and becomes entitled to share in the
benefits thereof. The funds raised by a
company by issuing shares for cash or other considerations is referred to as
‘share capital’.
At the time of
incorporation of a company, the share capital would normally be stated in the
Memorandum of Association and issued to the first subscribers. For e.g.,
Naija4Life share capital in our hypothetical case was N1million naira at
incorporation. This does not mean that the sum of N1m has to be paid or has to
be available at the bank. If the money is available, great. However even if it is
not, what it would mean is that the value of the company at incorporation is
stated to be N1m. It also means that every shareholder who has not actually
paid any money to the company account for his shares owes the company. Shares
could also be paid for by consideration other than cash so for instance,
contributing office furniture, laptop, printer etc. The item contributed will
be valued and the monetary value will be used to ascertain the amount of the
shareholder’s contribution.
incorporation of a company, the share capital would normally be stated in the
Memorandum of Association and issued to the first subscribers. For e.g.,
Naija4Life share capital in our hypothetical case was N1million naira at
incorporation. This does not mean that the sum of N1m has to be paid or has to
be available at the bank. If the money is available, great. However even if it is
not, what it would mean is that the value of the company at incorporation is
stated to be N1m. It also means that every shareholder who has not actually
paid any money to the company account for his shares owes the company. Shares
could also be paid for by consideration other than cash so for instance,
contributing office furniture, laptop, printer etc. The item contributed will
be valued and the monetary value will be used to ascertain the amount of the
shareholder’s contribution.
Using our hypothetical case, if Femi owns 500,000 shares of N1.00 each,
he owes the company N500,000 while Yemi owes the company N10,000 for his 10,000
shares. As Femi contributes towards the operations of the company, the amount
could be used to defray this debt such that his contribution becomes payment
for his shares.However, If the company goes into liquidation, the shareholders
who have unpaid shares would be liable for the debts of the company to the
extent of the amount owed for the shares taken up by them. So, for e.g., if Femi
had contributed N500,000 in exchange for his shares in Naija4Life Ltd, he will
not be liable as he is no more indebted to the company. However, if he had only
paid up N300,000 by way of contribution of same towards the operations of the
company, he would have an outstanding N200,000. Therefore, if for instance,
Naija4life is owing a supplier, Femi has to provide the money to defray that
debt because he owns shares he has not paid for so his liability is not yet
extinguished.
he owes the company N500,000 while Yemi owes the company N10,000 for his 10,000
shares. As Femi contributes towards the operations of the company, the amount
could be used to defray this debt such that his contribution becomes payment
for his shares.However, If the company goes into liquidation, the shareholders
who have unpaid shares would be liable for the debts of the company to the
extent of the amount owed for the shares taken up by them. So, for e.g., if Femi
had contributed N500,000 in exchange for his shares in Naija4Life Ltd, he will
not be liable as he is no more indebted to the company. However, if he had only
paid up N300,000 by way of contribution of same towards the operations of the
company, he would have an outstanding N200,000. Therefore, if for instance,
Naija4life is owing a supplier, Femi has to provide the money to defray that
debt because he owns shares he has not paid for so his liability is not yet
extinguished.
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| Credits – moneymorning.com |
The Authorised share capital of a company could be issued or unissued.
Issued share capital is the portion of a company’s share capital that has been
taken up by shareholders. The law requires a minimum of 25% of a companies
authorized share capital to be allotted at the time of incorporation. So, in
the case of Naija4Life, they are well above the specified minimum which would
be 250,000 shares because they already allotted 510,000. The shares may have
been paid for in full, in instalments or unpaid for. Unissued share capital is
the portion of a company’s capital that has not been issued to any shareholder.
Where shares are unpaid for, the shareholder could be called upon to pay for
those shares in accordance with the terms stipulated in the articles of association
of the company. This is referred to as a ‘call on shares’ which is a formal
request by a company to the shareholders to pay for shares they have taken up.
Issued share capital is the portion of a company’s share capital that has been
taken up by shareholders. The law requires a minimum of 25% of a companies
authorized share capital to be allotted at the time of incorporation. So, in
the case of Naija4Life, they are well above the specified minimum which would
be 250,000 shares because they already allotted 510,000. The shares may have
been paid for in full, in instalments or unpaid for. Unissued share capital is
the portion of a company’s capital that has not been issued to any shareholder.
Where shares are unpaid for, the shareholder could be called upon to pay for
those shares in accordance with the terms stipulated in the articles of association
of the company. This is referred to as a ‘call on shares’ which is a formal
request by a company to the shareholders to pay for shares they have taken up.
Further issue of
shares can be made by a company in future to raise more capital, provided it is
within the stipulated maximum amount authorised by the articles of association.
Thus the authorised share capital refers to the maximum value of the shares
that a company can legally issue. For instance, Naija4Life has an authorised
share capital of N1m. Femi has 500,000 units, his brother Yomi has 10,000
units. They have an outstanding 490,000 units which can raise N490,000 if they
allow other people buy shares in the company. Naija4Life Ltd cannot sell any
more than the balance of shares left which is 490,000 units to raise N490,000.
If they need more capital, they need to increase the share capital from N1m.
shares can be made by a company in future to raise more capital, provided it is
within the stipulated maximum amount authorised by the articles of association.
Thus the authorised share capital refers to the maximum value of the shares
that a company can legally issue. For instance, Naija4Life has an authorised
share capital of N1m. Femi has 500,000 units, his brother Yomi has 10,000
units. They have an outstanding 490,000 units which can raise N490,000 if they
allow other people buy shares in the company. Naija4Life Ltd cannot sell any
more than the balance of shares left which is 490,000 units to raise N490,000.
If they need more capital, they need to increase the share capital from N1m.
Alteration of shares
The share capital of a company can be altered in various ways:
cancellation, increase or decrease. Cancellation of shares is the process of
annulling or extinguishing unissued i.e. shares that have not been taken up or
shares that are yet to be issued. The effect is to reduce the authorised share
capital by the amount of shares cancelled. Share capital could also be altered
by an increase or decrease in the authorised share capital after the necessary
amendments have been made to the articles of association of the company.
cancellation, increase or decrease. Cancellation of shares is the process of
annulling or extinguishing unissued i.e. shares that have not been taken up or
shares that are yet to be issued. The effect is to reduce the authorised share
capital by the amount of shares cancelled. Share capital could also be altered
by an increase or decrease in the authorised share capital after the necessary
amendments have been made to the articles of association of the company.
An increase in authorised share capital requires the creation of new
shares which will normally be issued to rank in similar status i.e. paripassu
as the shares already in existence. In the case of reduction, the issued share
capital of a company is decreased by any of the following means: extinguishing
liability on any unpaid shares so that the holder of the balance is excused
from paying. For instance, if a company has issued 1,000,000 ordinary shares of
N1 each of which N750,000 has been paid up, the balance of N250,000 could be
extinguished thereby reducing the share capital to N750,000.
shares which will normally be issued to rank in similar status i.e. paripassu
as the shares already in existence. In the case of reduction, the issued share
capital of a company is decreased by any of the following means: extinguishing
liability on any unpaid shares so that the holder of the balance is excused
from paying. For instance, if a company has issued 1,000,000 ordinary shares of
N1 each of which N750,000 has been paid up, the balance of N250,000 could be
extinguished thereby reducing the share capital to N750,000.
Reduction could also take place by cancellation of any paid up share
capital which is lost or unrepresented by available assets. For instance if the
value of net assets of the company is N1m and the share capital is N750,000,
the share capital could be reduced to reflect the realistic value of assets but
nothing is returned to shareholders who have paid N250,000 more. The third form
of reduction in share capital is the cancellation of any paid up share capital
in excess of the company’s needs in a manner similar to the second form of
reduction above. In all cases of reduction, the share capital must have been
issued. It may be paid up or unpaid. Reduction of share capital must be
distinguished from cancellation of share capital earlier mentioned. A company
can only cancel part of its unissued share capital while in the case of
reduction; it is the issued share capital that is dealt with.
capital which is lost or unrepresented by available assets. For instance if the
value of net assets of the company is N1m and the share capital is N750,000,
the share capital could be reduced to reflect the realistic value of assets but
nothing is returned to shareholders who have paid N250,000 more. The third form
of reduction in share capital is the cancellation of any paid up share capital
in excess of the company’s needs in a manner similar to the second form of
reduction above. In all cases of reduction, the share capital must have been
issued. It may be paid up or unpaid. Reduction of share capital must be
distinguished from cancellation of share capital earlier mentioned. A company
can only cancel part of its unissued share capital while in the case of
reduction; it is the issued share capital that is dealt with.
Reconstruction of shares
Company shares can be reconstructed and if this is done, it will affect
the value of each share. Reconstruction of share capital is the process of
reconstituting the shares such that the value of each share is either increased
or decreased. However, this does not affect the total value of the share
capital. Reconstruction could either be by way of consolidation or sub-division.
Consolidation of shares is the process of reconstituting shares of a certain
denomination to a greater denomination so that the value of each share is
higher than the original value. For example existing 10,000 shares of 10k each
can be reconstituted into 1000 shares of N1.00 each. The final value will be
the same but the worth of each share has changed from 10k to 100k or N1.00. Consolidation
is usually undertaken to reduce the number of shares in issue while increasing
the nominal value. The purpose is to increase the share price of the
company.Consolidation could also be undertaken to meet the minimum trading bid
size to ensure its listing status on the stock exchange (in the case of a
listed public company).
the value of each share. Reconstruction of share capital is the process of
reconstituting the shares such that the value of each share is either increased
or decreased. However, this does not affect the total value of the share
capital. Reconstruction could either be by way of consolidation or sub-division.
Consolidation of shares is the process of reconstituting shares of a certain
denomination to a greater denomination so that the value of each share is
higher than the original value. For example existing 10,000 shares of 10k each
can be reconstituted into 1000 shares of N1.00 each. The final value will be
the same but the worth of each share has changed from 10k to 100k or N1.00. Consolidation
is usually undertaken to reduce the number of shares in issue while increasing
the nominal value. The purpose is to increase the share price of the
company.Consolidation could also be undertaken to meet the minimum trading bid
size to ensure its listing status on the stock exchange (in the case of a
listed public company).
Subdivision is the opposite of consolidation where shares of a certain
denomination are reconstituted into a lesser denomination. Example existing
10,000 ordinary shares of N1.00 each can be subdivided into 20,000 shares of
50k each. Subdivision is undertaken to increase the number of shares in issue
while reducing the nominal value of each share .Subdivision would usually be
embarked upon to improve liquidity and trading activity on the shares by making
the shares more accessible and affordable and thereby increase shareholder
base. Reconstruction applies to shares that have been issued.
denomination are reconstituted into a lesser denomination. Example existing
10,000 ordinary shares of N1.00 each can be subdivided into 20,000 shares of
50k each. Subdivision is undertaken to increase the number of shares in issue
while reducing the nominal value of each share .Subdivision would usually be
embarked upon to improve liquidity and trading activity on the shares by making
the shares more accessible and affordable and thereby increase shareholder
base. Reconstruction applies to shares that have been issued.
In my next post, I will highlight some procedural steps on increasing
share capital and transferring shares from one shareholder to another.
share capital and transferring shares from one shareholder to another.