What term is used to describe the right of ownership in a company?

The term that describes the right of ownership in a company is "stock." When an individual holds stock in a company, they essentially own a share of that company. Stock represents a claim on the company’s assets and earnings, entitling the shareholder to a portion of the profits, often distributed as dividends, as well as voting rights in corporate matters.

Holding stock means having a direct financial stake in the company's performance, and it reflects the ownership structure that is common in corporate entities. The more stock one owns, the greater the ownership percentage, thus influencing decision-making and impacts on the company.

In contrast, equity generally refers to the ownership interest in a company as well but is more of a general term encompassing various forms of ownership including stocks. Bonds represent debt issued by a company and do not provide ownership rights, while assets refer to valuable resources owned by the company but do not specifically denote ownership claims. Thus, stock is the most precise term for ownership in a corporate context.