Equity shares, also known as ordinary shares, represent ownership in a company. They provide shareholders with voting rights and potential capital gains but irregular income. Preference shares provide a fixed dividend rate but limited voting rights. Companies raise capital through initial public offerings (IPOs) by issuing new shares to the public for the first time. Recent examples of IPOs in India include IndiGo Airlines and Café Coffee Day. Depository receipts like ADRs and GDRs allow foreign investors to purchase shares of companies in other countries. HDFC Bank plans to issue ADRs, which will convert some existing shares to ADRs traded on foreign exchanges.
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