What constitutes a control position in a company?

• A. Ownership of less than 10% of voting stock
• B. Ownership of adequate voting stock to affect company affairs
• C. Buying shares during an initial public offering
• D. Having influence based solely on shareholder meetings

Answer: (B)

A control position in a company is defined by the ownership of enough voting stock to significantly influence or determine the company’s direction and decisions. When an individual or entity holds a substantial percentage of voting shares, they possess the ability to sway outcomes at shareholder meetings, such as voting on key issues like mergers, acquisitions, or changes in management. This level of ownership goes beyond mere investment; it includes the capacity to actively engage in governance and decision-making processes.

Ownership of less than 10% of voting stock would generally not grant enough power to influence company affairs meaningfully. Similarly, simply buying shares during an initial public offering doesn't inherently establish a control position unless the acquired shares represent a significant portion of the total voting stock. Lastly, having influence based solely on shareholder meetings does not equate to holding a control position unless the shares owned provide adequate voting power to impact decisions.