authorized share capital
Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus.
Authorized Shares
The maximum number of shares a company is allowed to issue. Generally, the company's charter specifies the number of authorized shares, but shareholders can increase or decrease it according to procedures listed in the charter. Typically, the number of authorized shares is larger than the required amount in order to give a company the greatest amount of flexibility. Authorized shares are also called authorized capital stock or simply authorized stock.
Farlex Financial Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All Rights Reserved
authorized share capital
orregistered share capital
the maximum amount of SHARE CAPITAL which a JOINT-STOCK COMPANY can issue at any time. This amount is authorized by the company's ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION, is disclosed in the BALANCE SHEET and may be altered by SHAREHOLDERS at the company ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING. The ISSUED SHARE CAPITAL cannot exceed the authorized amount, though not all the authorized capital need be issued.Collins Dictionary of Business, 3rd ed. © 2002, 2005 C Pass, B Lowes, A Pendleton, L Chadwick, D O’Reilly and M Afferson