What is a PLC (Public Limited Company)?

A Public Limited Company (PLC) is defined as a company whose shares can be publicly traded on the stock market. This characteristic allows PLCs to raise capital by issuing shares to the general public, thus broadening their investor base. Being listed on the stock exchange signifies that the company meets specific regulatory requirements and transparency standards, which are essential to protect investors and maintain market integrity.

In contrast, the other options describe different types of companies or ownership structures. A privately owned company with restricted share trading would refer to a Private Limited Company (Ltd), which cannot trade its shares on the public market. A business owned solely by one individual is typically referred to as a sole proprietorship, which has different legal and financial implications compared to a PLC. Lastly, a company with no shareholders does not align with the definition of any corporate structure; almost all companies, including PLCs, are established to have shareholders who own the shares and thereby hold an interest in the company. This distinction is vital for understanding the function and structure of different types of corporate entities.