Shares Outstanding
Categories: Investing, Stocks, Company Valuation, Metrics
The number of shares of a company that are out there in the world, owned by investors and shareholders. Any shares bought back by the company are not included in this number, which will change over time as the company raises more funds.
Example
Company X has issued a hundred million shares to employees, investors, and the general public. The company bought back ten million shares. They have ninety million shares outstanding.