A modern corporation is owned by ordinary shareholders. These are individuals or institutions that invest their money by purchasing shares in the company. In exchange for their investment, they receive ownership rights, such as the right to vote on major decisions and the right to a share of the company's profits in the form of dividends. While debenture holders and creditors may also provide financing to the corporation, they do not own a share in the company's ownership. Preference shareholders, on the other hand, may have ownership rights that differ from those of ordinary shareholders, such as a guaranteed dividend payout, but they are still considered shareholders.