Investor

A person or institution that supplies money in exchange for ownership, hoping to earn a return.

An investor can lose dividend income when profits fall, lose value when the business shrinks, and lose the whole stake if it closes, because owners are paid last.

Often confused with

Creditor
A creditor is owed a fixed repayment and is paid first; an investor owns a share, is paid last, and has no promised amount.

Taught in

See also

3.5.C.1 · 3.5.C.3 · 3.5.C.6