Stock ledger definition

What is a Stock Ledger?

A stock ledger lists the share-related transactions of a company. It states the name of the owner of each block of shares, as well as the number of shares owned by each investor, the type of shares purchased, the date of each purchase and the amount paid. A stock ledger can be structured as a table, which is updated to reflect all sales, repurchases, or transfers of stock.

How a Stock Ledger is Used

A stock ledger is used by a company’s auditors to validate the ownership of the business. It is also presented to potential investors, who may want to verify company ownership prior to making an investment.

Responsibility for the Stock Ledger

The corporate secretary keeps the stock ledger up-to-date by adjusting it for all stock sales and purchases. An alternative to the corporate secretary is for the corporate attorney to have responsibility for the stock ledger.