Aktiengesellschaft (German pronunciation: [ˈʔakt͡si̯ənɡəˌzɛlʃaft]; abbreviated AG pronounced [ʔaːˈgeː]) is a German word for a corporationlimited by share ownership (i.e. is owned by its shareholders) and may be traded on a stock market. The term is used in Germany, Austria,Switzerland, South Tyrol and for companies incorporated in the German-speaking region of Belgium. It is also used in Luxembourg, though the French-language equivalent,Société Anonyme, is more common.^[1]

Meaning of the word

The German word Aktiengesellschaftis a compound noun made up of two elements: Aktien meaning shares, andGesellschaft in this context meaning corporation. An approximate English transliteration can therefore be dictated as "sharecorporation". In German the use of the term Aktie for share is restricted toAktiengesellschaften. Shares in other types of German companies are calledAnteile rather than Aktien.

Legal basis