持ち株

• Reading: もちかぶ
• Romaji: mochikabu
• Kanji breakdown: 持ち (mochi) — holding, possession; 株 (kabu) — stock, share
• Pronunciation: /motɕikabu/

Meaning

Stock holdings; shares owned; the equity stake an individual or institution currently holds.

Formed from 持ち (holding, possession) and 株 (stock, share). 持ち株会社 (holding company) is a key corporate governance term, and 持ち株比率 (shareholding ratio) is used in discussions of ownership stakes and M&A activity. The concept of 大株主 (major shareholder) and 持ち株 are central to understanding Japanese corporate structure.

Examples

1. 創業者は全体の三割に相当する持ち株を保有している。 The founder holds stock equivalent to thirty percent of the total.
2. グループ再編に伴い、持ち株会社を設立することになった。 As part of the group restructuring, a holding company was established.
3. インサイダー取引の疑いで、彼は全ての持ち株を売却するよう命じられた。 Suspected of insider trading, he was ordered to sell all of his stock holdings.

Usage Guide

Context: finance, corporate, investment, M&A

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 持ち (to hold, from 持つ) and 株 (stock/share — originally meaning 'stump of a tree,' later evolving to mean a fixed interest or share in a business). The concept of equity shares traces to Edo-period guild monopolies (株仲間).

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Business