What are the financing options available to a Public Company?

• A. Loans or Shares
• B. Only owner capital
• C. Private equity
• D. Grants

Answer: (A)

Public companies typically raise funds through two broad routes: debt and equity. Debt financing involves borrowing money, such as bank loans or issuing bonds, which must be repaid with interest. Equity financing involves selling ownership stakes to investors, like issuing more shares, which raises cash but dilutes ownership and does not require repayment. These two avenues cover the main ways a public company can finance its activities and growth.

Other options don’t fit as universally. Owner capital is tied to a single owner or a small group, not a large, publicly held company. Private equity can invest in public companies, but it’s not a standard, universal funding source for every public firm. Grants are usually tied to specific programs or non-profit or special cases, and aren’t a typical ongoing funding source for for-profit public companies.