The number of shares currently held by stockholders

A) Authorized shares
B) Issued shares
C) Outstanding shares
D) Par value
E) Common stock
F) Preferred stock
G) Paid-In Capital in Excess of Par
H) Transfer agent

Outstanding Shares

The total number of shares of a corporation's stock that are currently owned by all its shareholders, including shares held by institutional investors and restricted shares held by insiders and company officers.

Stockholders

Individuals or entities that own shares in a corporation, thereby having ownership interest.

Authorized Shares

The highest quantity of shares that a company is authorized to issue according to its articles of incorporation.