Why Does Googles Parent Company (Alphabet) Have Different Stock Classes?

Googles Stock Classes

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Alphabet, the parent company of Google, has different stock classes to give different groups of shareholders different voting rights and financial benefits. The three main stock classes of Alphabet are:

1. Class A stock: This is the most widely held class of Alphabet stock and is traded on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the ticker symbol “GOOGL”. Class A common stockholders have one vote per share.
2. Class B stock: Class B common stockholders have 10 votes per share and are entitled to dividends if the company declares them. It is held by a small group of insiders, such as company executives and founders. Class B shares can’t be publicly traded.
3. Class C stock: This class of Alphabet stock is also traded on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the ticker symbol “GOOG”. This class of Alphabet stock does not have any voting rights.