What is the meaning of outstanding shares?

Business English Lesson, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #171 [color=blue]“Asset Classes”, question 4

Market capitalization (market cap) is a measure of the size and value of a company; to determine this, you simply multiply the number of the company’s shares of stock by the market price of one share.

(a) corporate
(b) individual
(c) open market
(d) outstanding

Business English Lesson, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #171 [color=blue]“Asset Classes”, answer 4

Market capitalization (market cap) is a measure of the size and value of a company; to determine this, you simply multiply the number of the company’s outstanding shares of stock by the market price of one share.

Correct answer: (d) outstanding
[size=200]_________________________[/size]

What is the meaning of outstanding shares?
thanks.

Hi,

‘Outstanding’ in this sentence suggests ‘remaining’ those that are still there.

Alan