Warrant

Business, Legal & Accounting Glossary

Definition: Warrant


Warrant

Quick Summary of Warrant


A security that offers the owner the right to subscribe to the ordinary shares of a company at a fixed date, usually for a fixed price. (or) A document that serves as confirmation that goods have been deposited in a public warehouse.




What is the dictionary definition of Warrant?

Dictionary Definition


A warrant, or stock warrant, is a security issued by a corporation that allows the owner to redeem the warrant for shares of stock in the company for a predetermined price. Thus a stock warrant is very much like a call option for shares. Like an option, a warrant can be traded on an exchange. The Wall Street Journal publishes trading prices for warrants by appending a “w” after the company’s stock symbol. Unlike a stock option, a warrant can have a very long duration to expiration, even more than a decade, or no expiration at all. A warrant that never expires is called a perpetual warrant, and a warrant that expires on a specific date is called a subscription warrant. The warrant is typically issued in conjunction with a bond or preferred stock issue. A stock-purchase warrant is an alternative term.

  1. obsolete A protector or defender.
  2. Authorization or certification; sanction, as given by a superior.
  3. Something that provides assurance or confirmation; a guarantee or proof: a warrant of authenticity; a warrant for success.

1) n. an order (writ) of a court which directs a law enforcement officer (usually a sheriff) to arrest and bring a person before the judge, such as a person who is charged with a crime, convicted of a crime but failed to appear for sentencing, owes a fine or is in contempt of court. A “bench warrant” is an order to appear issued by the court when a person does not appear for a hearing, which can be resolved by posting bail or appearing. A “search warrant” is an order permitting a law enforcement officer to search a particular premises and/or person for certain types of evidence, based on a declaration by a law enforcement official, including a district attorney. 2) v. to claim to a purchaser that merchandise is sound, of good quality or will perform as it should, or that title to real property belongs to the seller.


Full Definition of Warrant


  • A share warrant is a security that offers the owner the right to subscribe to the ordinary shares of a company at a fixed date, usually for a fixed price. Warrants are themselves bought and sold on stock exchanges and are the equivalent of stock options. Subscription prices typically exceed the market price, as the purchase of a warrant is a gamble that a company will perform well. Share warrants have proved increasingly popular in recent years, as they can be used by a company without being included in the balance sheet.
  • A document that serves as confirmation that goods have been deposited in a public warehouse. The document specifies specific goods and may be transferred by endorsement. Warrants are frequently used as a form of security against a bank loan.

Warehouse warrants for warehouses attached to a wharf are known as wharfinger’s warrants or dock warrants.

Warrants are tradable long term call options, which in more simple language means the holder has the right to buy a given number of shares in a company at a fixed price called the ‘subscription price’ at some future date – usually this date is several years ahead.

Like share options, a warrant gives you the right to buy shares at some predetermined date but the warrant holder is under no obligation to do so. Like options, warrants pay no interest or dividends and like options, they have a substantial gearing effect.

Generally speaking, the price of warrants tend to move up and down in line with the price of the underlying shares to which they are related. Warrants are often issued with new share issues.

It is worth remembering that if the underlying shares fall substantially, the warrants are likely to be worthless.

For investors looking for higher than average returns and happy to take the extra risk, warrants can provide the answer. There are a number of collective investment funds which invest exclusively in warrants.

Ultimately, holders of warrants are hoping either to realise a gain, or eventually to buy the underlying shares on which they’re based more cheaply than on the open market. If neither occurs, the warrants will eventually “expire” with no value.

Warrants are often issued by Investment Trust companies when they launch (usually one warrant is offered for every five shares bought).

Investment Trust companies tend to notify warrant holders of their rights shortly before every “exercise date”, but you still have to work out for yourself whether it is worth exercising the warrants.

Several Investment Trust managers can supply explanatory information on warrants, and the Association of Investment Trust Companies (AITC) also has material available.


Synonyms For Warrant


justify, guarantee, order, mandate, writ, stock-purchase warrant


Cite Term


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March 28, 2024 https://payrollheaven.com/define/warrant/.
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Warrant. PayrollHeaven.com. Payroll & Accounting Heaven Ltd.
https://payrollheaven.com/define/warrant/ (accessed: March 28, 2024).
American Psychological Association (APA):
Warrant. PayrollHeaven.com. Retrieved March 28, 2024
, from PayrollHeaven.com website: https://payrollheaven.com/define/warrant/

Definition Sources


Definitions for Warrant are sourced/syndicated and enhanced from:

  • A Dictionary of Economics (Oxford Quick Reference)
  • Oxford Dictionary Of Accounting
  • Oxford Dictionary Of Business & Management

This glossary post was last updated: 27th April, 2020 | 0 Views.