A share of common stock, commonplace in the United Kingdom, that confers rent rights, but no control rights, on its holders. The absence of control rights causes A-shares to trade at a discount to standard shares.

In China, A-shares constitute a class of shares denominated in renminbi. From a regulatory point of view, the A-shares market was closed to foreign investors. In 2003, select foreign firms were allowed to buy A-shares.