Fears that other large Swiss companies would follow Nestle have sent other Swiss bearer stocks plunging.

Stock certificates are generally divided into two forms: registered stock certificates and bearer stock certificates.

I'm 'ere to collect fifty thousand sterling in Royal Dutch Shell bearer stocks from Wei Lu for services rendered.

International initiatives have curbed the use of bearer stock certificates in offshore jurisdictions, and tend to be available only in onshore financial centres, although they are rarely seen in practice.

A bearer stock certificate, as its name implies is a bearer instrument, and physical possession of the certificate entitles the holder to exercise all legal rights associated with the stock.

When he was ordered back to New York, Pennoyer tucked in his pocket the bearer stock certificates of French cosmetics company Lanvin, allowing Lanvin to operate outside Europe throughout the war.

Bearer stock certificates are becoming uncommon: they were popular in offshore jurisdictions for their perceived confidentiality, and as a useful way to transfer beneficial title to assets (held by the corporation) without payment of stamp duty.