In the event of bankruptcy, owners of joint-stock companies lose

Analyze the question: The question asks what the owners (shareholders) of a joint-stock company lose if the company goes bankrupt.

Explain the concept: A joint-stock company (a limited liability company) is a separate legal entity from its owners. Its key feature is limited liability. This means a shareholder's liability is limited to the amount they invested in shares, or the unpaid amount on those shares.

Step-by-step solution:

1. Option A (both company and private assets): This describes unlimited liability, as in sole proprietorships and ordinary partnerships. It does not apply to joint-stock companies, so it is wrong.
2. Option B (only the capital invested): This matches limited liability. Shareholders can lose what they put into the company (the value of their shares), but nothing more. This is correct.
3. Option C (only their dividends): Dividends are a share of profit. They are not what shareholders lose in bankruptcy. The loss is the invested capital, so this is wrong.
4. Option D (their private properties): Personal property is protected by limited liability, and creditors cannot seize it to pay company debts. This is wrong.

Answer: The correct option is B. only the capital invested.

Exam tip: Link the word "limited" in "limited liability company" to "limited loss". Owners can lose only what they invested. Sole proprietors and ordinary partners have unlimited liability, so their private assets are at risk. JAMB often tests this contrast.