1. An ownership interest in a corporation in the form of common stock or preferred stock. 2. Total assets minus total liabilities; here also called shareholder's equity or net worth or book value. 3. Real Estate: The difference between what a property is worth and what the owner owes against that property (i.e. the difference between the house value and the remaining mortgage or loan payments on a house). 4. In the context of a futures trading account, it is the value of the securities in the account, assuming that the account is liquidated at the going price. In the context of a brokerage account, it is the net value of the account, i.e. the value of securities in the account less any margin requirements.See also: List of Key Accounting Terms and Definitions at InvestorGuide.com.