The stockholders’ equity section of the balance sheet lists two main classifications: capital stock and retained earnings. The capital stock subsection includes the money contributed by owners of preferred stock and common stock. Retained earnings represent the profits that have been reinvested into the company. For example if the firm's balance sheet showed $1 million of preferred stock, $5 million of common stock, $800,000 of additional paid-in-capital, and $500,000 in retained earnings, the firm's total equity holdings value would be 7.3 million. The equation would be 1,000,000 + 5,000,000 + 800,000 + 500,000 = 7,300,000. Common Stock. If a corporation has issued only one type, or class, of stock it will be common stock.. ("Preferred stock" is discussed later.) While "common" sounds rather ordinary, it is the common stockholders who elect the board of directors, vote on whether to have a merger with another company, and get huge returns on their investment if the corporation becomes successful.