What does it mean when a corporation has issued stock?

When a corporation issues stock, it is creating ownership equity in the company. This process involves selling shares of the company to investors, which in return provides those investors a claim on a portion of the company's assets and earnings. By doing this, the corporation is effectively raising capital without taking on debt.

Issuing stock increases the total equity in the company, as shareholders buy into the business and thus become partial owners. This not only enables the corporation to fund new projects or operations but also aligns the interests of shareholders with the performance of the corporation, as their returns are linked to the success of the business.

Other options relate to financial actions typically associated with debt or operational challenges, but issuing stock specifically enhances the equity structure of the corporation, allowing it to fund growth and expansion.