What defines a PLC?

A public limited company (PLC) is characterized by its ability to sell shares to the public through a stock exchange. This structure allows the company to raise capital by offering ownership shares to a large number of investors, thereby enhancing its potential for growth and expansion. Being listed on a stock exchange also imposes certain regulatory requirements, increasing transparency and accountability to shareholders and the public.

The identification of a PLC primarily revolves around the public trading of shares, distinguishing it from a private limited company, which cannot publicly offer its shares. Thus, the correct answer emphasizes the key attribute of a PLC: its openness to public investment through stock exchange transactions. This system allows shareholders to buy and sell shares, which provides liquidity and can increase the company's overall equity base.