What represents 'Minority Interest' in a company's financial context?

In a company's financial context, 'Minority Interest' refers to ownership of less than 50% of a company's equity or enterprise value. This concept applies to shareholders who hold a stake in the company but do not have the voting power to influence or control management decisions—this is typically seen in subsidiaries or partnerships where a parent company owns a majority stake.

The ownership of less than 50% still qualifies these shareholders as minority interest holders, meaning they own a portion of the company's assets and may receive dividends, but they do not have the significant control that a majority shareholder would have. The distinction is crucial for financial reporting and valuation — minority interests are often reported on the balance sheet to reflect their rightful claim on the company’s equity.

In contrast, ownership of more than 50% directly implies control over the company, as does the ability to influence major business decisions, which is why these alternatives do not accurately describe minority interest.