The main difference between a public and a private corporation is that the public corporation have shares that can be traded and enlisted in the stock market. There are also differences in the management between the two. Public corporations are usually ran by a board of directors. Thus these companies are usually run by professionals that specialize in increasing the shareholder value. Private companies are less focused on increasing the value since less shareholders are with them. Instead of the business owners, private companies have business owners and investors that will manage the company. Public companies also must disclose financial information due to legal requirements on a quarterly basis. Also a disadvantage of a privately owned company is that the value of the company may fluctuate since less is known about firm and investors.

Facebook is an example of a public company since it is on NASDAQ. The company’s earning grew around 50% in the most recent quarter, which is spectacular for a company that is already very big.

An example of a private company is MARS, INC. Mars is a very successful company, having chocolate and food being sold all over the world. It was the first confectionery company to launch a front of pack nutrition labeling globally. As of now, especially when halloween candies are being bought, I would say they are doing very well and are very successful on the market.