What is the primary characteristic of limited companies?

Limited companies are primarily defined by the characteristic that the liability of their owners, or shareholders, is limited to the amount of their investment in the company. This means that if the company faces financial difficulties or debts, the personal assets of the shareholders are protected; they can only lose what they invested in the company. This structure encourages investment in the business, as it mitigates the financial risk for individuals involved.

In contrast, while publicly owned enterprises can be part of the category of limited companies, not all limited companies are publicly owned. Limited companies can also be privately owned, which is a significant distinction. Additionally, limited companies are not inherently nonprofit organizations; they can operate in various sectors, including for-profit. The option that states all profits must be reinvested is also inaccurate as limited companies can distribute profits through dividends to shareholders. Therefore, the key defining feature of limited companies is indeed the limitation of liability for their owners, which is fundamental to their operational structure.