The three investors control 21.3 percent of National Lampoon's 1.5 million shares.

Mr. Hernandez and his investors already control more than half of those shares.

Institutional investors control about 50 percent of the company's stock, and the rest is held by individuals.

Under a lease that runs until 2076, the investors control the building but do not own it.

Toyota and other important Japanese investors control 60 percent of Koito's shares.

Several other investors control large blocks of shares.

Under that system, for just $4,000, investors could control contracts on stocks worth about $180,000, he said.

Despite the company's British base, British institutional and other investors control only 40 percent of the stock.

Institutional investors control 73 percent of American General's shares.

Mr. Howes said the 1,700 investors now control the partnerships.