Final answer:
Owning stock in a bankrupt corporation means you will only lose the value of your stocks due to the principle of limited liability, protecting you from the company's debts and other financial obligations.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you own stock in a publicly-held corporation that becomes bankrupt, you will lose only the value of your stocks. As a shareholder, you have limited liability for the company's debt, meaning that you are not responsible for the corporation's unpaid taxes, debt, or legal costs associated with its bankruptcy. The concept of limited liability is fundamental to corporate structure, ensuring that investors can partake in the profits without being personally liable for the company's financial obligations.