2) You are incorrect here. # of outstanding shares isn't a secret in the events you describe.
3) This is not a safe assumption at all. Just because it worked well for you in one situation does not mean that it will work out in all scenarios.
The reason that companies sometimes don't disclose this information is that when you state ownership as a % it can seem minuscule emotionally. Anything less than 1% just doesn't seem like much even if it actually it.
That being said I don't think this is a good enough reason. Companies should disclose this information and then educate candidates about how to interpret the numbers.
3) This is not a safe assumption at all. Just because it worked well for you in one situation does not mean that it will work out in all scenarios.
The reason that companies sometimes don't disclose this information is that when you state ownership as a % it can seem minuscule emotionally. Anything less than 1% just doesn't seem like much even if it actually it.
That being said I don't think this is a good enough reason. Companies should disclose this information and then educate candidates about how to interpret the numbers.