What is a common characteristic of dormant companies?

A common characteristic of dormant companies is that they are exempt from audits. Dormant companies are those that have had no significant accounting transactions during a financial period. Because they do not conduct business activities or generate income, they often meet specific criteria that exempt them from the usual auditing requirements that apply to active companies. This regulatory lenience reflects their minimal operational footprint, easing the administrative burden on such entities.

The other choices present characteristics that do not typically align with dormant companies. For example, having significant asset holdings or issuing public shares implies active business operations and engagement in the financial market, which contradicts the definition of a dormant company. Similarly, operating internationally suggests a level of activity that is inconsistent with the dormant status. Therefore, the exemption from audits stands out as the defining feature of dormant companies.