I would think that " street name" registration is an example of what you are referring to. While the Company after the settlement date, would know who owns the stock, the official Stockholders of Record would not include all the owners just all the owners that are registered. ( Just my understanding of how stock records work. )

As to value there is no correlation between the number of shareholders and stock price. However, we all can agree what a great day it will be when the mutual funds begin to invest. A lot of time and events will pass before that happens!