Preference Shares
The capital raised by issue of preference shares is called preference share capital. The preference shareholders enjoy a preferential position over equity shareholders in two ways:
(i) receiving a fixed rate of dividend, out of the net profits of the company, before any dividend is declared for equity shareholders; and
(ii) receiving their capital after the claims of the company’s creditors have been settled, at the time of liquidation.
In other words, as compared to the equity shareholders, the preference shareholders have a preferential claim over dividend and repayment of capital. Preference shares resemble debentures as they bear fixed rate of return. Also as the dividend is payable only at the discretion of the directors and only out of profit after tax, to that extent, these resemble equity shares.
Types of Preference Shares
Cumulative and Non-Cumulative: The preference shares which enjoy the right to accumulate unpaid dividends in the future years, in case the same is not paid during a year are known as cumulative preference shares.
Participating and Non-Participating: Preference shares which have a right to participate in the further surplus of a company shares which after dividend at a certain rate has been paid on equity shares are called participating preference shares.
Convertible and Non-Convertible: Preference shares that can be converted into equity shares within a specified period of time are known as convertible preference shares.
