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Common Stock Vs Preferred Stock

  •  5 min read
  • 0
  • 20 Nov 2023
Common Stock Vs Preferred Stock

Key Highlights

  • The common stock represents ownership in a company, which can offer high returns, but dividend payments are not guaranteed.
  • Preferred stock pays a fixed dividend. Also, preferred stock receives dividends prior to common stock.
  • Shareholders of common stock have voting rights, while shareholders of preferred stock do not.
  • Despite not having voting rights, preferred stock is viewed as a safer investment option by some investors due to its stability.

Common stocks are shares traded on the stock markets every day. In some cases, a company can issue only common shares without issuing other types of shares (such as preference shares). As a reward for owning shares of a company, investors receive dividends. But, it is not necessary for a company to pay dividends to its investors. In rare cases, companies may not pay dividends to shareholders at all.

Despite the company not paying dividends, stockholders can earn high returns over time. The stock market has the potential to create wealth over the long term. For common stocks, the risk-reward ratio is high. In other words, the risk level is as high as the potential return. The number of shares a shareholder owns affects the number of votes they have. By exercising voting rights, shareholders can elect members of the board of directors.

Preferred stock offers more benefits than common stock but does not provide voting rights. Although preferred stock is still an ownership stake, it gives you different rights than common stock.

One of the main benefits of owning preferred stock is that it pays a fixed dividend. Dividends on preferred stock are usually fixed, unlike dividends on common stock, which fluctuate based on the performance of the company.

Also, preferred stockholders have priority over common stockholders when it comes to dividends. If a company reduces dividend payments, preferred stockholders will receive dividends first.

Voting rights are another key difference between common stock and preferred stock. Preferred stockholders do not have any voting rights, unlike common stockholders. Preferred stockholders will not have a say if a major decision needs to be made about the company.

Despite not having voting rights, preferred stocks are still popular among investors due to their relative safety. As preferred stock dividends are usually fixed, they provide a more stable source of income than common stock dividends. Investors seeking dividend income from their investments can find this to be very profitable.

Another benefit of preferred stock is that it often has a call feature. It means that the company can buy back preferred stock at a predetermined price. Now that we've discussed common stock versus preferred stock, what is the difference between common stock and preferred stock? Let's look at this in more detail.

Despite the fact that both common stocks and preferred stocks are shares of ownership in the company, their characteristics and the rights and privileges they offer the shareholders are different. To make informed investment decisions based on their investment goals and risk tolerance, investors must understand the key differences between common stocks and preferred stocks.

Particulars

Common stock

Preferred stock

Ownership rights

It carries ownership rights

It carries ownership rights

Voting Rights

Carries voting rights

Has no voting rights

Liquidation of company

When a company is liquidated, they are paid last in line

Given preference over common stocks

Payment of dividend

It is not mandatory or fixed to pay dividends

The dividends are mandatory and are more or less fixed. Dividends should be paid before common stockholders receive dividends.

Common stock vs preferred stock
Particulars
Common stock
Preferred stock
Ownership rights
It carries ownership rights
It carries ownership rights
Voting Rights
Carries voting rights
Has no voting rights
Liquidation of company
When a company is liquidated, they are paid last in line
Given preference over common stocks
Payment of dividend
It is not mandatory or fixed to pay dividends
The dividends are mandatory and are more or less fixed. Dividends should be paid before common stockholders receive dividends.

Conclusion

Compared to preferred shares, common shares are more readily available. It ultimately depends on the investor's goals whether to buy common shares or preferred shares. Generally, people who buy common shares are interested in higher profits, but at a greater risk. On the other hand, people who buy preferred shares tend to be interested in regular dividend income and less risk.

FAQs on Common Stock vs Preferred Stock

Preferred stocks are a good option if you want income now but don't want to take on additional risk. Whereas common stocks are probably your best investment if you want long-term returns. Investing in common stocks will give you a greater growth potential, but you won't receive a fixed dividend.

The dividend payouts from common stocks are lower than those offered by preferred stocks. Depending on market conditions and company profits, dividends may be less consistent in terms of timing. Those who own common stock, however, may benefit more if their shares appreciate over time.

Preferred stock is ideal for investors who want higher yields than bonds and more dividends than common stock. As a result, preferred stock is riskier than bonds, but safer than common stock

It is attractive to invest in preferred stocks since they typically offer higher fixed-income payments than bonds and cost less per share. Additionally, preferred stockholders are entitled to dividends and liquidation proceeds before common stockholders. In general, its price is more stable than that of common stocks.

Investing in common stock can be very volatile, making it a high-risk investment category. Owners of common stock are last in line after creditors, bondholders, and preferred stockholders in the event of a business liquidation.

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