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The Daily Insight Hub

What is preference share short answer?

Author

Emma Miller

Updated on January 01, 2026

Preference shares are shares in a company that are owned by people who have the right to receive part of the company’s profits before the holders of ordinary shares are paid. They also have the right to have their capital repaid if the company fails and has to close.

What are preference shares Class 11?

Preference Shares are the shares which guarantee the holder a fixed and steady dividend, whose payment takes priority over the equity share dividends. Capital raised by the issue of preference shares is termed as preference share capital.

What is preference share with example?

Preference shares or preferred stocks are company stocks which extend dividends to its shareholders. Though such shares extend a fixed dividend, they do not come with any voting rights. Notably, a company often issues different types of preference shares which are distinct in their features and associated benefits.

What is preference shares and its types?

Preferred shares are a hybrid form of equity that includes debt-like features such as a guaranteed dividend. The four main types of preference shares are callable shares, convertible shares, cumulative shares, and participatory shares.

What are the features of preference shares?

7 Important Features of Preference Shares

  • Dividends: Preference shares have dividend provisions which are cumulative or non- cumulative.
  • Participating Preference Shares:
  • Voting Rights:
  • Par Value:
  • Redeemable or Callable Preference Shares:
  • Sinking Fund Retirement:
  • Preemptive Right:

    What are the advantages and disadvantages of preference capital?

    Benefits are in the form of an absence of a legal obligation to pay the dividend, improves borrowing capacity, saves dilution in control of existing shareholders and no charge on assets. The major disadvantage is that it is a costly source of finance and has preferential rights everywhere.

    What is the benefit of preference share?

    Preference shares are hybrid financing instruments having several benefits and disadvantages of using them as a source of capital. Benefits are in the form of an absence of a legal obligation to pay the dividend, improves borrowing capacity, saves dilution in control of existing shareholders and no charge on assets.

    Who can purchase preference shares?

    For online trading, investors must have a demat account. The minimum amount of investment is Rs 10,00,000 in case of a private placement of preference shares. For a public issue, the minimum amount can be as low as Rs 10.