Types of Preferred Stock

Cumulative, convertible, callable, participating, and floating-rate preferred.

What is Types of Preferred Stock?

Cumulative preferred accrues missed dividends, which must be paid before any common dividend. Convertible preferred can be exchanged for common shares. Callable preferred can be redeemed by the issuer. Participating preferred can receive extra dividends beyond the stated rate. Adjustable- or floating-rate preferred resets its dividend to a benchmark, so its price is more stable when rates move.

Types of Preferred Stock: a worked example

A company skips two years of a $2 cumulative preferred dividend; it owes $4 per preferred share (plus the current $2) before common holders get anything.

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