WHAT ARE EQUITY SHARES ?
Equity shares are long-term financing sources for any company.
These shares represent the ownership of a company and capital raised by the issue of such shares is known as ownership capital or owner’s funds. They are the foundation for the creation of a company.
These shares are issued to the general public and are non-redeemable in nature. Investors in such shares hold the right to vote, share profits and claim assets of a company.
FEATURES OF EQUITY SHARES
Equity shares have the following main features –
- Equity shareholders have the right to control the affairs of the company.
- Equity share capital remains with the company. It is given back only when the company is closed.
- The equity shareholders have the voting rights and can participate in the management of the company.
- The liability of shareholders is limited to the extent of their investment.
- These shares are transferable from one person to other.
Â
WHAT ARE PREFERENCE SHARES ?
Preference shares are defined as those shares which are given priority over other equity shares in terms of the payment of dividends.
Also , in the event of liquidation of a particular company, the preference shareholders are paid off before ordinary shareholders.
Capital raised by the issue of preference shares is called preference share capital.
FEATURES OF PREFERENCE SHARES –
The preference shares have the following main features-
- Preference shareholders receive dividend payouts in situations where other stockholders may not be receiving any dividends or may receive dividends later.
- Preference shareholders generally do not enjoy any voting rights.
- Preference shares resemble debentures as both bear fixed rate of return to the holder.Â
- These shares are convertible into common shares.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EQUITY SHARES &Â PREFERENCE SHARES
The following points highlight the main differences between equity and preference shares –
- DIVIDEND RATE : Preference shares have a fixed dividend rate whereas the dividend rate of Equity shares totally depends upon the earnings of the company.
- PREFERENTIAL RIGHTS : Preference shares have preferential rights in terms of capital repayment & dividend over equity shares whereas Equity shares do not hold any such preferential rights.
- VOTING RIGHTS : Preference shareholders do not have any voting rights whereas Equity shareholders can participate in voting and managerial affairs of the company.
- TRADING IN EXCHANGE :- Preference shares are not traded in Exchange whereas Equity shares are traded in Exchange.
Â
Thus, Equity shares and Preference shares are the two types of share that a company issues.  Both the shares have different features and are suitable for investors with different requirements.