Question

Describe the basic rights of common stockholders. What are the key differences between common and preferred stock?

Answer 1

Answer:

Some rights of common stockholders are given below.

Voting power on major issues.

Ownership in a portion of the company.

The Right to transfer ownership.

Right to receive declared Dividends.

Opportunity to inspect corporate books, minutes file and other records.

The right to sue for wrongful acts.

Right to attend AGM.

Differences between common and preferred stock

Preferred stock have no voting right while common stock holders have voting right.

When interest rates rise, the value of the preferred stock declines, and vice versa.  With common stocks, however, the value of shares is regulated by demand and supply of the market participants.

Common stockholder has right to participate in net asset of company in case of winding up. Preferred stock holder has no such right.

Company profitability have direct effect on wealth of common stockholder but not of preferred stock holder.