Common Stock vs Preferred Stock: Understanding the Differences

Participating structures are often viewed as investor-friendly and are more common in earlier-stage or higher-risk deals. Later-stage companies may negotiate non-participating terms to preserve more upside for common holders. Fidelity’s all-in-one platform helps you handle equity management, corporate governance, fundraising, and documentation.

However, this potential for higher returns also brings greater volatility, which might not be suitable for every investor. This setup offers preferred shareholders both the stability of fixed dividends and the possibility of capital gains through conversion. Conversion rights offer unique flexibility for investors in certain types of preferred stock, allowing them to convert their preferred shares into common shares under specific conditions. Common stock represents ownership in a company and offers common stock vs preferred stock investors the potential for long-term growth.

Understanding these differences helps you align your investment choices with your financial strategy and comfort level with risk. Selecting between the two depends on balancing the desire for income stability against the opportunity for potential capital gains. This comparison highlights some of the key differences between the two types of stock. Preferreds also have a callability feature similar to bonds that gives the issuer the right to redeem the shares from the market after a predetermined time. These dividends can be increased, reduced, or eliminated altogether, reflecting the company’s financial health and strategic direction.

• Those who purchase common shares try to sell the share at a higher price than when they bought it in order to turn a profit.
• Common stock is typically appealing to investors that want to take an active, long-term role in your startup, whereas preferred stockholders tend to be more financially based partners.
• This conversion is often automatic in events like IPOs or strategic acquisitions to simplify the cap table.
• These differences are expected to reverse in the future, ultimately aligning taxable income with book income.

Unlike common stockholders, preferred shareholders usually don’t have voting rights. This means they have no say in important corporate decisions, such as electing the board of directors or approving major mergers. This can be an important downside for investors who want a voice in the company’s future direction. Common stock is a type of equity security that represents ownership in a company. Common shareholders have voting rights, which allow them to influence corporate decisions. They also have the potential to receive dividends and benefit from capital appreciation.

Unlike preferred stock, where dividends are fixed and paid regularly, dividends on common stock are not guaranteed. They depend on the company’s profitability and the decisions of the board of directors. In tough economic times, a company may reduce or eliminate dividends altogether, leaving common shareholders without a regular income stream. One of the most appealing features of preferred stock is its predictable, fixed dividend payments- if there are distributions. This provides a steady income stream, which is especially valuable during market uncertainty. For investors looking for stability, this can be a significant advantage over common stock, where dividends are not guaranteed.

Investor Strategy and Preferences

Common and preferred stock both have distinct advantages, so the best choice depends on your goals, risk tolerance and whether you want a say in important company decisions. Common stock represents shares of ownership in a corporation and a claim on profits. Preferred shareholders are prioritized over common shareholders, meaning they are more likely to recoup some of their investment if the company is dissolved. One of the primary attractions of common stock is the opportunity for capital appreciation.

Making Informed Investment Decisions

Adam Kramer manages Fidelity® Multi-Asset Income Fund (FMSDX), which invests in preferred stocks. Kramer also co-manages the Fidelity Preferred Securities & Income ETF (FPFD) along with Brian Chang and Rick Gandhi. He currently sees opportunities in the preferred stocks of investment-grade US utility companies, master limited partnerships (MLPs) that own oil and gas pipelines, and big US banks. The median yield of preferred stocks according to the Fidelity Preferred Security Screener as of March 31, 2025, is 6%. Kramer has found yields as high as 7% in what are called fixed-to-floating rate preferreds whose interest rates can rise over time. When it’s time for dividends to be paid out, investors who own preferred stock are first in line, ahead of common stock shareholders.

Larry Frank is an accomplished financial analyst with over a decade of expertise in the finance sector. He holds a Master’s degree in Financial Economics from Johns Hopkins University and specializes in investment strategies, portfolio optimization, and market analytics. Renowned for his adept financial modeling and acute understanding of economic patterns, John provides invaluable insights to individual investors and corporations alike. His authoritative voice in financial publications underscores his status as a distinguished thought leader in the industry. Preferred shares can also be converted to a fixed number of common shares, but common shares cannot be converted to preferred shares.

• Preferred stockholders receive fixed payments before common stockholders, ensuring a steady income stream.
• However, converting preferred stock to common stock dilutes existing common shareholders’ equity.
• Also, preferred stock may not be chosen by investors in an environment with rising interest rates, which lowers the par value of the shares.
• This approach enhances diversification and provides a more resilient investment strategy that weathers different market conditions.
• Broadly speaking, preferred stock is less risky than common stock because payments of interest or dividends on preferred stock are required to be paid before any payments to common shareholders.

Unlike private stock, common stock does not typically offer dividends but allows shareholders to participate in the company’s long-term value creation. This distinction aligns with the broader comparison of equity types , where differences in ownership structure and benefits are critical. Preferred stocks offer many of the most attractive features of common stocks and bonds, but they are not a single solution to all of your investment needs. They do not typically provide as much growth potential as growth stocks, which can raise the risk that you fall short of your savings goals if you allocate too much to them. As with stocks, dividends paid on preferreds may also not be guaranteed and like bonds, some preferreds can be taken away from you, or “called,” by their issuers.