Preferred Stock Law & Legal Definition
Preferred stock is a class of shares of stock in a corporation which gives the holders priority in payment of dividends and distribution of assets in case of dissolution of the corporation over owners of "common" stock. Preferred stock shareholders do not participate in higher dividends if the corporation makes large profits, and usually cannot vote for directors.
Also unlike common stock, a preferred stock pays a fixed dividend that doesnt vary, although the company does not have to pay this dividend if it lacks the financial ability to do so. The dividends paid to preferred shares are deducted as an expense because they are required payments, unlike the common stock dividend which is just a sharing in part of the profits. Like common stock, preferred stocks represent partial ownership in a company.
Legal Definitions
Search Definitions
Get a Term Defined
- Request a legal definition! Submit a term you need defined.
- » Request Legal Definition
Submit a Definition
- Submit a Definition Help us build our database. Free listings for attorneys.
- » Submit a Definition
Help Build USLegal
- Join our Team and help build USLegal. Many opportunities for participation so Join our Network.
Build USLegal
Read a Law Digest
- Need to read the law or find an answer to a legal question? Visit our Law Digest for the largest selection of law digests and answers available.
Go to Law Digest
Form Packages
- Select from our most popular legal form packages.
- » Bankruptcy
- » Contract for Deed
- » Divorce
- » Employment Packages
- » Home Sales
- » Incorporation
- » LLC Formation
- » Landlord Tenant
- » Mutual Wills
- » Name Change
- » Personal Planning
- » Partnerships
- » View All Packages
Legal Life
- Organize your legal life today! View our free online guide to creating a Life Documents File and related products.
- » Life Documents File
- » Personal Planning Package
- » Life Documents Packages
- » New Parents
- » Newlyweds
- » Baby Boomers
- » Military
- » Other
Form Drafting
- Can′t find the form you need, or need a form we offer revised for your situation? Submit your request and our attorneys will review the request and let you know if the form can be provided.
Submit a drafting request...
