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Ownership Securities

Business Funds: Understanding Equity, Preference, and Other Share Types

Businesses require a continuous flow of funds to operate and grow. These funds can be categorized based on time period, ownership, control, and source of generation. This document will focus on different types of shares, specifically equity shares, preference shares, and other related concepts.

Core Concepts

  • Business Funds: Money required for a business to function.
  • Shares: Units into which a company's capital is divided.
  • Shareholder: A person holding shares in a company.

Equity Shares (Ordinary Shares)

  • Definition: Equity shares represent fractional ownership in a company. Holders are considered members and bear the maximum business risk.
  • Key Characteristics:
    • Ownership Capital: Capital raised through equity is considered ownership capital.
    • Voting Rights: Equity shareholders have voting rights and participate in company management.
    • Residual Owners: They receive dividends only after all other claims are settled, and dividend payment is not fixed.
    • Long-Term Capital: Equity shares are a crucial source of long-term finance.
  • Merits of Equity Shares:
    • Foundation of Capital: Provides the base for the company's capital structure.
    • Creditworthiness: Enhances the company's credit rating and confidence among lenders.
    • High Returns: Attracts investors seeking higher returns (with higher risk).
    • No Compulsory Dividend: No legal obligation to pay dividends if the company doesn't profit.
    • No Asset Charge: Does not create a charge on the company's assets.
    • Democratic Control: Voting rights allow shareholders to have democratic control over management.
  • Limitations of Equity Shares:
    • Unstable Income: Not ideal for investors who prefer steady income.
    • High Cost: Often the most expensive way for a company to raise funds.
    • Dilution of Voting: Issuing new equity dilutes the voting power of existing shareholders.
    • Time-Consuming: Involves many legal procedures and delays.

Preference Shares

  • Definition: Shares that have preferential rights over equity shares, mainly in receiving dividends and repayment of capital during liquidation.
  • Key Characteristics:
    • Fixed Rate of Dividend: Preference shareholders receive a fixed dividend rate.
    • Priority in Liquidation: They get preference in repayment of capital in case of winding up the company.
    • Limited Voting Rights: Generally, no voting rights unless dividends are unpaid for a specified period.
    • Hybrid Nature: Combines characteristics of both equity shares and debentures.

  • Types of Preference Shares:
    1. Cumulative vs. Non-Cumulative:
      • Cumulative: Unpaid dividends are accumulated for future payment.
      • Non-Cumulative: Unpaid dividends are not carried over.
    2. Participating vs. Non-Participating:
      • Participating: Shareholders have a right to participate in surplus profits after a fixed dividend.
      • Non-Participating: Do not participate in surplus profits.
    3. Convertible vs. Non-Convertible:
      • Convertible: Can be converted into equity shares after a fixed period.
      • Non-Convertible: Cannot be converted into equity shares.
  • Merits of Preference Shares:
    • No Dilution of Control: Do not dilute control over management since they generally lack voting rights.
    • Potential Higher Equity Dividends: Can lead to higher rates of dividend for equity shareholders during good times.
    • Steady Income: Provides a reasonably stable return to shareholders.
    • Safety of Investment: Relatively lower risk than equity shares.
    • Preferential Right of Repayment: Priority over equity in the case of liquidation.
    • No Asset Charge: Doesn't create any charge against the assets of a company.
  • Limitations of Preference Shares:
    • Higher Dividend Cost: Usually carry a higher dividend rate than the interest on debentures.
    • Dividend Dependent on Profits: Dividends are not assured, payable only from profits.
    • Not Ideal for High-Risk Investors: Not preferred by investors seeking higher returns and willing to take higher risks.
    • Dilution of Claims: Preference capital dilutes the claim of equity shareholders over the assets of the company.
    • No Tax Benefit: Dividend paid on preference shares is not tax-deductible, unlike interest on loans.

Other Types of Shares

  • Deferred Shares: Deferred shares are a type of equity share that does not entitle the holder to dividends immediately. Dividend payments are either postponed for a specific period or contingent on the fulfillment of certain conditions. For example, a company might issue deferred shares where dividends are only paid after the company reaches a specified profitability level.
  • Shares with Differential Voting Rights (DVRs): DVRs are equity shares that provide holders with voting rights that differ from ordinary shareholders. These rights can be either greater (super-voting shares) or less (sub-voting shares) than the standard one-share-one-vote structure.
  • No Par Value Stock: No-par value stock is issued without a stated nominal or "par" value assigned to each share. Instead, its value is determined by the price investors are willing to pay in the market.
  • Sweat Equity Shares: Sweat equity shares are issued by a company to its employees or directors in recognition of their non-cash contributions. These shares can be issued at a discount or in exchange for something other than cash.

Creditorship Securities

  • Definition: Creditorship securities, also referred to as debt finance, are instruments by which a company raises capital through borrowing. The company takes on debt obligations to creditors, typically promising to repay the principal with interest over a specified period.
  • Examples: Debentures and bonds are the main types of creditorship securities.

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