preference shares

British  

plural noun

1. US and Canadian name: preferred stock.  shares representing part of the capital issued by a company and entitling their holders to priority with respect to both net profit and net assets. Preference shares usually carry a definite rate of dividend that is generally lower than that declared on ordinary shares Compare ordinary shares preferred ordinary shares

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Example Sentences

It was given "preference shares", which meant it would get its money back first in the event of a sale.

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2026

US equity firm TSG Consumer Partners acquired a 22% stake in Brewdog in 2017, and was given "preference shares" over Equity for Punks shareholders.

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2026

In 2017 a US equity firm TSG Consumer Partners acquired a 22% stake in Brewdog, but unlike the Equity for Punks' "ordinary" shareholders, TSG was given "preference shares".

From BBC • Feb. 17, 2026

VW's preference shares were trading 2.2 percent lower at 124.7 euros as of 0737 GMT.

From Reuters • Jul. 28, 2016

The dividend on preference shares is either “cumulative” or contingent on the profits of each separate year or half year.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 5 "Dinard" to "Dodsworth" by Various