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

But unlike the Equity for Punks' "ordinary" shareholders, TSG was given "preference shares".

From BBC • Feb. 27, 2026

The airline also intends to pay all future preference shares dividends as they fall due, it said.

From Reuters • Jun. 6, 2023

Moreover it came out, I forget now how, that I hadn't clearly grasped the difference between cumulative and non-cumulative preference shares....

From The Passionate Friends by Wells, H. G. (Herbert George)