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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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

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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

Gilles Guibout, head of European equity strategies at AXA Investment Managers in Paris, said he was concerned about the fact that only preference shares would be issued, which don't have voting rights.

From Reuters Sep. 16, 2022

The Mersina-Tarsus-Adana Railway has paid 6 per cent. on its preference shares, and 3 per cent. on its ordinary shares.

From Crescent and Iron Cross by Benson, E. F. (Edward Frederic)

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