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

---

Example Sentences

However, the company went on to source equity from elsewhere and when US equity firm TSG Consumer Partners acquired a 22% stake in Brewdog, they were given "preference shares".

From BBC • May 23, 2026

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

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

I hold preference shares of the original issue.'

From The Whirlpool by Gissing, George