Quick Summary
The report stated that Reliance Jio raised Rs.1.52 crore by selling 33 percent of its share. This way they managed to cut down their net debt target for the whole year. A share represents ownership units in a company that individuals can buy and sell. As a company needs funds to boost its growth, they offer company shares to investors. Company shareholders are the investors who purchase these shares. By buying these shares, they get part ownership in the company.
The above-mentioned news is a great example of shares and their use. Reliance Jio required funds for the development of entry-level smartphones. Hence, they sold a few company shares to raise the required amount. This way, focusing on their growth and development, companies can issue different types of shares. Companies mostly issue equity and preference shares.
Now, let’s delve into the various types of shares. This article will discuss more about the different kinds of shares in detail.
How many types of shares are there? What are the advantages and disadvantages of these types of shares in a company? Let’s find out!
Companies in need of long-term financing issue equity shares. The public has the opportunity to invest in non-redeemable companies. Each equity share gives partial ownership in the company.
Equity shares come in different types and these include:
Companies offer these shares to raise funds to cover long-term company expenses. Here, investors receive a fraction of company ownership based on the number of their shares. Shareholders with a large number of equity shares get voting rights and participate in decision-making.
The company must provide the stipulated amount of company profits to a shareholder owning a participating preference share. This is based on the company’s performance in the given financial year. Additionally, they also receive bonus return.
Companies issue bonus shares from their retained business earnings. In simple words, the company distributes the profits among its investors in the form of bonus shares. Thus, it does not increase the market capitalization of the company.
These shares are exclusive to the premium investors. Companies issue shares at a discounted price encouraging the holders to increase their stakes. These types of shares in company law are for a stipulated time. Companies issue them to fulfill the financial requirements of the company.
The following are the benefits of equity shares:
Equity shares are the type of shares that involve a huge amount of entrepreneurial risk. The greater the risk factor, the higher the return potential. Here, the investor also enjoys the company’s profits and dividends.
Investing in equity shares is an easy process. With the help of a financial advisor, a shareholder can invest in the stock market. Here, investors can easily buy or sell the stock without significantly impacting its market price.
When an investor buys a company share, they also claim partial ownership of the company. The higher the number of equity shares, the greater the power they have within the organization.
Here are some drawbacks of equity shares
Investors in equity shares have the last claim to the company profits. The company distributes dividends among bond and preference stakeholders first. Then, it distributes the remaining amount among equity shareholders.
This means, that in case the company performs poorly and the profit is low, equity shareholders will have to settle for less amount.
There is no guarantee of returns in equity shares. If a company shows poor performance, the market price of the company drops. Thus, shareholders have to sell their shares at a low price.
Preference shares allow investors to receive dividends from the business before distributing them to equity shareholders. Simply put, if a company decides to pay out dividends, preference shareholders are first in line to receive them.
Companies issue these types of shares to raise capital for their growth. They constitute preference share capital. Therefore, if the company incurs a loss, preference shareholders will be the last to receive payment. However, they will still receive it before equity shareholders.
The following are the features of preference shares:
Preference shares enable investors to receive dividend payouts without fail. Other stakeholders may receive them later. Or even worse, they may not receive them at all.
As mentioned earlier, when the company announces to pay out its dividends, preference shareholders receive them first.
Under special circumstances, they also have the right to vote. Generally, purchasing shares doesn’t give the right to participate in a company’s management. Thus, this only happens rarely.
Also read: How to Invest in Stock Market in India: Guide for Beginners
The benefits of preference shares are as follows:
Just like equity shares, preference shares also represent partial ownership in the company. However, unlike equity shareholders, preference shareholders receive a fixed dividend payout.
If the firm is winding up under unfortunate circumstances, the preference stakeholders have higher claims in comparison to equity shareholders. Thus, the risk factor is low here.
When it comes to dividends, preference shareholders have the advantage of receiving them first. Any other shareholder enjoys the dividend benefits after them.
These are a few disadvantages of preference shares:
Fixed dividends on preference shares become less attractive when a company earns a huge amount. They cannot take full advantage of the company’s prosperity.
Capital appreciation is the increase in the market price of the investment. Preference shareholders only get to enjoy company profits before equity shareholders.
Convertible shares, usually preference shares, have the capability to be convert to equity shares. Usually, companies fix the price at which the share can be converted when issuing the share.
The different types of convertible shares include:
The investors are obliged to convert the shares on the due date.
Here the company can make a choice. They can convert the share to equity at the predetermined conversion price on the due date. Or they can buy the share in cash.
The investor gets to decide whether to convert the share to equity or keep it till maturity.
The following are the advantages of convertible shares:
Convertible shareholders receive a fixed rate of interest until the shares reach maturity. Additionally, they also benefit from an increase in the stock market value.
When compared to other stakeholders, they experience less risk. In case the company is winding up, they are given first preference in the liquidation process.
These are the disadvantages of convertible shares:
Compared to other preference shares, the dividend yield here is less. This is due to the inclusion of the additional feature which is the conversion right.
The convertible bond is issued under many terms and conditions. Understanding the income tax consequences depending on the complexity of these terms can be daunting.
Non-cumulative shares are the ones with no accumulation of dividends. This is mostly because the non-cumulative shareholders are paid from the company’s net profits from the present year. So, in case the company met with a loss in a particular year, shareholders cannot claim the outstanding dividends from its future profits.
Cumulative shares allow the shareholder to receive dividends in arrears. For instance, the company is running at a loss and cannot pay dividends now. They are obliged to pay the cumulative dividends in the following year.
The following are the advantages:
In the long term, investors are less likely to suffer from the market volatility. In case the company shows poor performance in a particular year, it will receive assured returns.
They are preferred before the equity shareholders under the circumstances of liquidation.
Here are the disadvantages:
Although they are named shareholders, cumulative shareholders do not benefit from the company profits. Even if the company earns well, its dividend rates remain the same.
They are considered subordinate to bondholders. So, they do not enjoy any voting rights.
Redeemable shares are the shares where companies can repurchase or claim the shares after a fixed period. The redemption price is predetermined. The company can buy the shares back at the predetermined price range at any time.
Irredeemable shares cannot be redeemed during the company’s active lifetime. The shareholders can initiate their claim to the assets only when the company decides to wind up.
There are various advantages of redeemable shares, the advantages of redeemable shares include:
The shares will be repurchased after a given time. Since the redemption rates are predetermined, investors do not have to worry about losses even if the company is showing poor performance.
The disadvantages of redeemable shares are as follows:
The company will only repurchase the shares when the market value is favorable. Otherwise, investors will have to wait till maturity to benefit from the investment.
Investing in shares is a great way for you to generate long-term wealth. Learning about the different types of shares and their pros and cons can help you better understand the stock market.
Make sure you have a clear understanding of how the stock market works. Then, wisely choose your industries and types of shares to invest in.
Innovative, low-investment ideas for the hidden entrepreneur in you! Explore our guide on Business Ideas.
Shares are units of ownership in a company that can be sold and bought. Investors can benefit from the profits and dividends of the company based on the shares they are investing in. The dividends can either be received as income can be reinvested to buy more shares. Based on the type of shares, investors also get voting rights.
The different types of equity shares include:
1. Ordinary shares – Here, investors receive a fraction of company ownership based on their investment amount.
2. Participating preference shares – Investors are entitled to a stipulated amount of company shares.
3. Bonus shares – The company allocates additional shares from its earnings to the shareholders.
4. Right shares – These shares are issued to encourage premium investors to increase their stake.
In preference shares, the shareholder is entitled to a fixed dividend. When a company decides to pay out dividends, it will receive them before equity shareholders. Another advantage is that if the company decides to wind up, preference shareholders can stake a higher claim on the business’s assets.
Convertible shares are the type of shares where the preference shares can be converted to equity shares.
There are three types of convertible shares:
1. Mandatory – the shares automatically get converted to equity shares on or before the due date.
2. Reverse – the company can choose either to convert the shares on the due date or buy them in cash.
3. Vanilla- the investors get to decide whether to convert the bond or hold it till maturity.
Cumulative shares enable investors to receive missed dividends in the form of arrears. On the other hand, the company doesn’t have to compensate non-cumulative shareholders for missed dividends. Cumulative shares are often preferred over non-cumulative shares as the investors will receive the dividends that they missed at a later time.
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Chegg India does not ask for money to offer any opportunity with the company. We request you to be vigilant before sharing your personal and financial information with any third party. Beware of fraudulent activities claiming affiliation with our company and promising monetary rewards or benefits. Chegg India shall not be responsible for any losses resulting from such activities.
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