Skip to content
SWB
PEquity & legalUpdated 2 Nov 2026

Preferred Stock

Type of stock that has priority over common stock for dividends and liquidation.

Definition

Preferred stock stands out from common stock in that it gives its holders higher rights over assets and profits of the issuer. Additionally, the holders usually get dividends before those with common stocks, and are prioritized if liquidation takes place.

Share

In the room

How the word shows up in a real conversation.

Jane is a new entrepreneur who has recently set up her tech-based business. She has been putting in lots of effort to develop her product and bring in customers, however, she needs additional financing to take it to the next level.

To gain capital, she opted to offer preferred stock - a form of equity financing. Preferred stockholders receive priority over dividend payments compared to common stock holders. With this type of investment, investors are promised a fixed return in the form of dividends.

Jane's organisation rewards the investors for their investment by distributing a fixed quantity of preferred stocks.

Investors are drawn to Jane's business given its strong growth rate and the promise of long-term returns.

Through her preferred stock offering, she has secured the necessary funds to hire more personnel, widen her product range and strengthen her marketing endeavors. This will greatly help in boosting business growth.

The more successful her company becomes, the more valuable her preferred stock becomes - leading to increased investment opportunities. Investors are enticed by being a part of the business and reaping the rewards that come with it.

In this scenario, Jane's business was able to access the necessary funding and continue to expand through the use of preferred stock. Not only did it provide her with capital, but also enabled investors to benefit from potential returns. The chosen financing option allowed Jane to remain in control of her company while obtaining the requisite funds.

Common mistake

Using Preferred Stock as a label instead of a fact. If you cannot point to the evidence — a number, a customer, or a written assumption — you are using the word as jargon.

See also

Research more

Open the word in an AI tool with a ready prompt. We do not send your data.

Get one word every week

A 3-minute read: 1 word, 1 founder lesson, 1 tool.

Free. One email a week. Unsubscribe in one click.

Keep reading

Every startup word, in one place

Stay on the Equity & legal shelf, or go back to the full book.