5. Equities Flashcards
How do companies raise their initial capital?
Through capital, and through loan stock.
What is important to note about those that hold loan stock?
They are creditors of the company, the company owes them a debt. They have no ownership interest in the company.
Who takes more risk, bond holders or shareholders?
Shareholders - bonds holders rank higher in priory in the event of liquidation. However they will receive the capital lent on maturity, plus interest, but no more even if the company is doing very well
How are shares generally characterised?
As relative insecurity of income and capital over the short term, but a much higher probability of producing real growth over time than cash and bonds
How common are ordinary shares (common stock) in global equity markets?
They are the most common form of share.
Ordinary shares are usually issued in which form; registered form or bearer form?
Registered form - meaning that ownership is recorded in a register.
How do bearer shares differ from registered shares?
No register is maintained - simple possession of the certificate is sufficient proof of ownership.
Shareholder rights are set out in what document?
Articles of Association
Explain how dividends work on ordinary shares?
They are variable, and paid at the discretion of the company. Younger companies may reinvest profits and not pay dividends.
Do ordinary shareholders have voting rights?
Yes. They can vote on resolutions at general meetings.
In the event of liquidation, when are ordinary shareholders paid?
At the very end, after all other parties.
What are A shares, often referred to as?
Non-Voting shares - they exist to raise equity financing without diluting voting control.
Explain what are partly paid shares?
Where investors only pay a portion of the sum due. The issuer will call the additional funds at pre determined future dates.
Do all companies quoted on the LSE need to have preference shares?
No, they must have ordinary shares, but not preference shares.
Preference shares pay what type of dividend?
A fixed dividend. If profits are available to pay dividends they must firstly be paid to preference shareholders.
Do preference shares carry voting rights?
Generally no, however these can be activated for example if dividends are not paid for some time.
Explain the order of repayment in the event of liquidation for a preference shareholder?
They are repaid after bond holders but before ordinary shareholders. The amount repayable is limited to the nominal value of the preference shares.
By default are preference shares usually cumulative, or non-cumulative?
Cumulative
Explain what are cumulative preference shares?
If a dividend hasn’t been declared in a previous year, then than the company must pay this in later years to preference shareholders.
By default are preference shares participating, or non participating?
Non participating
Explain what are participating preference shares?
Usually with preference shares the dividend is a fixed amount, however participating preference shares have the ability to particulate in the surplus profits.