Right to Dividend | Equity shareholders receive dividends after preference shareholders are paid. | Preference shareholders receive dividends before the equity shareholders are paid. |
Right to Vote | Equity shareholders have the right to vote in the decisions of the company, i.e., in all circumstances. | Preference shareholders have the right to vote only in special circumstances. |
Right to Participate | Equity shareholders have the right to participate in the management of the company. | Preference shareholders do not have the right to participate in the management of the company. |
Rate of Dividend | Rate of dividend of equity shares depends on the profit of the company. The Board of directors decides the rate of dividend and is approved by the shareholders. | Rate of dividend of preference shares is fixed. |
Arrears of Dividend | On equity shares, no arrears of dividend is paid. Dividends on equity shares are declared every year and if not declared during the year, dividends are not accumulated to be paid in coming years. | Arrears of Dividend is given to cumulative preference shareholders before the dividend is distributed to equity shareholders. |
Convertibility | Equity Shares are not convertible. | Preference Shares can be converted to equity shares if the terms of the issue provide so. |
Redemption | The company may buy back its equity shares. | Preference Shares are redeemable. |
Refund of Capital | In the case of winding down the company, Equity shareholders receive their capital after preference shareholders capital are paid. | In the case of winding down the company, Preference shareholders are repaid their capital before equity shareholders. |
Nominal Value of Shares | Equity Shares have a low nominal value of shares. | Preference Shares have generally high nominal value. |
Appeal for investors | Equity Shares are appealing purchases for adventurous investors. | Preference Shares are appealing purchases for conservative investors. |
Risk Involved | High risk is involved in terms of return and repayment. | Low risk is involved in terms of return and repayment. |
Market Value of Shares | The value of equity shares fluctuates. | The value of preference shares does not fluctuate. |