Common Stock Versus Preferred Stock

When you are new to the stock market there are apreferred stockholders. In contrast if you bought
lot of terms you will come across that are going toshares you would be a common stockholder in that
be confusing to you - at least at first. The trick is notcompany.
just to find out what they are, it's to become familiarThe advantage of being a preferred stockholder is
with them and what they mean.that you will get preference in receiving a payment
A good example of this is common stock andfor your shares. Needless to say this can be a good
referred stock. These are basically two differentthing, but it depends on how you want to invest in
forms of stock that you can buy. The names willshares in the first place. It is easier to be a common
give you a rough idea of what to expect, but don'tstockholder than it is to be a preferred stockholder,
make the common assumption that you are betterand many people like the flexibility of this as they can
off buying preferred stock. While the names do referbuy and sell shares whenever they see fit to do so.
to what each stock is all about, they can give youYou do often stand a better chance of receiving a
the wrong idea to a certain extent.healthy income from your shares if they are of the
Most people end up buying common stock whenpreferred variety. However you also need to bear in
they start dipping their toes into the stock market.mind that because preferred shares are slightly more
Common stock is common knowledge, you mightsecure than common shares, they won't bring in the
say. Basically when you buy this type of share youpotential of a much higher income. As with all types
are buying shares in a company or organisation. Mostof shares you need to do your research before
people are familiar with this kind of stock but when itdeciding which ones to invest in and which ones to
comes to preferred stock you might be a bitsteer clear of. It could depend largely on whether
confused as to what it means.you want an ongoing income from your shares or
Preferred stock is concerned with stockholders.something a bit different instead.
Some companies have stockholders that are called