Redeemable Preferred Stock
Redeemable preferred stock is a form of preferred stock that has an option for the issuer to repurchase the stock from the security holder at a set price on a specified date in the future. This provides the issuer with an option to redeem the shares, essentially canceling the stock, in order to reduce the companys ownership responsibility or to prevent dilution of the existing common stockholders.
Advantages of Redeemable Preferred Stock
One of the primary advantages of issuing redeemable preferred stock is the ability to offer potential investors seeking steady income and a low degree of risk an attractive alternative form of securities to invest in. Since the dividend payments associated with preferred stocks are higher than those associated with common stocks, they can prove attractive to those investors seeking steady income.
As well, redeemable preferred stock allows companies to take advantage of costs associated with successful capital raising efforts. Oftentimes, with an influx of new funds, companies are able to finance new projects, upgrade existing operations, or invest in new products and services. With these activities, the company can often increase its top line revenue, which can result in more favorable financials in the long run.
Redeemable also allows companies to take advantage of attractive tax advantages related to capital gains. Preferred stockholders are typically taxed at lower capital gains rates than common stockholders, because the tax treatment of preferred stock is different from that of common stock. This can help the company to increase cash flow and fund additional value-creating initiatives.
Disadvantages of Redeemable Preferred Stock
One of the primary downsides of redeemable preferred stock is the cost associated with issuing and redeeming the shares. Often, the fees paid by the company can be quite high and may eat into the companys already-limited finances.
Additionally, companies that decide to purchase back their stock must also deal with the uncertainty of the market price. With no set date on which the company must repurchase the shares, the value of the stock can fluctuate significantly which can create financial risk. Furthermore, companies may have difficulty in finding long-term investors willing to lend money if they know their preferred stock may be bought back at any moment.
Conclusion
In conclusion, as redeemable preferred stock has a number of advantages and disadvantages associated with it, it is important for companies to carefully weigh the pros and cons before deciding whether or not to make use of this particular form of preferred stock. The company must determine if the advantages outweigh the potential risks and costs associated with issuing and redeeming the shares, and if it is the right decision for their particular situation. By taking the time to carefully consider these factors, a company can be sure that they have made an informed decision and have acted in the best interests of all stakeholders involved.