A publicly traded corporation with both common stock and 5% cumulative preferred stock outstanding enters voluntary liquidation following a corporate reorganization. The company suspended dividend distributions in each of the prior two fiscal years. After all secured debt, unsecured claims, and legal costs are fully satisfied, funds remain available for distribution to equity owners. Which of the following statements correctly describes the distribution entitlements of the cumulative preferred stockholders relative to the common stockholders?
- Cumulative preferred stockholders must receive all unpaid dividend arrears from the prior two years plus their full liquidation preference before any assets may be distributed to common stockholders.Cevap
- BCumulative preferred stockholders receive priority payment only for the par value of their shares, as dividend arrears are forfeited if dividends were never formally declared by the board.
- CPreferred stockholders and common stockholders share remaining proceeds on a pro-rata basis because corporate liquidation automatically grants equal voting and distribution rights to all share classes.
- DCommon stockholders take distribution priority over preferred stockholders because common shares represent true voting ownership and residual rights in the corporate enterprise.
Cevap
Cumulative preferred stockholders must receive all unpaid dividend arrears from the prior two years plus their full liquidation preference before any assets may be distributed to common stockholders.
Cumulative preferred stock grants holders priority over common stockholders for both ongoing dividend distributions and liquidation preferences. When dividend payments are skipped on cumulative preferred stock, they accrue as dividends in arrears. Upon corporate liquidation, once all creditor claims are resolved, cumulative preferred shareholders must receive 100% of their accumulated dividend arrears plus their par value liquidation preference before common stockholders are eligible for any distribution.
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Anahtar Kavram
Cumulative Preferred Stock Liquidation Hierarchy and Dividend Arrears Rights