Equities - Preferred Stock

The best answer is B. The annual rate is 8% X $100 par value = $8 per share X the number of shares = $800. Since preferred dividends are paid semi-annually, each payment would be $400.

A customer buys 100 shares of preferred at $101 per share. The par value is $100. The dividend rate is 8%. Each dividend payment will be: A. $80 B. $400 C. $800 D. $808

The best answer is A. The annual rate is 8% X $50 par value = $4 per share X 100 shares = $400. Since preferred dividends are paid semi-annually, each payment is for $200.

A customer buys 100 shares of preferred at $51 per share. The par value is $50. The dividend rate is 8%. Each dividend payment would be: A. $200 B. $400 C. $600 D. $800

The best answer is B. Preferred dividends are based on a stated percentage of par value. The stated rate is 10% of $100 par = $10 annual dividend per preferred share. Since there are 100 shares, the annual dividend is $1,000. Remember, though, that preferred dividends are paid twice a year, so each payment will be for $500.

A customer buys 100 shares of preferred at $80 per share. The par value is $100. The dividend rate is 10%. The customer will receive how much in each dividend payment? A. $400 B. $500 C. $800 D. $1,000

The best answer is A. The formula for current yield is: Annual Income ----------------- = Current Yield Market Price $10 ----- = 8.7% $115

ABC 10% $100 par preferred is trading at $115 in the market. The current yield is: A. 8.7% B. 9.5% C. 10% D. 11.5%

The best answer is C. There is no such thing a refundable preferred stock. Participating preferred (also known as performance preferred) allows the holder to receive additional dividend distributions from the issuer if the issuer is having a good year. Cumulative preferred "accumulates" any unpaid dividends. Before a common dividend may be paid, all accumulated dividends must be paid to cumulative preferred shareholders.

Which of the following are types of preferred stock? I Performance II Participating III Cumulative IV Refundable A. I and III only B. II and IV only C. I, II, III D. I, II, III, IV

he best answer is B. The formula for current yield is: Annual Income ----------------- = Current Yield Market Price $8 ---- = 7.6% $105

ABC 8% $100 par preferred is trading at $105 in the market. The current yield is: A. 6.6% B. 7.6% C. 8.6% D. 10.6%

The best answer is A. The formula for current yield is: Annual Income ----------------- = Current Yield Market Price $8 ----- = 6.7% $120

ABC 8% $100 par preferred is trading at $120 in the market. The current yield is: A. 6.7% B. 8.6% C. 10.6% D. 60.6%

The best answer is C. Like bonds, preferred stock has a fixed rate, can be callable and pays interest semi-annually. But unlike bonds, preferred stock has no maturity.

Which of the following features are common to both preferred stock and bonds? I Fixed rate II Can be callable III Fixed maturity date IV Semi-annual payments A. I and II B. III and IV C. I, II, IV D. I, II, III, IV

The best answer is B. If interest rates fall, issuers can "call in" old high rate preferred and replace it by selling new preferred at the lower current rates. Thus, calls take place when interest rates have fallen.

Callable preferred stock is likely to be redeemed by the issuer if: A. interest rates rise B. interest rates fall C. the common stock price rises D. the common stock price falls

The best answer is C. If interest rates fall, issuers most likely will "call in" old high rate preferred and replace it by selling new preferred at the lower current rates. The "call premium" is any amount that the issuer will pay the preferred stockholder above par value as "extra" compensation for calling in the issue. Issuers are more likely to call in issues with low call premiums (lower extra cost to the issuer) than call in issues with high call premiums (higher extra cost to the issuer).

If interest rates fall, issuers most likely will call: I preferred issues with low interest rates II preferred issues with high interest rates III preferred issues with low call premiums IV preferred issues with high call premiums A. I and III B. I and IV C. II and III D. II and IV

The best answer is D. Since this is cumulative preferred stock, all missed dividends must be paid before a common dividend can be paid. Two years ago, 4% was missed; last year 3% was missed; and this year's preferred dividend of 10% must be paid before the common dividend is paid. The total preferred dividend to be paid is 17%.

ABC Company has issued 10% cumulative preferred stock. Two years ago, ABC paid a 6% preferred dividend. Last year, ABC paid a 7% preferred dividend. This year, ABC wishes to pay a common dividend. The preferred shareholders must receive: A. 0% B. 7% C. 10% D. 17%

The best answer is D. Since this is cumulative preferred stock, all missed dividends must be paid before a common dividend can be paid. Two years ago, 4% was missed; last year 3% was missed; and this year's preferred dividend of 8% must be paid before the common dividend is paid. The total preferred dividend to be paid is 15%.

ABC Company has issued 8%, $100 par, cumulative preferred stock. Two years ago, ABC paid a 4% preferred dividend. Last year, ABC paid a 5% preferred stock dividend. This year, ABC wishes to pay a common dividend. If the preferred stock is now trading at $94, a customer who owns 100 shares of the company's preferred stock will receive: A. $700 B. $800 C. $1,000 D. $1,500

The best answer is D. On cumulative preferred stock, all back unpaid dividends PLUS this year's preferred dividend must be paid before a common dividend is paid. Thus, 2 years ago the full 6% preferred dividend was paid, so there is no arrearage; last year only 4% was paid, so 2% was missed. Before a common dividend can be paid this year, the missing 2% plus this year's 6% preferred dividend, or a total of 8% must be paid.

ABC Company has outstanding 6% cumulative preferred stock. Two years ago, ABC paid a 6% preferred dividend. Last year, ABC paid a 4% preferred stock dividend. This year, ABC wishes to pay a common dividend. The preferred shareholders must receive: A. 0% B. 2% C. 6% D. 8%

The best answer is C. Preferred stock is not a redeemable security - it is a negotiable security. The stock cannot be redeemed with the issuer - an investor who wishes to liquidate must sell the stock in the market. Preferred stock can be callable, cumulative, and convertible.

All of the following are terms associated with preferred stock EXCEPT: A. callable B. cumulative C. redeemable D. convertible

The best answer is D. Preferred stock has no maturity - its life is indefinite. Bonds have a stated maturity date. Both preferred and bonds are fixed rate, can be callable, and typically make semi-annual payments to holders.

All of the following features are common to both preferred stock and bonds EXCEPT: A. fixed rate B. periodic payments C. can be callable D. fixed maturity date

The best answer is C. Preferred stock has preference over common as to the payments of dividends and as to assets upon liquidation. Preferred dividends are, in most cases, paid semi-annually. The Corporation will only pay the preferred dividend if the Board of Directors decides. There is no legal obligation to pay the preferred, however, if it is not paid, investors will not find the stock attractive and won't invest in it.

All of the following statements are true about preferred stock EXCEPT: A. Preferred dividends are paid before common B. In most cases dividends are paid semi-annually C. Corporations must pay preferred dividends D. Preferred shareholders are paid before common shareholders upon liquidation of a corporation

The best answer is A. Dividends on preferred stock are paid solely in cash. Dividends on common stock may be paid in cash; stock; stock of another company (such as shares of a subsidiary company) or products of that company.

Dividends on preferred stock may be paid in: I Cash II Common shares of the same issuer III Common shares of another issuer IV Preferred stock of the same issuer A. I only B. II and III only C. I and IV only D. I, II, III, IV

The best answer is C. Dividends on preferred stock are paid solely in cash. Common stock dividends may be paid in cash, stock, stock of another company (i.e. subsidiary), or products of that company.

Dividends on preferred stock may only be paid in: A. Common shares of another issuer B. Common shares of the same issuer C. Cash D. Preferred stock of the same issuer

The best answer is B. Participating preferred gives the preferred shareholder the right to participate with common in any "extra" dividends declared by the Board of Directors. If these extra dividend payments are made, this can cause the preferred stock price to rise even though interest rates have not fallen. Virtually all preferred stock is cumulative - if the company misses preferred dividend payments, then before it can pay a common dividend, it must make up all unpaid preferred dividend payments. Callable preferred gives the issuer the right to call in the preferred at a pre-established price, which the issuer would do if market interest rates fell. This would tend to suppress the upward movement of the stock price to no more than the call price as market interest rates fell. In a period of stable interest rates, the issuer has no reason to call the preferred stock. Adjustable rate preferred adjusts the dividend rate, tied to the movements of a market interest rate index, so as market rates move up, the dividend rate moves up and vice versa. Therefore, in a period of stable interest rates, the dividend rate will not change, nor will the price (unless the credit quality of the issuer deteriorates).

During periods of stable interest rates, which type of preferred stock will have the greatest price volatility? A. Cumulative B. Participating C. Callable D. Adjustable Rate

The best answer is C. Convertible securities are convertible into common at a predetermined ratio. If the common stock price rises above the conversion price, then the convertible security will trade at the value of the equivalent number of common shares. For example, assume that $100 par common stock is convertible at $20 per share. If the common stock price moves to $25, the preferred must trade for $125, because it is equivalent to 5 common shares. Cumulative preferred means that if the issuer misses dividend payments, these accumulate and must be paid in full before a common dividend can be paid (all preferred is cumulative). Participating preferred gets to participate with common in any "extra" dividends that are declared by the company Board of Directors.

What type of preferred stock can move in price as the price of the common stock moves? A. Straight preferred B. Cumulative preferred C. Convertible preferred D. Participating preferred

The best answer is A. Preferred stock has preference over common as to the payment of dividends and as to assets upon liquidation. Preferred dividends are, in most cases, paid semi-annually, as compared to common stock dividends that are paid quarterly.

Which of the following statements are TRUE when comparing preferred stock to common stock: I Preferred dividends are paid before common II Preferred dividends are paid after common III Preferred shareholders have a prior claim to assets upon liquidation before common shareholders IV Common shareholders have a prior claim to assets upon liquidation before preferred shareholders A. I and III B. I and IV C. II and III D. II and IV

The best answer is D. Preferred stock is a fixed income security, and hence, when market interest rates move, the only way for the yield on the security to adjust to the market is to have the price change. When interest rates rise, preferred stock prices fall, increasing the yield on the security; and when interest rates fall, preferred stock prices rise, decreasing the yield on the security.

Which statements are TRUE about preferred stock? I When interest rates rise, preferred stock prices rise II When interest rates rise, preferred stock prices fall III When interest rates fall, preferred stock prices fall IV When interest rates fall, preferred stock prices rise A. I and II B. I and III C. II and III D. II and IV

The best answer is C. Since the preferred stock is noncumulative, to make a dividend distribution to common shareholders, the company need only make this year's preferred dividend distribution. The stated dividend rate on the preferred is 10% based on $100 par, so $10 of preferred dividends must be paid per share. If this preferred were cumulative, then all omitted dividends must be paid before a distribution can be made to common. Please note that almost all preferred stock issues are cumulative - but non-cumulative issues must still be known for the exam.

XYZ Company has issued 10%, $100 par non-cumulative preferred stock. Two years ago, XYZ omitted its preferred dividend. Last year, it paid a preferred dividend of $5 per share. This year, XYZ wishes to pay a common dividend. In order to make the distribution to common shareholders, each preferred share must be paid a dividend of: A. 0 B. $5 C. $10 D. $15