Question : Case Study: XYZ Ltd. - Raising Finance for Expansion
XYZ Ltd. is a growing company that manufactures electronic gadgets. The company has been successful in the market and is planning to expand its operations. To finance this expansion, XYZ Ltd. is considering various sources of business finance.
Questions : Equity Shares and Preference Shares
Why would XYZ Ltd. choose to issue preference shares rather than equity shares?
Option 1: To gain voting control
Option 2: To avoid paying dividends
Option 3: To secure higher interest payments
Option 4: To raise funds without diluting voting rights
Correct Answer: To raise funds without diluting voting rights
Solution : The correct answer is (d) To raise funds without diluting voting rights
Preference shares allow companies to raise funds from investors without diluting the voting control or ownership of the existing shareholders. Unlike equity shares, preference shares usually do not carry voting rights, enabling the company to secure funding while keeping voting control concentrated among the current ownership or management. Preference shares also provide the company with the flexibility to offer a fixed dividend to investors, ensuring a predictable cash outflow to shareholders, which can be appealing to certain investors and can aid in financial planning.