What is Redeemable Preferred Stock?

Redeemable Preferred Stock

Redeemable preferred stock, also known as callable preferred stock, refers to a type of preferred stock that gives the issuing company the right, but not the obligation, to repurchase or “redeem” the stock at a certain price and on a specified date, or after a specified date. The terms and conditions of the redemption are set at the time the stock is issued.

The main characteristics of redeemable preferred stock include:

• Redemption Feature: The issuer has the right to buy back the stock at a predetermined price, often known as the redemption or call price. This price may be higher than the original issue price as an incentive for investors.
• Dividends: Like other preferred stocks, redeemable preferred stock typically pays dividends, which can be fixed or set at a certain rate. These dividends are usually paid out before any dividends are given to common stockholders.
• Priority in Liquidation: If the company goes bankrupt or is liquidated, redeemable preferred stockholders have a higher claim on the company’s assets than common stockholders but come after creditors and bondholders.
• Limited Voting Rights: Typically, preferred stockholders do not have voting rights or may have limited rights compared to common stockholders. However, in some cases, if the company misses certain dividend payments, preferred stockholders might gain voting rights until the dividends are paid.
• Redemption at the Company’s Discretion: The issuer can decide whether to redeem the stock, often based on its financial condition, prevailing market interest rates, or other strategic considerations.

Why would a company issue redeemable preferred stock?

• Flexibility in Capital Structure: Companies can issue redeemable preferred stock with the idea of buying it back later, perhaps when they have more available cash or when they can issue debt at a lower interest rate.
• Interest Rate Considerations : When interest rates are high, a company might issue redeemable preferred stock rather than taking on expensive debt. Later, if interest rates fall, the company can redeem the preferred stock and perhaps issue bonds at the now-lower interest rates.
• Strategic Planning : Companies can use the callable feature to their advantage, especially if they anticipate future changes in their capital needs or financial position.

Example of Redeemable Preferred Stock

Let’s delve into a fictional example to understand redeemable preferred stock better.

“UrbanEats Inc.” is a rapidly growing urban farming company that focuses on producing organic vegetables and supplying them to local restaurants. To expand operations and build two new greenhouses, the company needs to raise $5 million in capital.

Given the current high interest rates on debt and the company’s desire to not dilute control by issuing more common stock, UrbanEats decides to issue redeemable preferred stock.

Details of the Redeemable Preferred Stock:

• Issuance Price: $1,000 per share.
• Total Shares Issued: 5,000 shares (raising the required $5 million).
• Dividend Rate : 6% annually, meaning each shareholder will receive $60 per share in dividends each year.
• Redemption Feature: The company has the right to redeem the stock after 3 years at a price of $1,100 per share.
• Voting Rights: Holders of the redeemable preferred stock do not have voting rights unless two consecutive dividend payments are missed.

Scenario:

Investors, attracted by the potential for a steady dividend and the ability to earn a premium if the stock is redeemed, quickly buy up the shares.

Three years later:

• Positive Outcome for UrbanEats: The company has performed exceptionally well, interest rates have dropped, and the company is now in a position to issue debt at a much more favorable rate. UrbanEats decides to issue bonds at a 4% interest rate and uses the proceeds to redeem the preferred stock. Investors receive $1,100 per share, earning a premium over their initial investment. The company benefits by effectively refinancing its capital at a lower cost.
• Benefit for Investors: Over the three years, each investor has received a total of $180 in dividends (3 years x $60 annual dividend) and an additional $100 premium upon redemption. This equates to a decent return on their investment.

In this scenario, the redeemable preferred stock allowed UrbanEats to raise the necessary capital during a period of high interest rates without diluting company control. Later, when market conditions were more favorable, the company was able to redeem the stock, benefiting both itself and its investors.