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Showing posts with the label convertible shares

What is toxic financing?

Many small-cap and micro-cap companies are in a need of additional capital. Obtaining funding can be tricky and it is best to have someone experiences to advise you about financing proposals. Many of the offers can seem legit at first sight but if you look deeper they are just  camouflaged toxic financing contracts. The real question is what is toxic financing and how you can recognize it? Toxic financing can be defined as convertible debt or preferred stock that allows financier to receive unlimited number of common shares by converting their debt. This type of debt has low chance that it will be repaid because it carries an interest rate that company usually cannot repay. Financier uses this situation to convert debt or preferred shares to common shares and sell them on the market. Formulas that are used for conversion in toxic financing  is structured so there is no downside limit on the price for converted shares. It gives discount to the marke...

What you need to know about preferred stock?

Preferred stock, also know as preferred or preference shares is one of the main types of stock besides common shares. It is considered that preferred stock is a hybrid security that combines properties of debt (fixed dividends) and equity (potential to raise in price). They are distinct from common shares because they don't have voting rights but have higher claim on company's assets and earnings. Terms of preferred stock are described in issuing document; they can be issued under any set of terms that is compliant to laws and regulations. Preference in dividends is what distinguish preferred  from common stock. Board of directors makes decision whether or not company will pay dividends to its shareholders. Dividends are specified as percentage of the par value or as a fixed amount. Common shareholders can receive dividends only if preferred shareholders are already paid in full if board decides to pay them dividends in the first place. This makes them similar to bonds...