Financial Services

Stocks  •  Mutual Funds  •  Bonds  •  IRA  •  UIT  •  EIF •  Variable Life/Annuities  •  Alternative Investments

Stocks

Common Stock 

A unit of ownership in a corporation. Common stockholders participate in the corporation’s profits or losses by receiving dividends and by capital gains or losses in the stock’s share price.

Preferred Stock

A class of stock with claim to a company’s earnings, before payment can be made on the common stock, and that is usually entitled to priority over common stock if the company liquidates. Generally, preferred stocks pay dividends at a fixed rate.

Dividend

A pro rata portion of earnings usually distributed in cash by a corporation to its stockholders. In preferred stock, dividends are usually fixed; with common shares, dividends may vary with the fortunes of the company.