Final answer:
Preferred stock offers holders a preference to dividends declared by the corporation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Preferred stock offers holders a preference to dividends declared by the corporation. Unlike common stock, preferred stockholders have a fixed dividend rate that must be paid before any dividends are distributed to common stockholders. This means that preferred stockholders receive their dividends first and have a higher claim on the company's profits. Preferred stock is a type of security that combines characteristics of both stocks and bonds, providing investors with a steady income stream and potentially higher returns compared to common stock.