What are Class B shares?

Class B shares are a classification of common stock that may be accompanied by more or fewer voting rights than Class A shares. Class B shares may also have lower repayment priority in the event of a bankruptcy. A detailed description of a company's different classes of stock is included in the company's prospectus, bylaws, and charter .

Are class A shares better than Class B shares?

While the specific attributes of Class A shares depend on the company, they generally come with more voting power and a higher priority for dividends and profit in the event of liquidation. Class A shares may be more expensive than Class B shares, or may not be available to the general public.

Why is a Class A stock a Class B Stock?

In reality, the decision is usually made in order to concentrate voting power within a certain group of people. When more than one class of stock is offered, companies traditionally designate them as Class A and Class B, with Class A carrying more voting rights than Class B shares.