All Definitions »Preemptive Right

Preemptive Right Meaning & Definition

Pass Rate

Over 25 years and 400,000 exams

Assured Success

If you use our practice exams

Chat & Call Support

We are with you every step of the way

Definition of Preemptive Right

Preemptive Right is the right of a common stockholder to maintain their proportional ownership interest in a company. A corporation may not issue additional shares of common stock without first offering those shares to existing stockholders.

Applying "Preemptive Right" to Securities Exams:

When an investor purchases shares of common stock they are buying a piece of the company. Most investors only purchase a very small amount of the company on a percentage basis. No matter how small an investor’s percentage ownership is all investors have the right to maintain their proportional ownership and to not have their interest diluted. A shareholders preemptive right will be ensured through a rights offering by the company.

Choose Your Exam