Preferred shares carry the same rights as ordinary shares, with the exception of the generally excluded voting right. To compensate for the restriction in voting rights, preferred shares take precedence in the distribution of profit, usually reflected in a higher dividend payout. In the event that this “preferential dividend” is not paid, or is not fully paid in a year, followed by failure to pay the balance in addition to the full preferential dividend for the following year, the latent voting rights of the preferred shares are revived.