Osakelajit

Osakelajit refers to the different classifications or types of shares that a company can issue. The primary distinction is usually between common stock (osake) and preferred stock (etuosake).

Common stock represents ownership in a company and typically comes with voting rights, allowing shareholders to participate in decisions such as electing the board of directors. Holders of common stock have a claim on the company's profits through dividends, but these are paid out only after preferred stockholders receive their dividends. In the event of liquidation, common stockholders are paid last, after all other creditors and preferred stockholders.

Preferred stock, on the other hand, usually does not carry voting rights. However, it offers certain advantages over common stock, most notably a fixed dividend payment that is paid before any dividends are distributed to common stockholders. Preferred stock also generally has a higher claim on the company's assets in case of liquidation compared to common stock. Some preferred stock may also have features like convertibility into common stock or being callable by the issuing company. Within these broad categories, there can be further sub-classifications based on specific rights or features attached to the shares.