Which of the following is NOT generally a right of common stockholders?

• A. The right to vote in the election of the board of directors
• B. The right to share in assets upon liquidation
• C. The right to receive a fixed interest payment
• D. The right to receive dividends when declared

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the rights typically associated with common stockholders. Common stockholders generally have the right to vote in corporate matters, such as electing the board of directors, and the right to share in the company's assets upon liquidation after creditors and preferred stockholders are paid.
2. Step 2: Recognize that common stockholders do not have guaranteed rights to fixed payments. Unlike bondholders or preferred stockholders, common stockholders receive dividends only when declared by the board of directors, and these dividends are not fixed.
3. Step 3: Compare the options provided in the question. Identify which rights are standard for common stockholders and which are not. The right to vote, share in assets upon liquidation, and receive dividends when declared are typical rights of common stockholders.
4. Step 4: Note that the right to receive a fixed interest payment is not a characteristic of common stockholders. Fixed interest payments are associated with debt instruments like bonds, not equity ownership like common stock.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the correct answer is 'The right to receive a fixed interest payment,' as it is not generally a right of common stockholders.