The long-term sources of capital used by companies are :
- Common stock - This involves giving up control, since common
stock carries voting rights. However, dividends are optional and
not mandatory, unlike interest payments.
- Debt - This does involve giving up control, since debtholders
do not have voting rights. However, interest has to be paid
mandatorily every year
- Preferred stock - This is more like debt, since preferred
dividend has to be paid every year. However they have preference
over common stockholders in case of liquidation.