The following are the drawbacks of DVR shares. Limited awareness: Investors often miss out on opportunities to invest in DVR shares because they are unaware of their issuance. Reduced voting rights: DVR shareholders typically have fewer voting rights than holders of ordinary equity shares.
The shares with Differential Voting Rights (DVRs) in a company means those shares that give the holder of the shares the differential rights related to voting, i.e. either more voting rights or less voting rights compared to the ordinary shareholders of the company.
Tata Motors, Gujarat NRE Coke, Pantaloon Retail, Jain Irrigation are some of the Indian companies that have issued DVR shares. E.g.: Tata Motors' DVR shares carry voting rights which are one-tenth of the ordinary equity shares.
Shares issued with differential rights shall not exceed 74% of the total voting power, including voting power in respect of equity shares with differential rights issued at any point of time.
Companies may divide their ordinary shares into different classes (e.g. “A” and “B”) with different rights attached to each class. Read our guide on shares for more information about share types, transfer and allotment of shares etc.
A company may issue equity shares which carry rights only with respect to dividend and do not carry any voting rights. Superior voting right means any right that gives the shareholder more than one vote per share.
Shares issued with differential rights shall not exceed 74% of the total voting power, including voting power in respect of equity shares with differential rights issued at any point of time.
Advantages of DVR shares Investors benefit from DVR shares as they are issued at a discounted rate and earn quick returns. For issuers these shares help in raising more capital and prevent hostile takeover.
Issue of Prospectus, Receiving Applications, Allotment of Shares are three basic steps of the procedure of issuing the shares. The process of creating new shares is known as Allocation or allotment.
The company/startup should pass an Ordinary Resolution for the issuance of DVRs in the General Meeting of the shareholders. The voting power of DVRs equity shares should not exceed 74% of the total voting powers. There should be no default in filing the annual returns by the startups for the past three financial years.