What does the "preemptive right" allow existing shareholders to do?

The preemptive right is a significant aspect of shareholder rights that allows existing shareholders to maintain their proportionate ownership in a corporation. Specifically, this right gives them the opportunity to purchase additional shares in the event that the corporation issues new shares. By allowing shareholders to buy these new shares before the company offers them to other potential buyers, the preemptive right helps to prevent dilution of their ownership percentage and voting power within the company.

In several contexts, when a corporation needs to raise capital and decides to issue additional shares, existing shareholders can exercise their preemptive rights to purchase a number of the new shares equivalent to their existing ownership stake. This mechanism is particularly important for shareholders who want to protect their investment value and influence over corporate governance.

The other options provided do not accurately capture the essence of what the preemptive right entails. For example, selling shares at market price pertains to liquidity and market transactions rather than ownership maintenance. Voting on corporate management decisions relates to corporate governance but doesn't involve purchasing shares. Obtaining a fixed dividend payment is a benefit of share ownership but does not pertain to the preemptive rights intended to manage dilution of ownership. Thus, the most accurate representation of the preemptive right is the ability for existing shareholders to