I find it interesting when public or private companies have two classes of stock. The purpose it always for the same reason, for the power of the company to be under the control of just a few.
I have worked with clients of Wrigley stock, the employees were issued shares and options, but there was no voting power within their shares. They could benefit from any upside, but were powerless if there was a downside.
Another private company issued “phantom stock” to their employees. The purpose was to make them loyal and stick around with the idea that there would be an eventual payoff. But if you left the company your stock was valueless. A brilliant idea for the long game.
Then we have Facebook. They have two classes to keep the power in the hands of Zuckerberg. The company is structured in a way that he is practically impervious to being removed from power. Yet the lemmings lined up to buy the stock. Now that Zuckerberg’s inability to properly run the company is showing, change is unlikely.
Be care which companies you invest in, understand what your stock actually entitles you to do as a shareholder. As a shareholder you have a responsibility to yourself to review and vote who gets on the Board of Directors and if possible what is their agenda. Who will they serve, you as a shareholder, themselves, or the CEO.