What is a feature of common shares compared to other share types?

Common shares represent ownership in a company and often come with variable returns that depend on the company's profitability. Unlike preferred shares, which typically offer fixed dividends, common shares provide dividends that can fluctuate based on how well the company performs financially. This variability reflects the risk and reward nature of investing in common shares, as shareholders benefit when the company does well and may receive lower or no dividends when the company's performance is poor.

Other share types, such as preferred shares, offer more predictability in dividend payments, which is not characteristic of common shares. Additionally, common shareholders usually have voting rights that allow them to participate in company decisions, distinguishing them from certain other share types. Therefore, the feature of variable returns based on profitability accurately describes common shares compared to alternatives in the equity market.