adjustable-rate preferred stock
Also found in: Acronyms.
Adjustable-rate preferred stock (ARPS)
Adjustable-Rate Preferred Stock
A preferred stock paying a dividend that varies from time to time. Usually the dividend rate is the same as the interest rate on a Treasury security, which is adjusted quarterly. They may also be backed by mortgages or mortgage-backed securities. ARPS's tend to have stable prices because a drop in the common share's price is offset by a rise in bonds, and vice versa.