Answer:
1. <em>Holders of the stock are entitled to receive current and all past dividends before common stockholders receive any dividends</em> - Cumulative Shares
Holders of Cumulative Shares will always receive the dividends owed to them because even if they do not get it in a particular period, the dividends will accrue until the company is able to pay them.
2. <em>Holders of the stock can receive dividends exceeding the stated rate under certain conditions - </em>Participating Shares
Participating Shareholders are eligible to receive an extra dividend provided that there is surplus profit after all the other dividends have been paid off.
<em>3. Holders of the stock are not entitled to receive dividends in excess of the stated rate. - </em>Non- Participating Shares
Even if there are surplus profits after all other dividends have been paid off, these holders are not entitled to that profit.
<em>4. Holders of the stock lose any dividends that are not declared in the current year - </em>Non- Cumulative Shares
If their dividend is not declared in a certain period, they will forfeit that dividend for the period.