What defines the rank of claims on assets among regular debentures, subordinated debentures, and preferred stock?

The rank of claims on assets among regular debentures, subordinated debentures, and preferred stock is defined by liquidation priority. In the event of a company's liquidation, the order in which different types of claims are settled is crucial to determining how much value each stakeholders receives. Regular debentures, which are typically secured by the company's assets, are prioritized over subordinated debentures, which have a lower ranking in the claim hierarchy and are only paid after the regular debentures have been fully satisfied. Preferred stockholders come next and have a claim on assets after all debt obligations, including both types of debentures, but before common stockholders.

Understanding liquidation priority is essential for investors, as it informs them of the risk associated with different types of securities. The higher the rank in terms of claims, the more secure the investment is perceived to be, thereby influencing both the market valuation and the perceived risk-return trade-off of such securities.