Which statement is true about debenture holders?

Debenture holders are individuals or institutions that hold debentures, which are a type of long-term debt instrument issued by a company to borrow money. One of the key characteristics of debentures is that they represent a loan made by the debenture holder to the company, and in return, the company pays periodic interest to the holders. Therefore, owning debentures allows investors to have a form of transferable company securities, typically with fixed interest returns, making them suitable as long-term investments.

This characterization clearly highlights the financial relationship between debenture holders and the issuing company, distinguishing their role as creditors rather than owners of a share of the company's equity. Understanding the nature of debentures helps clarify that they are not equity instruments like stocks that entitle shareholders to dividends or a direct claim on profits. Instead, debenture holders have a claim to fixed interest and, upon liquidation, can rank ahead of shareholders for repayment, aligning with the features of a liability holder rather than an owner of capital. Therefore, noting that debenture holders own transferable company securities that are typically intended for long-term investment purposes accurately captures their role and function in a corporate financial structure.