On Wednesday, Apple withdrew the proposals for a shareholder vote on the preference share matter, making the legal battle unnecessary.

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At first glance, the big box seems to be holding its own, having climbed in customer preference share over the past few years, as Home Depot has remained relatively stagnant.

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The company must prove that it now has a preference for profits over market share.

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Since the return of democracy in 1985, the PT's share of federal deputies has tracked its share of party preference, notes Alberto Almeida, a political consultant.

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These are a special type of share that pay a regular flat dividend in perpetuity, and which receive their payment in preference to the dividends paid out on ordinary shares.

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Mr Howard himself must share part of the blame because he refused to take a stand on the issue of second-preference votes.

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