South Dakota Clauses Relating to Preferred Returns primarily refer to contractual provisions laid out in business agreements that dictate the distribution of earnings to investors or shareholders. These clauses establish the order in which profits are shared, ensuring that certain investors receive their preferred returns before others. Such clauses are particularly significant in investment deals, partnerships, or joint ventures where multiple parties have invested capital or resources. Below are types of South Dakota Clauses Relating to Preferred Returns: 1. Simple Preferred Return Clause: This clause guarantees that specific investors will receive a fixed percentage of profits before any other distribution is made. For example, an agreement may state that Investor A will receive an annual preferred return of 8% on their original investment. 2. Cumulative Preferred Return Clause: Unlike a simple preferred return, a cumulative preferred return clause ensures that unpaid preferred returns accumulate over time until they are fully allocated. If the preferred returns in a particular year are not met, they roll over. This clause benefits investors by maximizing their future returns. 3. Non-Cumulative Preferred Return Clause: In contrast to the cumulative clause, the non-cumulative clause ensures that unpaid preferred returns are not carried forward to subsequent periods. This clause prevents the accumulation of unpaid preferred returns and limits the obligation of the business or project to pay past-due amounts. 4. Carried Interest Preferred Return Clause: This type of preferred return clause is commonly used in private equity and real estate deals. It guarantees that the fund or general partner receives a preferred return, often around 8% to 10% per annum, before any additional profits are distributed among limited partners. 5. Waterfall Structure Preferred Return Clause: A waterfall structure is a complex model for distributing profits. This clause outlines the sequence in which different classes of investors receive their preferred returns based on specific thresholds or tiers. Investors in higher tiers receive their preferred returns before those in lower tiers. South Dakota Clauses Relating to Preferred Returns offer legal protection and clarity to all parties involved in investment ventures. By defining the priority of profit distributions, these clauses promote transparency and ensure fair treatment among investors.