Step 1: Types of shareholders.
- Equity shareholders: Receive dividend at fluctuating rate, depending on profits.
- Preference shareholders: Receive dividend at a fixed rate, before equity shareholders.
Step 2: Legal priority.
Preference dividend is paid first; only after that can equity shareholders receive dividend.
Step 3: Conclude.
Thus, dividend at a fixed rate is given to preference shareholders.
Final Answer:
\[
\boxed{\text{Preference shareholders}}
\]