A Beginner's Guide to Reversed Stock Splits (And Why it's Not a Magic Trick) (2024)

Real-life example of reverse stock splits

Many major companies view stock splits as advantageous, and a good example of this is Netflix in 2015. The company opted to go through with a reverse stock split, where existing shares were converted into a smaller amount of more valuable stock. The result was a stock price increase of nearly 300%, giving stockholders huge returns – and inspiring other companies to consider the advantages of stock splits. Investors saw the benefit of the fluctuation when Netflix's stock doubled within the next two years! This real life example demonstrates that stock splits are not only feasible, but can provide significant rewards while freeing up cash in the process.

In January 1999, Amazon also split their stock 3-for-1, meaning that each stockholder got three shares of stock for every one share they previously owned. This allowed existing stockholders at the time to benefit from increased liquidity and decreased volatility. It's important to really understand the many advantages that stock splits bring to gain the most out of your stock investments!

Stock splits vs reversed stock splits

When it comes to stock splitting, you may wonder what the difference is between a reverse split and a traditional stock split. A reverse stock split occurs when the company reduces its number of shares while maintaining their overall value. For example, if a company offers a reverse split of 1-for-10, this means that the ten shares are converted into one share with the same overall value. Meanwhile in a traditional stock split, shareholders’ holdings are increased due to an increase in their number of shares - for instance, 2-for-2 or 3-for-2 splits - without any alteration to their underlying value. Ultimately, it's important to consider both reverse and traditional stock splits as they each bring different effects to the market and can help determine where your investment stands in the long run.

As a stock investor, understanding the subtle differences between reverse and traditional stock splits is essential to making informed decisions. A reverse stock split is the rarer of the two options, but just as impactful. It involves a reduction in a company's shares outstanding with an equivalent proportionate increase in price per share. Think of reverse stock splits like reverse ageing -it shrinks your physical presence drastically while also making you look and feel younger in an instant. On the other hand, standard stock splits are like classic ageing - more gradual and happening over a longer period of time. With regular stock splits, investors see an increase in shares outstanding with a corresponding decrease in the stock’s price. Knowing these differences will help ensure that you make smart investing moves no matter how good or bad the market looks!

What happens if shares I own undergo a reverse stock split?

Owning shares that have undergone a reverse stock split can be exciting. Unlike other splits, reverse stock splits don’t cause investors to own more shares and increase their holdings, but rather result in owning fewer shares with higher prices. During a reverse stock split, the number of outstanding shares is decreased proportionally while the share price rises in an inverse direction. This does not cause investors to lose value as it essentially represents consolidation of existing investments and resources. Plus, reverse splits can often signify that a company is about to grow, which can make them attractive to potential investors – good news for savvy owners who want to capitalise on reverse splits.

Who actually benefits from a reverse stock split?

The simple is answer is this: both companies and individual investors themselves. For example, it can help companies rise from the depths of a bear market and gain investor trust, helping propel their stock prices to greater heights. It can give investors a fresh chance to get into the market, and catch it in its early stages of a push upwards. And reverse splits often avert delisting for major exchanges, such as the NYSE or NASDAQ, ensuring continued confidence among traders. In short, reverse stock splits are often well worth considering for the benefits they could potentially offer both the company performing it and investors getting in on it.

Can you make money from reverse stock splits?

A reverse stock split isn’t usually a get-rich-quick ploy, but it could lead to greater rewards for savvy investors. In some cases, reverse splits can increase investor confidence and potentially boost the price of a stock as more investors take interest and snap up shares. Unfortunately, reverse stock splits may also decrease investor confidence in the company if it's seen as a sign of weakness or inability to keep up with the market trends. Before deciding how to invest, consider the potential consequences carefully.

The bottom line

At first glance, a reversed stock split may seem intimidating and confusing, but it doesn't have to be. With this basic understanding under your belt, you can confidently talk about stocks with other investors and sound like you know exactly what you are talking about! Whether you are just getting started investing or already own some stocks, understanding reversed splits can help boost your confidence as an investor and ensure that you make smart decisions with your money. So don't be afraid - embrace reversed splits with confidence! Now go forth and invest fearlessly!

A Beginner's Guide to Reversed Stock Splits (And Why it's Not a Magic Trick) (2024)

FAQs

A Beginner's Guide to Reversed Stock Splits (And Why it's Not a Magic Trick)? ›

Unlike other splits, reverse stock splits don't cause investors to own more shares and increase their holdings, but rather result in owning fewer shares with higher prices. During a reverse stock split, the number of outstanding shares is decreased proportionally while the share price rises in an inverse direction.

Why are reverse splits bad? ›

Reverse stock splits often are viewed negatively since it often is a means of inflating a stock's price without increasing the value of the company.

What is a reverse stock split for dummies? ›

Reverse stock splits, defined

Each investor's position keeps the same overall value, but the number of shares in the position decreases while the stock's price increases. This corporate action generally requires shareholder approval.

How to calculate a reverse stock split? ›

If you own 50 shares of a company valued at $10 per share, your investment is worth $500. In a 1-for-5 reverse stock split, you would instead own 10 shares (divide the number of your shares by five) and the share price would increase to $50 per share (multiply the share price by five).

Do companies succeed after a reverse split? ›

Reverse Stock Split Success Stories

And there are many examples of reverse splits in which a company's shares not only survived but prospered, including: Famed U.S. Government bailout candidate American International Group (AIG) was close to being yanked from the New York Stock Exchange when its stock sank below 2.

Do I lose money in a reverse split? ›

Correction—April 30, 2023: A previous version of this article misstated the effect of a reverse stock split. A reverse stock split has no direct effect on the total dollar value of a stockholder's shares, but may lead to further losses due to the company's perceived financial weakness.

Should I sell my stock after a reverse split? ›

Selling before a reverse stock split is a good idea, but selling after the reverse stock split is not. Since you can sell before and after a reverse stock split, selling during one is optional. The main advantage of selling before the reverse stock split is that you don't have to wait around for it to happen.

What is a reverse stock split simple example? ›

For example, if a company declares a one for ten reverse stock split, every ten shares that you own will be converted into a single share. If you owned 10,000 shares of the company before the reverse stock split, you will own a total of 1,000 shares after the reverse stock split.

How do you make money on a reverse stock split? ›

Reverse stock splits work the same way as regular stock splits but in reverse. A reverse split takes multiple shares from investors and replaces them with fewer shares. The new share price is proportionally higher, leaving the total market value of the company unchanged.

Do stock prices go up after a reverse split? ›

Remember that a stock split—or a reverse stock split—does nothing to change the value of a company. How a stock performs in the long run will depend on multiple factors, not on how its shares are split.

What is the most famous reverse stock split? ›

There are examples of stocks that have prospered after doing so, including Citigroup (C). Citi probably had the most famous reverse split—a 1 for 10 reverse split in May 2011. Citi became a $40 stock and is now trading at $64.

Is it better to buy before or after a reverse stock split? ›

One way is to buy shares of the company before the reverse split occurs with the plan to sell them soon afterwards. This can be profitable if the company's stock price increases after the split. Another way to make money from a reverse stock split is to short sell the stock of the company.

What happens if you don't have enough shares for a reverse split? ›

Reverse splits also can diminish or force out small investors, who may not have enough shares to be consolidated. For example, if a company decided on a 1-for-50 reverse split, any holders of fewer than 50 shares wouldn't be offered a fractional new share. They would instead be paid cash for their shares.

Are reverse stock splits ethical? ›

Is a Reverse Stock Split Legal? Reverse stock splits are completely legal … but that doesn't mean they're always ethical. There's a reason most big companies don't do reverse splits — these companies are in solid financial standing.

What are the disadvantages of doing splits? ›

You may feel restricted as you have to perform one to four sets of one exercise for each body part. Anything more than that will not only be time consuming but will also lead to exertion. As you'll get better, some of your muscles may need more than 2 days to heal as you're training your entire body.

Is a reverse split good for options? ›

Reverse stock split

A reverse split results in the reduction of outstanding shares and an increase in the price of the underlying security. The holder of an option contract will have the same number of contracts with an increase in strike price based on the reverse split value.

What happens in a reverse stock split if you don't have enough shares? ›

Reverse splits also can diminish or force out small investors, who may not have enough shares to be consolidated. For example, if a company decided on a 1-for-50 reverse split, any holders of fewer than 50 shares wouldn't be offered a fractional new share. They would instead be paid cash for their shares.

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