Should you sell or hold a stock split?
While a stock split doesn't change the value of your investment, it's generally a good sign for investors. In most cases it means that the company is confident about its position going forward, and that it wants to seek additional investment.
That said, many stocks have shown strong performance after a split. In other words, selling your shares of a stock prior to a split isn't always the best decision – unless, of course, you're not well-positioned to continue holding the stock.
Is the split worth it? – Stock splits have no tangible impact on a company's total value—they simply create more shares at more affordable prices. Nor does a split change the total value of an investor's portfolio holding per se.
A stock split lowers its stock price but doesn't weaken its value to current shareholders. It increases the number of shares and might entice would-be buyers to make a purchase. The total value of the stock shares remains unchanged because you still own the same value of shares, even if the number of shares increases.
If a company was a bad investment before a stock split, it would still be a bad investment. If it were a good investment before the split, it would still be a good investment, and now may be more affordable to some investors due to the reduced share price.
Disadvantages of a Stock Split
A company cannot rely on a stock split to increase its value or market cap. A stock split divides the existing shares, thus keeping the market cap the same as before. Not to forget, a company must invest some amount to conduct a stock split.
Walmart's common stock will begin trading on a post-split basis at the market open on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024, under the company's existing trading symbol “WMT.” The stock split and final ratio were approved by Walmart's board.
If you really like the stock, chances are good that you can buy back those shares at a much lower price several months down the road.” Just remember, most companies that execute reverse stock splits falter, and many don't survive. This is speculative investing, so make sure you do your homework.
A stock split is when a company breaks up its existing shares to create a higher number of lower-value shares. Stock splits reduce the trading price of a stock, which makes it more liquid and more affordable for investors.
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).
What typically happens after a stock split?
A stock split increases the number of shares outstanding and lowers the individual value of each share. While the number of shares outstanding change, the overall market capitalization of the company and the value of each shareholder's stake remains the same. Say you have one share of a company's stock.
A stock split does not change a company's market capitalization. This is the primary means of measuring the total value of a company's stock, known as market cap.
Stock | Exchange | Ratio Denominator |
---|---|---|
ETAO | NASDAQ | 2024-03-19 |
FIXX | NASDAQ | 2024-03-20 |
FLYD | AMEX | 2024-03-15 |
INTZ | NASDAQ | 2024-03-18 |
If a stock traded at $100 previously, it will trade at $50 after a 2-for-1 split. Yes, you own more shares, but they're each worth less. It's basically a draw, and the value of your investment won't change.
After the split, the company's fair value estimate will be adjusted to $49 per share to account for the threefold increase in its outstanding shares. Walmart's wide economic moat rating will be unaffected. The stock will still be rated 2 stars (meaning it's considered overvalued), trading at a premium of 18% as of Feb.
Reverse stock splits can serve as a solution for companies facing delisting or struggling with a low share price. While they may carry a negative connotation, their impact on shareholders ultimately depends on the specific circ*mstances of the company.
Splits are often a bullish sign since valuations get so high that the stock may be out of reach for smaller investors trying to stay diversified. Investors who own a stock that splits may not make a lot of money immediately, but they shouldn't sell the stock since the split is likely a positive sign.
Stock splits don't create a taxable event; you merely receive more stock evidencing the same ownership interest in the corporation that issued the stock. You don't report income until you sell the stock. Your overall basis doesn't change as a result of a stock split, but your per share basis changes.
Stock | 2024 performance through Feb. 29 |
---|---|
Digital World Acquisition Corp. (DWAC) | 135.2% |
Nature Wood Group Ltd. (NWGL) | 140.9% |
Sana Biotechnology Inc. (SANA) | 146.1% |
Super Micro Computer Inc. (SMCI) | 204.7% |
With stock indexes at all-time highs, it seems we are in the midst of a new bull market. While much of the market's recent gains have come from a handful of stocks, the rally has begun to broaden in recent months. Expectations of an earnings rebound in 2024 suggest earnings could continue to drive the market higher.
Will stock bounce back in 2024?
Earnings Rebound
Despite an uncertain economic outlook, the S&P 500 has rallied to new all-time highs in 2024 driven by remarkably strong underlying economic fundamentals. S&P 500 companies have reported their second consecutive quarter of year-over-year earnings growth in the fourth quarter.
Many times reverse splits are viewed negatively, as they signal that a company's share price has declined significantly, possibly putting it at risk of being delisted. The higher-priced shares following the split may also be less attractive to certain retail investors who prefer stocks with lower sticker prices.
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.
A reverse stock split has no immediate effect on the company's value, as its market capitalization remains the same after it's executed. However, it often leads to a drop in the stock's market price as investors see it as a sign of financial weakness.
The key difference is that a stock split increases the number of shares outstanding while a reverse stock split reduces the number of shares outstanding. For both events, there is no impact to retained earnings or overall stockholders' equity.
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