Stock Splits: Videos & Practice Problems

Stock splits are a corporate action where a company divides its existing shares into multiple new shares, effectively increasing the number of shares outstanding while reducing the par value per share. This process does not alter the company's total equity, paid-in capital, or retained earnings; it merely redistributes the ownership among a greater number of shares, akin to slicing a pie into more pieces without changing the overall size of the pie.

Typically, stock splits are expressed in a ratio format, such as "X for Y." A common example is a 2-for-1 stock split, where each existing share is split into two shares. More complex splits, like a 5-for-2 split, indicate that for every two shares owned, an investor receives five new shares, resulting in a split ratio of 2.5. Understanding this split ratio is crucial for calculating the new number of shares, par value, and market price following a stock split.

To determine the new shares outstanding after a stock split, multiply the old shares by the split ratio. Conversely, to find the new par value and market price, divide the old values by the split ratio. For instance, in a 2-for-1 stock split, if a company has 250,000 shares outstanding at a par value of $0.20 and a market price of $40, the calculations would be as follows:

• New Shares Outstanding: 250,000 shares × 2 = 500,000 shares
• New Par Value: $0.20 ÷ 2 = $0.10
• New Market Price: $40 ÷ 2 = $20

Thus, after the split, the company would have 500,000 shares outstanding, each with a par value of $0.10 and a market price of $20. It is important to note that no journal entry is required for a stock split, as it does not affect the overall equity structure of the company; it simply adjusts the distribution of shares.

Understanding stock splits is essential for investors, as it impacts share liquidity and market perception, even though the fundamental value of the company remains unchanged. Practicing with different split ratios can enhance comprehension of how these adjustments affect share structure and pricing.

In a 3 for 2 stock split, a company increases the number of its outstanding shares while simultaneously reducing the par value and market price per share. This type of split means that for every 2 shares an investor owns, they will receive an additional share, resulting in a total of 3 shares. The split ratio of 1.5 indicates that each existing share is effectively converted into 1.5 shares.

To illustrate, consider a company with 400,000 shares outstanding and a par value of $0.60 per share. After the stock split, the new number of shares outstanding can be calculated by multiplying the old shares by the split ratio:

New\ Shares\ Outstanding = Old\ Shares\ Outstanding \times Split\ Ratio = 400,000 \times 1.5 = 600,000

The new par value is determined by dividing the old par value by the split ratio:

New\ Par\ Value = \frac{Old\ Par\ Value}{Split\ Ratio} = \frac{0.60}{1.5} = 0.40

Consequently, the new par value becomes $0.40 per share. Similarly, the market price per share, which was initially $21, is adjusted by dividing it by the split ratio:

New\ Market\ Price = \frac{Old\ Market\ Price}{Split\ Ratio} = \frac{21}{1.5} = 14

Thus, the new market price per share is $14. It is important to note that despite the changes in the number of shares, par value, and market price, the total value of common stock remains unchanged. This can be verified by calculating the total value before and after the split:

Total\ Value\ Before = Old\ Shares\ Outstanding \times Old\ Par\ Value = 400,000 \times 0.60 = 240,000

Total\ Value\ After = New\ Shares\ Outstanding \times New\ Par\ Value = 600,000 \times 0.40 = 240,000

In conclusion, a stock split redistributes the ownership of the company into more shares with a lower par value, while the overall equity remains constant. This mechanism allows companies to make their shares more accessible to a broader range of investors.