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Definition of 'Stock Split'
A corporate action in which a company's existing shares are divided into multiple shares. Although the number of shares outstanding increases by a specific multiple, the total dollar value of the shares remains the same compared to pre-split amounts, because no real value has been added as a result of the split.
In the U.K., a stock split is referred to as a "scrip issue", "bonus issue", "capitalization issue" or "free issue".
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Investopedia explains 'Stock Split'
For example, in a 2-for-1 split, each stockholder receives an additional share for each share he or she holds.
One reason as to why stock splits are performed is that a company's share price has grown so high that to many investors, the shares are too expensive to buy in round lots.
For example, if a XYZ Corp.'s shares were worth $1,000 each, investors would need to purchase $100,000 in order to own 100 shares. If each share was worth $10, investors would only need to pay $1,000 to own 100 shares.
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