Reverse Stock Split

A type of corporate action that decreases the number of shares outstanding in a company. Reverse stock splits do not affect the total market capitalization of a company, only the number of shares outstanding. Therefore, the price per share is adjusted such that the market capitalization (price per share x number of shares) theoretically remains the same pre-split and post-split. For example, a company with 100 shares outstanding and trading for $50/share has a market capitalization of $5,000. If the company announces a 1-for-10 (1:10) stock split then the total number of shares drops to 10. Because the market capitalization remains $5,000, and there are now 10 shares outstanding, the price per share increases to $500 ($5,000/10). Reverse stock splits with ratios of 1:10, 1:5, and 1:4 are common, but any ratio is possible.

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