A reverse stock split works exactly in the opposite manner of a stock split. In a stock split, the outstanding shares of a company increase because each share gets split into multiple shares; however, the share price falls. But, in reverse stock split, multiple shares of a company get merged based on a ratio, thereby reducing the total number of its outstanding shares and increasing the price per share. Having learnt what a reverse stock split is, let us discuss this topic further.
Understanding the Meaning of Reverse Stock Splits
Let us discuss this concept in detail by taking an example of reverse stock splits. Suppose a company’s share is trading at ₹30 and it has 120,000 outstanding shares. It decides to reverse split its shares in a ratio of 3:1. As a result, three outstanding shares of this company will get merged into one share.
Therefore, after the reverse stock split, it will have 40,000 outstanding shares (120,000/3) and each share will be priced at ₹90 (30*3).
It is important to note that the market capitalisation of the company remains at ₹36 lakh even after the reverse stock split. Similarly, even the value of a shareholder’s stake in the company will remain the same. That said, after the reverse stock split, the number of shares owned by a shareholder will decrease. Now that we have discussed the meaning and example of reverse stock splits, let us discuss their pros and cons.
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Advantages and Disadvantages of Reverse Stock Splits
These are the main advantages of reverse stock splits:
Helps attract big investors: Institutional investors and mutual funds at times have policies which prevent them from investing in a stock whose price is below a certain threshold level. Hence, if a company’s stock price is too low, large investors may avoid it just for this reason. Therefore, by reverse splitting its stock, it can increase its price, which can increase the probability of large investors buying its stock.
b)Improves the attractiveness of a stock: Some investors tend to think that a company with a low share price is also performing poorly and hence is not a good candidate for investment. To deal with it, a company can use the reverse stock split strategy, which can increase the market price of its stock by reducing the number of its overall shares.
The main disadvantages of reverse stock splits are as follows:
Not perceived positively often: Reverse stock splits are often not perceived positively by the stock market. Such actions often signal investors that a company is in distress and is somehow trying to inflate its stock price. At times, investors even question a reverse stock split because it does not improve the market capitalisation of a company. Hence, they wonder why a company will take such an action.
Can adversely affect a stock’s liquidity: A reverse stock split ends up merging the existing stocks of a company. Hence, the number of its outstanding shares comes down, which can badly affect the stock’s liquidity. Besides, it can increase the bid-ask spread and transaction costs for investors.
Impact of Reverse Stock Splits
The two main impacts of reverse stock splits are discussed below:
Reduction in the number of outstanding shares: A reverse stock split reduces the number of a company’s outstanding shares. Hence, it decreases the supply of its shares. This may even affect the dynamics between the demand and supply of a company’s shares.
Increase in the price of a share: A reverse stock split can increase the price of a company’s share by reducing the number of its outstanding shares. Typically, this is the prime intention of companies before announcing a reverse stock split. However, depending upon how it is perceived by investors, a reverse stock split can also decrease a company’s share price.
After discussing the impacts of reverse stock splits, let us examine the reasons behind taking this corporate action.
Reasons for Reverse Stock Split
Following are the main reasons why companies choose to reverse split their shares:
To increase the market price of their shares: At times, the market price of a stock is so low that investors start perceiving it negatively. Hence, such companies can decide to reverse split their stocks just to increase their market price. A company cannot increase its market capitalisation by reverse splitting its stock. However, after a reverse split, when its stock’s price increases, some investors may start perceiving it in a positive manner.
Maintain compliance with the listing requirements of an exchange: There are stock exchanges, which require that a stock’s price should be above a certain level for it to remain listed. If a stock falls lower than this level, then it can be delisted. In such a situation, a company may decide to reverse split its shares to remain listed on an exchange.
Reverse stock split can help a company create a spin off at an attractive price: When a company plans to float a spinoff, or an independent company, it can get a better price for that spinoff if it goes for a reverse stock split. This is because a reverse stock split can increase the share price of a company. If the stock price is too low, then the probability of getting a decent price for a spinoff is also low, and vice versa.
Limitations of a Reverse Stock Split
Temporary Price Increase: It is true that a reverse stock split can increase the price of a company’s share. However, it does not change the underlying value of a company. Hence, after an initial surge in a stock price, it may start falling soon, much to the disappointment of investors.
Perception vs. Reality: A reverse stock split may increase the price of a company’s share. However, it does not change a company’s market capitalisation (or market value). It does not even change the way a company works. A company takes such an action just to repair its perception. Hence, it often does not change its reality.
Risk of Further Decline: A company resorts to a reverse stock split when its stock price is declining. It may increase the stock price but it does not change the fundamental reason behind the decline in a stock’s price. Hence, even after a reverse stock split, a stock’s price may decline.
Dissatisfaction Among Shareholders: Shareholders are aware that a reverse stock split does not increase the value of their stocks. Besides, there is always a possibility of a further decline in a share’s price, which can result in dissatisfaction among shareholders. Moreover, if the value of their shareholding reduces after consolidation of shares, they may take legal action against the company.
Potential for Manipulation: At times, companies reverse split their stocks to manipulate the share price and attract speculative traders, which can affect their genuine investors.
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Significance of a Reverse Stock Split
Financial Health Assessment: When a company reverse splits it stock, it is a signal for investors to examine its financial health. It could be that the company is desperately trying to boost its share price. If that is the case, the investors should assess the reason behind the company’s desperation.
Market Participation: The reason for a reverse stock split is not always negative because a company may do so to increase its stock price so that it can remain listed on a stock exchange, thereby maintaining its presence in the stock market.
Investment Strategy: Investors should analyse what a reverse stock split means for them. It can be a warning sign if a company’s reason to do so is not genuine. However, it can also mean that a company is trying hard to genuinely improve its reputation. Basically, investors should analyse a company’s motive behind doing so.
Market Dynamics: A reverse stock split affects the supply of a company’s shares by reducing the number of its outstanding shares. Hence, it can affect the dynamics between the demand and supply of a company’s shares. Therefore, investors should always be watchful of such actions.
Conclusion
Whether you have just opened a trading account or are a seasoned investor, you should understand the meaning of reverse stock splits and know how to assess them. When a company announces such a corporate action, you should examine its intention behind it. If you think that the company is desperately trying to increase its stock price, then it is possible that something is wrong with it. Hence, you should avoid such a stock. However, if you think that the company’s intention is genuine, then you may consider its stock.
Disclaimer: Investments in the securities market are subject to market risk, read all related documents carefully before investing.
This content is for educational purposes only. Securities quoted are exemplary and not recommendatory.
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