Showing posts with label consolidation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label consolidation. Show all posts

Tuesday 21 July 2020

How to Handle a Reverse Stock Split (consolidation of shares)

A corporation can decrease the number of its publicly held shares through a reverse split.

-  The board of directors does not need to get stockholder approval to authorize a reverse split.

-  The board selects the reverse split ratio, such as issuing one share for every 10 shares owned, and announces the date the split takes effect.



Whether this helps or hurts your stock portfolio depends on the company’s reason behind the split.

A reverse stock split may result in a loss of shares for minority shareholders. Unfortunately, these individuals have little legal recourse if such an act occurs.



Reverse Splits and Minority Stockholders

-  If you are a minority stockholder, a reverse split could extinguish your position and force you out.

-  Unfortunately, there is not much you can do as long as the reverse split follows legal procedures and you receive the correct number of new shares.



Reverse splits can signal good news for investors or bad news. 

Reverse Split Advantages

-  A reverse split can signal that a company is financially strong enough to be listed on an exchange. The stock price will increase enough to meet the exchange’s minimum price requirement.

-  If you own stock in a small company that has seen increased sales and profits, the stock price should continue to rise after the reverse split.

-  Stocks newly listed on an exchange can attract new buyers, especially institutional investors who avoid over-the-counter and pink sheets stocks. Although you will end up owning fewer shares, they will be worth more as the price continues to rise.



Reverse Split Disadvantages

-  If your stock is listed on an exchange, a reverse split could herald a potential delisting as a consequence of its fallen price. If the stock remains below the exchange’s minimum price, the company’s stock is delisted and relegated to the over-the-counter market or the pink sheets.

-  The reverse split may boost the stock’s price for a while, but if sales have stalled or the company posts consecutive losses, the stock price will continue falling. Left unchecked, the stock will eventually be delisted off the exchange.