Stock split and stock offering has become an important way of raising funds by companies in the modern financial market. This article will discuss the concept of stock split and stock offering and dive into the reasons why companies may resort to one or the other to increase their capital.
Stock Split
Stock split is an approach undertaken by companies with the aim of increasing the liquidity and marketability of their shares. The process involves dividing a single unit of share into two or more units. The company increases the number of shares but keeps their respective par values the same. For example, if a company splits ten shares of par value of $10 each into two shares of par value $5 each, the total value of the shares remains the same ($100). The alteration in the number of shares is usually accompanied by a corresponding decrease or increase in the stock price.
The pricing of the stock is not the only effect of a stock split. It also has psychological effects on the public. When a company declares a stock split, it demonstrates its intention to become a high-volume stock. A larger number of units encourages people to invest in small amounts, which in turn increases liquidity and reduces the barriers for entry for small investors. Additionally, companies use stock splits to increase the attractiveness of their shares. The price of stocks for most investors is an important factor for them to purchase a certain stock. If the price is low, investors are more likely to buy it as it provides a greater opportunity for returns.
Stock Offering
Stock offering is different from stock split in that it involves the issuance of additional shares in order to raise new capital for the company. The company issues new shares at a predetermined price which is either higher or lower than the current stock price of the company. By doing so, the company is able to generate additional capital which can be used to finance growth or other projects. It is important to note that stock offering does not lead to any change in the current number of shares. The only enhancement is to the company’s capital in the form of cash or stock.
Why Choose One or the Other?
The decision to choose between stock split and stock offering usually depends on the strategy of the company and understanding the advantages of both approaches. Stock split is solely aimed at increasing the marketability and liquidity of the company’s shares. Conversely, stock offering is used by companies to increase capital for growth, buy back shares or repay debts. It is important to keep the above points in mind to be able to decide which option is more suitable for the company at a particular point of time.