What is a stock split?

A stock split is a corporate action that increases the number of shares outstanding while simultaneously decreasing the price per share. This means that if a company decides to split its stock, the existing shares are divided into a larger number of shares. For instance, in a 2-for-1 split, a shareholder with one share valued at $100 would end up with two shares, each valued at $50.

The primary purpose of a stock split is to make shares more affordable and accessible to a broader range of investors without changing the overall market capitalization of the company. The total value of an investor's holdings remains constant immediately after the split, as the decrease in price per share is offset by the increase in the number of shares owned. This action can often lead to increased trading volume and heightened interest in the stock, as a lower price per share may attract new investors.

The other options focus on different concepts that are not directly related to the mechanics or purpose of a stock split. For example, reducing overall market capitalization and strategies for increasing stock prices through buybacks pertain to broader financial strategies and market dynamics, rather than the specific process and implications of a stock split.