How Are Stock Splits Handled With TD Ameritrade?

Stock splits are a common corporate action that can have significant implications for investors. As a leading online brokerage, TD Ameritrade provides a platform that allows investors to easily participate in stock splits.

The company also makes an effort to keep investors informed about upcoming splits. So, what exactly is a stock split? And what does one look like in TD Ameritrade?

In this article, we'll cover just that! We'll also review both forward and reverse stock splits. Let's get started!

So, What is a Stock Split?

First off, it's important to understand what a stock split is. A stock split is a corporate action in which a company increases or decreases the number of outstanding shares by a certain multiple. For example, in a 2-for-1 stock split, a company would double the number of outstanding shares, while cutting the price of each share in half. This results in the same total market capitalization, but with a larger number of shares trading at a lower price.

When a stock split occurs, TD Ameritrade will automatically adjust the number of shares in an investor's account to reflect the new split ratio. For example, if an investor held 100 shares of a stock that underwent a 2-for-1 split, they would receive an additional 100 shares, resulting in a total of 200 shares. The price per share would be halved, but the total value of the investor's position would remain the same.

TD Ameritrade also provides notification to investors about upcoming stock splits. This allows investors to stay informed about any potential changes to their positions and make any necessary adjustments to their investment strategies.

Reverse Splits

In addition to forward stock splits, TD Ameritrade also handles reverse stock splits. A reverse stock split is the opposite of a forward stock split. In this case, a company reduces the number of outstanding shares. For example, in a 1-for-10 reverse stock split, a company would reduce the number of outstanding shares by a factor of 10. This is turn would increase the price of each share by a factor of 10. Again, this results in the same total market capitalization, but with a smaller number of shares trading at a higher price.

Just like with a forward split, TD Ameritrade will also adjust the number of shares in an investor's account to reflect the new split ratio. For example, if an investor held 1,000 shares of a stock that underwent a 1-for-10 reverse split, they would receive 100 new shares, resulting in a total of 100 shares. The price per share would be increased by a factor of 10. Of course, the total value of the investor's position would remain the same.

Final Thoughts

It's important to note that while stock splits can have significant implications for investors, they do not affect the fundamental value of a company. The total market capitalization and overall value of a company remain the same, even after a stock split. However, keep in mind that a stock split often results in increased volatility in the short term.

In conclusion, TD Ameritrade handles both forward and reverse stock splits in a straightforward and transparent manner. Investors can expect their positions to be automatically adjusted to reflect the new split ratio. They will also receive notifications about any upcoming stock splits.

While stock splits can have significant implications for investors, they do not affect the fundamental value of a company. Investors should focus on the long-term prospects of the companies they invest in. By staying informed and making informed investment decisions, investors can work towards achieving their long-term investment goals.

Don't forget to grab your free stock worth up to $200 from Robinhood today!