Question

The primary result of a stock split or stock dividend is: Group of answer choices an increase in the number of common shares outstanding an increase in the common equity account an increase in the market value of common shares a decrease in the number of common shares outstanding an increase in the P/E ratio

Answer 1

an increase in the number of common shares outstanding

Step-by-step explanation:

A stock split is when a company increases the number of its shares outstanding.

for example if a company has 10 million shares outstanding at a price of $20, earning per share is $10 and dividend per share is $0.50. this company announces a 2 for 1 split :

the number of outstanding shares becomes 2 x 10 million = 20 million

stock price becomes = $40 / 2 =$20

earning per share = $10 / 2 = $5

dividend per share = $0.5 / 2 = $0.25

p/e before split = $40 / $10 = 4

P/E after split = $20 / $5 = 4

so stock per share, earning per share and dividend per share decreases. P / E remains unchanged