What Can Amazon’s 20-for-1 Policy Lead to?

What Can Amazon’s 20-for-1 Policy Lead to?

2022-11-22 • Updated

Amazon is one of the world’s biggest companies and plenty of traders consider either investing in it or trading its stock. Due to the latest news, Amazon became an attractive goal for traders. Let’s look through it to understand if Amazon is worth traders’ attention.

What is Amazon?

Amazon.com is an American multinational technology company specializing in e-commerce, cloud computing, digital streaming, and artificial intelligence. It has been called "one of the most influential economic and cultural forces in the world" and one of the world's most valuable brands. It is one of the Big Five American IT companies, along with Alphabet, Apple, Meta, and Microsoft.

What is going on?

Last week, Amazon announced a 20-for-1 share split. The company also revealed a massive $10 billion share buyback plan. Amazon's stock split was the fourth in its history, the last split occurred in September 1999. If shareholders approve the split, trading on the new basis will begin on June 6. The e-commerce giant's shares rose 5% on Thursday as traders welcomed Amazon's stock split and a new buyout. Shares gained another 1% in Friday's session.

Usually, the split and the following increase in the number of shares are subject to the approval of the shareholders at the annual meeting of the company. It is currently scheduled for May 25. Thus, If the shareholders approve this measure, each shareholder of record will receive 19 additional shares at the end of business on May 27 (the "record date") for each share they hold on to that date. They will automatically receive these shares in their account around June 3.

Why could it be interesting?

No doubt that many investors would love to own an Amazon stock but either don't have almost $3,000 to invest in or don't want to invest that much money in just one company. Now, these investors can buy a fraction of one share, but they would have to use only certain online brokerage services. Not all brokerages allow investors to buy or sell fractional shares. Moreover, some investors simply don’t like to own fractional shares.

Let's assume that the Amazon stock split happened. In this case, the split-adjusted price per share would be one-twentieth of $2,936.35, or about $146.82. This stock price (which should not be more expensive than the actual split-adjusted price, barring a huge jump or drop in the broader market over the next few months) is likely to increase the number of people who buy shares. Indeed, the market agrees, which is why Amazon shares surged on Thursday. Stocks often bounce back after the split is announced, but there are all chances to believe this trend could be sustained.

Dow Jones index

In addition, a 20-to-1 stock split could give Amazon a better chance of being included in the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), the oldest US market index in existence. This index of 30 large stocks supposedly reflects the broad US stock market and economy. However, for some time it wasn’t completely true, because this index usually avoids very expensive stocks (which tended to be "big tech stocks") as it's a price-weighted index. In other words, nearly $3,000 worth of Amazon shares will have a huge impact on the index.

Adding Amazon to the Dow will bring it to the attention of more individual investors. What's more, it would also mean that Dow-based funds would have to buy Amazon shares. As the result, higher demand for shares should drive up their price.

What else?

Besides the split, Amazon's board of directors also approved a new share buyback program for up to $10 billion. This share buyback program "replaces a previous $5 billion share buyback authorization approved by the Board of Directors in 2016, under which the company bought back $2.12 billion of its shares," Amazon said in the March 9 SEC filing.

To be clear, Amazon is not currently repurchasing its shares. The Board has just put in place a new program so that when top management decides to buy back shares, they can do so immediately. Generally, companies buy back their shares when senior management believes that the shares are undervalued compared to the company's long-term growth prospects.

Bottom line

To sum up, it seems like Amazon has opened even more opportunities for itself and the perspective of them is positive. Up to the announcement in May 2022, we are sure we will hear more news about this company, so stay tuned.

Similar

Latest news

USD: Powell Speaks on Cutting Interest Rates
USD: Powell Speaks on Cutting Interest Rates

Jerome H. Powell, the Federal Reserve chair, stated that the central bank can afford to be patient in deciding when to cut interest rates, citing easing inflation and stable economic growth. Powell emphasized the Fed's independence from political influences, particularly relevant as the election season nears. The Fed had raised interest rates to 5.3 ...

WTT: Currency Pairs To Trade In April
WTT: Currency Pairs To Trade In April

Hello again my friends, it’s time for another episode of “What to Trade,” this time, for the month of April. As usual, I present to you some of my most anticipated trade ideas for the month of April, according to my technical analysis style. I therefore encourage you to do your due diligence, as always, and manage your risks appropriately.

Deposit with your local payment systems

Data collection notice

FBS maintains a record of your data to run this website. By pressing the “Accept” button, you agree to our Privacy policy.

Callback

A manager will call you shortly.

Change number

Your request is accepted.

A manager will call you shortly.

Next callback request for this phone number
will be available in

If you have an urgent issue please contact us via
Live chat

Internal error. Please try again later

Don’t waste your time – keep track of how NFP affects the US dollar and profit!

You are using an older version of your browser.

Update it to the latest version or try another one for a safer, more comfortable and productive trading experience.

Safari Chrome Firefox Opera