Which of These Stocks Has Been the Best Buy Post-Split?
Stock splits have been a regular occurrence in the market over the last several years, with many companies aiming to boost liquidity within shares and knock down barriers for potential investors.
Of course, it's important to remember that a split doesn’t directly impact a company's financial standing or performance.
In 2022, several companies performed splits, including Alphabet GOOGL, Tesla TSLA, Shopify SHOP, Amazon AMZN, and Palo Alto Networks PANW. Below is a chart illustrating the performance of all five stocks over the last year, with the S&P 500 blended in as a benchmark.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
As we can see, PANW shares have been the best performers over the last year, the only to outperform the general market.
However, which has turned in a better performance post-split? Let’s take a closer look.
Tesla
We’re all familiar with Tesla, which has revolutionized the EV (electric vehicle) industry. It’s been one of the best-performing stocks over the last decade, quickly becoming a favorite among investors.
Earlier in June of 2022, the mega-popular EV manufacturer announced that its board approved a three-for-one stock split; shares began trading on a split-adjusted basis on August 25th, 2022.
Since the split, Tesla shares have lost roughly 40% in value, widely underperforming relative to the S&P 500.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Palo Alto Networks
Palo Alto Networks offers network security solutions to enterprises, service providers, and government entities worldwide.
PANW’s three-for-one stock split in mid-September seemingly flew under the radar. The company’s shares started trading on a split-adjusted basis on September 14th, 2022.
Following the split, PANW shares have struggled to gain traction, down roughly 15% compared to the S&P 500’s 3.3% gain.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Shopify
Shopify provides a multi-tenant, cloud-based, multi-channel e-commerce platform for small and medium-sized businesses.
SHOP shares started trading on a split-adjusted basis on June 29th, 2022; the company performed a 10-for-1 split.
Impressively, Shopify shares have soared for a 50% gain since the split, crushing the general market’s performance.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Alphabet
Alphabet has evolved from primarily being a search engine into a company with operations in cloud computing, ad-based video and music streaming, autonomous vehicles, and more.
Last February, the tech titan announced a 20-for-1 split, and investors cheered on the news – GOOGL shares climbed 7% the day following the announcement. Shares started trading on a split-adjusted basis on July 18th, 2022.
Alphabet shares have sailed through challenging waters since the split, down 10% and lagging behind the S&P 500.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Amazon
Amazon has evolved into an e-commerce giant with global operations. The company also enjoys a dominant position within the cloud computing space with its Amazon Web Services (AWS) operations.
AMZN’s 20-for-1 split was a bit of a surprise, as it was the company’s first split since 1999. Shares started trading on a split-adjusted basis on June 6th, 2022.
Following the split, Amazon shares have lost roughly 18% in value, well off the general market’s performance.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Bottom Line
Stock splits are typically exciting announcements that investors can receive, with companies aiming to boost liquidity within shares.
In 2022, we saw many stock splits, including those from Alphabet GOOGL, Tesla TSLA, Shopify SHOP, Amazon AMZN, and Palo Alto Networks PANW.
Interestingly enough, only Shopify shares reside in the green post-split of the five listed.
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Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Tesla, Inc. (TSLA) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (PANW) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Shopify Inc. (SHOP) : Free Stock Analysis Report