Dividends
Distributions of funds, stock or other assets to shareholders.Stock Splits
Increasing the number of shares outstanding by issuing more shares to current shareholders. Typically done to increase the liquidity of a stock or to make a stock with a high price more accessible to small investors.Reverse Stock Split
Decreasing the number of shares outstanding by exchanging the current shares of a company for less shares. This results in an increase in share price. A reverse stock split is often done to meet price minimums for stock exchanges or institutional investors.Mergers & Acquisitions
The consolidation of companies though various types of financial transactions. This can result in cash or new shares being distributed to current shareholders in exchange for existing shares.Tender Offer
A type of takeover bid where a bidder makes a public, open offer to acquire stock at a specific price for a period of time. This may or may not be endorsed by the board of directors of a firm. The offer price is usually higher than the market price at the time of the offer.Spinoffs
Creating a new company from an organizational unit of a firm such as a division. This is often done by issuing shares of the new company to current shareholders.Rights Issue
An offering of shares to existing shareholders often at a discount to the market price. The number of shares offered is typically in proportion to the number of shares held by each shareholder. This is a way for a firm to raise capital. Shareholders are not obligated to purchase the shares offered.Bonus Issue
The issue of new shares to current shareholders for free. This is similar to a stock split as it increases the number of shares without any financial impact to the firm.Coupon Payment
Interest payments to bond holders.Early Redemption
The redemption of bonds before the date of maturity.Buybacks
A firm that buys its own shares back to reduce the number of shares outstanding.Name Changes
Changing the name of a firm and/or its ticker symbol on an exchange.Bankruptcy
A firm that is in financial distress that seeks protection from its creditors.Liquidation
The process by which a company is brought to an end with assets distributed to debt holders and potentially shareholders.Delisting
The removal of a security from a stock exchange. This can be done to take a firm private or to complete a merger or acquisition. A firm may also be delisted due to failure to meet the requirements of an exchange, bankruptcy or because the firm is ceasing operations.Mandatory vs Voluntary
A mandatory corporate action affects all shareholders such that individual shareholders have no choice to make. A voluntary corporate action is a choice to shareholders such as a tender whereby shareholders may chose to sell their shares at the offering price. A third situation is a mandatory corporate action with choice, such as a dividend that can be paid in cash or in shares.| Overview: Corporate Actions | ||
Type | ||
Definition | An event that directly impacts the shares or debt of a public company. | |
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