Microsoft stock splits into 10 billion shares
CRM Assist | at | by Mike
Not many things number 10 billion. But after Microsoft's stock split Tuesday, that's how many shares are available in the world's No. 1 software maker. While stock splits aren't unusual, the sheer pile of shares created by Microsoft's is. Following the 2-for-1 split, Microsoft has enough stock to give nearly two shares to every man, woman and child on Earth. If you were to keep all of Microsoft's shares within the USA's borders, the per-person allotment jumps to nearly 38.
Stock splits don't affect a company's value. Microsoft's number of shares might have doubled, but its share price also fell in half. Microsoft closed Tuesday at $24.96 vs. $48.30 Friday (markets were closed Monday for Presidents Day). Its market value was close to $260 billion before and after the split.