The Stock Split Announcement All of Wall Street Is Waiting for Is Back on the Table -- and It's Not Netflix or Costco!

Group 1 - The article discusses the trend of stock splits among major companies, highlighting that some influential businesses have recently completed stock splits, contributing to market growth [1][6][19] - A stock split is described as a cosmetic adjustment that does not affect a company's market capitalization or operational performance [2][12] - Forward splits are generally favored by investors as they make shares more affordable, while reverse splits are often viewed negatively [4][5] Group 2 - Fastenal was the first company to complete a forward split in 2023, executing a 2-for-1 split, indicating strong business performance [9] - O'Reilly Automotive followed with a 15-for-1 forward split, supported by a significant share repurchase program [10] - Interactive Brokers completed its first-ever forward split (4-for-1), benefiting from technological investments and positive investor sentiment [11] Group 3 - Companies that complete forward splits tend to outperform the S&P 500, with an average gain of 25.4% in the year following the split announcement compared to the S&P 500's 11.9% [13] - The composition of a company's shareholder base influences the decision to conduct a split, as companies with high institutional ownership may not see the need for a lower share price [16][17] Group 4 - Meta Platforms is highlighted as a potential candidate for a stock split, having never completed one before, with over 27% of its shares held by everyday investors [20] - Meta's strong financial position, including over $70 billion in cash and a significant annual run-rate net cash from operations, supports the case for a split [23] - The company's stock is considered reasonably priced despite its recent rise, with a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 24 seen as a bargain [24][25]