Reverse split
A reverse split is a stock split that reduces the number of outstanding shares and proportionately increases the price per share.
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Expanded Definition
Say there was a "one-for-ten" reverse split. For every ten shares you owned, you would now be left with one. Meanwhile, the share price is increased tenfold. If yesterday you owned 100 shares at $5 each, today you own 10 shares at $50 each. Your investment is still worth $500, so there's no gain or loss from your viewpoint. Generally, if this results in fractional shares owned, the resulting fraction is paid off with cash by the company.
A reverse split is usually, but not always, a sign that a company is in trouble. Companies who's share price has fallen so much that they will be delisted by an exchange will often do a reverse split to make the price per share high enough to avoid delisting.
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