In: Accounting
Difference is given below in tabular form.
Stock dividend | Stock Split | |
1 | Stock dividend is a process of issuing new stock to current stockholders free of cost. |
Stock split is a method by which one stock is divided into multiple number of stock. Say stock split of 4 for 1, It means 4 shares converted into 1 share. |
2 |
Stock dividend is an alternate of cash dividend. Only difference is stockholders don’t get money but get new shares. |
Stock split is done to increase the value of the company and sometimes stock split is done to make shares more affordable for investors. |
3 | Issue of Stock dividend increase number of shares and total paid up capital. | Number of shares increase but the paid up capital remains same. |
4 | Stock dividend reduces retained earnings. | Stock split have no effect on retained earnings. |
5 | The market value of shares remains same when stock dividend are issued. | The market value of shares decreases everytime stock split is done. |