When Was AMZN Stock Split

This article answers when was AMZN stock split, listing each split (1998, 1999 Jan, 1999 Sep, 2022), the ratios, record/effective dates, cumulative effect (1 IPO share → 240 shares), mechanics, tax...

2025-11-17 16:00:00

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When Was AMZN (Amazon) Stock Split

When was AMZN stock split is a common question for investors and employees seeking historical context. This article gives a concise answer up front and then a detailed walkthrough: Amazon (ticker: AMZN) has executed four common-stock splits since its IPO in 1997 — a 2-for-1 split in 1998, a 3-for-1 in January 1999, a 2-for-1 in September 1999, and a 20-for-1 split in 2022. The split ratios and years are summarized here and then expanded with dates, mechanics, rationale, and implications for shareholders, options, ADRs, and employee equity.

As of June 6, 2022, according to press coverage and company filings, the 20-for-1 split began trading on a split-adjusted basis after market open; earlier splits in 1998–1999 took effect in June 1998, January 1999 and September 1999. Readers who search for when was amzn stock split will find exact announced, record and trading dates in the chronology below along with explanations of how splits work and where to confirm official details.

Overview of Amazon’s Stock Splits

This section explains what a stock split is, why companies like Amazon do splits, and the cumulative effect of Amazon’s four splits. If your key question is when was amzn stock split and what it means, this overview sets the stage.

A stock split increases the number of outstanding shares by issuing additional shares to current holders in a fixed ratio while proportionally reducing the share price so that the company’s overall market capitalization and each shareholder’s ownership percentage remain unchanged. A 2-for-1 split doubles the number of shares and halves the per-share price; a 3-for-1 split triples the shares and reduces the per-share price to one-third, and so on.

Companies use stock splits for several practical reasons. Splits can make the per-share price more accessible to retail investors and employees receiving equity compensation, improve trading liquidity by increasing shares outstanding, and provide greater flexibility in structuring employee equity awards. They are also sometimes perceived as a positive signaling event, reflecting management’s confidence in future growth, though economically a split does not create value by itself.

For Amazon, the cumulative effect of its splits is significant. Starting from a single share acquired at IPO, the combination of Amazon’s 1998, 1999 (Jan), 1999 (Sep), and 2022 splits multiplies that share into 240 shares. That cumulative multiplier is useful when reading historical, split-adjusted price charts and when reconciling older records of share counts.

Chronological History of AMZN Stock Splits

The entries below list announced dates, record/effective/distribution/trading dates where available, and split ratios. For readers asking when was amzn stock split, this timeline gives the specific split-by-split accounting.

1998 — 2-for-1 split

Amazon announced a 2-for-1 split on April 27, 1998. The split was implemented with a record or distribution mechanism described in company filings; shareholders of record on the applicable record date received one additional share for each share held. The effective or distribution date commonly reported for this split is June 2, 1998.

Mechanically, the 2-for-1 split doubled the number of outstanding common shares. If Amazon had X outstanding shares before the split, it had 2X after. For individual holders, one pre-split share became two post-split shares and the per-share price was adjusted roughly by one-half on a split-adjusted basis.

This early split was part of Amazon’s late-1990s growth-phase capital-marketing activity and increased the accessibility of shares to a broader pool of potential retail investors.

1999 (Jan) — 3-for-1 split

Amazon announced a 3-for-1 split on November 19, 1998, which took effect on January 5, 1999 (with a record date commonly reported as December 18, 1998). Under this split, each pre-split share was converted into three shares.

The 3-for-1 action materially increased the total number of outstanding shares by a factor of three relative to the pre-split count. For shareholders, a single share held before the split became three after distribution, while the per-share market price was adjusted accordingly to reflect the increased share count.

This split followed the 1998 2-for-1 and contributed to a sizable multiple increase in share count across the late 1990s.

1999 (Sep) — 2-for-1 split

Amazon announced a separate 2-for-1 split on July 21, 1999. The distribution was effective in early September 1999; sources commonly report the effective or trading-adjusted dates as September 1–2, 1999, with a record date referenced as August 12, 1999 in filings and press coverage.

This 2-for-1 split further multiplied shares outstanding and, when viewed together with the January 1999 3-for-1 split and the 1998 2-for-1 split, created a large cumulative share-count multiple by the end of 1999. For example, a single IPO share from 1997 had become 12 shares by September 1999 (2 × 3 × 2 = 12).

2022 — 20-for-1 split

Amazon’s board announced and approved a 20-for-1 stock split on March 9, 2022. This was the company’s first split since 1999 and the largest ratio in its history. The board’s approval and the company’s investor-relations materials explained that the split would be effected as a forward split of the company’s common stock.

As of June 6, 2022, according to press reporting and the company’s Form 8-K disclosures, distributions were referenced as of the market close on June 3, 2022, and trading on a split-adjusted basis began before market open on June 6, 2022. The split ratio of 20-for-1 meant each pre-split share converted into 20 post-split shares, and the per-share price was adjusted to approximately one-twentieth of the pre-split price.

The 20-for-1 split multiplied outstanding shares by 20. Because Amazon had already split earlier, this large forward split produced the final cumulative multiplier discussed below.

Aggregate Effect and Example Calculation

If you are asking when was amzn stock split and what the cumulative impact is, here is the compact math. Multiply the four split ratios to get the total multiplier: 2 (1998) × 3 (Jan 1999) × 2 (Sep 1999) × 20 (2022) = 240.

That means one share bought at IPO (or counted as one pre-split share at the time) becomes 240 shares after all four splits. When working with historical prices, financial data services show split-adjusted prices so that historical charts reflect the equivalent in today’s share count. For example, a historical pre-split price should be divided by 240 to compare to current per-share prices on a split-adjusted basis.

Always check the data vendor or company filing to confirm the exact adjustment history when reconciling older records.

Rationale and Corporate Disclosure

For readers investigating when was amzn stock split and why Amazon undertook these actions, company disclosures and analyst commentary provide the rationale.

Amazon’s publicly stated reasons for splits typically emphasize making shares more accessible to employees and retail investors and increasing flexibility for equity compensation. The 2022 announcement highlighted the board’s intention to improve the ability of employees to purchase and hold Amazon shares and to make the stock more accessible for a broader group of investors.

Analysts and press reports framed the 2022 split as a response to Amazon’s long-term share-price appreciation and a desire to lower the per-share price barrier for smaller investors and participants in equity programs. Company investor-relations materials, press releases, and filings around the March 2022 announcement documented the board’s approval process, shareholder voting requirements where applicable, and the mechanics that would apply to holders of record on the relevant record date.

Authoritative details about corporate rationale and the formal mechanics are available in the company’s investor-relations materials and SEC filings, including Form 8-Ks and the Form 8937 that reports corporate actions affecting outstanding shares.

Market Reaction and Subsequent Price Performance

A common question tied to when was amzn stock split is how the market reacted and what followed. Stock splits often produce short-term price moves and longer-term effects that depend on business fundamentals rather than the split itself.

Historically, announcements of stock splits can coincide with positive near-term price reactions, sometimes driven by increased investor interest, improved accessibility, and media attention. Liquidity can increase after a split because more shares are available and the per-share price may fall into a range attractive to more retail traders.

However, a split does not change a company’s market capitalization, corporate fundamentals, or an investor’s percentage ownership. Long-term performance following a split is determined by business results and market conditions, not the split mechanics. For Amazon, the company’s long-term return profile reflects its revenue growth, profitability trends, investment in new businesses, macroeconomic cycles, and other fundamentals across decades.

When evaluating historical performance around split dates, consult split-adjusted charts and confirm whether published returns are adjusted for splits and dividends so you are comparing apples to apples.

Mechanics: Record Date, Distribution Date, and Adjusted Trading

Understanding the practical steps helps answer not just when was amzn stock split but what shareholders needed to do and when they saw the change in their accounts.

Key dates and terms:

Record date: The date on which the company determines which shareholders are entitled to receive the additional shares. If you are a holder of record on that date, you will receive the split distribution.
Distribution date (or issuance date): The date when additional shares are distributed to holders of record. Accounts are credited with the additional shares on or shortly after this date.
First trading day adjusted for the split: The first day when the security trades on a split-adjusted basis and market quotes reflect the new per-share basis. Exchanges and listing venues announce the effective trading date, and brokers adjust customer positions so that number of shares and price reflect the split.

For the 2022 split, the company’s filings and press coverage show the timeline: the board approved the 20-for-1 split in March 2022, shareholders or the board completed the necessary approvals described in filings, distributions were referenced as of the close on June 3, 2022, and the stock began trading on a split-adjusted basis before market open on June 6, 2022.

Brokerages and custodians automatically update accounts for holders of record; if you were a shareholder of record as of the company’s record date, additional shares were credited following the distribution. If you owned shares through an intermediary or broker, the broker handled the mechanics on your behalf.

Tax and Accounting Considerations

Readers searching when was amzn stock split often also ask about tax implications. In the U.S., stock splits are generally non-taxable events for shareholders. A stock split typically adjusts the cost basis per share and increases the number of shares held without creating taxable income at the time of the split.

For example, after a 2-for-1 split, your total cost basis remains unchanged in aggregate but the cost basis per share is halved because you now hold twice as many shares. Similarly, after a 20-for-1 split, the cost basis per share is divided by 20. Shareholders should keep records of pre- and post-split shares and cost-basis calculations to ensure accurate reporting when shares are sold.

Amazon files documents such as Form 8937 that disclose changes in the number of outstanding shares and describe how the company views reporting impacts on shareholders. Those filings can be useful when reconciling adjusted cost basis and share counts.

Tax treatment can vary by jurisdiction and individual circumstances, so shareholders should consult a qualified tax advisor for guidance specific to their situation. No action is typically required at the time of a split other than maintaining accurate records provided by brokers and custodians.

Impact on Options, ADRs, and Employee Equity Plans

When was amzn stock split also raises operational questions: how are options, American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), and employee equity affected?

Listed options: Options exchanges and clearinghouses make contract adjustments to listed option contracts to reflect the split ratio so option holders and writers retain economically equivalent positions. For example, with a 20-for-1 split, option contract multipliers or strike prices are adjusted to maintain equivalent economic exposure. Option holders should consult exchange notices and their brokers for the specific contract adjustments and effective dates.
ADRs: If American Depositary Receipts exist for a company, the depositary bank typically issues instructions on ratio changes for ADR holders so that the ADRs remain economically equivalent to the underlying ordinary shares after a split.
Employee equity plans: Stock splits increase the number of shares available under equity compensation plans proportionally. Companies often update plan administrators and employees with details on the new share counts, adjusted grant sizes (if any), and any changes to vesting or accounting treatment. For equity awards denominated in share units, the number of units and/or the per-unit strike or exercise price is adjusted to reflect the split so that grant value remains economically constant.

Clearinghouses, exchanges, depositary banks, and company transfer agents provide formal notices and instructions around splits so affected parties know how positions and contracts are adjusted.

Sources and Official Filings

Authoritative information about when was amzn stock split and the specific dates and mechanics comes from company investor-relations disclosures and SEC filings. Recommended primary sources to consult include:

Amazon Investor Relations press releases and stock-split FAQ materials detailing the board resolution and distribution/timeline information.
Amazon filings with the SEC, including Form 8-K filings that report the board’s decision and the effective mechanics, and Form 8937 that details corporate actions affecting outstanding shares.
Major financial news coverage and contemporaneous press reporting provide context and reported market reaction; for the 2022 split, major outlets reported on the March 9, 2022 approval and the June 2022 trading adjustment.
Historical split listings from financial-data providers and market-data services can be used to verify historical split ratios and commonly reported effective dates, while remembering that slight variations in reported single-day effective dates may occur across sources.

As of June 6, 2022, according to major press coverage and Amazon’s filings, the 20-for-1 split began trading on a split-adjusted basis, and company-provided materials documented the record and distribution dates. Always consult Amazon’s investor-relations pages and the specific SEC filings for definitive dates and mechanics.

Market Data, Verification and Notes on Accuracy

Reporting on when was amzn stock split can show minor discrepancies across sources because different outlets may reference the announcement date, the shareholder record date, the distribution date, or the first trading day adjusted for the split.

When reconciling dates, prefer Amazon’s investor-relations releases and the related SEC filings as the authoritative record. Financial-data services and historical-price charts are useful for viewing split-adjusted prices, but confirm which date they treat as the effective split date if you need precise reconciliation.

Quantifiable market metrics tied to split events—such as intraday volume spikes, changes in average daily trading volume, or short-term price reactions—are reported by market-data vendors and press outlets. Those metrics vary by vendor, so reference the vendor’s methodology when comparing values.

Practical Example: How to Reconcile Older Records

If you need to reconcile an older account statement, employee award grant, or historical price that predates Amazon’s 2022 split, use the cumulative multiplier. If a pre-1999 record shows one share, multiply by 240 to get the current share count after all splits. If reconciling price, divide the historical per-share price by 240 to express it in today’s share-count basis.

Example: If a statement from 1998 shows 1 share with a notional price of $100 (pre-split), the split-adjusted equivalent per-share price today would be $100 / 240 ≈ $0.417 per equivalent post-2022 share. Conversely, today’s per-share price should be multiplied by 240 to compare to pre-split historical per-share prices.

Always document the source of your multiplier when recording historical adjustments in accounting and reporting.

External Links (Recommended Documents to Consult)

Recommended official documents and reputable coverage to verify the dates and mechanics mentioned in this article (search the document titles on official sites or financial-data vendors):

Amazon Investor Relations stock-split FAQ and related press release (March 2022 announcement).
Amazon Form 8-K filings around March–June 2022 describing the board approval and distribution mechanics.
Amazon Form 8937 reporting the change in the number of outstanding shares following the 2022 split.
Historical SEC filings and company press releases for 1998 and 1999 splits.
Major press coverage contemporaneous with the 2022 announcement (e.g., leading financial news outlets).

Note: This section intentionally lists documents by name rather than direct hyperlinks. Please consult Amazon’s Investor Relations site and the SEC EDGAR system for the official filings.

Notes on Accuracy and Variations

Some sources report slightly different single-day effective dates because they may reference the announcement date, the shareholder record date, the date shares were distributed to accounts, or the first trading day on which market quotes were adjusted. These distinctions are important when you need a precise day for reconciling records.

For exact, authoritative dates for when was amzn stock split, use Amazon’s investor-relations releases and the company’s SEC filings. Brokerages and custodians also provide notices to clients describing when their accounts will show the adjusted share count.

How This Affects Retail Investors, Employees, and Traders

If your question was simply when was amzn stock split and whether you should do anything, the practical answer is usually "no action required" for holders of record: brokers and custodians automatically adjust positions for corporate splits. Employee equity plans and award administrators adjust grants and accounting to reflect the split ratio.

Retail investors who are considering purchasing stock around a split should be aware that splits do not change the company’s market capitalization or fundamentals. For people using trading platforms or wallets in the web3 space, if you hold tokenized equity representations or related derivatives, consult the platform’s guidance. If you need a wallet, consider using Bitget Wallet for secure custody and management of digital assets and integrations where applicable.

Additional Observations and Historical Context

Amazon’s split activity concentrated in the company’s rapid growth era of the late 1990s and then paused for more than two decades before the 2022 20-for-1 split. That long interval reflects differing corporate policies and market environments.

When evaluating the significance of splits such as those in 1998–1999 and 2022, remember that corporate decisions to split shares respond to both operational considerations (employee equity, liquidity) and market perceptions, and are only one of many corporate actions that affect shareholders over time.

Final Notes and Next Steps

If you came here asking when was amzn stock split, you now have a clear timeline, the cumulative multiplier (240×), and guidance on where to confirm authoritative dates and mechanics. For hands-on reconciliation, obtain copies of the specific SEC filings listed above and consult your broker for holdings and cost-basis updates.

Explore more resources and tools for tracking equities and corporate actions on Bitget’s informational channels. If you manage tokenized positions, consider Bitget Wallet for secure custody and usability. For detailed, personalized tax advice or investment decisions, consult a qualified professional; this article is factual reference and not investment advice.

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