Anticipated Stock Divisions That Investors Might Encounter by 2026
In the world of finance, stock splits are a common occurrence for companies with high share prices, making their stocks less expensive and more accessible to individual investors. As we approach the end of 2026, several major companies are being touted as potential candidates for stock splits.
Costco Wholesale (COST), currently trading just below $1,000, has a history of stock splits and could be due for another one, given its high share price and overall health. Netflix (NFLX), with a share price around $1,250, may consider a split to make it easier to use stock options for employee compensation, a common practice in the tech industry.
ASML (ASML), the only maker of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography equipment, is expected to see strong growth in the semiconductor equipment market. A potential split could position the company for further market gains and increased accessibility. ServiceNow (NOW), benefiting from AI integration, and Coinbase (COIN), capitalising on positive crypto market trends, are also being eyed for potential splits.
Booking Holdings (BKNG), with a share price above $5,000, and AutoZone (AZO), listed as a candidate for 2026, aim to improve share affordability and liquidity with potential splits. Meta Platforms (META), a large-cap tech company, and Goldman Sachs (GS), a financial giant, are also being considered for splits due to their high prices. Microsoft (MSFT) and Intuit, with their usual corporate practices and continued growth prospects, are also on the list.
Stock splits are often motivated by a desire to make shares more affordable and improve liquidity. They can also signal confidence from management about a company's future growth prospects. Companies with strong growth outlooks may split to broaden their investor base, anticipating continued appreciation.
Research from Bank of America suggests that stocks that undergo a stock split may outperform the S&P 500 over the 12 months following the split. However, it is important to note that stock splits do not necessarily guarantee a company's success, and investors should always do their own research before making investment decisions.
This list is based on market evaluations and expert projections from mid-2025 and includes large-cap technology, semiconductor, financial, and consumer stocks expected to increase further in value by 2026. If management was not confident about a stock's ability to keep gaining, they would be less likely to issue a stock split.
As we move towards the end of 2026, it will be interesting to see which, if any, of these companies decide to split their stocks. Stay tuned for updates!
Investors looking ahead to 2026 may consider ASML (ASML), ServiceNow (NOW), Coinbase (COIN), Booking Holdings (BKNG), AutoZone (AZO), Meta Platforms (META), Goldman Sachs (GS), Microsoft (MSFT), and Intuit for potential investments as several of these companies are being considered for stock splits, with the goal of making shares more affordable and improving liquidity. The stock market performance of these companies could potentially outperform the S&P 500 for 12 months following a stock split, according to research from Bank of America. However, investors should conduct their own research before making investment decisions.
