Welcome to the World of Bonus Shares ๐ยง
Ever dreamt of waking up to find out youโve gotten free goodies? Well, in the world of stocks, that delightful surprise comes in the form of bonus shares. Letโs dive into this magical place where shares multiply like bunnies ๐.
What are Bonus Shares Exactly? ๐คยง
Bonus shares, my friends, are additional shares given to existing shareholders โ and get this โ for free! Just like Oprah once said, โYou get shares! You get shares! Everyone gets shares!โ ๐
Hereโs a formal definition: Bonus shares are shares issued to existing shareholders of a company following a [scrip issue]. The number of shares received depends on the number of shares held prior to the bonus issue. The magic ratio might be noted as 1:4 or even 2:1. Itโs a numerical glee! ๐
How Does it Work? ๐ยง
Picture this scenario: You hold 4 shares of XYZ Corp, and they announce a 1:4 bonus issue. Voilร ! You receive one extra share out of goodwill โ no cash required:
But wait, thereโs more! Companies might occasionally go absolutely bananas and offer a 2:1 bonusโtwo shares for every one held! Now thatโs some generous spirit if I ever saw one. ๐
Why Do Companies Issue Bonus Shares? ๐ฆยง
Imagine this: A company has positive vibes, err, reserves, like retained earnings or premium accounts but doesnโt fancy doling out cash dividends. Bonus shares sprout like unicorns dancing through cost-free rainbows ๐. It also makes the stock more attractive by reducing the share price projectively.
graph R[Retained Earnings] --> S[(Reserves)] S -->|Bonus Shares Issued| E[Shareholder Equity Increases]
Benefits of Bonus Shares ๐ยง
- Capitalisation of Profits: Essentially converting reserves into share capital.
- Enhanced Liquidity: More shares might spur trading activity.
The Hidden Beauty: Fractional Shares? ๐๏ธยง
Letโs rake some fun. So, if you have 5 shares and the company proclaims the 1:4 deal, you donโt receive half a share. Lucky you! Instead, you might get 25% in cash, or the next bonus batch favors you!
Conclusion ๐ฏยง
Bonus shares are tickets to stock wonderland. Companies love them because it shows trust and optimism. Shareholders adore them. And markets? They swoon over the increased activity. Whatโs not to love?
Sharpen those financial pencils and keep dreaming of bonus day! โจ๐ก
Quiz Time! ๐ง ยง
Letโs see what youโve learned! Test those bonus-share smarts below.