In order to buy options on stock splits and to make the investments on these stocks worthwhile, it is imperative that a proper understanding of what stock splits are should be in order. Simply put, what is referred to as a stock split or a stock divide is the way in order to increase the number of shares in one company, but the market capitalization of the company remains and no dilutions happen in the process of the split. This can be best understood by way of an example. Say a company with 20 shares is priced at $10 each. If the company decides to do a 2-1 split, then there will be now 40 shares that are available to the company's stockholders. After the split, the price of each stock will be adjusted.

With the split, the cost of one stock stands at $5. Any ratio can be used by the company but the ratio that is usually used is the 2 for 1 split, the 3 for 1 split and the 3 for two splits. Some people will argue that with buying options on stock splits come higher stock prices. Research and experiences suggest that this isn't true. One good thing that can be done by splitting the stocks of one company is that this can increase the liquidity of the stock. In layman's terms, the stock will move better and stocks can exchange hands faster. Investors will snap up stocks that cost $ 5 dollars fast than stocks that cost $10 each.

If the effects of buying options on stock splits can't be substantiated by research and experience, then why do a number of investors buy options on stock splits? This could be explained by psychological factors.

For example if investors will expect and believe that stock splits can increase the price of shares, then stock prices may increase as well. Often stock splits can be a vote of confidence of the company, as a split can signify that the management of the company has confidence in the company's future. The stock split has a number of so-called stages. These stages include the pre-announcement, the announcement, the dormancy, the pre-split run, the split execution and the post split depression. The pre-announcement of the split will tend to have an impact on the stocks as stocks will climb faster than usual. The announcement of the split will usually be the time when the price of the stocks of the company jumps sharply. And the valuation of the stocks may increase for a period of time. After announcement of the stock split comes dormancy. This is the time when the price of the stock of the company will level off.

There are some instances when the stock of one company doesn't enter this phase as the price of stocks tend to increase some more. The split execution can be a great time to buy stocks on split as well. The post split depression is where the excitement tapers off. This is also the stage where the short sellers and who has low-risk opportunity to profit from the brief pull back. Most stocks will retreat after this time, but some will continue to post gains. This is the challenge to those who may want to engage in buying options on stock splits.