Amazon stock split: what it means for traders
Amazon’s decision to adjust its share structure in 2022 drew attention across the market, not only because of the size of the split but also because of what it signalled about the company’s long-term approach to accessibility and shareholder participation.
Amazon (AMZN) executed one of the largest stock splits among major US technology companies in 2022, increasing the number of shares in circulation and lowering the share price without affecting the company’s market value. Since then, its operations have continued to expand, supported by investment in cloud infrastructure, artificial intelligence (AI) development, and growth across its retail and advertising segments.
Explore how stock splits work, reviews Amazon’s 2022 action and summarises the most recent information on its financial performance and corporate outlook.
Amazon live share price
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.
What is a stock split?
A stock split is a corporate action that increases the number of a company’s shares while reducing the price per share in proportion. An investor’s total holding remains unchanged at the moment of the split because the company’s overall market capitalisation stays the same.
For example, in a 20-for-1 split, each existing share becomes 20 new shares. The share price is divided by 20, but the investor’s overall position retains the same value.
Companies often use stock splits to keep the nominal share price within a range that is more accessible for employees and retail traders.
Amazon’s 20-for-1 stock split
Amazon completed a 20-for-1 stock split in June 2022, its first in more than two decades. The action increased the number of outstanding shares and reduced the headline share price, supporting participation in equity-based compensation plans and making fractional investing less necessary for smaller investment sizes.
The 2022 split was the largest in Amazon’s history. Earlier splits in the late 1990s used smaller ratios, reflecting the company’s earlier development stage.
Why did Amazon conduct a share split?
Public disclosures at the time indicated that Amazon aimed to make its shares more accessible to employees and retail investors. A lower nominal share price can widen the range of trade sizes and may improve liquidity, although it doesn’t change Amazon’s underlying financial or operational position.
The move also aligned Amazon with other large technology companies that had recently taken similar steps, keeping share prices within ranges commonly preferred by both institutional and retail participants. These structural factors typically guide boards when considering whether a split is appropriate.
Will Amazon split again in 2026?
As of 15 December 2025, Amazon hasn’t announced another stock split, and there’s no regulatory filing or official guidance indicating plans for a 2026 split.
Speculation often emerges when a company’s share price increases meaningfully or when peers announce their own splits. However, commentary of this kind isn’t evidence of intent. Any future split would require a decision by Amazon’s board of directors and a public announcement.
Amazon went more than 20 years between its 1999 and 2022 splits, showing that share-structure changes are infrequent and based on management’s assessment of market conditions, employee-equity arrangements and long-term strategic considerations. Until a new announcement is made, any suggestion of a 2026 split remains speculative.
Amazon stock split history
Amazon has completed four stock splits since listing in 1997. The first three occurred during its rapid expansion in the late 1990s, while the latest took place in 2022.
| Date (effective) | Split ratio | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2 June 1998 | 2-for-1 | First split after IPO; each share became 2. |
| 5 January 1999 | 3-for-1 | Each share became 3. |
| 1 September 1999 | 2-for-1 | Third late-1990s split. |
| 3–6 June 2022 | 20-for-1 | Latest and largest split; each share became 20. |
The 2022 ratio significantly exceeded those used in earlier years, reflecting Amazon’s larger scale and higher share price at the time.
Latest earnings: Amazon FY2025 results
Amazon’s most recently reported quarter is Q3 2025, offering updated insight into its commercial performance. The results showed continued expansion across retail, cloud and advertising businesses, supported by increased infrastructure investment.
Key details include:
- Q3 2025 revenue of about $180bn, representing low-teens percentage growth year on year.
- AWS revenue in the low-$30-billion range, with growth reaccelerating to around 20%, supported by demand for AI-related services.
- Net income above $20bn, with earnings per share exceeding the prior year’s level.
- Investor-relations materials also include segment data for North America, International and AWS, as well as cash-flow figures and capital-expenditure commitments.
These disclosures show how Amazon’s operations have expanded beyond traditional e-commerce, with cloud services, digital advertising and AI infrastructure forming a significant part of its growth profile.
Outlook and upcoming developments
Amazon’s company guidance sets out its operational priorities without relying on external forecasts. Several themes stand out.
AI and AWS infrastructure
Amazon expects capital expenditure to rise meaningfully, with 2025 capex guided to roughly $125bn and further increases anticipated in 2026. Much of this spending relates to expanding data-centre capacity, developing custom AI chips and scaling AWS to support rising global demand.
Retail and advertising performance
Management highlights continued momentum across retail operations in North America and internationally. Advertising revenue has also grown, reflecting the dual role of Amazon’s platform as both a marketplace and a media channel.
Near-term guidance
For Q4 2025, Amazon expects higher revenue and operating income than in Q3, reflecting typical seasonal patterns and ongoing investment in logistics, cloud infrastructure and AI capability.
Summary
- Amazon last executed a stock split in 2022, using a 20-for-1 ratio.
- A stock split increases the number of shares while maintaining the total value of an investor’s holding.
- As of 15 December 2025, Amazon hasn’t announced a further split for 2026.
- FY2025 results show continued revenue and earnings growth, particularly in AWS and AI-related services.
- Current guidance focuses on cloud, AI and logistics investment rather than additional changes to share structure.
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FAQ
When did Amazon stock split?
Amazon’s most recent stock split was a 20-for-1 action approved in March 2022. The company also completed three earlier splits in 1998 and 1999, using 2-for-1, 3-for-1 and 2-for-1 ratios respectively.
When did the Amazon stock split take effect?
The 20-for-1 split applied to shareholders of record at the close on 27 May 2022. Split-adjusted trading began in early June, with most references citing 3–6 June 2022. From the first trading day after the adjustment, all quoted prices and historical charts reflected the new share structure.
Did Amazon have a stock split before?
Yes. Amazon’s previous stock-split activity took place during its rapid expansion in the late 1990s. After the three splits between 1998 and 1999, the company didn’t carry out another split until 2022, creating a 23-year gap between actions.
How many times has Amazon stock split?
Amazon has split its stock four times since listing in 1997. Taken together, these actions mean that a single pre-1998 share would equate to 240 shares after all adjustments.
How much was Amazon stock after the split?
On the first trading day following the 2022 split, Amazon shares opened in the low-$100 range, reflecting the 20-for-1 adjustment from pre-split prices that had been in the low-$2,000 range. As of 15 December 2025, Amazon trades around $226 per share. This level reflects subsequent market movements rather than the mechanics of the split itself.
Why did Amazon split its stock?
Company announcements at the time stated that the split aimed to make Amazon shares more accessible, particularly for employees and smaller investors. A lower nominal share price can support stock-based compensation and broaden participation without altering Amazon’s market value or the proportional ownership of existing shareholders.
Will Amazon split again?
As of 15 December 2025, Amazon hasn’t announced any further stock split. There are no regulatory filings or official disclosures indicating an upcoming action. Any future split would require a new board decision and a public announcement, so any expectation of another split remains speculative.
What was the most recent Amazon stock split date?
Amazon’s most recent split was the 20-for-1 action that became effective in early June 2022, with split-adjusted trading commonly referenced as starting on 6 June 2022. This is the latest change to the company’s share structure at the time of writing.
Can you trade Amazon CFDs on Capital.com?
You can trade Amazon share CFDs on Capital.com, which allows you to speculate on price movements without owning the underlying shares. CFD trading lets you go long or short, depending on your outlook. Contracts for difference (CFDs) are traded on margin – leverage amplifies both profits and losses. Understand how CFDs work and how to use risk-management tools such as take-profit and stop-loss orders before opening a position. Past performance isn’t a reliable indicator of future results.*
*Standard stop-loss orders are not guaranteed. Guaranteed stop-loss orders incur a fee if activated.