One of the most common decisions for a high-flying stock used to be a stock split, which was regarded as a real feather in a company's cap. But since the number of stock splits peaked way back in 1986, the strategy has fallen out of vogue. Just 11 of the 500 stocks in the S&P index have split their shares this year.
But those stocks have done very well. Since their splits, eight of the eleven have outpaced even the red-hot S&P 500, which is up 24 percent this year. Three of the stock splitters - Noble Energy, Flowserve and Gilead Sciences - have doubled in price.
The index appears to be ripe for more splits. The average share price in the S&P 500 is now a lofty $74, and there are roughly 75 companies with share prices of more than $100.
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