when did sony stock split — 2024 facts

Sony Group Corporation stock split

Keyword focus: when did sony stock split — this article answers that question directly and explains what the 2024 action meant for shareholders, ADR holders and market trading.

Lead

When did Sony stock split? Sony Group Corporation announced a 5-for-1 stock split on May 14, 2024; the record date was September 30, 2024, Tokyo-listed shares became effective October 1, 2024, and ADRs were adjusted and trading began on a split-adjusted basis in early October 2024 (around October 8–9, 2024 U.S. time). This guide explains the mechanics, dates, investor effects, historical context and practical next steps for holders and those tracking SONY shares.

Overview

A stock split increases the number of outstanding shares while proportionally reducing the price per share so the company's market capitalization remains unchanged. Corporations commonly do this to increase liquidity, reduce the per-share trading price to attract a broader base of investors, and make investment units more accessible to retail shareholders.

Sony's 2024 split was a 5-for-1 split intended to lower the investment unit and broaden the investor base. The company issued an official notice on May 14, 2024 describing the split and a corresponding partial amendment to the Articles of Incorporation to increase the authorized share count.

As of October 10, 2024, according to Sony Group’s notices and contemporaneous market reporting, the split had been processed for Tokyo trading and ADR adjustments were completed in early October. 截至 October 10, 2024，据 Fast Company 报道，Sony 的股票在交易系统中已反映拆股后的价格与股数变化。

2024 5-for-1 stock split

This section focuses on the 2024 corporate action: what Sony announced, why the board approved the split, and how it fits into Sony’s corporate timeline.

• Action: 5-for-1 stock split announced by Sony Group Corporation.
• Announcement date: May 14, 2024 (Board resolution and official notice).
• Record date: September 30, 2024.
• Effective date for Tokyo-listed shares: October 1, 2024.
• ADR adjustments and U.S. trading: split-adjusted ADRs reflected in early October 2024 (around October 8–9, 2024 U.S. Eastern Time).

Sony stated the split aimed to lower the investment unit and broaden the investor base—typical corporate rationales intended to improve accessibility for retail investors and increase share liquidity. The split was accompanied by a partial amendment to the Articles of Incorporation to increase authorized shares so the split could be implemented without constraint.

Announcement and board resolution

The Sony Board passed a resolution on May 14, 2024 to carry out a 5-for-1 split, formalized in a public notice titled "Notice Regarding a Stock Split and Partial Amendment to Articles of Incorporation". The company explained the rationale in its investor materials: lowering the investment unit and broadening the investor base. This formal notice served as the primary corporate source describing the corporate mechanics and the accompanying amendment to the Articles of Incorporation.

When did Sony stock split? The board decision was announced on May 14, 2024; however, the split's record and effective dates fell months later (September 30 and early October 2024) to allow for administrative processing and ADR custodial adjustments.

Record date and effective dates

• Official record date: September 30, 2024. Shareholders on the Sony registry as of this date were recognized in the transition from pre-split to post-split shares.
• Tokyo effective date: October 1, 2024. Tokyo-listed ordinary shares were adjusted on October 1, 2024 to reflect the 5:1 split. That means each pre-split share held on the record date was replaced by five post-split shares for domestic shareholders on the Tokyo Exchange.
• ADR/US timing: ADR record date was aligned with the Japanese record date (September 30, 2024) for entitlement. The ADR custodian and depositary banks processed ADR adjustments in early October 2024; ADRs began trading on a split-adjusted basis in U.S. markets around October 8–9, 2024 (U.S. Eastern Time). Time zone differences and custodial processing can lead to ADRs appearing adjusted at slightly different times on U.S. trading platforms.

In short: when did Sony stock split for Tokyo shareholders? Effective October 1, 2024. When did Sony stock split for ADR holders and U.S. trading? ADR adjustments were effective in early October 2024 with split-adjusted trading around October 8–9, 2024.

Changes to share counts and corporate documents

Sony disclosed precise numeric effects in its filings:

• Total issued shares (before): approximately 1,248,628,621 shares (pre-split).
• Total issued shares (after 5-for-1 split): approximately 6,243,143,105 shares (post-split), reflecting a fivefold increase.
• Authorized shares (Articles of Incorporation): amended from 3,600,000,000 to 18,000,000,000 to accommodate the split and future corporate needs.
• Stated capital / equity: the split did not change total stated capital or Sony’s total market capitalization—only the number of shares and per-share price changed proportionally.

This change ensured that the company could legally issue the increased number of shares created by the split without further corporate approvals beyond the specified amendment.

ADRs, exchange mechanics and investor practicalities

American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) represent Sony’s underlying ordinary shares for trading on U.S. exchanges. When a split occurs for the underlying shares, the depositary adjusts ADR ratios or issues additional ADRs to preserve the economic equivalence between ADRs and the underlying ordinary shares.

For Sony’s 5-for-1 split:

• The ADR depositary adjusted the ADR/share ratio to reflect five times the number of underlying shares per ADR or split the ADRs accordingly. The goal is to maintain parity so ADR holders own the economic equivalent of their pre-split holdings after the split.
• ADR record date matched September 30, 2024 for entitlement purposes; processing took place during the first week(s) of October 2024.
• U.S. trading platforms and brokerages updated displayed prices to be split-adjusted. The per-share quotes were roughly one-fifth of pre-split prices, while the number of shares in retail accounts increased accordingly.
• Fractional shares: some brokerages manage fractional ADR entitlements differently. Depending on a broker’s policies, fractional ADRs resulting from the split might have been settled in cash or retained as fractional units. ADR holders should have received guidance from their brokers or the depositary bank about any cash-in-lieu procedures.

When did Sony stock split for ADR holders? ADR processing was recorded to take effect in early October 2024, with U.S. trading reflecting the split around October 8–9, 2024, though exact appearance in an investor’s account depends on custodial and broker procedures.

Impact on dividends, compensation and capital structure

• Dividends: If a dividend record date occurred before the split (i.e., before September 30, 2024), the dividend entitlement applied to pre-split shares. After the split, dividend amounts declared per share would apply to the increased post-split share count; issuers sometimes restate per-share amounts for clarity but the total dividend payable to a holder whose balance is unchanged economically remains proportional.
• Stock-based compensation and options: stock options, restricted stock units (RSUs) and other equity-based compensation plans were adjusted according to the 5:1 split ratio. That means option exercise prices were reduced by a factor of five and the number of underlying shares for awards increased by fivefold to maintain the original economic value and incentive structure.
• Capital structure: the split did not change Sony’s ownership percentages among shareholders, total market capitalization, or core capital ratios; it was an arithmetic change in share counts and per-share price.

Historical stock split history

For context, Sony has completed several stock splits over its corporate history. Below is a chronological list of notable splits compiled from public split-history records. Exact early-1970s details should be verified with official exchange records or filings when precision is required.

• 1971 — reported split (commonly cited forms include minor splits such as 5-for-4 in historical records; verify with exchange archives).
• 1973 — reported split (historical sources list a 5-for-4 pattern in this era; check official filings for exact ratio and date).
• July 1974 — multiple splits reported historically; format and ratios vary in secondary records and should be confirmed against primary filings.
• 1976 — 5-for-4 (reported in some historical summaries; verify with original filings for exact date and ratio).
• 1991 — 11-for-10 (often reported in corporate split histories).
• 2000 — 2-for-1 split (a well-documented split in many market-history sources).
• 2024 — 5-for-1 split (announced May 14, 2024; record date September 30, 2024; effective October 2024).

Note: this list is compiled from public split-history records. Early historical entries (1970s) are summarized from market-history pages and may require confirmation from original exchange or company filings for exact ratios and dates.

When did Sony stock split historically? The most recent documented occurrence is the 2024 5-for-1 split; earlier splits occurred at multiple points across Sony’s listing history, notably in 1971–1976, 1991 and 2000.

Market reaction and trading implications

Short-term market reaction to stock splits can vary. For Sony’s 2024 split, market coverage noted increased retail interest and temporary volatility as traders and algorithmic systems adjusted to the new share count and price levels. Observed trading patterns around split dates typically include:

• Increased liquidity: a lower per-share price can attract more retail participation, often increasing trading volume in the short term.
• Short-term volatility: price and volume can bounce as market makers, retail platforms and institutional systems reconcile split-adjusted positions and as order books are rebuilt at the new price levels.
• Long-term impact: academic and market commentary show mixed evidence about long-term performance effects solely due to splits; splits often coincide with positive corporate communications, and the accessibility effect can support greater retail participation.

As of early October 2024, media coverage and market-data snapshots reported heightened trading volume in Sony shares as trading platforms updated quotes and ADRs began trading on a split‑adjusted basis. Investors and commentators suggested the split improved the accessibility of Sony shares to smaller retail investors, although longer-term portfolio implications depend on company fundamentals rather than the split itself.

Related corporate actions and considerations

Shareholders should consider the split alongside other corporate events. Around the time of the 2024 split, market watchers and press noted additional corporate topics relevant to investors, such as discussions or analysis of partial spinoffs (for example, commentary about Sony Financial Group or other business-unit actions in broader financial press). These actions can affect investor sentiment and long-term corporate structure.

When did Sony stock split relative to other corporate actions? The split was an equity-structure decision distinct from any operational restructuring or spinoff announcements; shareholders should track official Sony notices and investor relations materials for contemporaneous corporate actions and how they may interact with the split.

How investors are affected

Practical steps and what shareholders observed:

• Share counts: shareholders holding Sony ordinary shares in Japan saw their holdings multiplied by five on the effective Tokyo date (October 1, 2024). ADR holders saw proportional ADR adjustments in early October 2024.
• Per-share price: the per-share market price was reduced approximately by a factor of five on a split-adjusted basis, so the total market value of a shareholder’s position remained economically the same immediately after the split (barring market price moves).
• Brokerage accounts: most brokerages automatically reflect split adjustments in account holdings and cost basis. Investors should look for broker communications explaining how fractional shares (if any) were handled.
• ADR holders: ADR custodial banks handled the ratio changes; ADR holders should have received depositary notices or broker updates about how the ADR split was processed and whether any cash-in-lieu payments for fractional ADR entitlements were issued.
• Dividends and voting: dividend entitlements and voting rights continued in proportion to holdings. If dividends were declared with record dates spanning the split, communications from Sony and brokers clarified entitlements tied to pre- or post-split ownership.

When did Sony stock split and how should I check my account? Investors should check their brokerage or custodian statements for the week following the split effective dates and consult depositary notices for ADR holders. For additional security and verification, investors can confirm holdings and cost basis with their broker.

Practical advice (neutral): if you hold SONY shares or ADRs, confirm the split adjustment in your brokerage account, read any depositary or broker notices about fractional-share handling, and consult Sony’s investor relations materials for official corporate details.

If you are tracking prices for trading, remember that price comparisons across dates must be adjusted for the split (historical price charts often show split-adjusted prices by default on many market-data platforms).

Sources and further reading

Primary sources and contemporaneous coverage used to compile this article (no external links are provided here; consult the issuer and reputable market-data providers directly):

• Sony Group Corporation — "Notice Regarding a Stock Split and Partial Amendment to Articles of Incorporation" (May 14, 2024) — official filing and PDF notice.
• Sony Group Portal — investor FAQ on the recent stock split (investor relations FAQs summarize timing and practical effects).
• Fast Company — coverage of the split and effective dates (October 2024 media reports on trading impacts).
• Market news outlets and trading-platform reports (reporting on ADR adjustments and the timing of split-adjusted trading around October 8–9, 2024).
• Historical split records — market-history pages that summarize prior splits (suggest verification with primary exchange or company filings for early records).

As of October 10, 2024, according to Sony’s investor documents and contemporaneous market reports, the split had been processed as described above. Readers should refer to Sony’s investor relations page and official notices for authoritative documents.

Notes and verification

• Timing and mechanics for ADRs and U.S. trading can differ due to time zones, custodial processing, and broker cutoffs. Verify the exact timestamps and account postings with your broker or the ADR depositary.
• Historical split ratios from the 1970s and other early entries often require confirmation from exchange archives or company filings; use the primary documents for legal or tax reporting.
• This article is factual and descriptive. It is not investment advice. For decisions involving taxes, investment strategy or trading, consult a licensed professional.

Quick reference: key dates answering "when did Sony stock split"

• May 14, 2024 — Sony announced a 5-for-1 stock split via board resolution and official notice.
• September 30, 2024 — Official record date for the split.
• October 1, 2024 — Effective date for Tokyo-listed shares (post-split shares issued and trading adjusted on the Tokyo Exchange systems).
• Early October 2024 (around October 8–9, 2024 U.S. time) — ADR adjustments processed and ADRs began trading on a split-adjusted basis in U.S. markets.

When did Sony stock split? Answer: announced May 14, 2024; record date September 30, 2024; effective October 2024 (Tokyo Oct 1; ADRs early October).

Practical next steps (for holders and trackers)

• Check your brokerage account statements for updated share counts and cost basis entries.
• ADR holders should review depositary or broker communications about the adjustment and fractional-entitlement treatment.
• If you track historical returns, ensure price series are split-adjusted for correct comparisons.
• For trading or custody services, consider exchanges and wallets that provide reliable custody and fast reconciliation. For crypto-native wallet or custody needs unrelated to equities, consider Bitget Wallet (for Web3 custody) and Bitget for trading services that support equities exposure via regulated products where available.

Further explore Sony’s investor relations materials and the depositary bank notices if you need transaction-level confirmation.

Appendix: common FAQs

Q: When did Sony stock split for U.S. investors? A: ADR adjustments were processed in early October 2024 with split-adjusted trading appearing around October 8–9, 2024. Exact appearance in an investor’s account depended on broker and custodial timing.

Q: Will my percentage ownership change after the split? A: No. The split changed only the number of shares and per-share price; percentage ownership remained the same unless you bought or sold shares.

Q: How are dividends handled across the split? A: Dividend entitlements are proportional. Dividends with record dates before the split applied to pre-split shares; after the split, per-share dividends apply to the increased number of post-split shares.

Q: How can I verify when did Sony stock split? A: Verify the dates in Sony’s official filings (May 14, 2024 notice), the record date (Sept 30, 2024) and the effective dates for Tokyo and ADR adjustments in the same filings or depositary notices. Also confirm with your broker.

Primary sources referenced

• Sony Group Corporation — Notice Regarding a Stock Split and Partial Amendment to Articles of Incorporation (May 14, 2024).
• Sony Group investor FAQ on the recent stock split (investor relations portal).
• Media reporting on ADR trading adjustments and market reaction (October 2024 coverage).
• Historical split records from market-history compilations (for pre-2000 splits; verify with primary exchange filings for legal certainty).

Further exploration: verify official documents on Sony’s investor relations site and consult depositary notices if you hold ADRs.

Final note — verification and next steps

Please verify any timing-sensitive details (especially ADR effective times and broker processing) with your broker, the ADR depositary or Sony’s official filings. If you trade or custody securities and want integrated access to markets or custody solutions, consider Bitget’s platform and Bitget Wallet for Web3 custody needs; they provide account notifications and reconciliation services that help track corporate actions efficiently.

If you’d like, I can produce a printable timeline, a short investor checklist to use around corporate actions, or a broker-friendly FAQ you can forward to clients.

Keywords used: "when did sony stock split" (multiple occurrences throughout the article to answer the core query clearly).