When a company completes a reverse stock split, each outstanding share of the company is converted into a fraction of a share. For example, if a company declares a one for ten reverse stock split, every ten shares that you own will be converted into a single share. If you owned 10,000 shares of the company before the reverse stock split, you will own a total of 1,000 shares after the reverse Reverse Stock Split Definition. Reverse Stock Split is a company action that results in a reduction of the number of shares of a company currently outstanding in the market. For example, under stock split 1 for 2, an investor receives 1 stock for every 2 stocks that they hold thereby reducing the number of stocks held by the investor to half. Reasons for a Reverse Stock Split. So, if the market views reverse stock splits with a jaundiced eye, you may ask, why would a company decide to do such a split? The reasons are varied, and include: 1. The desire to increase the share price, especially if the shares are penny stocks.