Explainer
Split Adjusted Prices Explained
Price history needs adjustment so long charts and return calculations do not break at split dates. Here is how split adjusted prices work and what they do and do not cover.
Published: December 26, 2025 · Updated: December 26, 2025 · By FinToolSuite Editorial
Disclaimer
- Educational purposes only, not financial advice.
- Examples are illustrative; results depend on your inputs and assumptions.
- Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.
- See the Privacy Policy for data handling details.
Open the Investment History Checker
Run a window with split adjusted prices and read the yearly table, drawdown, and chart together.
Quick answer
- A split changes share count and per share price.
- Split adjusted prices make historical prices comparable across the split date.
- Adjusted prices help long range return math, but they do not include dividends or fees.
What is a stock split
A company increases the number of shares and lowers the price per share by the same factor. The total position value is designed to stay similar at the split moment.
What split adjusted price means
Older prices are restated so the chart looks continuous across the split date. This keeps return calculations consistent instead of showing a false step down on the split day.
Simple split example (illustrative)
Before split: 1 share at 100
2-for-1 split: 2 shares at 50 each
Historical price of 80 before split becomes 40 on an adjusted chartIllustrative only; check your data source for exact adjustments.
Why adjusted prices matter for long date ranges
- Without adjustment, charts show fake drops at split dates.
- Return percent calculations can be wrong around split days.
- Yearly tables can mislead if split years are not adjusted.
What split adjustment does not cover
- Dividends and distributions.
- Fees and taxes.
- Inflation.
- Different execution prices vs daily closes.
- Mergers, spin offs, symbol changes, special dividends.
See more in corporate actions and limitations.
Why results can still differ from broker statements
Brokers include dividends, fees, taxes, and actual execution timing. They may show cash flows and reinvestments. Data sources can differ on timing and rounding, so outputs may not match exactly.
Read why results differ from brokers for common gaps.
Quick checklist
- If you see a sharp step change, check whether a split happened.
- Compare a shorter window that starts after the split.
- Read the limitations and disclaimer.
See corporate actions and limitations and the FAQ.
FAQ preview
Do splits change total value?
No. They change share count and price per share, leaving the position value similar at the split moment.
Why did my chart show a sudden drop?
Unadjusted prices can show a split as a drop. Adjusted prices restate history to remove that step.
Does the tool use adjusted prices?
It uses historical prices for your window. Check the tool notes for split handling in your data source.
What about reverse splits?
Reverse splits reduce share count and raise price per share; adjusted history keeps the chart continuous.
Will adjusted prices match my broker exactly?
Not always. Brokers include dividends, fees, taxes, and execution timing; data vendors can differ.
Check your history with splits adjusted
Run a long window, spot split dates, and compare results with the yearly table and drawdown.