Skip to content
CFDs are leveraged products. CFD trading may not be suitable for everyone and can result in losses that exceed your deposits, so please ensure that you fully understand the risks involved.

What happens to my shares position if the company performs a spinoff?

A spin-off is the process of creating an independent company through the sale or distribution of new shares of an existing business or division of a parent company. This is typically done when the spin-off companies are expected to be worth more as independent entities rather than as parts of a larger entity.

Example:

Company A has performed a spin-off and will be issuing 1 share of company B for every 5 shares of Company A shares held in your account. If you are holding 100 shares of Company A, you will receive 20 shares of Company B as per the spin-off terms.

Please note that you do not need to take any action for this mandatory corporate event. We will assist you in booking these positions accordingly.

How does spin-off affect my CFD account?

If you have an open position on a stock that announces a spin-off, we’ll create a position on the new company at a level of zero in accordance with the terms of the spin-off on the ex-date.

If you have a guaranteed stop on your position, we’ll amend it in accordance with the terms of the offer. A separate position will then be posted on your account in the name of the spun-off company, with a stop attached to ensure your total monetary risk remains the same.

Please be aware that spin-off shares may or may not be tradeable on the market. Once the shares are tradeable, you may choose to trade the new company.

What if I have a short position?

If you have a short position, the spin-off shares would be opened as a new short position at a level of zero, increasing the number of shares you hold short in accordance with the spin-off terms

Please note: This information is intended as a generic example, and subject to change at any point. It may not apply in every scenario.

Related questions

Improve your skills

Become a better trader with IG Academy. Take engaging step-by-step courses, attend expert-led seminars and webinars.

Get peer support

Have your questions answered by like-minded traders and IG staff over at IG Community.