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Learn what bonus shares are, how they are issued on a pro-rata basis, and how prices and per-share metrics adjust so total ownership value stays unchanged at the time of issue.
Bonus shares are additional shares issued by a company to its existing shareholders at no extra cost. These shares are issued in a specific ratio to the number of shares already owned by the shareholders. The distribution is done from the company’s accumulated earnings or reserves.
A bonus issue refers to the free distribution of additional shares to existing shareholders, based on the number of shares they already hold. Instead of paying out dividends in cash, companies may reward shareholders by issuing extra shares.
For example, in a 1:2 bonus issue, a shareholder receives 1 bonus share for every 2 shares owned.
Shareholders who own the company’s shares before the record date set by the company are eligible for bonus shares. The record date is the cut-off date to determine eligible shareholders.
If you hold shares in your demat account as of the record date, you automatically qualify to receive the bonus shares—no action is required on your part.
Companies generally issue bonus shares for the following reasons:
To capitalise retained earnings.
To make the stock more affordable and improve liquidity.
To increase the number of outstanding shares, thereby lowering the market price per share.
To reward long-term shareholders without distributing cash.
The number of shares held increases; proportional ownership remains the same.
Per-share metrics such as EPS and book value dilute mechanically as share count rises.
Market price typically adjusts downward post-issue, aiding affordability and liquidity.
No immediate cash benefit is created; tax generally arises only on sale of shares.
While bonus shares do not generate instant cash gains, they can improve liquidity and accessibility. Next sections cover key features, eligibility dates, types, and FAQs.
Bonus shares come with several features that impact both companies and shareholders. Key features include the following.
Issued at no extra cost by capitalising free reserves or the securities premium account.
Allotted in a declared ratio (for example, 1:1 or 1:2) so every holder’s stake increases proportionately.
Overall net worth is unchanged on issue; reserves reduce and share capital increases by an equivalent amount.
Market price typically adjusts to reflect the higher share count, improving affordability and market depth.
No cash is received at issue; any tax impact usually arises only when the shares are sold.
A larger free float can narrow spreads and support higher trading volumes.
Regular or well-timed issues may indicate management confidence and adequate reserves, though outcomes still depend on business performance.
Takeaway: Bonus issues increase the number of shares and often enhance liquidity, but they neither inject cash nor change total ownership value at the time of issue.
Bonus issues follow a structured process and are governed by regulations set by market regulators such as SEBI in India. Here's how it works:
The board of directors must first approve the proposal to issue bonus shares. After that, the company makes a public announcement, specifying the bonus ratio, record date, and ex-bonus date.
Record Date: The cut-off date by which shareholders must hold the company’s shares to be eligible for bonus shares.
Ex-Bonus Date: The date when the stock begins trading without the value of the upcoming bonus.
Bonus shares are usually credited to the shareholder’s demat account automatically. There is no need for shareholders to take any additional action.
If a company declares a 1:2 bonus issue, for every 2 shares owned, 1 additional share is issued. So, if a shareholder owns 100 shares, they will receive 50 bonus shares.
Formula for Calculating Bonus Shares:
Number of Bonus Shares = (Number of Existing Shares) x (Bonus Ratio)
There are different ways bonus shares may be classified, usually based on the source of capital used for issuance:
These are issued to shareholders using the company's free reserves or share premium account. They are the most common type of bonus shares.
These shares require shareholders to pay the remaining amount at a future date. This type is uncommon in current practice as SEBI guidelines generally mandate fully paid shares.
Issuing bonus shares can offer various benefits to both the company and its shareholders:
Bonus shares are often perceived as a signal of a company’s strong financial health. This can enhance investor trust and improve market sentiment.
By increasing the number of shares available in the market, bonus issues can make trading more active and improve share liquidity.
Bonus shares are not immediately taxable when received. Tax is generally applicable only when these shares are sold, and capital gains are realised.
Bonus issues help lower the share price without affecting the shareholder’s proportional ownership, making it more affordable to retail investors.
Despite the apparent benefits, bonus shares can also have limitations:
Unlike dividends, bonus shares do not result in any cash flow to shareholders.
The company incurs certain expenses for issuing and managing the logistics of bonus shares.
Since the number of outstanding shares increases post-bonus issue, the earnings per share may decline unless the company’s overall earnings grow proportionally.
Investors may misunderstand a bonus issue as a guaranteed benefit without realising it does not enhance intrinsic company value.
Eligibility for bonus shares depends on key dates set by the company and the stock exchanges.
What it is: The cut-off date the company uses to determine who is on its shareholder register.
Implication: Holdings shown in your demat on this date are considered for the bonus entitlement; no separate application is required.
What it is: The trading day on which the share begins to trade without the value of the upcoming bonus.
Implication: To be eligible, you must buy the shares before the Ex-Date so that the holding appears on the Record Date. Purchases on or after the Ex-Date are not entitled to the bonus. Prices typically adjust from this date.
What it is: The post–Record Date process where the company and depository credit bonus shares to eligible demat accounts.
Implication: Credit usually appears automatically within the announced timeline; you can trade the bonus shares once they are reflected in your demat.
Summary: Ensure you own the shares before the Ex-Date so your holding is recorded on the Record Date; the bonus shares are then credited automatically to your demat after processing.
Bonus shares do not change the overall value of investment. Instead, they redistribute the ownership by increasing the number of shares proportionally.
A shareholder owns 200 shares of a company, each priced at ₹500. The total value is ₹1,00,000. After a 1:1 bonus issue, they own 400 shares, but the price per share adjusts to ₹250. The total investment value remains unchanged.
The National Stock Exchange (NSE) regularly updates the list of companies that announce bonus issues. Investors can check the NSE website (https://www.nseindia.com/) under the Corporate Actions section to track upcoming and historical bonus announcements.
Although Bajaj Markets does not offer investment advice or maintain bonus share recommendations, investors can access real-time data on bonus issues from official stock exchange sources:
NSE Bonus Issue Updates: https://www.nseindia.com
BSE Corporate Announcements: https://www.bseindia.com
Before a company decides on issuing bonus shares, it typically reviews:
Available free reserves
Future capital needs
Shareholder structure
Compliance with SEBI guidelines
These considerations help ensure that the bonus issue is sustainable and legally compliant.
This content is for informational purposes only and the same should not be construed as investment advice. Bajaj Finserv Direct Limited shall not be liable or responsible for any investment decision that you may take based on this content.
Bonus shares are additional shares issued free of cost to existing shareholders by capitalising a company’s reserves, increasing the number of shares held without changing the overall ownership value at the time of issue.
A 1 for 1 bonus share means one extra share is issued for every one share already held; for example, 100 existing shares become 200 after the bonus, while the market price typically adjusts to keep the total value broadly unchanged at issue.
Issuing bonus shares can improve trading liquidity and affordability, broaden the investor base, and signal management confidence in future earnings, while maintaining each shareholder’s proportional ownership even as per-share metrics dilute mechanically.
Bonus shares are credited automatically to eligible investors’ demat accounts after the record date, appearing as additional units of the same security; once reflected in the demat statement, the shares can be traded like existing holdings.
The record date is the cut-off date set by the company to identify shareholders entitled to receive the bonus; investors must own the shares before the ex-date so the holding appears on the record date, after which the bonus credit is processed automatically.
