Equity dilution occurs when a company issues new shares, increasing the total number of outstanding shares. This reduces an existing shareholder’s percentage ownership in the company. The calculation involves dividing the investor’s number of shares by the total number of shares outstanding after the issuance of new shares. For example, if an investor owns 1,000 shares in a company with 10,000 outstanding, they own 10%. If the company issues 5,000 new shares, the investor’s 1,000 shares now represent approximately 6.67% ownership (1,000 / 15,000).
Understanding its effects is essential for investors and company management alike. For investors, it helps assess the impact on the value of their holdings. For companies, it informs decisions regarding capital raising and employee compensation through stock options. Historically, companies have strategically employed this mechanism to fund growth initiatives, acquire other businesses, or attract and retain talent. A transparent calculation and communication of this impact builds trust and fosters sound decision-making within the investor community.