A "reverse stock split" is a proportionate decrease in the number of shares of a corporation outstanding, but not in the value of shares of stock held by the stockholders. For example, a 1-for-3 split would result in stockholders owning 1 share for every 3 shares owned before the split. Thus, if a corporation had 3 million shares outstanding and effected a 1-for-3 stock split, it would then only have 1 million shares outstanding after the split. A company undertakes a reverse stock split to boost the per share price of the stock, to meet stock exchange listing requirements or in attempt to make the stock look more attractive to investors, particularly institutional investors.