Amazon stock split may draw retail traders in tough market

Amazon’s stock split may provide some solace to shareholders who have seen the e-commerce giant’s shares battered this year.

Amazon shares were up 3.1% to $126.17 in afternoon trading after the 20-for-1 split, announced earlier this year but which took effect Monday. They have fallen 24% year-to-date, roughly comparable to the loss in the Nasdaq Composite, as rising interest rates slam risk appetite and pressure shares of high-growth companies.