Research shows that companies that initiated a stock split normally return 25%, on average, in the year following the announcement, compared with average increases of 12% for the S&P 500, according to data compiled by Bank of America analyst Jared Woodard.

U.S. stocks drifted around their all-time highs, as a record-setting week for Wall Street closed on a quieter note.

A record-setting week for Wall Street is closing on a quieter note Friday, and U.S. stocks are pulling back from their highs hit during a worldwide rally the day before. The S&P 500 was down 0.5% in late trading,