A fractional share is a portion of a companys stock that is less than one full share. Fractional shares can be purchased through a broker that offers them, and they allow investors to buy partial shares of a stock based on a dollar amount rather than the number of shares. This makes it possible to invest in companies that may have a high share price, but that would otherwise be out of reach for investors who dont have enough money to buy a full share. Fractional shares can also be obtained through corporate actions such as stock splits, mergers, or acquisitions, which may result in fractional shares for shareholders. If you own fractional shares of a stock that pays dividends, you will receive a payment based on how many shares you own. Fractional shares can be sold through a major brokerage firm, which can join them with other fractional shares until a whole share is attained.