the share structure can also be tightened up after debt is paid in a variety of ways that has nothing to do with a split.
it's the oldest OTC trick in the book:
pound a stock down hard with conversions, swapping out to frontloaders, then pay off all the toxic crap, retire a few more blocks, lower the AS, and let 'er rip.
every new initiative to reduce shares outstanding (including retiring commons to preferreds) will lever it up.
how many times have we all seen other companies undergo this type of transformation? it always results in massive price appreciation.
trips to pennies is totally possible here.