For moves that don't improve the underlying strength of a company's business, stock splits garner a lot of attention, at least when conducted by prominent corporations. In part, that's because they make it easier for investors on a budget to purchase a single share. So when a stock starts getting too expensive, it could be a sign that the company may conduct a stock split relatively soon. Let's consider two stocks that have beaten the market in recent years and, some would say, are overdue for a split: Merc ...