Share of S&P 1500 Companies by Returning Cash to Shareholders Strategy Most S&P 1500 companies are returning cash to shareholders through both dividends and buybacks, which can significantly boost shareholder returns. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
Cash to Shareholders Companies slashed payouts to shareholders in an attempt to stem the financial damage caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Image: J.P. Morgan
Shareholder Return vs. Free Cash Flow Thanks to low interest rates, shareholder return has exceeded free cash flow levels again. U.S. companies cannot spend more than they earn indefinitely. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
S&P 500 Weekly Announced Buybacks U.S. share buyback announcements are showing strong momentum this earnings season, reflecting companies’ confidence in their financial positions and commitment to delivering shareholder value. Image: Deutsche Bank Asset Allocation
U.S. Share Buybacks and Dividends Over the past 20 years, U.S. corporates have clearly favored buybacks over dividends, reflecting a shift towards prioritizing shareholder value through capital appreciation rather than regular income distributions. Image: BofA Global Research
S&P 500 Share Buybacks $7.6 trillion of S&P 500 share buybacks over the last 10 years. While buybacks can benefit shareholders, critics argue that funds could have been better spent on research, development, and employee wages. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
Gross Share Buyback Announcements The strength of share buyback announcements reflect companies’ confidence in their financial stability and commitment to enhancing shareholder value. Image: J.P. Morgan
Buybacks – Share of S&P 1500 Companies Paying a Dividend or Repurchasing Stock Over the years, the share of S&P 1500 companies engaging in share repurchases has surged. In 1995, only 3% participated, while in 2023, it reached 70%, greatly enhancing shareholder returns. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
Buybacks – Annualized Performance Buybacks at high valuations might destroy shareholder value. Image: BofA US Equity & Quant Strategy
The Rise of the Tech Giants – Market Value In terms of returns to shareholders, Jeff Bezos (Amazon) is behind Elon Musk (Tesla) and Bill Gates (Microsoft) since flotation or during the CEO’s tenure. Image: Financial Times
Cumulative Market Cap Growth vs. Cumulative Executed U.S. Buybacks Through the current cycle, U.S. buybacks have returned about $5.5 trillion to shareholders. Image: J.P. Morgan US Equity Strategy & Global Quantitative Research