Sector Breakdown of 164 Companies that Discussed Suspending Buybacks and/or Dividends Corporate share buybacks are declining amid the coronavirus pandemic. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
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
Cumulative S&P 500 Buybacks 2009-2019 Are buybacks driving the show? Thanks to tax cuts and low interest rates, corporate stock buybacks are booming. Over the past decade, S&P 500 companies bought back $5 trillion shares, while cumulative flows from households and foreigners are only a drop in the bucket. But what would happend if companies reinvested instead…
U.S. Corporate Profits, Capital Expenditures, Dividends and Buybacks What would happen if U.S. companies reinvested instead of buying their own shares and paying dividends? Image: Financial Times
What if Companies Paid Dividends Instead of Buybacks? The S&P 500 Total Return (dividends reinvested) would have been 10% lower if buybacks subbed with dividends. But, are stock buybacks a good thing for shareholders? Yes, if done at a price below the intrinsic value of the company. Buybacks are a good substitute for dividends, because…
U.S. Corporate Stock Buybacks Are Booming Since 2010! Thanks to tax cuts and low interest rates. What would happen if companies reinvested instead of buying their own shares? Unfortunately, artificially low interest rates are associated with unnecessary debt. See how corporate debt-to-GDP has increased since the Great Recession.
S&P 500 Cash Spending In 2025, S&P 500 share buybacks are forecast to remain elevated, supported by solid earnings and strong balance sheets, with total repurchases anticipated to exceed $1 trillion. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
Buyback Announcements In 2025, U.S. companies are announcing record levels of share buybacks, aiming to return cash to shareholders, stabilize stock prices, and enhance EPS as they navigate economic and policy uncertainty. Image: Bloomberg