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paulddraperyesterday at 9:52 PM2 repliesview on HN

In theory a buyback is price neutral.

The company has less cash in the balance sheet, so its market cap decreases. But there are fewer shares, so the share price is the same.

(This allows hypothetical future growth to disproportionately benefit existing shareholders, but does not intrinsically increase stock price.)

In practice, like another poster pointed out, it signals the company’s belief that its own shares are undervalued, so the market usually increases its estimation of value.


Replies

k22yesterday at 10:04 PM

(intrinsic) value neutral not price.

price is more broad and brings in supply vs demand effects.

fancyfredbotyesterday at 10:16 PM

In theory a dividend is also price neutral. You have the dividend now but the company you owned doesn't any more.

However, if someone gives you a dividend you typically have to pay tax, and lots of people really hate paying tax.

So buybacks are the preferred price neutral way of dealing with excess cash.

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