CSL, Wesfarmers and JB Hi-Fi are expected to join a record wave of Australia’s largest companies that are opting to buy back shares on the ASX, as boards become much more risk-averse under a Trump presidency.

This year has already recorded 41 companies on the S&P/ASX 200 that have engaged in a share buyback, just shy of the record number of 45 in 2024. MST Marquee said the ASX would easily top that figure, given the August reporting season is usually the heaviest month of buyback announcements.