November 2024
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Qantas has splurged $2.2b on its own shares. Why?
It hasn’t paid a dividend for years, instead returning billions to investors via buybacks. But with the stock at an all-time high, should it still be buying?
- Anthony Macdonald
July 2024
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Shadow of JPMorgan’s Dimon hangs over red-hot Aussie banks
Huge share price runs are great for the banks. But they also create an unexpected problem for bank bosses.
- Anthony Macdonald
Incitec Pivot ditches fertiliser sale talks with Indonesian buyer
The chemicals giant said it shelved the negotiations due to transaction delays as it flagged a $900 million on-market share buyback would still go ahead.
- Carrie LaFrenz
April 2024
Amazon investors eye bigger returns as cash pile grows
The online retailer could see its cash hoard surge through $150 billion this year, and shareholders are keen to pocket directly more of it.
- Jeran Wittenstein and Ryan Vlastelica
March 2024
Mega-cap tech forecast to drive S&P 500 buybacks: Goldman
Fourth-quarter filings show the magnificent seven is currently authorised to repurchase almost one-third more of their own shares in 2024 than in 2023.
- Timothy Moore
February 2024
Uber unveils near-$11b buyback plan in first for company
The capital plan marks another milestone of financial health for the tech company, and follows decisions at Meta Platforms and Airbnb to boost returns to shareholders.
- Natalie Lung
January 2024
Investors look to buybacks to keep sharemarket afloat
As the US earnings season kicks off and companies start announcing plans to repurchase shares, some pundits hope it will keep last year’s rally running.
- Jessica Menton
November 2023
Jack Dorsey’s Block soars 25pc as it lifts guidance, cuts jobs
Block announced a $1b share buyback, said it would cut 1500 jobs, and lifted FY24 profit guidance. The market approved.
- James Eyers
September 2023
US firms ease off on share buybacks as interest rates push up costs
Companies are now facing a combination of new investment demands and higher borrowing costs, making buybacks less of a priority.
- Nicholas Megaw
Nvidia cash geyser can cover buybacks and vital R&D
Nvidia is projected to generate near $60 billion in free cash flow in its fiscal 2025 year.
- Ian King and Jeran Wittenstein
August 2023
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
NAB buyback is bullish signal on the economy – but not bank profits
That NAB’s board feels confident enough to launch a share buyback speaks to the outlook for the economy and its own balance sheet. But margin pressure is also building.
- James Thomson
NAB reports $1.9b quarterly profit and a surprise buyback
NAB’s $1.5 billion share buyback reflects the bank’s strength, analysts said, defying concerns about deteriorating credit quality and margin pressures.
- Updated
- James Eyers
May 2023
Infomedia wrangler Viburnum butts heads with Mayne Pharma’s board
The listed drugmaker is in the firing line of the activist investor, which is taking the board to task for paring back a $113 million capital raising.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
Share buybacks hit a record $1.9 trillion
The world’s largest companies went on a stock buying spree last year, led by the oil sector.
- Alex Gluyas
March 2023
- Opinion
- Letters to the Editor
Letters: Haste could damage the Voice
Indigenous Voice to parliament; AUKUS and its consequences; tool for fighting inflation; off-market and on-market share buybacks; Victorian apartments.
February 2023
Buffett brands stock buyback critics ‘silver-tongued demagogues’
The billionaire used part of his annual letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders to tout the benefits of repurchases.
- Josh Funk
Meta shares soar on resilient revenue and $56b buyback
The fourth-quarter results present a rosier picture for the company, which has been squeezed over the past year.
- Hannah Murphy
January 2023
Chevron to buy back $US75b in stock after record profit
The move is likely to incense critics who have accused the oil industry of war profiteering after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sent energy prices surging.
- Kevin Crowley
December 2022
Exxon lifts share buyback to $74b after record profit
ExxonMobil’s buyback will now include $US15 billion of share repurchases this year, which would be the highest annual total since 2013.
- Kevin Crowley
October 2022
- Opinion
- Federal budget
Budget crackdown on share buybacks actually benefits the majority
The old system of including franking credits in the returns of off-market buybacks favours a small, select group of shareholders over others.
- Christine Brown and Kevin Davis