Why Stock Buybacks are Significant
As the name implies, stock buybacks (also known as share repurchase programs) happen when companies buy back their own shares. A firm uses its cash position to repurchase company stock either in the open market or directly from select shareholders. These programs reduce the number of shares outstanding for the company in question and thus increase the ownership stakes of its remaining shareholders. The end result is more profits or earnings per share (EPS) per shareholder.
