Benzingaยท2025-05-08 16:18Core Viewpoint - U.S. corporate share buybacks have surged significantly, indicating a strong preference for repurchasing shares over dividend payments, with a total of $262 billion in buyback announcements since April 1 [2][9]. Group 1: Buyback Trends - April marked the strongest monthly pace for corporate share buybacks in years, acting as a stabilizing force in volatile markets [1][3]. - The trend of increasing buybacks following market corrections was observed during the Silicon Valley Bank crisis and the early stages of the Ukraine war [3]. - Companies are utilizing buybacks to boost earnings per share (EPS), signal confidence, and fend off activist investors, leading to a notable increase in share prices [9]. Group 2: Major Corporate Buybacks - Apple Inc. announced a staggering $100 billion buyback, reinforcing its long-standing practice of repurchasing shares [4]. - Alphabet Inc. followed with a $70 billion share repurchase, while Wells Fargo & Co. committed $40 billion to its own stock [5]. - Other notable buybacks include KLA Corp at $5 billion, Dick's Sporting Goods at $3 billion, and Shell PLC at $3.5 billion, showcasing a broad interest across various sectors [6]. Group 3: Sector-Specific Buybacks - The technology sector is particularly active, with Broadcom Inc. and Applied Materials Inc. each announcing $10 billion buyback plans [7]. - Consumer and industrial companies are also participating, with Graphic Packaging Holding Co., Ingersoll Rand Inc., and Cirrus Logic Inc. committing between $500 million and $1.5 billion, and MGM Resorts International announcing a $2 billion buyback [8].