but that isn't the purpose
Not at all, it's a giveaway to executives (who get bonuses based on EPS) and long term shareholders. Some firms also borrow money to fund a dividend which is just a literal giveaway.
Re:Why Don't People Manage Debt Better?
by forgetsusername on Friday February 19, 2016 @01:55PM
(#11135632)
>Not at all, it's a giveaway to executives (who get bonuses based on EPS) and long term shareholders.
Putting aside the executive giveaway (because I have a hard time believing that there are executive bonuses so intertwined with EPS that the company can just burn money on buybacks to increase that bonus without any external fuss or anyone questioning why)...
...who or what else matters beyond the shareholders?
Share buybacks aren't a scam. They exist as a method to return capital to shareholders and can be smart or not depending on a variety of financial circumstances. Just like every other financial decision.
http://aswathdamodaran.blogspot.ca/2014/09/stock-buybacks-th...
You don't think buying a stake in a successful company (in this case one that happens to be your own) is buying an asset? The mechanations are slightly different, but you're still buying shares. An effect is rising EPS (due to retired shares), but that isn't the purpose.