Buy back

Buy back refers to the process where a company repurchases its own shares from the marketplace. This can be done for a variety of reasons, such as to increase the value of remaining shares, reduce the risk of takeovers, or prevent other companies from buying in.

Overview

A buy back is a decision made by a company's board of directors to buy its own shares from the marketplace. The repurchased shares are then held by the company for various strategic reasons. This reduces the number of outstanding shares in the market, which can increase the value of the remaining shares.

Reasons for a Buy Back

Companies may choose to buy back shares for several reasons. One common reason is to increase the value of the remaining shares. By reducing the number of shares in the market, the company can increase the earnings per share, which can lead to an increase in the company's stock price.

Another reason for a buy back is to reduce the risk of hostile takeovers. By buying back shares, a company can reduce the number of shares available for potential acquirers, making it more difficult for another company to take control.

A company may also choose to buy back shares to prevent other companies from buying in. This can be a defensive strategy to maintain control of the company.

Methods of Buy Back

There are several methods a company can use to buy back shares. One common method is the open market purchase, where the company buys shares on the open market at the current market price.

Another method is the tender offer, where the company offers to buy shares from shareholders at a specified price. This price is usually higher than the current market price, which can incentivize shareholders to sell their shares.

Impact of Buy Back

The impact of a buy back can vary depending on the company and the reason for the buy back. In general, a buy back can increase the value of the remaining shares, which can benefit shareholders. However, it can also reduce the company's cash reserves, which could impact the company's ability to invest in future growth.

See Also

• Stock market
• Shareholder
• Corporate finance