---
title: 'Too Embarrassed To Ask: what is a share buyback?'
source: 'https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_inpAJSqFJQ'
video_id: '_inpAJSqFJQ'
date: 2026-09-15
duration_sec: 147
channel: 'MoneyWeek'
---

# Too Embarrassed To Ask: what is a share buyback?

> Source: [Too Embarrassed To Ask: what is a share buyback?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_inpAJSqFJQ)

## Summary

This video explains the two main ways companies return cash to shareholders: dividends and share buybacks. It breaks down how buybacks work, why they can benefit shareholders, and the pros and cons compared to dividends.

### Key Points

- **Two methods of returning cash** [00:00] — Companies return cash to shareholders via dividends (cash payouts, typically half-yearly) or share buybacks (company buys back and cancels its own shares).
- **How buybacks benefit shareholders** [00:26] — When a company buys back and cancels shares, remaining shareholders hold a greater proportion of the company, increasing earnings per share.
- **Numerical example of a buyback** [00:40] — Example: 1 million shares at £10, £1 million profit = EPS of £1. Buying back 100,000 shares for £1 million leaves 900,000 shares, raising EPS to just over £1.11 and the share price to just over £11.11.
- **Advantages of buybacks** [01:23] — Buybacks are more tax-efficient than dividends and more flexible for managers. Shareholders react more negatively to dividend cuts than to buyback reductions.
- **Criticisms of buybacks** [01:38] — Critics argue executives may use buybacks to hit performance targets, curbing investment or borrowing too much. Some studies show larger companies buy back shares near market tops.
- **Investor takeaway** [02:05] — Dividends are arguably more transparent. Investors should understand the company's rationale for choosing buybacks over dividends.

## Transcript

I wish I knew what a share buyback was, but I'm too embarrassed to ask. There are two main ways for companies to return cash to shareholders. Dividends tend to be preferred by income investors.
A dividend is a cash payout to shareholders, typically issued on a half-yearly basis. The other method is to use a share buyback. This means just what it says – the company buys back its own shares.
It's easy to see why shareholders like dividend payouts, but how do buybacks benefit shareholders? Well, when a company buys and cancels some of its own shares, the remaining shareholders are left holding a greater proportion of the company.
Let's say a firm has 1 million shares in issue and the share price is £10 per share. It made £1 million profit last year, so it has earnings per share of £1.
Let's say it wants to return the whole £1 million profit to its shareholders via a share buyback. It buys back 100,000 shares at £10 a share and cancels them. This leaves 900,000
shares in issue That means earnings per share has increased from to just over because there are now fewer shares In turn assuming that investors keep valuing its earnings on a constant basis the share price would rise to just over
Fans of buybacks argue that they are more tax efficient than dividends. For managers, buybacks are also more flexible than dividend payments. Shareholders tend to react more negatively to a dividend cut than to a reduction in buyback levels.
Critics argue that executives have an incentive to use buybacks to meet performance targets linked to share price growth. So they may curb investment or borrow too much to fund buybacks. Timing can also be a problem.
Some studies suggest that larger companies in particular have a bad habit of buying back shares near the top of the market when they're expensive rather than near the bottom when they're cheap. From an investor's point of view, dividends are arguably a more transparent method of
returning cash. But buybacks certainly shouldn't put you off investing in a company. Just make sure you understand the company's rationale for returning cash this way rather than via a dividend.
To learn more about the pros and cons of share buybacks versus dividends, subscribe to Money Week magazine.