The SEC once considered stock buybacks to be illegal stock manipulation.
But under President Reagan, stock buybacks were made legal.
Now, instead of investing profits into people, corporations use stock buybacks (at record levels) to line the pockets of wealthy shareholders.
But under President Reagan, stock buybacks were made legal.
Now, instead of investing profits into people, corporations use stock buybacks (at record levels) to line the pockets of wealthy shareholders.
Stock Buybacks, Explained | Robert Reich
Robert Reich
youtu.be
August 12, 2025 at 8:01 PM
The SEC once considered stock buybacks to be illegal stock manipulation.
But under President Reagan, stock buybacks were made legal.
Now, instead of investing profits into people, corporations use stock buybacks (at record levels) to line the pockets of wealthy shareholders.
But under President Reagan, stock buybacks were made legal.
Now, instead of investing profits into people, corporations use stock buybacks (at record levels) to line the pockets of wealthy shareholders.
Make stock buybacks illegal
December 18, 2024 at 2:45 PM
Make stock buybacks illegal
The 100 lowest-paying US corporations spent $644B on stock buybacks from 2019 to 2024.
Buybacks artificially boost share prices and inflate CEO pay.
The typical worker at these companies earned $35k last year.
Meanwhile, the average CEO was paid $17.2M
See the problem?
Buybacks artificially boost share prices and inflate CEO pay.
The typical worker at these companies earned $35k last year.
Meanwhile, the average CEO was paid $17.2M
See the problem?
October 19, 2025 at 10:00 PM
The 100 lowest-paying US corporations spent $644B on stock buybacks from 2019 to 2024.
Buybacks artificially boost share prices and inflate CEO pay.
The typical worker at these companies earned $35k last year.
Meanwhile, the average CEO was paid $17.2M
See the problem?
Buybacks artificially boost share prices and inflate CEO pay.
The typical worker at these companies earned $35k last year.
Meanwhile, the average CEO was paid $17.2M
See the problem?
The 100 lowest-paying US corporations spent $644B on stock buybacks from 2019 to 2024.
Buybacks artificially boost share prices and inflate CEO pay.
The typical worker at these companies earned $35k last year.
Meanwhile, the average CEO was paid $17.2M
See the problem?
Buybacks artificially boost share prices and inflate CEO pay.
The typical worker at these companies earned $35k last year.
Meanwhile, the average CEO was paid $17.2M
See the problem?
September 3, 2025 at 10:15 PM
The 100 lowest-paying US corporations spent $644B on stock buybacks from 2019 to 2024.
Buybacks artificially boost share prices and inflate CEO pay.
The typical worker at these companies earned $35k last year.
Meanwhile, the average CEO was paid $17.2M
See the problem?
Buybacks artificially boost share prices and inflate CEO pay.
The typical worker at these companies earned $35k last year.
Meanwhile, the average CEO was paid $17.2M
See the problem?
American corporations are on pace to spend $1.1 trillion on stock buybacks in 2025, an all-time high.
Buybacks don't create more jobs, increase wages, or grow the economy — but they do help juice CEO pay that's often tied to stock performance.
Nothing trickles down to workers.
Buybacks don't create more jobs, increase wages, or grow the economy — but they do help juice CEO pay that's often tied to stock performance.
Nothing trickles down to workers.
August 11, 2025 at 6:15 PM
American corporations are on pace to spend $1.1 trillion on stock buybacks in 2025, an all-time high.
Buybacks don't create more jobs, increase wages, or grow the economy — but they do help juice CEO pay that's often tied to stock performance.
Nothing trickles down to workers.
Buybacks don't create more jobs, increase wages, or grow the economy — but they do help juice CEO pay that's often tied to stock performance.
Nothing trickles down to workers.
Stock buybacks are fueling record economic inequality. It’s time to make them illegal again.
Why Stock Buybacks Should Be Illegal (Again)
YouTube video by Robert Reich
www.youtube.com
December 17, 2024 at 6:09 PM
Stock buybacks are fueling record economic inequality. It’s time to make them illegal again.
The 100 lowest-paying major US corporations spent $522B on stock buybacks from 2019 to 2023.
Buybacks artificially boost share prices and inflate CEO pay.
The typical worker at these companies earned just $34k.
Meanwhile, the average CEO was paid $14.7M.
See the problem?
Buybacks artificially boost share prices and inflate CEO pay.
The typical worker at these companies earned just $34k.
Meanwhile, the average CEO was paid $14.7M.
See the problem?
March 9, 2025 at 11:01 PM
The 100 lowest-paying major US corporations spent $522B on stock buybacks from 2019 to 2023.
Buybacks artificially boost share prices and inflate CEO pay.
The typical worker at these companies earned just $34k.
Meanwhile, the average CEO was paid $14.7M.
See the problem?
Buybacks artificially boost share prices and inflate CEO pay.
The typical worker at these companies earned just $34k.
Meanwhile, the average CEO was paid $14.7M.
See the problem?
UnitedHealthcare is raising premiums for policyholders in New York and Washington after spending $9B on stock buybacks last year.
Healthcare companies are robbing you blind to enrich their executives and shareholders.
This is why we need Medicare for All.
Healthcare companies are robbing you blind to enrich their executives and shareholders.
This is why we need Medicare for All.
Health Insurers Are Hiking Premiums as Their Profits Balloon
The US’s six largest health insurers reported massive profits last year, doling out billions on stock buybacks and divid
jacobin.com
July 22, 2025 at 7:30 PM
UnitedHealthcare is raising premiums for policyholders in New York and Washington after spending $9B on stock buybacks last year.
Healthcare companies are robbing you blind to enrich their executives and shareholders.
This is why we need Medicare for All.
Healthcare companies are robbing you blind to enrich their executives and shareholders.
This is why we need Medicare for All.
That’s why I just introduced a bipartisan bill to limit stock buybacks in defense contracting.
March 27, 2026 at 10:06 PM
That’s why I just introduced a bipartisan bill to limit stock buybacks in defense contracting.
Stock buybacks are a scam to make the richest even richer. It's time to make them illegal again.
Why Stock Buybacks Should Be Illegal (Again)
YouTube video by Robert Reich
www.youtube.com
December 17, 2024 at 6:12 PM
Stock buybacks are a scam to make the richest even richer. It's time to make them illegal again.
How did 11 top corporations — including PepsiCo, ComCast, and Kimberly Clark — spend their spoils from Trump's tax scam?
By spending three times as much on stock buybacks as they paid in taxes.
Nothing trickled down. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/09/trump-tax-cuts-stock-buybacks
By spending three times as much on stock buybacks as they paid in taxes.
Nothing trickled down. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/09/trump-tax-cuts-stock-buybacks
Top US companies spent three times as much on buybacks as taxes after Trump cuts – report
As president proposes new cuts, data shows 11 corporations collectively recorded nearly $500bn in profits since last cut
www.theguardian.com
May 1, 2025 at 8:45 PM
How did 11 top corporations — including PepsiCo, ComCast, and Kimberly Clark — spend their spoils from Trump's tax scam?
By spending three times as much on stock buybacks as they paid in taxes.
Nothing trickled down. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/09/trump-tax-cuts-stock-buybacks
By spending three times as much on stock buybacks as they paid in taxes.
Nothing trickled down. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/09/trump-tax-cuts-stock-buybacks
Last year, Kroger's CEO raked in $15.4 million — 457x more than its typical employee. Kroger also announced $7.5 billion in stock buybacks.
I don't want to hear that Kroger can't afford to treat its employees fairly.
Solidarity to these workers.
I don't want to hear that Kroger can't afford to treat its employees fairly.
Solidarity to these workers.
Kroger has shut down four Colorado locations as grocery strike begins.
The UFCW just launched these initial walk outs, but the strike could grow dramatically and spread across multiple strikes.
Over 100,000 supermarket workers have authorized strikes across the West and PNW.
The UFCW just launched these initial walk outs, but the strike could grow dramatically and spread across multiple strikes.
Over 100,000 supermarket workers have authorized strikes across the West and PNW.
June 16, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Last year, Kroger's CEO raked in $15.4 million — 457x more than its typical employee. Kroger also announced $7.5 billion in stock buybacks.
I don't want to hear that Kroger can't afford to treat its employees fairly.
Solidarity to these workers.
I don't want to hear that Kroger can't afford to treat its employees fairly.
Solidarity to these workers.
Stock buybacks don't just line the pockets of CEOs and shareholders — they're dangerous.
Boeing failed to implement a $7B redesign of its 737 Max while spending that much per year on buybacks.
A dollar spent on buybacks is a dollar less spent to upgrade equipment and safety.
Boeing failed to implement a $7B redesign of its 737 Max while spending that much per year on buybacks.
A dollar spent on buybacks is a dollar less spent to upgrade equipment and safety.
June 19, 2024 at 3:48 PM
Stock buybacks don't just line the pockets of CEOs and shareholders — they're dangerous.
Boeing failed to implement a $7B redesign of its 737 Max while spending that much per year on buybacks.
A dollar spent on buybacks is a dollar less spent to upgrade equipment and safety.
Boeing failed to implement a $7B redesign of its 737 Max while spending that much per year on buybacks.
A dollar spent on buybacks is a dollar less spent to upgrade equipment and safety.
Since Trump’s 2017 tax law cut the corporate tax rate, America's biggest corporations have spent $4.8 trillion on stock buybacks.
The top 10 corporations who bought back the most stock spent FIVE TIMES more on stock buybacks than they paid in taxes.
This blew my mind.
The top 10 corporations who bought back the most stock spent FIVE TIMES more on stock buybacks than they paid in taxes.
This blew my mind.
Firms Spend $4.8T on Stock Buybacks Since 1st Trump-GOP Tax Law
Huge Tax Cuts Used to Enrich Shareholders Rather Than Boost Pay or Investment
4taxfairness.substack.com
June 18, 2026 at 9:15 PM
Since Trump’s 2017 tax law cut the corporate tax rate, America's biggest corporations have spent $4.8 trillion on stock buybacks.
The top 10 corporations who bought back the most stock spent FIVE TIMES more on stock buybacks than they paid in taxes.
This blew my mind.
The top 10 corporations who bought back the most stock spent FIVE TIMES more on stock buybacks than they paid in taxes.
This blew my mind.
Scott Bessent told me bond markets keep eating his buybacks so I asked how many buybacks he has and he said he just borrows more money afterwards so I said it sounds like he’s just feeding buybacks to bond markets and then his traders started crying.
The 10-year yield approached 4.85%, its highest level since 2023, after Treasury said it would buy back up to $6 billion in longer-term debt. Some expected a larger buyback, which could have calmed yields down a bit more.
www.wsj.com/livecoverage...
www.wsj.com/livecoverage...
September 9, 2026 at 4:41 PM
Scott Bessent told me bond markets keep eating his buybacks so I asked how many buybacks he has and he said he just borrows more money afterwards so I said it sounds like he’s just feeding buybacks to bond markets and then his traders started crying.
Microsoft:
$101 BILLION in profits.
$12.5 BILLION in tax breaks.
$176 BILLION in stock buybacks.
4,800 workers fired this week.
9,000 workers fired last year.
Please don't tell me trickle-down economics works.
It never did. Nothing trickles down.
$101 BILLION in profits.
$12.5 BILLION in tax breaks.
$176 BILLION in stock buybacks.
4,800 workers fired this week.
9,000 workers fired last year.
Please don't tell me trickle-down economics works.
It never did. Nothing trickles down.
July 9, 2026 at 8:07 PM
Microsoft:
$101 BILLION in profits.
$12.5 BILLION in tax breaks.
$176 BILLION in stock buybacks.
4,800 workers fired this week.
9,000 workers fired last year.
Please don't tell me trickle-down economics works.
It never did. Nothing trickles down.
$101 BILLION in profits.
$12.5 BILLION in tax breaks.
$176 BILLION in stock buybacks.
4,800 workers fired this week.
9,000 workers fired last year.
Please don't tell me trickle-down economics works.
It never did. Nothing trickles down.
Kroger will lay off ~1,000 employees.
In December, it announced $7.5B in stock buybacks – which juice stock prices, enriching shareholders and boosting CEO pay.
Just so happens that Kroger's last CEO was paid 457x its typical employee in 2024.
Textbook corporate greed.
In December, it announced $7.5B in stock buybacks – which juice stock prices, enriching shareholders and boosting CEO pay.
Just so happens that Kroger's last CEO was paid 457x its typical employee in 2024.
Textbook corporate greed.
September 16, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Kroger will lay off ~1,000 employees.
In December, it announced $7.5B in stock buybacks – which juice stock prices, enriching shareholders and boosting CEO pay.
Just so happens that Kroger's last CEO was paid 457x its typical employee in 2024.
Textbook corporate greed.
In December, it announced $7.5B in stock buybacks – which juice stock prices, enriching shareholders and boosting CEO pay.
Just so happens that Kroger's last CEO was paid 457x its typical employee in 2024.
Textbook corporate greed.
Walmart spent $35.3B on stock buybacks from 2019 to 2024, enough to give each of its 2.2M employees annual bonuses of $2,719.
Last year, Walmart CEO Doug McMillon pocketed $27.4M — 930x the company's median employee pay of just $29,469.
Textbook corporate greed.
Last year, Walmart CEO Doug McMillon pocketed $27.4M — 930x the company's median employee pay of just $29,469.
Textbook corporate greed.
September 7, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Walmart spent $35.3B on stock buybacks from 2019 to 2024, enough to give each of its 2.2M employees annual bonuses of $2,719.
Last year, Walmart CEO Doug McMillon pocketed $27.4M — 930x the company's median employee pay of just $29,469.
Textbook corporate greed.
Last year, Walmart CEO Doug McMillon pocketed $27.4M — 930x the company's median employee pay of just $29,469.
Textbook corporate greed.
Tyson is closing a Nebraska plant that employs 3,200 workers in order to “right-size” its business.
The meatpacking giant paid its CEO $22.7M last year, 525x its median employee's pay.
It also spent $196M in stock buybacks to reward shareholders.
Textbook corporate greed.
The meatpacking giant paid its CEO $22.7M last year, 525x its median employee's pay.
It also spent $196M in stock buybacks to reward shareholders.
Textbook corporate greed.
November 24, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Tyson is closing a Nebraska plant that employs 3,200 workers in order to “right-size” its business.
The meatpacking giant paid its CEO $22.7M last year, 525x its median employee's pay.
It also spent $196M in stock buybacks to reward shareholders.
Textbook corporate greed.
The meatpacking giant paid its CEO $22.7M last year, 525x its median employee's pay.
It also spent $196M in stock buybacks to reward shareholders.
Textbook corporate greed.
GS: Buybacks at risk? Corporate executives and officers have stopped buying their own shares
(via @mikezaccardi.bsky.social)
(via @mikezaccardi.bsky.social)
April 11, 2025 at 7:24 PM
GS: Buybacks at risk? Corporate executives and officers have stopped buying their own shares
(via @mikezaccardi.bsky.social)
(via @mikezaccardi.bsky.social)
Outlaw stock buybacks.
September 19, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Outlaw stock buybacks.
Stock buybacks don't just line the pockets of CEOs and shareholders — they're dangerous.
Boeing failed to implement a $7B redesign of its 737 Max while spending that much per year on buybacks.
A dollar spent on buybacks is a dollar less spent to upgrade equipment and safety.
Boeing failed to implement a $7B redesign of its 737 Max while spending that much per year on buybacks.
A dollar spent on buybacks is a dollar less spent to upgrade equipment and safety.
May 11, 2024 at 6:36 PM
Stock buybacks don't just line the pockets of CEOs and shareholders — they're dangerous.
Boeing failed to implement a $7B redesign of its 737 Max while spending that much per year on buybacks.
A dollar spent on buybacks is a dollar less spent to upgrade equipment and safety.
Boeing failed to implement a $7B redesign of its 737 Max while spending that much per year on buybacks.
A dollar spent on buybacks is a dollar less spent to upgrade equipment and safety.
capitalism how does it work?
*TRUMP: WON'T PERMIT DIVIDENDS, STOCK BUYBACKS FOR DEFENSE COS
*TRUMP: WON'T PERMIT DIVIDENDS, STOCK BUYBACKS FOR DEFENSE COS
January 7, 2026 at 7:10 PM
capitalism how does it work?
*TRUMP: WON'T PERMIT DIVIDENDS, STOCK BUYBACKS FOR DEFENSE COS
*TRUMP: WON'T PERMIT DIVIDENDS, STOCK BUYBACKS FOR DEFENSE COS