Apple has plowed over $500 billion into stock buybacks since 2012 — more than Visa, JPMorgan, or Exxon are worth
https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/apple-stock-buybacks-share-repurchases-500-billion-buffett-berkshire-cook-2023-8
Apple has plowed over $500 billion into stock buybacks since 2012 — more than Visa, JPMorgan, or Exxon are worth::Only eight companies in the S&P 500 have larger market values than Apple's outlay on share repurchases over the last decade.
Is there no scenario in which a company could buy back their stocks? Or are companies that offer stock forever stuck with never getting those back? That would kill a lot of opportunities for companies to start up, expand their business, or take advantage of other opportunities to grow. You can't always get money from a bank loan.
Don't bother. They've most likely only ever heard about stock buybacks on social media with little context otherwise. They have no idea the pros of buybacks, only a politically-charged subset of cons.
Prior to Reagan allowing changes, buying back stock wasn't allowed because it was seen as a manipulation of the stock market.
"Those who do not remember the past are doomed to repeat it." George Santayana