EPS

Corporate buybacks this year may reach their highest level since the start of the financial crisis, escalating debate over the wisdom of using hundreds of billions of dollars to temporarily improve quarterly results. Even if the total profit does not change, buybacks increase earnings per share (Earnings Per Share, EPS) by reducing the number of securities in circulation. The main focus of analysts and investors is not usually on the total profit margin., namely EPS. Buybacks criticized by some fund managers, including Larry Fink - CEO of Blackrock (assets under management 4,5 trillion dollars). In his opinion, some companies are too keen on buyouts and do nothing for long-term business prosperity. Politicians pay attention to the problem too. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton called for more and more full disclosure of company operations. That being said, some activist investors see buybacks as a way to return money to investors..