Comment by _DeadFred_
13 hours ago
It is not. It is manipulating the value of the stock, which the shareholders can possible take advantage of by selling their stock. Giving money back to shareholders is called a dividend. Manipulating the price of a stock is manipulation, not returning money.
What’s the practical difference? Either way the amount that ends up in your brokerage account should increase be the same amount. Stock buybacks are more tax efficient for the stock owner in the US