Corporate America Hoards Cash for Tariffs Over Buying Back Stock

April 2, 2025, 2:36 PM UTC

US companies last month announced the fewest stock buybacks, in dollar terms, since the Covid pandemic, an early sign of cash hoarding from worries about economic growth and the impact of a global trade war.

The value of announced buybacks in the US reached $39.1 billion in March, the lowest dollar value since October 2020 and the lowest for March since 2019, according to data compiled by Birinyi Associates. That’s a worrisome sign for investors since buybacks offer a crucial pillar of support for the US stock market, which is already down significantly from February’s all-time highs and is facing ...

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