Stock buybacks are surging. Here’s why it matters to your portfolio.

Mark Hulbert

The record-setting pace of share buybacks is bearish

Last Updated: Aug. 7, 2025 at 1:26 p.m. ET
First Published: Aug. 7, 2025 at 7:40 a.m. ET

Corporate buybacks are surging, with both the July and year-to-date totals setting records. But that’s no reason for bullish stock investors to celebrate.

According to data compiled by Jeffrey Yale Rubin, president of Birinyi Associates, S&P 500 SPX companies in July announced buybacks that were 88% higher than the record for any previous July, which occurred in 2007. Furthermore, the total for the first seven months of 2025 is 13% higher than the previous year-to-date record through July — which occurred in 2022.