U.S. Stock Buybacks Surge Toward $1.1 Trillion In 2025, Marking The Fastest Start Since 1982

U.S. companies have announced $983.6 billion in stock buybacks so far this year, the fastest start since at least 1982, according to The Wall Street Journal. Buybacks are projected to top $1.1 trillion in 2025, an all-time high. The surge is driven by tech giants like Apple and Alphabet and big banks including JPMorgan, Bank of America, and Morgan Stanley. July buyback announcements hit $165.6 billion, a record for the month, as strong earnings, trade deals, and economic resilience pushed the S&P 500 and Nasdaq to new highs. Supporters say repurchases boost earnings per share and stock prices, while critics warn they prioritize short-term gains over long-term investment and may mask tariff impacts. The 20 largest companies account for nearly half of total repurchases, with AI-driven balance sheet growth fueling big tech’s programs. Analysts expect the trend to keep supporting markets, with 82% of S&P 500 companies beating second-quarter earnings estimates.