Share Repurchases Slow In Being Fulfilled

Over the last 12 months, 565 companies have announced share repurchases for $185.9 billion, but to date only about $68.8 billion in stock has been repurchased. However, in July 2010, a similar report found that only one-half of the companies that announced share repurchases had actually begun buying shares. All 565 companies that have announced share repurchases have made at least minimal buybacks. Further, some evidence suggests that only one-third of share repurchase announcements are ever fully completed.