RE:RE:Gear Energy Ltd. Confirms Monthly Dividend No, no and no. Stock buybacks have a sketchy moral history and are used today more to boost management's stock option plans than anything else. I hate buybacks. I want dividends. What am supposed to do? Sell a tiny odd lot every time I want to pay the hydro bill??? Try running your life if your only source of income is a portfolio of shares that never pay any dividends.
This article might interest you. https://www.newyorker.com/business/currency/the-economist-who-put-stock-buybacks-in-washingtons-crosshairs