RE:Returns to shareholders deffered Interesting that they did not use the word dividends but return to shareholders suggesting they are considering an issuer bid. An issuer bid would squeeze the shorts harder than a cash dividend as the shorts would have to return most if not all of their borrowed shares so the owners can tender to the bid , forcing them to buy in to get those shares. In the case of cash dividends the shorts would simply have their accounts debited for the amount of the dividend.