Sorry, I still disagree... Their credibility would increase more by decreasing the outstanding float; the company would demonstrate they are willing to buy their own shares and by implication the public should have the same confidence. The effect of a repurchase is more durable than a cash dividend although Treasury shares can always be resold. Short covering would also be more difficult with a smaller float, nothing like a good short squeeze if you are long.
An increased PPS would only make it easier to finance expansion and acquisitions if they issued MORE stock which would dilute the "Issued and Outstanding".