Replies to post #410140 on InterDigital Inc (IDCC)

[FISH21049]

m3s: What I don't like about buy backs is that it is not 'real money in our hands'. It looks good on paper but unless you sell the shares, you don't have any 'buying power'. AND, it can disappear in a down market or with any negative news.

With a special dividend, one can pay the taxes on it and do whatever one wants with the remainder, including buying more shares in the company or diversify into other companies.

I don't know what tax effects and ramifications come with a 'STOCK DIVIDEND' (when the dividend is paid and when the stock is sold), so I can't comment one way or the other if this is a better alternative.

One thing, however. A special dividend rewards ALL insiders that hold shares (and not just the chosen ones). And, it can reward those who continue to hold whatever shares they own or received (the more you hold, the more you get)

JMO, but for some, this could make a difference.

[nokiashill]

Stock buyback programs take advantage of supply and demand by reducing the number of shares outstanding, increasing EPS shareholder value, float and ultimately the price of stock. In addition, they are often a wise use of excess cash and can create tax opportunities for the investor. However, not all buybacks are actually implemented so caution and research is advisable., investors would do well to remember that share buybacks often involve a sort of negative signalling about business prospects. The implicit message is that companies lack a pipeline of projects that offer interesting returns on investment and, therefore, there are no fundamental factors that might drive earnings higher.some companies, particularly in the technology realm, have got into the unhealthy habit of granting stock options to staff and then buying back shares to offset that issuance.