Microsoft Corp. announced a $40 billion program to buy back shares, while Hewlett-Packard Co. and Nike Inc. also announced buybacks, countering a recent trend that has led many companies to conserve cash to cope with the slow economy and Wall Street's meltdown.
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has continued investing in online services despite the failed Yahoo bid, but the stock buyback signals the software maker isn't planning any big acquisitions.
Some companies are putting "money on the table again," said Howard Silverblatt, senior index analyst at Standard & Poors. "We haven't had many of these announcements recently because everyone's been so nervous" about using cash.
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