In Praise of Folly: Stopping Stock Buybacks

(1) Mencken, Reagan & Emanuel on government. (2) Senators Schumer and Sanders are here to help. (3) Buybacks were once banned. Should they be limited now? (4) Unintended consequences of Clinton’s million-dollar cap for exec pay. (5) S&P data suggest aim of buybacks is to reduce dilution from stock compensation rather than to boost earnings per share! (6) Almost 100% of profits used for buybacks and dividends, leaving “only” depreciation allowance to fund plenty of capex. (7) Labor market data belie notion that real incomes and wages have been stagnating for most households and workers. (8) The income inequality debate. (9) Workers of America, buy stocks in your 401(k)s and IRAs!