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Theo,
The reality is that the buybacks are effectively funding the payment of shares to employees so could be viewed realistically as operating costs rather than truly returns to shareholders (apart from any excess above new shares issued to employees)
The correction in the markets over the last month has got a little concerning now, as I am taking early retirement next month.
Keep having to remind myself that there will be a bounce back over the next few months. Would be nice to get some good news from Lloyds on the divi shortly to help :)
Whilst looking forward to the next stage, it's never nice to be in a spell where investments are going backwards.....
I think the consensus is an expectation that the dividend at least returns to pre pandemic level immediately with scope for buyback /preventing further dilution beyond that ...... certainly the performance this year is more than enough to support that with the excess capital to support any further opportunity.....
Or to put it another way, the share buyback is paying for the staff incentive share schemes........ not going to investors.
The number of shares does not go down and drive up the share price which is the perceived aim of buybacks in returning money to shareholders (Aviva being a good example at the moment).
Of course the number of shares would be higher without it, but the reality is that it is paying staff incentives.....
Hi Walker, The reason for being concerned about the unvaccinated is that they may still want to be treated and cared for if seriously affected by the virus and could block beds required by those who have taken every precaution to try to protect themselves but still fall seriously ill......
Theo, make some good points but vaccination remains the key to protecting people and it remains a great frustration that the unvaccinated are happy to put not just themselves but others at great risk.
Germany have a lot more ICU beds but are having more extensive lockdowns and talking of mandatory vaccinations....... MOT
Agreed, a complex situation at the moment and difficult to see how it will pan out as the economy rebalances. Very difficult to see how much is Brexit related and how much Pandemic related along with the global Supply Chain issues. Overall, my feeling is that the economy is rebounding pretty well and we are going through a period of major adjustment to a very suddenly changed labour market. The increases in pay rates at low pay levels are a real positive going forward.
Surely the extremely positive employment data will see Lloyds leave the 50p barrier behind for the forseeable.
No idea why it wasn't already very clear that the severe labour shortage remains after the end of furlough .....
Really hoping that Lloyds pushes on from here and leaves 50 behind to settle in the mid 50's prior to positive news in 3 months time to move us forward into the 60's ........ It all seems good news ahead, I can live in hope :)