These Companies Have Been The Biggest Buyers Of Their Own Stocks In 2022

If there is one thing that often gets people interested in business talking, it’s watching what the largest companies in the world do with their money. Recently, these companies have been the biggest buyers of their own stocks, but why? There are plenty of reasons that companies buy back their own stocks.

From looking more appealing to future investors to creating more value for their shareholders, there are plenty of compelling reasons businesses start to invest in themselves throughout the year. Still, some are keener to do it than others. Of course, it’s the most prominent companies in the world that have really put their money where their mouth is in 2022.

Morgan Stanley - $3.68 billion

Being an investment management company means Morgan Stanley knows a thing or two about spending its money. In 2022, Morgan Stanley decided the best thing to do was buy back a huge chunk of their own stocks - $3.68 billion, to be precise. However, the company’s 2022 performance vs. the S&P 500 is still -0.1 percent points. 

Lowe’s Companies - $4.04 billion

Lowe’s Companies has come a long way since the hardware store first opened its doors. Now, it’s so successful that it’s one of the companies that have been the biggest buyers of their own stock, spending $4.04 billion in 2022. They’ve also had a successful year, coming out +9.5 percentage points against the S&P 500.

Bristol-Myers Squibb - $5 billion

It might be little surprise to many that a pharmaceutical company is one of the biggest earning in 2022. However, not everyone expected to see Bristol-Myers Squibb come out with a performance this year compared to the S&P 500 of +28.9 percentage points. Bristol-Myers Squibb has also bought back a huge amount of its stocks, totaling $5 billion in 2022. 

Wells Fargo - $6.02 billion

Buying $6.02 billion of their own stocks has seen Wells Fargo become one of the biggest buyers in 2022. However, the bank is also up +2.4 percentage points compared to the S&P 500, meaning it’s been doing well for itself throughout the year. 

Amgen - $6.36 billion

Amgen has been a name on many people’s lips in recent weeks as the biopharmaceutical company continues to work on new treatments. Although it recently announced its latest work on lung cancer treatment still needs further studies, it’s up +19.9 percentage points in 2022 compared to the S&P 500. Amgen is also one of the companies that have been the biggest buyers of their own stock this year, investing $6.36 billion in their stocks. 

S&P Global - $7.07 billion

They might be the majority owner of S&P 500, but S&P Global is down -6.1 percentage points compared to the stock tracking system. The company is in charge of a host of index solutions used in all kinds of ways. Perhaps being down compared to the S&P 500 is why the business has invested $7.07 billion in its own stocks in 2022?

Microsoft - $8.82 billion

Being one of the richest companies in the world means that Microsoft has plenty of money to burn. It also means it has $8.82 billion to invest in buying their own stocks. The company has faced a huge drop in stock prices since December 2021, leading to their performance to S&P 500 score coming out at -3.8 percentage points. 

Meta Platforms - $10.43 billion

It’s no secret that Meta Platforms has been in a lot of trouble and caused a host of controversies in recent years. Now, it seems it’s pulling the plug on its venture into the world of cryptocurrency as Meta continues to fight tumbling stock prices. Now, Meta Platforms has been left with little choice but to become one of the biggest buyers of their own stocks, investing $10.43 billion into the company. Sadly for Meta, it also falls in at -37.5 percentage points compared to the S&P 500. 

Alphabet - $13.3 billion

Did you know that Alphabet is Google’s parent company? That’s right; that’s part of how the company has earned so much money throughout the years. Sadly, like many other companies, Alphabet has also lost a lot of value in its stocks throughout the last 12 months, meaning it spent $13.3 billion buying back its own stocks in 2022. Alphabet also falls -6.3 percentage points from this year’s performance compared to S&P 500. 

Apple - $22.96 billion

Being the richest company in the world by far means that Apple has plenty of money on one side. Now, it’s one of the biggest buyers of their own stocks, investing $22.96 billion into its own stocks in 2022 alone. The price is on the up and leaves Apple up +6.8 percentage points compared to S&P 500.

These companies have been the biggest buyers of their own stocks for plenty of reasons. The catch? There could soon be a 1% tax on any stock buybacks, meaning a potentially hefty tax bill.