Groundlearn / Glossary / Share repurchase
Share repurchase
Also called buyback. A CFA term, defined in plain English with the distinction examiners test.
What it means
A company buying its own shares, reducing the share count.
The exam angle
Equivalent to a dividend in cash terms but more flexible and often tax-advantaged. Raises EPS mechanically, which is not the same as creating value.
Where it appears in the syllabus
- Corporate FinanceCFA Level I · exam weight 6–9% · Governance, working capital, capital allocation, capital structure.
Related terms
- Agency problemThe conflict that arises when managers act in their own interest rather than that of the owners who employ them.
- Business riskThe uncertainty in operating income arising from the nature of the business itself, before any financing decision.
- Capital budgetingThe process of deciding which long-term investments a company should make.
- Capital structureThe mix of debt and equity a company uses to fund itself.
- Cash conversion cycleThe time between paying for inventory and collecting cash from the customer.
- Corporate governanceThe system of controls by which a company is directed and held accountable to its stakeholders.
Educational content only. This is not financial, investment, legal or regulatory advice. Check the official curriculum for your own exam before relying on any definition here.
Practise it in Cornerstone
Snapshot cards and five-question sessions for CFA® and FRM® candidates, free on Android and offline. The full glossary is in the app too, with search.
About CornerstoneOr get a free practice question every day on the Cornerstone WhatsApp channel.