WHAT IS A BUYBACK? A buyback is an option for repurchasing free-float equity shares of a company by promoters. The company pays its shareholders a fixed value per share and takes back equity shares, which were distributed among public and private investors, as part of its ownership. It may be noted that the buyback is beneficial for investors as the company pays a higher price for equity shares than the market value. There are various reasons why companies opt for buybacks including plans to consolidate ownership, increasing key financial ratios and strengthening company finances. Infosys has already announced two buybacks in the past and this will be the third one. In 2017, the company conducted its first buyback of shares, returning Rs 13,000 crore to investors at Rs 1,150 per share. Infosys conducted its second buyback in 2019 at Rs 800 per share.