återköper

återköper is a Swedish term that translates to "buyback" in English. It most commonly refers to share buybacks conducted by companies. In a share buyback, a company repurchases its own outstanding shares from the open market or directly from shareholders. This reduces the number of shares in circulation.

Companies may undertake share buybacks for several reasons. One primary motivation is to return capital to shareholders. By reducing the number of shares, each remaining share represents a larger proportion of the company's ownership and earnings, potentially increasing the earnings per share (EPS). This can make the stock appear more attractive to investors. Another reason is to offset the dilutive effects of stock options or employee stock purchase plans. Companies might also buy back shares if they believe their stock is undervalued by the market, seeing it as a good investment.

From an accounting perspective, repurchased shares are often treated as treasury stock, which is a contra-equity account. This means they reduce the total equity of the company. The decision to repurchase shares is typically made by the company's board of directors, and such programs are usually announced publicly. Share buybacks can have an impact on a company's financial ratios and stock price, and their effectiveness is often debated among financial analysts. The proceeds from a buyback are considered a distribution of capital rather than income for the selling shareholder.