VEA Vice Chair Nell Minow is quoted in this Washington Post story about executives selling their stock into buybacks:
Repurchases enrich executives several ways, says Nell Minow, vice chair of ValueEdge Advisers, which counsels investors on corporate governance issues.
“It’s a triple dip,” Minow said, that works like this:
Here’s how stock buybacks work and why some people are worriedFirst, the value of insiders’ stock holdings stands to rise because buybacks reduce a company’s total shares outstanding and increase earnings per share, a closely watched investment metric that drives stock prices. The insiders also can get a better price for any shares they want to shed by selling into the buyback. And last, the higher earnings per share can enable them to pass thresholds in compensation packages that trigger higher bonuses and incentive pay, according to Minow.
via Buybacks: The company says buy, but insiders sell – The Washington Post