DirecTV completes $3 billion stock repurchase,begins new $2 billion program

[Steve615]

From DirecTV and broadcastnewsroom.com:
The DirecTV Group,Inc. announced today that it recently completed its $3 billion stock repurchase program that began May 2008.
The Board of Directors has approved the repurchase of up to an additional $2 billion of its common stock.
The program may be suspended or discontinued at any time.

http://investor.directv.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=358675

http://www.broadcastnewsroom.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=627065

[Draconis]

Another article from Forbes.

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/01/12/ap5907489.html

[hdtvfan0001]

Hmmmm...that's typically done for several reasons...including to boost stock prices...or...to make acquisitions....hmmmmm....:D

[Italia]

I was going to ask what does this all mean? But I hope it's not to make acquisitions. I'd rather them sell.....I really have grown frustrated with this current regime.

[Ytsejamer1]

Yes, sometimes its used to just boost stock prices without reason, but sometimes the company really thinks they're onto something and hitting their stride, and want to send a signal to the market that they're very confident in their product and company structure.

[Matman]

Generally a buyback of that size means the company believes that good things are on there way........

[bobvick1983]

Being an accountant, if I had investments in the cable/dbs sector, it appears that DirecTV would be the company to beat right now. Especially when comparing Echostar (SATS) and Dish Network (DISH) to DirecTV (DTV).
I believe that Echostar made a mistake by splitting the company apart at the time that they did, if we were in a healthier economy, and there was or would be huge demand for Echostar's products then it would make sense. All and all, I believe that this will bolster DirecTV's stock price, and the market value of the company, and as some have said, position the company for acquisitions.

[Bushwacr]

Being an accountant, if I had investments in the cable/dbs sector, it appears that DirecTV would be the company to beat right now. Especially when comparing Echostar (SATS) and Dish Network (DISH) to DirecTV (DTV).
I believe that Echostar made a mistake by splitting the company apart at the time that they did, if we were in a healthier economy, and there was or would be huge demand for Echostar's products then it would make sense. All and all, I believe that this will bolster DirecTV's stock price, and the market value of the company, and as some have said, position the company for acquisitions.

Or it could be positioning to be acquired. There are lots of possibilities including the obvious .... right now their stock is relatively cheap based on their stock history.

[MRinDenver]

And then there was the FCC approval of Sirius and XM.....