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Infosys’ board meeting on Thursday to consider a share buyback proposal has infused fresh life into the stock, which has rallied 7% in the past two sessions. As the buzz builds, ET Markets explains why companies do share buybacks and what it means for investors:Companies buy back their shares either through open markets or via the tender route for various reasons. Here are eight common ones:Enhance shareholder valueBy reducing the number of outstanding shares, earnings per share (EPS) rises. This often boosts the stock price and signals confidence to the market.Return excess cash to shareholdersCompanies sometimes distribute surplus cash through buybacks. This method is tax-efficient and benefits only participating shareholders, unlike dividends, which are distributed to all. It is especially popular in markets with high dividend distribution tax.Signal of undervaluationManagement may initiate a buyback if it believes the stock is undervalued. It signals confidence in the company’s growth and fundamentals.Stabilise stock priceBuybacks provide support in volatile or weak markets, boosting investor sentiment.Offset dilution from ESOPsCompanies issuing large numbers of employee stock options (ESOPs) often use buybacks to prevent excessive dilution of existing shareholders’ stakes.Defend against hostile takeoversBy reducing the free float, buybacks make it harder for an acquirer to accumulate a controlling stake.Flexibility versus dividendsUnlike dividends, buybacks are one-time events, giving companies flexibility to manage cash without committing to recurring payouts.Regulatory or tax arbitrageIn some cases, tax treatment makes buybacks more attractive than dividends. In India, since 2019, the tax on buybacks shifted to the company instead of shareholders, making it beneficial for investors.(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), a Tata Motor-led auto giant, confirmed a cyber incident that has disrupted its global systems and may have compromised data, the automaker said in a statement on Wednesday.JLR has not disclosed details on the scale of the breach or the type of data affected.“Since we became aware of the cyber incident, we have been working around the clock, alongside third-party cybersecurity specialists, to restart our global applications in a controlled and safe manner,” JLR said.The company stated that its ongoing forensic investigation indicates data impact. “As a result of our ongoing investigation, we now believe that some data has been affected and we are informing the relevant regulators. Our forensic investigation continues at pace and we will contact anyone as appropriate if we find that their data has been impacted,” it added.The statement also acknowledged the operational difficulties the breach has caused. “We are very sorry for the continued disruption this incident is causing and we will continue to update as the investigation progresses,” the company said.

Helios Mid Cap Fund, managed by Helios Mutual Fund, has increased its stake in ITC Hotels, Ola Electric, Paytm, MCX, Swiggy, and 27 other stocks in its portfolio in August.The fund added around 1.97 lakh shares of Ola Electric to its portfolio taking the total number of shares to 8.77 lakh in August compared to 6.80 lakh in July. Around 43,120 shares of ITC Hotels, 3,978 shares of Paytm (One 97 Communications), 23,193 shares of Swiggy, and 250 shares of MCX were added to the portfolio.Also Read | NFO Insight: Can Groww Multi Asset Allocation Fund add value to your mutual fund portfolio?The mid cap fund increased its exposure in Niva Bupa Health Insurance Company by adding 1.88 lakh shares to its portfolio in August. Around 1,110 shares of HDFC AMC were added to the portfolio in the said time period.Only 300 shares of Hitachi Energy India were added to the portfolio in the above mentioned period.The fund added four new stocks in its portfolio - Acutaas Chemicals, ASK Automotive, Cummins, and Hero MotoCorp in August. Around 24,750 shares of ASK Automotive were added to the portfolio, followed by 15,555 shares of Cummins India and 11,888 shares of Hero MotoCorp. The fund added around 15,338 shares of Acutaas Chemicals to the portfolioExposure in 29 stocks remained unchanged compared to the previous month. Some of the stocks where exposure was unchanged included Aadhar Housing Finance, APL Apollo Tubes, Ather Energy, CarTrade Tech, Delhivery, Gokaldas Exports, IDFC First Bank, Manappuram Finance, Patanjali Foods, RBL Bank, Siemens Energy, and Sundaram Finance.In August, the mid cap fund had 66 stocks in its portfolio compared to 62 stocks in July.Helios Mid Cap Fund is an open-ended equity scheme predominantly investing in mid cap stocks. The investment objective of the scheme is to generate long-term capital appreciation from a portfolio that is invested predominantly in equity and equity related securities of mid cap companiesThe performance is benchmarked against NIFTY Midcap 150 Total Return Index and is managed by Alok Bahl and Pratik Singh.Also Read | Quant Small Cap Fund hikes stake in Gland Pharma & 2 other stocks, exits Siemens Energy, PG Electroplast in AugustThe minimum application amount is Rs 5,000 (plus in multiple of Re 1). If units redeemed or switched out are upto 10% (limit) of the units purchased or switched in within 3 months from the date of allotment, the exit load is nil. If units redeemed or switched out are over and above the limit within 3 months from the date of allotment of the applicable NAV, an exit load of 1% of the applicable NAV. If redeemed/switched out after 3 months from the date of allotment, the exit load is nil.The fund had an AUM of Rs 243 crore as on August 31 compared to Rs 192 crore in July 31.

Luxury car buyers in India are in for a treat this festive season. The PM Modi-led Central government's GST 2.0 reforms have lowered effective tax rates on premium vehicles, prompting automakers to pass on the benefits directly to customers.Models from Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), Audi, and Volvo are now priced more attractively, with discounts reaching as high as Rs 30.40 lakh on select vehicles. Earlier, luxury cars fell under the 28% GST bracket along with a compensation cess of 20–22%, taking the total tax burden to nearly 50%. Under the new GST 2.0 framework, they now sit in a 40% slab, resulting in significantly lower ex-showroom prices. Electric vehicles remain at a 5% GST rate with no compensation cess, which has been removed for all kinds of vehicles in the GST 2.0 regime.Mercedes-Benz IndiaMercedes-Benz has cut prices on all ICE models starting September 22. Reductions reach up to Rs 11 lakh across SUVs and sedans.ModelPrice reduction (Rs)GLA 220d 4MATIC AMG Line3.8 lakhGLC 300 4MATIC5.3 lakhGLE 450 4MATIC8 lakhGLS 450d AMG Line10 lakhA200d2.6 lakhC300 AMG Line3.7 lakhE-Class LWB 450 4MATIC6 lakhS 450 4MATIC11 lakhBMW Group IndiaBMW’s SUVs and sedans have seen reductions ranging from Rs 1.6 lakh to Rs 9 lakh, while MINI Cooper models are cheaper by Rs 2.5–3 lakh.ModelPrice reduction (Rs)X11.8 lakhX56.3 lakhX79 lakh2 Series Gran Coupe1.6 lakh3 Series LWB3.4 lakh5 Series LWB4.1 lakhJaguar Land Rover IndiaJLR has passed on GST benefits ranging from Rs 4.5 lakh to Rs 30.4 lakh across its SUV line-up.ModelPrice reduction (Rs)Discovery4.5–9.9 lakhDefender7–18.6 lakhRange Rover4.6–30.4 lakhAudi IndiaModelPrice reduction (Rs)Q33.07 lakhQ54.55 lakhQ76.15 lakhQ87.83 lakhA42.64 lakhA63.64 lakhVolvo Car IndiaVolvo currently sells only two ICE SUVs in India: the XC60 and XC90. Price cuts are substantial.ModelPrice reduction (Rs)XC604.79 lakhXC906.93 lakhThe luxury car segment in India has been steadily growing. In FY25, sales crossed 50,000 units for the first time, reaching around 51,500. Mercedes-Benz led with 18,928 units, followed by BMW at 15,266 and JLR at 6,183 units.