"No need to push share price up at all. Plenty of sellers. Trade...

"No need to push share price up at all. Plenty of sellers. Trade wars, Brexit, Global uncertainty. The market will reward the patient. "

I guess not but it depends on the motives behind the buyback. If the idea is to snaffle as many shares as possible in the next 6 or 7 months then paying up makes sense.

And it goes on 

If the motive is more to be "seen" to be engaged in active capital management then there is no need to bid up

If motives are more about supporting the share price at a minimum set price then once again; "do nothing"

And so it goes on.

Perhaps by reserving the manner in which the buyback is managed to % chance of a Jan Divvy announcement goes up marginally. I might up my estimation of the chances of a divvy at half year to 35% on the back of buy back on the go slow