It's an interesting point you raise about the impact of buybacks...

It's an interesting point you raise about the impact of buybacks on share prices and the broader implications for shareholders, especially those who are financially vulnerable. While buybacks can theoretically stabilise or boost share prices by reducing the number of shares on the market, they don't always address the immediate financial needs of all shareholders.

Westpac's stance on helping struggling families and pensioners seems contradictory when juxtaposed with their decision to implement buybacks instead of a Capital Return distribution. A Capital Return would have likely provided more direct and immediate financial relief to these groups, often with favorable tax implications.

For shareholders seeking a more direct line of communication with the companies they invest in, solutions like Diolog (can be found here if interested: Diolog - For retail investors) offer a platform to voice concerns and engage in meaningful dialogue with corporate boards. Perhaps things like this can improve communication and therefore more equitable decisions can be made that align with the interests of all shareholders, not just institutional ones.