I am loathe to write these words and stir up any frenzy,...

I am loathe to write these words and stir up any frenzy, however...

It's not uncommon for a listed business to discontinue its buyback scheme in the event it has received a non binding expression of interest. A very recent example, over in NZ, was when Sky NZ discontinued its buyback. Investors started wondering why and after some months Sky finally disclosed that in response to the number of queries received by shareholders on why the buyback was paused they had done so given the receipt of a NBIO. Worth noting that the takeover was ultimately not successful.

So I'm certainly not implying a takeover is afoot here - but it is one reason (of potentially several others) on why a business may stop its buybacks.

So watch those buyback notices....