TI has had a stock repurchase program, authorized by its board of directors, for many years. The repurchases were initially intended to neutralize the potential dilutive effect of shares expected to be issued upon the exercise of stock options under the company's long-term incentive plans and employee stock purchase plan.
In 2004, TI implemented a much more aggressive stock repurchase program designed to reduce the number of shares outstanding. In late 2004, as TI began to shift its product portfolio to higher-profit analog products that require less capital spending, the company began to generate more cash flow from operations. In addition, successful implementation of the company's hybrid manufacturing strategy allowed TI to reduce the amount of cash carried on the balance sheet.
Over the last several years, we've used repurchases to significantly reduce the number of shares that are outstanding. Cumulatively, the board of directors has authorized $20 billion in stock repurchases since September 2004, and we've reduced our share count by 23 percent since the end of 2004. However, given that our cash balances are at a desirable level, it is likely our repurchases, while continuing as a means of returning value to our shareholders, will be at lower levels than in the past.
TI Stock Repurchases
Shares (M)
2005
2006
2007
1Q08
2008
3Q08
Average Basic
1640
1528
1417
1327
1320
1304
Average Diluted
1671
1560
1446
1347
1341
1318
Repurchased
153
172
146.9
28.6
14.1
17.1
Repurchased $M
$4,151
$5,302
$4,886
$874
$433
$429
CFO Kevin March talks about how TI has increased its stock repurchases since 4Q04. (0:38)