While I agree with reasons #2 and #3, I strongly disagree that the elimination or reduction of dilution is an appropriate reason to repurchase shares.  As a long term owner, I would rather see my ownership stake diluted from options than have the company buy back shares at a price above intrinsic value.  I would like to refer you to the following passage from Warren Buffett's 1999 letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders.

Rationally, a company's decision to repurchase shares or to issue them should stand on its own feet. Just because stock has been issued to satisfy options -- or for any other reason -- does not mean that stock should be repurchased at a price above intrinsic value. Correspondingly, a stock that sells well below intrinsic value should be repurchased whether or not stock has previously been issued (or may be because of outstanding options).

http://www.berkshirehathaway.com/letters/1999htm.html

Yes, but buybacks benefit only those shareholders, and employees,  who actually sell into the offer. There's no real benefit to those who don't sell, right?

Can't say I support the quarterly dividend proposal, yet -- but here's the supporting statement from the proxy statement (in the interests of balance):

 <blockquote>The well respected Wharton economist Jeremy Siegel explained that paying dividends is the old-fashioned, time-tested way companies show investors their earnings are real and their bottom line is strong. Dividends provide certainty about the company’s financial wellbeing and they are also an attractive tool for investors looking to secure current income. More recently companies without a dividend history are generally received favorably when they declare new dividends. In addition, the percentage of large companies establishing dividends for the first time is significantly higher now that it has been in the past. The majority of Dell’s competitors all pay dividends. Dividends in mature companies that are no longer growing as rapidly as in the past have been a major component of growth in an investor’s return once the rapid appreciation phase is over. At one point in time, Dell was better served by the current policies of reinvestment in growth and returning capital to stockholders and managing dilution through stock repurchase programs. Now as a more mature value company with significant cash reserves the time is right to declare a quarterly dividend. </blockquote>

 

Just my two cents ...

Dell should modify its capital structure and take on a little bit of debt. An optimal capital structure (and dividend policy as below) is needed to provide the highest shareholder returns. Having no debt is great - but creating more shareholder value is even better.

I would like to see Dell return cash to shareholders in the form of dividends. The dividend yield should be low (1-2%), while any remaining dispensable cash should be used to repurshare stock when its price is below intrinsic value (per Chris D's post above). Dell can keep a certain amount of cash for acquisitions - but I am very wary of trusting any management with better allocating my wealth, no matter how good its intentions - just having a lot of cash would incentivise management to make costly acquisitions or investments in risky or value decreasing projects.

Innovation is key to long term growth of a company. For so long, Dell direct selling model itself was the 'innovation'. But, competition has copied and become leaner itself. DELL needs to continue innovating and not just following and selling innovative products. Dell should at least have the research division setup to copy the most successful innovative products from competitors quickly.

To Nathan's comment ... buybacks can benefit the remaining shareholders as well as the company basically supports its stock price whenever the share price falls. The company also provides liquidity and decreases the liquitity premium reflected in the bid-ask spread - though in DELL's case, this is hardly a facotr. Buybacks also decrease the number of shares outstanding, thus increasing EPS. The net effect is theoretically equal to dividing up the cash used for buying back the shares among all the shareholders like dividends - but with a tax advantage.

Traditionally speaking, dividends are paid out by mature companies as a way to reward shareholders and the only time dividends should not be paid is when the cash generated by the business can be reinvested to return a farily high ROI with a large degree of certainty.

Clearly Dell is a mature business, and it is a shame that it did not begin paying a dividend a long, long time ago. IMO there is no better sign of a healthy business than a real dividend, and there is no better "check and balance" system than a business that keeps a dividend as part of its business mix.

With that said, considering where the business is at right now, it may be the right move to forsake the dividend for the next 3-6 quarters until there is more clarity that the company is back on track, but the company should commit to a dividend as soon as possible. After what happened over the last few years, I would say management could use the simple discipline imposed by makijng a dividend part of their managerial mix.

I believe that in light of current tax policies in the U.S. and Dell's large size and relative maturity, the Company's management and Board of Directors are doing shareholders a disservice by failing to pay a dividend.

In the current tax environment dividends are taxed at a rate equal to capital gains, and the primary argument previously used in favor of share repurchases to return capital is no longer valid.  The Board of Directors should explain to shareholders why this material tax change has not affected their decisions.

Additionally, Dell's CFO has said during a recent conference call that the Company's cash balances are too high.  If that is the case, the share repurchase is clearly not working as planned.

Traditionally, a dividend payment is much more consistent and enduring than a share repurchase. The Company, to its credit, has generated consistent operating and free cash flow.  But it has not consistently repurchased shares.  Clearly shareholders would have been better served over the prior year by a dividend.

In defense of the argument put forward by Chris D., which referenced comments from Warren Buffett, Dell repurchaed zero shares (i.e., $0.0) during the 12-months ending Oct. 07.  During that period the stock traded between c. $22 and $30.  Yet during the 12-months ended Jan. 06, Dell repurchased $7.2 billion of stock, at levels between c. $29 and $40. This does not seem to be prudent market timing or recognition of under-valued stock.

By paying a dividend, and management can consistently return excess cash to shareholders and allow them to evaluate the valuation of Dell's stock.  Management should focus on operations, hopefully their main expertise, and not be concerned with matching repurchase programs to share prices.