I'm not arguing corps should use the cash for acquisitions instead. They should reserve the cash for hard times, or use it to reward performant employees that t

I'm not arguing corps should use the cash for acquisitions instead. They should reserve the cash for hard times, or use it to reward performant employees that they want to retain. Basically anything to increase the long term value of the company, instead of just cashing out for a quick buck at the cost of long-term stability and growth. Instead, most companies use buybacks to spike the price so they (execs and board members) can offload shares and get rich quick. That's unethical and should be punished. At the very least corps that engage in this behavior should not be bailed out when hard times hit.