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That's the key phrase, they benefit all shareholders. Buybacks on the other hand only benefit the following shareholders:

1. those with regularly vesting stock options and stock grants - basically employees. For non-tech companies especially, this only means high-ranking employees

2. those who intend to sell - that is, soon-to-be-ex shareholders

3. those who borrow against their stock - typically high-net-worth individuals who own a lot of the stock

Stock buybacks are thus a non-egalitarian way to return profits. To reward all shareholders equally, pay dividends.