Recently Oracle’s Board authorized an additional $12 Billion to the Company’s share repurchase authorization. We are not fans of share repurchases and fully understand why institutional investors like them – they reduce share count, boost EPS and mitigate downside risk. We hosted a recent podcast on the subject:

Our view is that share repurchases imply that senior management can not think of a better way to deploy the Company’s capital. This should never be the case, particularly with technology companies where it is imperative to keep the product portfolio fresh via a consistent, operationalized product development effort augmented with a disciplined M&A program. Notwithstanding the recent Aconex acquisition, if the Ellison, Hurd, Catz triumvirate can’t figure out how to best deploy Oracle’s capital, perhaps it’s best to allow a capable leadership team to lead the effort. Oracle hasn’t exactly blazed an innovation trail as of late.

• Corporate Governance
• Leadership
• M&A
• Technology