@rbreich I'm no capitalist (or economist), but regarding the stock buybacks...

I've a bit more faith in private companies with a clear sense of their market, than public companies whose random investors care more about the share price than the product. This faith may be misguided; private companies aren't necessarily more ethical, scrupulous, or efficient, yet they are often more focused on quality.

Dell computers and Theakstons brewery are some private buybacks that interested me this way.