Wipro Share Buyback History, Benefits, and Financial Comparison with IT Peers

Wipro Limited, one of India’s leading IT services companies, has regularly rewarded shareholders through share buybacks. These buybacks offer partial exits at a premium, improve EPS, and reflect the company’s confidence in its financial stability. In this article, we’ll trace Wipro’s buyback history, financial impact, and why retail investors track them closely.

Table of Contents

1. What is a Share Buyback & Why is It Important for Wipro Shareholders?
2. Key Benefits of Share Buybacks
3. Wipro Share Buyback History (2016–2023): Complete Timeline & Key Details
4. Wipro Shareholding Trend: Promoter vs Public (2016–2023)
5. Wipro Key Financial Highlights FY25: Profitability & Valuation Snapshot
6. Wipro vs IT Peers (FY25): P/E, ROCE, Dividend Yield Comparison
7. Should You Invest in Wipro Buybacks? Final Verdict
8. FAQs

What is a Share Buyback & Why is It Important for Wipro Shareholders?

A share buyback is when a listed company repurchases its shares from existing investors, reducing the total outstanding shares in the market. For IT companies like Wipro, it’s a strategic move to boost earnings per share, improve return ratios, and reward long-term shareholders.

Key Benefits of Share Buybacks:

• Enhances EPS and Return on Equity (ROE)
• Signals business confidence to investors
• Offers premium exit opportunities for shareholders
• Efficiently deploys surplus cash reserves
• Improves long-term capital allocation

Wrap-Up: Wipro’s consistent share buybacks reflect strong business confidence, enhance shareholder returns, and improve long-term financial metrics.

Interested in Wipro’s history of rewarding investors with bonus shares? Review the Wipro Bonus History to understand how it complements its buyback policy.

Wipro Share Buyback History (2016–2023): Complete Timeline & Key Details

Over the last decade, Wipro has carried out multiple share buybacks, strengthening investor returns and improving financial metrics. Each buyback was executed through a tender offer and at a premium to the prevailing market price.

Wipro Share Buyback 2016: Full Acceptance for Retail Investors

Wipro’s first major buyback in 2016 was a ₹2,500 crore offer at ₹625 per share — a significant premium to its market price at the time. It marked the beginning of Wipro’s aggressive capital return policy.

• Buyback Size: ₹2,500 crore
• Buyback Price: ₹625 per share
• Mode: Tender offer
• Completion Date: May 2016
• Retail Acceptance Ratio: 100%
• Promoter Holding Change: 73.39% → 74.01%

Wrap-Up: Wipro’s 2016 buyback set the tone for its capital return strategy, offering full acceptance for retail investors and signaling management’s shareholder-friendly intent.

Wipro Share Buyback 2017: ₹11,000 Cr Tender Offer at ₹320

Wipro escalated its buyback programme in 2017 with a massive ₹11,000 crore tender offer — one of the largest in India’s IT industry back then. This reflected strong free cash flows and sustained profitability.

• Buyback Size: ₹11,000 crore
• Buyback Price: ₹320 per share
• Record Date: 15 September 2017
• Mode: Tender offer
• Retail Acceptance Ratio: 50%
• Promoter Holding Change: 74.32% → 73.23%

Wrap-Up: Wipro’s landmark ₹11,000 crore buyback in 2017 showcased its robust cash flows and profitability, offering retail investors a 50% acceptance ratio and reinforcing its commitment to shareholder value.

Wipro Share Buyback 2019: ₹10,500 Cr Repurchase Programme

Continuing its capital return strategy, Wipro launched a ₹10,500 crore buyback in 2019. It once again provided investors an attractive premium exit and marginally altered the promoter holding structure.

• Buyback Size: ₹10,500 crore
• Buyback Price: ₹325 per share
• Record Date: 21 June 2019
• Mode: Tender offer
• Retail Acceptance Ratio: 50%
• Promoter Holding Change: 74.05% → 73.85%

Wrap-Up: Wipro’s ₹10,500 crore buyback in 2019 reaffirmed its steady capital return policy, delivering premium exits for investors with a 50% retail acceptance and a slight dip in promoter holding.

Wipro Share Buyback 2020: ₹9,500 Cr Amid Market Uncertainty

Despite the market volatility due to COVID-19, Wipro demonstrated financial resilience by executing a ₹9,500 crore buyback at ₹400 per share. This underlined management’s long-term business confidence.

• Buyback Size: ₹9,500 crore
• Buyback Price: ₹400 per share
• Record Date: 11 December 2020
• Mode: Tender offer
• Retail Acceptance Ratio: 33%
• Promoter Holding Change: 73.85% → 73.02%

Wrap-Up: Wipro’s ₹9,500 crore buyback in 2020, executed amid market uncertainty, reflected strong financial resilience and steady commitment to rewarding shareholders despite challenging conditions.

Wipro Share Buyback 2023: Largest Buyback at ₹445 Per Share

In 2023, Wipro rolled out its biggest-ever buyback of ₹12,000 crore at ₹445 per share. Although the retail acceptance ratio stood at 33%, it reinforced Wipro’s shareholder-friendly capital allocation.

• Buyback Size: ₹12,000 crore
• Buyback Price: ₹445 per share
• Record Date: 16 June 2023
• Mode: Tender offer
• Retail Acceptance Ratio: 33%
• Promoter Holding Change: 72.92% → 72.16%

Wrap-Up: Wipro’s record ₹12,000 crore buyback in 2023 reaffirmed its aggressive capital return strategy, offering premium exits and sustaining its long-term shareholder value focus.

Check the latest Wipro share price, charts, and complete financials to evaluate its recent stock performance.

Wipro Shareholding Trend: Promoter vs Public (2016–2023)

Wipro’s buyback activity over the years has steadily reduced promoter holding while increasing public participation. This trend indicates rising retail and institutional investor confidence in the stock.

Wrap-Up: Wipro’s steady decline in promoter holding alongside rising public participation highlights growing retail and institutional investor confidence, strengthening the stock’s market presence over time.

Wipro Key Financial Highlights FY25: Profitability & Valuation Snapshot

In FY25, Wipro saw an improvement in profitability with operating profit margins rising to 20%, though revenue growth remained modest. The company maintained a healthy financial position with a market cap of ₹2.60 lakh crore, ROCE at 19.5%, and a P/E of 19.9. However, its 3-year CAGR for revenue, profit, and stock price growth stayed muted at 4%, 2%, and 2% respectively.

• Market Cap: ₹2.60 Lakh Cr
• EPS: ₹12.54 | P/E: 19.9
• ROCE: 19.5% | ROE: 16.6%
• Dividend Yield: 2.41%
• Debt to Equity: 0.23
• EV/EBITDA: 12.2

3-Year CAGR:

Positive: Operating profit margin (OPM) improved to 20% in FY25.

Wrap-Up: Wipro’s latest financial snapshot reflects improved profitability and strong balance sheet metrics, though modest growth rates suggest the need for sustained operational momentum to unlock higher valuations.

Wipro vs IT Peers (FY25): P/E, ROCE, Dividend Yield Comparison

Wipro trades at the most attractive P/E of 19.9, making it a value pick among top IT stocks. However, it trails peers like TCS (ROCE: 86.42%) and Infosys (ROCE: 42.3%) in return metrics and profit growth. While its dividend yield of 2.41% is competitive, consistent operational improvement is key for Wipro to close the gap with sector leaders.

Wrap-Up: Wipro stands out as a value pick with the lowest P/E among top IT peers but must accelerate operational performance and returns to bridge the gap with sector leaders like TCS and Infosys.

Should You Invest in Wipro Buybacks? Final Verdict

Wipro’s recurring buybacks reflect prudent capital allocation and a focus on enhancing shareholder value. For retail investors, these buybacks provide opportunities for premium exits, tax-efficient returns, and contribute to EPS accretion, reinforcing the company’s shareholder-friendly approach.

Verdict:

• Participate in buybacks for premium exits
• Long-term investors can benefit from holding if business fundamentals improve
• Expect recurring buybacks as long as free cash flows stay strong

Wrap-Up: Wipro’s consistent buybacks signal solid capital discipline and shareholder focus offering retail investors premium exit opportunities while supporting long-term value creation.

Still wondering how share buybacks benefit you as an investor? Watch this quick video before you decide.

Also Read: Want a consolidated view of Wipro’s major shareholder events? Explore Wipro Corporate Actions, covering splits, bonuses, and dividend payouts.

FAQs

1. What is a share buyback and how does it benefit Wipro shareholders?

A share buyback is when a company repurchases its own shares from investors, reducing the total outstanding stock. For Wipro shareholders, buybacks improve earnings per share (EPS), offer premium exits, enhance return on equity (ROE), and signal management’s confidence in the business.

2. How many buybacks has Wipro done so far?

Wipro has conducted multiple share buybacks since 2016, with major programs in 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, and 2023. Each buyback was executed through a tender offer at a premium to the prevailing market price.

3. Is it a good idea for retail investors to participate in Wipro’s buybacks?

Yes Wipro buybacks typically offer premium exit prices, tax advantages, and full or partial acceptance opportunities for retail investors. Participating can be beneficial, especially if the buyback price is significantly higher than the market price.

4. How does Wipro’s valuation compare to other top Indian IT stocks in FY25?

As of FY25, Wipro trades at a P/E of 19.9, the lowest among its large-cap IT peers like TCS (25.4), Infosys (25.5), and HCL Tech (36.2). While it offers value on valuation metrics, it lags peers in ROCE and profitability growth.

5. What is Wipro’s dividend yield in FY25?

Wipro’s dividend yield for FY25 stands at 2.41%, making it a competitive payout option among large Indian IT companies, supporting shareholder returns alongside regular buybacks.

6. How has Wipro’s promoter holding changed over the years?

Since 2016, Wipro’s promoter holding has gradually declined from 73.39% to 72.16% in 2023, while public and institutional investor participation has increased — reflecting broader market confidence.

7. Should long-term investors hold Wipro stock?

Long-term investors may consider holding Wipro for its consistent buybacks, decent dividend yield, and scope for operational improvement. However, stronger revenue and profit growth would be needed to match peers in performance.