Big Tech Returned 9.3% of Operating Cash to Shareholders, Lowest in at Least 15 Years

Five Big Tech companies returned 9.3% of their operating cash to shareholders in the first nine months of 2026, the lowest share in at least 15 years, Reuters reported on October 30. Returns combine dividends and buybacks, measured against operating cash flow, the cash produced before long-lived asset spending. Reuters ties the drop to AI spending.