Big Tech Pays Shareholders Its Smallest Cash Share in 15 Years

Five Big Tech companies paid shareholders 9.3% of operating cash in the first nine months of 2026, the lowest share in at least 15 years, Reuters reported October 30. Payouts are dividends (cash payments) plus buybacks (companies buying their own shares). Operating cash flow is cash earned before buying long-lasting things like buildings. Reuters links the drop to AI spending.