Analytics Economy USA

GM Increases Dividend and Announces $6 Billion Stock Buyback Program

GM Increases Dividend and Announces $6 Billion Stock Buyback Program
Jeff Kowalsky / Bloomberg News
  • PublishedFebruary 26, 2025

General Motors (GM) announced on Wednesday that it will increase its quarterly dividend by 25% to 15 cents per share and initiate a new $6 billion stock buyback program.

The moves come as the company looks to enhance shareholder returns amid evolving market conditions and industry uncertainties.

The higher dividend, which now matches that of competitor Ford Motor, is expected to take effect with GM’s next scheduled payout in April. The share repurchase program includes an initial $2 billion in buybacks, anticipated to be completed during the second quarter.

GM CEO Mary Barra emphasized the company’s commitment to maintaining a strong financial position while returning capital to shareholders.

“The GM team’s execution continues to be strong across all three pillars of our capital allocation strategy, which are to reinvest in the business for profitable growth, maintain a strong investment-grade balance sheet, and return capital to our shareholders,” she said in a statement.

Since 2023, GM has authorized $16 billion in stock buybacks, reducing its outstanding shares to below 1 billion—achieving a target set earlier by CFO Paul Jacobson. Despite these efforts and consistent earnings performance, GM’s stock has declined more than 12% this year.

Analysts cite factors such as plateauing industry sales, potential regulatory changes, and limited growth prospects as contributors to investor concerns. The newly announced buyback program will be executed by JPMorgan and Barclays, with the final number of repurchased shares depending on GM’s stock price during the program’s term.

GM’s financial outlook for 2025 includes net income estimates ranging from $11.2 billion to $12.5 billion and adjusted automotive free cash flow between $11 billion and $13 billion. The company has emphasized that it remains financially strong and prepared to adapt to any policy changes that may impact the auto industry.

CNBC and Bloomberg contributed to this report.

Joe Yans

Joe Yans is a 25-year-old journalist and interviewer based in Cheyenne, Wyoming. As a local news correspondent and an opinion section interviewer for Wyoming Star, Joe has covered a wide range of critical topics, including the Israel-Palestine war, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the 2024 U.S. presidential election, and the 2025 LA wildfires. Beyond reporting, Joe has conducted in-depth interviews with prominent scholars from top US and international universities, bringing expert perspectives to complex global and domestic issues.