BioFuel Energy Corp. said Monday it will repurchase up to $7.5 million worth of common stock with funds previously designated for building a third ethanol plant. BioFuel Energy said earlier Monday it halted plans for a third ethanol facility due to a product glut that has sent ethanol prices tumbling. The company estimates it will have as much as $20 million available under its $230 million worth of construction loans after building two other planned facilities. It also has about $60 million from its June public offering.

C.R. Bard Inc. said Wednesday it authorized the repurchase of up to $500 million of its common stock. The medical technologies developer trades for 14x cash flow.

Yum! Brands is in this week's portfolio. Louisville’s international fast food chain operator said it plans to repurchase $1.25 billion in common stock over the next 12 months. The new buyback is a step towards the company’s goal to repurchase $4 billion over the next 2 years, potentially lowering the number of outstanding shares by as much as 20%. Only a mere $25 million remain from Yum’s $500 million buyback plan put forth in March of this year, adding to the 12% reduction in outstanding shares they have achieved during the past 3 years. On top of the massive buyback, the KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut operator said 3Q profit jumped 17%. The company reported 3Q EPS of 50 cents a share or $270 million in net income, shattering forecasts of 45 cents a share, and up from 42 cents a share or net income of $230 million from 3Q last year. Revenue also rose 13% to $2.56 billion from $2.28 billion and worldwide operating profit growth soared 16%. The robust earnings were fueled by strong growth in their international division highlighted by China’s 11% same-store growth and 43% surge in revenue. Yum’s international success forced the company to increase full-year EPS growth forecasts to 13% from 12% or $1.65 a share. David C. Novak, Chairman and CEO, noted, "I am pleased that we were once again able to demonstrate the power of our global portfolio to generate consistent growth. Driven by outstanding operating performance in our international businesses, China and Yum! Restaurants International Division, we were able to deliver 16% growth in operating profit and 20% EPS growth for the third quarter." He continued, "We intend to increase our debt level in the near term and dramatically increase our already strong pace of share buybacks. We expect to increase shareholder value by investing up to $4 billion in share repurchases by the end of 2009. This further showcases our financial strength in a year in which we doubled our quarterly dividend."

The Pittsburgh-based aluminum giant gave the okay to buy back 217 million shares worth $8.6 billion, representing 25% of the company's total outstanding shares. The new repurchase plan is more than double their previous plan to repurchase 10% of the company's shares. By the end of the third quarter this year, Alcoa bought back 43 million shares or about 5% of total outstanding. Strong cash flows and proceeds from the sale of its 7% stake in Aluminum Corp. of China for $2 billion will help finance the stock buyback. Alcoa recently announced a 3% jump in third quarter profit, mostly due to the sale of Aluminum Corp of China. Alcoa posted earnings of 63 cents a share or $555 million, up from 61 cents a share or $537 million during the same period last year. However, revenue slumping more than 3% forced the company to miss estimates. Revenue sunk from last year's $7.63 billion to $7.39 billion, falling short of the $7.4 billion estimate. Alcoa's chairman and CEO Alain Belda, said in a conference call, "a seasonal slowdown in Europe, the softening of key U.S. markets, pressure from energy costs, the weakening dollar, and lower metal prices" weighed in on the missed results. "But the company continues to focus on improving productivity, gaining market share and introducing new products," he added. Analysts at ValuEngine issued a strong buy recommendation for Alcoa and awarded the stock with a 5 rating- the highest possible rating only handed out to 2% of the 4,000 stocks they cover. "The company exhibits attractive company size, P/E ratio and momentum," said ValuEngine. One year price target bumped to $43.17.

The beauty products manufacturer said it will repurchase $2 billion in common stock over the next 5 years on a time to time basis following the completion of its current program. Under its existing program, which began in late 2005, they have bought back 26 million shares worth $904 million. Andrea Jung, Avon's chairman and chief executive officer said, "We're very pleased to commit to this new, larger stock repurchase program. Today's announcement is indicative of the long-term health of our business and our ongoing commitment to enhance shareholders' return on their investment in Avon." We also like to see that BMO Capital Markets maintained an outperform rating on Avon. They noted, “3Q EPS estimate of 31 cents a share versus 19 cents a share (up 60%) and operating estimate of 38 cents a share versus 33 cents a share (up 15%). On-going restructuring and the first hint that SSI (the Strategic Sourcing Initiative) will have a positive gross margin impact, coupled with our estimate that weak dollar sales account for more than 30% of total, suggests upside to our estimate."

Herman Miller recently announced a $300 million dollar buyback. Herman Miller, Inc. engages in the research, design, manufacture, and distribution of interior furnishings for use in various environments, including office, healthcare, educational, and residential settings. The stock trades for 8x cash flow.

Houston Wire & Cable recently announced a $50 million dollar buyback. Houston Wire & Cable Company, through its subsidiaries, distributes specialty wire and cable products in the United States. The stock trades for 8x cash flow.

The CEO, General Counsel, 2 directors and a officer bought 56,600 shares or $1,043,291 worth of stock. Recently, shares of Par Pharmaceutical Cos. plunged after the company told investors competitive pressures would hurt its 2007 earnings. The stock trades for 11x cash flow.