Focused on building reliable datasets, financial models, and research tools for value-minded investors. Committed to turning complex data into practical guidance for value-investing and long-term wealth.
Dr. Charlie Tian is the founder and CEO of GuruFocus.com, a leading global investment research platform established in 2004. With a Ph.D. in physics, Dr. Tian transitioned from science to finance, applying a data-driven, disciplined approach to value investing.
SThreeCHIX:STEML -0.95%62 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio is 1.80 as of May. 2026. GuruFocus rates CHIX:STEML with a GF Score™ of 62/100 and a GF Value™ of £2.37 (Modestly Overvalued). The stock has 11 warning signs investors should review. Among 694 Business Services companies, SThree ranks better than 88.33% on this metric.
Shares Outstanding (EOP) are shares that have been authorized, issued, and purchased by investors and are held by them.
3-Year Share Buyback Ratio measures the average annual proportion of a company's outstanding shares repurchased over the past three years. It is calculated as the annualized percentage change in shares outstanding from three years ago to the current year. A positive ratio may indicate share buybacks over the period, while a zero or negative ratio may reflect no repurchases or potential share issuance. SThree's current 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio was 1.80%.
The historical rank and industry rank for SThree's 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio or its related term are showing as below:
CHIX:STEMl'
s 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio Range Over the Past 10 Years
Min: -2.1 Med: -0.4 Max: 4.2
Current: 1.8
During the past 13 years, SThree's highest 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio was 4.20%. The lowest was -2.10%. And the median was -0.40%.
CHIX:STEMl's 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio is ranked better than 88.33% of 694
companies
in the Business Services industry
Industry Median: -0.5
vs CHIX:STEMl: 1.80
SThree (CHIX:STEMl) 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio Explanation
A negative number means the company might be issuing new shares. A positive number indicates that the company is buying back shares.
Be Aware
Investors usually like share buybacks. But as pointed by Warren Buffett, only if a company buys back shares at the prices below the stock's intrinsic value, it rewards remaining shareholders. If a company buys its overvalued stocks back, it destroys shareholder value.
SThree 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio Related Terms
CHIX:STEML vs KFY, RHI, TNET: 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio Comparison
For the Staffing & Employment Services subindustry, SThree's 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio, along with its competitors' market caps and 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio data, can be viewed below:
* Competitive companies are chosen from companies within the same industry, with headquarter located in same country, with closest market capitalization; x-axis shows the market cap, and y-axis shows the term value; the bigger the dot, the larger the market cap. Note that "N/A" values will not show up in the chart.
SThree 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio vs Business Services Industry
For the Business Services industry and Industrials sector, SThree's 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio distribution charts can be found below:
* The bar in red indicates where SThree's 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio falls into.
This is the annualized percentage change in shares outstanding from three years ago to the current year. The annualized percentage change is calculated with expontential compound based on the latest four years of annual data on Shares Outstanding (EOP).
Please click Growth Rate Calculation Example (GuruFocus) to see how GuruFocus calculates Wal-Mart Stores Inc (WMT)'s revenue growth rate. You can apply the same method to get the average dividends per share growth rate.
What does a 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio of 1.80 mean?
SThree (CHIX:STEML) has a 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio of 1.80 as of May. 2026. The 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio measures the average annual proportion of a company's outstanding shares repurchased over the past three years. It is calculated as the annualized percentage change in shares outstanding from three years ago to the current year. View historical data for SThree and its competitors. According to the industry distribution chart, SThree ranks #81 out of 694 companies in the Business Services industry, placing it in the top 11.7%.
Is SThree's 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio too high?
SThree's current 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio is 1.80. Based on the distribution chart, SThree ranks #81 out of 694 companies in the Business Services industry, which is in the top quartile — a strong position relative to peers. Overall, SThree has a GF Score™ of 62/100 and is considered Modestly Overvalued, reflecting its overall financial health beyond just this single metric.
How does SThree's 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio compare to KFY and RHI?
According to the Business Services industry distribution chart, SThree ranks #81 out of 694 companies for 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio. This places SThree in the top 12% of its industry — outperforming the majority of peers. See the competitive comparison table and distribution chart on this page for a detailed peer-by-peer breakdown.
What is a good 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio for a Business Services company?
A good 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio depends on the Business Services industry context. However, 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio should not be evaluated in isolation — investors should consider it alongside profitability, growth, and financial strength metrics. Use the industry distribution chart on this page to see where any company falls relative to its peers.
What does a high 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio mean?
A high 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio can signal that a stock is expensive relative to its fundamentals. The 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio measures the average annual proportion of a company's outstanding shares repurchased over the past three years. It is calculated as the annualized percentage change in shares outstanding from three years ago to the current year. View historical data for SThree and its competitors. SThree's current 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio is 1.80. However, context matters — high-growth companies often justify higher valuations. Always evaluate alongside other metrics like GF Score™ and GF Value™.
Is SThree stock overvalued right now?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, SThree (CHIX:STEML) is currently considered Modestly Overvalued. The stock's GF Value™ is £2.37, compared to a current price of £2.62 — trading 10.5% above its estimated fair value. The current 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio is 1.80. SThree's overall GF Score™ is 62/100 with 11 warning signs to review. Investors should evaluate multiple metrics — including profitability, growth, and financial strength — before making a decision.
How is 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio calculated?
3-Year Share Buyback Ratio is calculated from a company's financial statements. For SThree (CHIX:STEML), the current 3-Year Share Buyback Ratio is 1.80 as of May. 2026. GuruFocus calculates this using data sourced from SEC filings and annual reports. See the calculation section and 30-year financial data on this page for the full breakdown.
Is SThree (CHIX:STEML) Overvalued in 2026?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, SThree stock appears to be overvalued.
The current stock price of £2.62 is trading 10.5% above its estimated GF Value™ of £2.37.
GuruFocus considers SThree to be Modestly Overvalued.
Key valuation signals for CHIX:STEML:
3-Year Share Buyback Ratio: 1.80
GF Value™: £2.37 vs. price of £2.62 (10.5% above fair value)
No single metric tells the full story. See the CHIX:STEML stock analysis page for a complete view including 30-year financials, guru trades, and insider activity.
SThree PLC is involved in the staffing business. It provides contract and permanent recruitment services. The company operates in information and communication, engineering, energy, life sciences, banking, and finance sectors. It provides its service through various brands such as Progressive, Computer Futures, Real Staffing Group, and Huxley Associates. The company generated its revenue from DACH, Rest of Europe, Netherlands including Spain, USA, Middle East & Asia.
62GF Score
Get the complete analysis for CHIX:STEML
3-Year Share Buyback Ratio is just one metric. See GF Value™, 30-year financials, guru trades, warning signs, and more.
Quick Browse
Personalize
Premium Gurus 
Create New Portfolio
CHIX:STEML has been successfully added to your 
