The Financial Post reports in its Wednesday edition that the investment environment has entered a period marked by low growth and higher interest rates, reshaping the strategic priorities of companies and investors alike. Post columnist Martin Pelletier writes that global trade uncertainty is adding to these challenges, and companies are slowing their capital spending and redirecting resources toward share buybacks and dividends. This shift signals the potential end of an era for high-growth, leveraged beta strategies from U.S. megacorporations. Investors now need to recalibrate their expectations and navigate this changing terrain. One significant factor influencing market dynamics is the effect of tariffs. The risks associated with higher tariffs remain significant, threatening market stability and corporate profitability. Companies such as GM, Tesla and Dow have reduced their capital expenditures in response to tariff-driven cost pressures. Instead, many companies are choosing to redirect resources toward share buybacks, setting the stage for a record-breaking year in repurchases. JPMorgan and Wells Fargo are notable examples; total U.S. equity buybacks are projected to reach an astounding $1-trillion (U.S.) in 2025.