Buying back stock is one of those nearly surefire ways companies can help their shareholders. With stock buybacks, a company can reduce the total shares outstanding, leaving stockholders with a greater claim on a company's earnings.

For example, let's assume a company earns $100 and has 100 shares. That works out to $1.00 in earnings per share. But if the company buys back 25 shares, each share now represents $1.33 in earnings. Over the long run, growing companies with consistent buyback programs tend to deliver attractive investor returns.

Here are three companies doing just that today, and they are worth a closer look.

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Source Fool.com