In todays market......no instrument is risk free. Novice investors should exercise special caution in buying specifically to tender those in buybacks. During end to end buyback duration, the stock will gyrate and it is upto the individual to decide their own entry point (if they decide to participate). No one can be sure that at what point in Buyback duration, the stock will be up and when it will be down. Comparing one stock to another for buyback and also comparing one buyback issue of the stock with the earlier issue of the same stock is no way fail proof. One should understand the potential risk and return from the issue and should take their own decision and avoid being guided by others. As no expert is really an expert.