I personally believe they will be used for one or all of these;

the purchase of another company(cash and stock) ,

as payment to officers and employees,

as a means to have voting shares,

to earn the dividends money for the company to show greater profits

and even perhaps to sell and make a profit.

Could they be buying and selling and buying back? (prob. not.)

Plus ??? Other ideas out there? I don't think shares will be retired.