(Bloomberg) -- Stronger than expected earnings are leading companies on both sides of the Atlantic to announce share buybacks at a blistering pace as 2024 gets going — a potentially crucial pillar of support for global stock markets already trading at all-time highs.Most Read from BloombergA 99% Bond Wipeout Hands Hedge Funds a Harsh Lesson on ChinaUkraine’s Army Chief Replaced After Rift With ZelenskiyEpstein Contacted Staley for Years at Barclays Using Go-Between, Court Filings ClaimBonds Fall