Eldorado Gold Corporation (NYSE: EGO) announced a normal course issuer bid (NCIB) to purchase up to 350,000 of its common shares, representing approximately 0.17% of its total outstanding shares. However, the announcement failed to provide a boost to the company's stock, which plunged more than 5% in pre-market trading on Tuesday.

While share buybacks are generally seen as a positive sign by investors, Eldorado's relatively small NCIB may have disappointed some market participants who were expecting a more significant repurchase program. The move could be interpreted as a signal that the company's management believes the stock is undervalued or that there are limited growth opportunities in the near term.

Additionally, some investors may view the NCIB as a less favorable use of the company's cash reserves compared to investing in growth initiatives or returning cash to shareholders through dividends. The announcement comes at a time when the company is facing challenges in its operating environment and may need to allocate resources more strategically.