** Shares of wealth manager Raymond James RJF.N rise 2.7% to $163.06
** RJF announced a buyback program of up to $2 billion late Wednesday
** Repurchases may be made both through the open market and privately negotiated transactions
** RJF also boosted its quarterly cash dividend by 8% to 54 cents per share
** Five of 14 brokerages rate the stock "buy" or higher, and nine "hold"; median PT is $185 - data compiled by LSEG
** As of last close, RJF stock up 2.2% YTD
(Reporting by Arasu Kannagi Basil in Bengaluru)
((ArasuKannagi.Basil@thomsonreuters.com))