Transaction in Own Shares • Jul 28, 2021
Transaction in Own Shares
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Equinor commences first tranche in share buy-back programme
Equinor (OSE: EQNR, NYSE: EQNR) today commences the first tranche of around USD
300 million, of the new share buy-back programme announced at the Capital
Markets Day on 15 June 2021.
At the Capital Markets Day Equinor announced a competitive capital distribution
with an increase of the quarterly cash dividend to 18 cents per share and the
start of a new share buy-back programme, providing a capital distribution
structure with increased flexibility.
The first tranche of the share buy-back programme is up to USD 300 million,
including shares to be redeemed from the Norwegian State, and will end no later
than 28 September 2021. For 2021 the share buy-back programme is expected at USD
600 million, including shares to be redeemed from the Norwegian State.
Starting in 2022 the annual share buy-back programme of around USD 1.2 billion
is expected to be executed when Brent oil prices are in or above the range of
50-60 USD/bbl, Equinor's net debt ratio(1) stays within the communicated
ambition of 15-30% and this is supported by commodity prices.
The purpose of the share buy-back programme is to reduce the issued share
capital of the company. All shares repurchased as part of the programme will be
cancelled.
According to an agreement between Equinor and the Norwegian State, represented
by the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy, the Norwegian State will participate in
share buy-backs on a proportionate basis, ensuring that its ownership interest
in Equinor remains unchanged at 67%.
The share buy-back programme will be structured into tranches where Equinor will
buy back a certain value in USD of shares over a defined period. For the first
tranche, running from 28 July 2021 up to no later than 28 September 2021,
Equinor is entering into a non-discretionary agreement with a third party who
will make its trading decisions independently of the company.
In this first tranche, shares for up to around USD 100 million will be purchased
in the market, implying a total first tranche of around USD 300 million
including redemption of shares from the Norwegian State.
The execution of further tranches of the programme will be notified to the
market. Tranches executed after Equinor's next annual general meeting is
conditional upon future annual general meetings renewing the authorisation to
buy back own shares and renewal of the agreement with the Norwegian State.
Further information about the share buy-back programme and the first tranche:
The share buy-back programme is based upon the authorisation to purchase own
shares granted to the Board of Directors at the annual general meeting on 11 May
2021 and registered in the Norwegian register for business enterprises.
According to the authorisation, the maximum number of shares to be purchased in
the market is 75 000 000, the minimum price that can be paid for shares is NOK
50, and the maximum price is NOK 500. The authorisation is valid until the
earliest of 30 June 2022 and the annual general meeting in 2022.
As further described in the notice to the annual general meeting in 2021,
Equinor has an agreement with the Norwegian State whereby the State will vote
for the cancellation of shares purchased pursuant to the authorisation, and the
redemption of a proportionate number of its shares in order to maintain its
ownership share in the company. The price to be paid to the State for redemption
of shares shall be the volume-weighted average of the price paid by Equinor for
shares purchased in the market plus an interest rate compensation, adjusted for
any dividends paid, in the period up until final settlement with the State.
In the first tranche, shares will be purchased on the Oslo Stock Exchange. It
will be conducted in accordance within applicable safe harbour conditions, and
as further set out i.a. in the Norwegian Securities Trading Act of 2007, EU
Commission Regulation (EC) No 2016/1052 and the Oslo Stock Exchange's Guidelines
for buy-back programmes and price stabilisation February 2021.
Upon completion of the first tranche of the programme, the Board of Directors
will propose to the annual general meeting in 2022 to cancel purchased shares
and redeem the proportionate number of State shares. Any shares purchased in
subsequent tranches will follow a similar process with cancellation and
redemption at the following annual general meeting.
* * *
(1) Non GAAP measure
* * *
Further information from
Investor relations
Peter Hutton, senior vice president Investor Relations,
+44 7881 918 792 (mobile)
Media
Sissel Rinde, vice president Media Relations,
+ 47 ?412 60 584 (mobile)
This is information that Equinor is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU
Market Abuse Regulation and subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to
Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.
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