THE SAGE GROUP PLC
SHARE BUYBACK PROGRAMME
London 20 November 2024 - The Sage Group plc ("Sage" or the "Group") today announces that it is commencing a share buyback programme for aggregate consideration of up to £400 million. The programme will run from 20 November 2024 and is expected to end no later than 3 June 2025.
The share buyback programme is consistent with the Group's disciplined capital allocation policy, and reflects the Board's confidence in Sage's future prospects, together with Sage's strong cash generation and robust financial position. Sage continues to have considerable financial flexibility to drive the execution of its growth strategy.
Further details of the share buyback programme are set out below.
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Enquiries
The Sage Group plc: +44 (0) 7341 479956
Jacqui Cartin, Group Finance
James Sandford, Investor Relations
David Ginivan, Corporate PR
FGS Global: +44 (0) 20 7251 3801
| Conor McClafferty |
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| Sophia Johnston |
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Further details of the share buyback programme
Sage has entered into non-discretionary arrangements with J.P. Morgan Securities plc ("J.P. Morgan") and Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc ("Morgan Stanley") (together, the "Brokers") in relation to the purchase by the Brokers, acting as riskless principals, of ordinary shares of Sage (the "Shares"). J.P. Morgan will conduct the first half of the share buyback programme and Morgan Stanley will conduct the latter half.
The Brokers will make trading decisions in relation to Shares purchased under the buyback programme independently of, and uninfluenced by, Sage. The purpose of the share buyback programme is to reduce the share capital of Sage. The Brokers will make an on-sale of such Shares to Sage and all Shares repurchased will be cancelled.
Any purchases of Shares contemplated by this announcement will be carried out on the London Stock Exchange and/or other recognised investment exchange(s) and will be effected within certain pre-set parameters. These arrangements are in accordance with Sage's general authority to repurchase Shares granted at its latest Annual General Meeting, Chapter 9 of the UK Listing Rules, and those provisions of Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 (as incorporated into UK domestic law by the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018) and the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 (as incorporated into UK domestic law by the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018) and with regard to regulatory technical standards for the conditions applicable to buyback programmes.
The maximum number of Shares which may currently be purchased or committed to be purchased by Sage under the buyback programme is 87,944,497, which is the maximum number remaining as of the date of this announcement pursuant to the relevant authorities granted by shareholders at Sage's latest Annual General Meeting.
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