AEP Plantations Completes Acquisition of 45,977 Shares at 167.32p Average in Ongoing Buyback

Share Purchase Details on 21 July 2026

AEP Plantations executed a significant share buyback on 21 July 2026, acquiring 45,977 ordinary shares through Cavendish Capital Markets Limited on the London Stock Exchange (XLON). Trading occurred throughout the day from 08:00 to 16:28, with prices ranging from a low of 164.00 pence to a high of 174.00 pence. The volume weighted average price across all transactions was 167.32 pence per share, reflecting the overall cost efficiency of the day’s buyback activity.

The transaction comprised over 180 individual trades, with share quantities varying from single shares to blocks exceeding 1,100 shares. Most purchases took place between 164.00 and 169.00 pence during mid-morning and afternoon sessions, with prices peaking at 174.00 pence in the final minutes between 16:23 and 16:28. This price movement indicates market dynamics and liquidity conditions during the buyback execution.

Buyback Progress Since Programme Launch on 6 July 2026

Since the programme’s inception on 6 July 2026, AEP Plantations has cumulatively repurchased 580,292 ordinary shares now held in treasury. The 21 July transaction accounts for a portion of this ongoing initiative. Treasury shares do not carry voting rights and remain company property, representing about 4.0% of the total issued share capital before treasury adjustments.

The staggered purchase prices between 164.00 and 174.00 pence demonstrate the company’s strategic approach to capital deployment, allowing accumulation of shares at varying valuations. These treasury shares may be used for future corporate purposes such as cancellation, employee share schemes, or other board-approved actions.

Effect on Share Capital and Voting Rights

Following the 21 July purchase, AEP Plantations’ total issued ordinary shares stand at 399,762,720, comprising 383,013,188 voting shares and 16,749,532 treasury shares without voting rights. This distinction is crucial for shareholders and for compliance with the FCA’s Disclosure and Transparency Rules, as the voting share count of 383,013,188 forms the basis for calculating notification thresholds.

Excluding treasury shares from voting rights reduces the total voting capital, impacting earnings per share calculations and shareholder voting power. Treasury shares held by the company do not influence corporate governance, providing transparency regarding the effective voting base.

Execution Venue and Trading Methodology

All share purchases were conducted on the London Stock Exchange’s XLON venue, ensuring regulatory compliance and transparency. Cavendish Capital Markets Limited, acting as financial adviser and broker, executed trades throughout the trading day from 08:00 to 16:28, distributing purchases to minimize market impact and optimize pricing.

AEP Plantations published detailed transaction data in line with Article 5(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 (Market Abuse Regulation), disclosing share quantities, prices, execution times, and trading venue. This transparency allows market participants and regulators to verify fair execution without market abuse.

Price Trends and Market Conditions During Buyback

Share prices during the 21 July buyback showed an upward trend. Early trades clustered around 164.00 to 165.00 pence, with most shares purchased at these lower prices. Prices rose to between 166.00 and 169.00 pence from mid-morning to early afternoon, then peaked at 174.00 pence in the final minutes, marking a 6.1% increase from the opening price.

This progression likely reflects market sentiment and supply-demand dynamics associated with the buyback. Early lower-priced purchases suggest favorable conditions for accumulation before price appreciation later in the day. The volume weighted average price of 167.32 pence serves as a benchmark for evaluating execution efficiency.

Regulatory Compliance and Disclosure

AEP Plantations has met its regulatory obligations by announcing the buyback transaction in accordance with the Market Abuse Regulation. The detailed disclosure includes all material information on transaction scale, pricing, execution, and impact on share capital and voting rights, underscoring the company’s commitment to transparency and compliance.

The announcement clarifies that treasury shares carry no voting rights and provides the total voting rights denominator of 383,013,188 shares. This figure guides shareholders in calculating notification obligations under the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, promoting transparency of significant shareholdings and potential control changes.

Strategic Context of the Share Buyback Programme

Launched on 6 July 2026, the share buyback programme is a capital management strategy by AEP Plantations aimed at returning value to shareholders and potentially enhancing earnings per share. The 21 July acquisition of 45,977 shares at an average price of 167.32 pence exemplifies the company’s systematic capital allocation approach. The total buyback size and duration were not disclosed, though 580,292 shares have been repurchased to date.

Share buybacks can signal management confidence, offset dilution from employee schemes, and improve financial metrics. Holding shares in treasury rather than immediate cancellation provides flexibility for future corporate actions such as acquisitions or share-based incentives. The price range of 164.00 to 174.00 pence indicates management’s view of attractive valuation levels.

Implications for Shareholder Notification Thresholds

The voting share denominator of 383,013,188 is critical for shareholders subject to FCA Disclosure and Transparency Rules. Notification thresholds typically occur at 3%, 5%, 10%, and multiples of 5%. Treasury shares totaling 16,749,532 are excluded from this base, so shareholders must calculate their holdings against the voting share figure to determine disclosure obligations.

For example, a 3% voting interest corresponds to approximately 11,490,396 shares. Changes in treasury shareholdings through cancellations or further buybacks may alter this denominator, affecting threshold calculations. Investors should monitor AEP Plantations’ capital management activities as they influence voting rights and disclosure requirements.

Contact Details for Further Information

For inquiries about the buyback programme and the 21 July 2026 transaction, contact Marcus Chan Jau Chwen, Executive Director (Corporate Affairs), or Kevin Wong Tack Wee, Group CEO, via +44 (0) 20 7216 4621. Montfort Communications Limited serves as financial public relations adviser, reachable through Ann-marie Wilkinson or Shireen Farhana at [email protected].

Cavendish Capital Markets Limited, responsible for executing the buyback, can be contacted for corporate finance via Matt Goode, George Lawson, and Trisyia Jamaludin, or for corporate broking through Will Smith and Harriet Ward at +44 (0) 20 7220 0500.

These contacts provide stakeholders with access to detailed information on the buyback, capital management strategy, and shareholding implications, reflecting AEP Plantations’ commitment to transparent communication.