AEP Plantations Completes Buyback of 56,497 Shares at 175.35 Pence Average Price

AEP Plantations Advances Capital Allocation with Ongoing Share Buyback Programme

On 6 July 2026, AEP Plantations Plc initiated a share buyback programme as a strategic capital management initiative aimed at enhancing shareholder value. The company has been executing purchases through its appointed financial adviser and broker, Cavendish Capital Markets Limited, authorized to act on its behalf. This programme signals the board’s confidence in the company’s share valuation and reflects a preference for deploying capital via share repurchases as an efficient use of resources. Nearly 637,000 shares have been acquired within the first three weeks, underscoring a sustained commitment to this strategy.

All buyback transactions comply with regulatory standards and have been conducted on the London Stock Exchange (XLON), ensuring transparent market pricing and adherence to the UK Market Abuse Regulation. By holding shares in treasury rather than cancelling them, AEP maintains flexibility for future capital uses such as employee share schemes, acquisitions, or further shareholder returns, while immediately reducing voting share capital.

Detailed Trading Activity on 23 July 2026 Reflects Controlled Market Execution

During 23 July 2026, AEP purchased 56,497 shares across multiple transactions on the London Stock Exchange. Trades occurred between 08:21 and 16:28, with prices ranging from 173.00 to 177.00 pence per share. The volume-weighted average price was 175.35 pence, indicating consistent execution within the day’s price range.

Most purchases clustered around 11:46 and the afternoon session, including a largest single trade of 1,937 shares at 177.00 pence, alongside numerous smaller lots. This pattern aligns with algorithmic or systematic execution strategies used by brokers to minimize market impact while achieving average prices close to market levels. The orderly spread of trades across times and prices reflects professional management and compliance with market conduct regulations.

Updated Share Capital Structure After Latest Treasury Acquisition

Following the 23 July 2026 buyback, AEP’s share capital comprises 399,762,720 ordinary shares of 2.5 pence nominal value. Of these, 16,806,029 shares are held in treasury, which do not carry voting rights. Consequently, the total voting shares outstanding stand at 382,956,691. This reduction in voting shares is significant for regulatory disclosures under the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) rules.

The lowered voting share count affects notification thresholds for shareholders under the FCA’s Disclosure and Transparency Rules, as the denominator for percentage calculations decreases. This means shareholders may cross disclosure thresholds at lower absolute shareholdings, necessitating careful recalculation of voting rights percentages.

Buyback Programme Totals 636,789 Shares Since Launch

Since the programme’s announcement on 6 July 2026, AEP has repurchased a cumulative 636,789 ordinary shares into treasury. The 56,497 shares acquired on 23 July form the latest tranche in this measured buyback approach, spread over multiple trading days. This gradual execution likely reflects efforts to manage liquidity and secure shares at valuations deemed appropriate by the board.

The buyback represents approximately 0.16% of the original issued share capital over three weeks, a moderate pace compared to larger UK-listed company programmes. The consistent average price of 175.35 pence on the latest trading day suggests smooth execution without significant market resistance.

Regulatory Compliance with Market Abuse Regulation and Transparency Requirements

AEP has published detailed transaction data in line with Article 5(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014, as retained in UK law post-Brexit. This includes the number of shares, price per share, transaction times, and trading venue. Such transparency confirms orderly execution without market manipulation and allows investors to assess the buyback’s conduct.

All transactions took place on the London Stock Exchange during regular trading hours, reinforcing the programme’s openness and adherence to good corporate governance. The announcement was disseminated via the RNS regulatory news service, the standard channel for UK-listed companies to communicate regulatory information.

Cavendish Capital Markets Limited Leading Buyback Execution

Cavendish Capital Markets Limited serves as AEP’s financial adviser and broker for the buyback, ensuring professional and compliant execution. Their corporate finance and broking teams, including Matt Goode, George Lawson, Trisyia Jamaludin, Will Smith, and Harriet Ward, are available for investor inquiries. This engagement ensures the buyback is managed to institutional standards with appropriate oversight.

Cavendish’s role includes leveraging market data and execution algorithms to optimize timing and pricing across multiple sessions. Their involvement underscores AEP’s commitment to effective capital allocation through expert broker management rather than internal ad-hoc handling.

Strategic Capital Allocation and Shareholder Impact of Buyback

The share buyback programme highlights AEP’s strategic capital deployment amid sufficient liquidity to support repurchases alongside ongoing operations. Such programmes often indicate management’s belief that shares are fairly valued or undervalued, a desire to optimize capital structure, or a preference for buybacks over dividends. While AEP has not specified its primary motivation, the measured buyback pace suggests a deliberate, considered approach.

For shareholders, buybacks can enhance value through earnings per share accretion if shares are repurchased below intrinsic value or maintain capital discipline by utilizing surplus cash. Conversely, buybacks at high valuations may be less efficient. The disclosed price range of 173.00 to 177.00 pence allows investors to evaluate the buyback’s value proposition alongside recent financial results and guidance.

Voting Share Reduction Influences Disclosure Threshold Calculations

The buyback reduces voting shares to 382,956,691 as of 23 July 2026, impacting FCA Disclosure and Transparency Rules thresholds (3%, 5%, 10%, etc.). With a smaller denominator, shareholders holding fixed share counts represent higher voting percentages, potentially triggering new notification obligations. This update is critical for significant shareholders to reassess their disclosure responsibilities promptly.

AEP’s announcement provides the updated voting rights figure to assist shareholders in compliance. Failure to notify within FCA timeframes can lead to penalties, making this recalculation an important governance consideration.

Investor Relations and Contact Information

Investors seeking further details can contact AEP’s Executive Director, Corporate Affairs Marcus Chan Jau Chwen, or Group CEO Kevin Wong Tack Wee at +44 (0) 20 7216 4621. Financial PR inquiries may be directed to Montfort Communications Limited representatives Ann-marie Wilkinson and Shireen Farhana via [email protected].

These contact points provide comprehensive channels for regulatory, strategic, or investor relations questions. The availability of multiple contacts, including the company, financial PR advisers, and executing broker, reflects AEP’s commitment to transparent communication with the investment community.