AEP Plantations Executes Buyback of 56,179 Shares at 175.84 Pence Average Price on 24 July 2026

Details of AEP Plantations’ 24 July 2026 Share Buyback Transaction

AEP Plantations Plc executed a significant share repurchase on 24 July 2026, acquiring 56,179 ordinary shares of 2.5 pence par value via its broker, Cavendish Capital Markets Limited. The purchase occurred throughout the trading day on the London Stock Exchange (XLON), with trades executed between 08:00 and 16:24. This transaction forms part of the broader buyback programme authorised on 6 July 2026.

Prices paid per share ranged from a low of 171.00 pence to a high of 178.00 pence, with a volume-weighted average price of 175.84 pence. The detailed trade data published ensures full transparency and compliance with the Market Abuse Regulation (MAR), illustrating a standard institutional buyback approach designed to minimize market impact by spreading trades over the trading day.

Aggregate Buyback Progress Since Programme Inception on 6 July 2026

Since the programme’s commencement, AEP Plantations has cumulatively repurchased 692,968 ordinary shares, all retained in treasury. Holding shares in treasury reduces the freely circulating share count and voting rights, while maintaining flexibility for future corporate uses such as employee incentives or acquisitions. This demonstrates AEP’s proactive capital management and shareholder value enhancement strategy.

The buyback programme complies with the FCA’s Disclosure and Transparency Rules, ensuring market participants receive comprehensive information on share repurchases.

Share Capital and Voting Rights Post 24 July 2026 Buyback

Post-transaction, AEP Plantations’ total issued ordinary shares stand at 399,762,720, including 16,862,208 shares held in treasury. Treasury shares do not carry voting rights or dividend entitlements unless reissued. Consequently, the total voting rights, excluding treasury shares, amount to 382,900,512 as of 24 July 2026. This figure is critical for shareholders and regulatory disclosures under FCA rules, affecting notification thresholds and ownership calculations.

Regulatory Compliance Under Market Abuse Regulation (MAR)

The announcement adheres to Article 5(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 (MAR) as applied in the UK. By disclosing granular trade details—including share quantities, prices, times, and trading venue (London Stock Exchange)—AEP Plantations demonstrates full regulatory compliance and market transparency. This ensures fair market conduct and protects investors from information asymmetry.

Role of Cavendish Capital Markets in Buyback Execution

Cavendish Capital Markets Limited, appointed as broker and financial adviser, managed the buyback execution on 24 July 2026. The firm’s corporate finance and broking teams, including Matt Goode, George Lawson, Trisyia Jamaludin, Will Smith, and Harriet Ward, ensured regulatory adherence and optimal trade execution. The broker’s strategy involved spreading trades throughout the day to minimize market disruption and achieve prices close to the volume-weighted average.

Capital Allocation Strategy and Implications for Shareholders

AEP Plantations’ decision to deploy capital via a share buyback programme reflects a strategic choice to return value to shareholders, manage capital structure, and potentially enhance earnings per share. The ongoing buyback since 6 July 2026 indicates management’s confidence in the company’s valuation. For shareholders, the reduction in shares outstanding increases ownership concentration and can improve per-share financial metrics, benefiting income and value investors.

Company Overview and Market Environment

AEP Plantations Plc is a London Stock Exchange-listed investment company focused on plantation assets. Led by Group CEO Kevin Wong Tack Wee and Executive Director Marcus Chan Jau Chwen, the company actively manages its capital and investor relations. The plantation sector’s characteristics—long-term asset holdings and exposure to commodity and regulatory variables—make buybacks a signal of management’s confidence in intrinsic asset values and income potential.

Investor Considerations Regarding Shareholding Thresholds

The reduction in voting share count to 382,900,512 affects shareholders’ relative ownership percentages and regulatory disclosure obligations under the FCA’s Disclosure and Transparency Rules. Shareholders holding significant stakes should monitor these changes, as buybacks may bring them closer to disclosure thresholds at 3%, 5%, 10%, and other levels. Montfort Communications Limited serves as the company’s financial adviser for shareholder enquiries related to the buyback programme.

Transparency and Disclosure Under Market Abuse Regulation

The comprehensive trade-by-trade disclosure exemplifies the UK’s Market Abuse Regulation transparency requirements, ensuring that buyback activities are conducted fairly and openly. This prevents market manipulation and provides investors with full visibility of the company’s share repurchase actions. The announcement also serves as a formal notification of changes to share capital and voting rights, critical information for market participants.