Grafton Group plc Executes Purchase of 60,000 Shares at £9.42 Average in July Buyback Initiative

Grafton Group Advances Share Buyback Programme with Latest Purchase

On 24 July 2026, Grafton Group plc completed another tranche of its GBP25,000,000 share buyback programme by purchasing 60,000 ordinary shares of €0.05 each for cancellation. This transaction follows previous buyback activity since the programme's inception on 30 June 2026. The shares were acquired through Goodbody Stockbrokers UC, one of the designated intermediaries alongside Deutsche Bank managing the buyback.

The announcement provides detailed disclosure of the trades executed on 24 July 2026 in compliance with Article 5(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 (Market Abuse Regulation), ensuring transparency and investor protection. The volume weighted average price across all trades that day was £9.4158 per share, with all transactions conducted on the London Stock Exchange. This pricing reflects market conditions during the execution of the repurchase programme on the specified date.

Trading Details and Pricing on 24 July 2026

The 60,000 shares purchased on 24 July 2026 were acquired through multiple trades executed throughout the trading session. The highest price paid per share was £9.4500, while the lowest was £9.3640, resulting in a trading range of approximately 86 basis points. The volume weighted average price of £9.4158 reflects the weighted distribution of volumes at different price points during the day.

The announcement includes a comprehensive breakdown of 164 individual trades executed by Goodbody Stockbrokers UC on behalf of Grafton Group. These trades occurred between 09:29:00 and 16:26:35 BST on the London Stock Exchange. Trade sizes varied from single shares to blocks exceeding 1,150 shares, illustrating the execution strategy aimed at managing market impact while fulfilling the buyback programme. Each trade is detailed with price, volume, time, and transaction reference numbers to ensure full regulatory transparency.

Progress Update on GBP25,000,000 Buyback Allocation

The 24 July 2026 purchase marks continued progress in Grafton Group's GBP25,000,000 share buyback initiative. To date, the Company has acquired a total of 1,139,172 shares for cancellation through Goodbody Stockbrokers UC and Deutsche Bank since the programme began on 30 June 2026. Using the volume weighted average price of £9.4158 on 24 July, the 60,000 shares bought that day represent an aggregate value of approximately GBP564,948.

The buyback remains active within the allocated budget of GBP25,000,000. The Company has not disclosed the remaining budget or a timeline for completion. Future purchase volumes and timing will depend on market conditions and Company discretion within the stated financial limit.

Regulatory Compliance and Market Abuse Regulation Adherence

This announcement complies with Article 5(1)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 (Market Abuse Regulation), which continues to apply in the UK post-Brexit under the Market Abuse (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019. The regulation mandates detailed disclosure of share buyback transactions to promote market transparency and prevent information asymmetry.

Included in the disclosure are the issuer's Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) 635400BE9SBAG61DJ963, ISIN IE00B00MZ448, and Goodbody Stockbrokers UC's intermediary code GDBSIE21XXX. These identifiers facilitate regulatory monitoring and data aggregation, underscoring Grafton Group's compliance with market conduct rules during its capital management activities.

Company Overview and Market Position

Grafton Group plc is an Irish-incorporated public company listed on the London Stock Exchange under ticker -GFTU. Its ordinary shares have a nominal value of €0.05 each, though trading occurs in pounds sterling. The share buyback programme reflects a strategic capital management decision by the board, typically aimed at enhancing shareholder value or reflecting management's assessment of share valuation.

Share repurchase programmes of this scale are common among established public companies. The GBP25,000,000 allocation signals a significant commitment, although the announcement does not provide details on the Company’s market capitalisation, percentage of share capital represented, or the rationale behind the buyback. Rebecca McAleavey, Deputy Company Secretary, is the investor relations contact for further inquiries.

Execution Strategy and Market Conditions on Trade Date

The 164 trades executed on 24 July 2026 illustrate Goodbody Stockbrokers UC's methodical approach to share acquisition, spreading purchases across the trading day from 09:29:00 to 16:26:35 BST to minimize market impact. Large trades included blocks of 1,273, 1,150, 1,120, and 1,113 shares, alongside numerous smaller transactions.

Price fluctuations during the day were typical of intraday trading, with morning trades mostly between £9.42 and £9.44, mid-session prices dipping to £9.38–£9.40, and afternoon trades recovering to the £9.42–£9.44 range. Late afternoon trades reached the session’s peak near £9.45, indicating stable market conditions for Grafton Group shares on the execution date.

Intermediary Roles and Execution Oversight

Goodbody Stockbrokers UC, identified by intermediary code GDBSIE21XXX, served as the primary intermediary for the 24 July purchases. Alongside Deutsche Bank, these intermediaries provide execution capabilities to optimize trading performance across varying market conditions.

The transaction schedule assigns unique reference numbers to each trade, confirming execution on XLON (London Stock Exchange) in GBP currency. The intermediaries ensure compliance with market conduct rules, fair execution standards, and the buyback programme parameters authorized by the Company’s board and shareholders.

Share Cancellation and Capital Structure Impact

All 1,139,172 shares repurchased to date are designated "for cancellation," permanently reducing the Company’s issued share capital rather than being held as treasury shares. This reduction can enhance earnings per share and increase existing shareholders' proportional ownership.

The Company has not disclosed total issued share capital or the percentage impact of the repurchases. Investors typically consider these metrics to assess dilution reduction and shareholder value effects. The announcement focuses on factual transaction details without commentary on strategic or financial implications.

Timeline and Disclosure Schedule

The buyback programme was announced on 30 June 2026, with the first tranche described here executed on 24 July 2026. The disclosure was published on 27 July 2026, reflecting a standard three-business-day delay for regulatory reporting. No information on programme duration or frequency of future announcements was provided.

Investors monitoring the GBP25,000,000 buyback should expect ongoing regulatory disclosures via Investegate and official channels as the programme progresses.

Market Compliance and Transparency for Participants

The detailed transaction disclosures meet Market Abuse Regulation requirements, ensuring transparent reporting of share buyback activity. The structured execution and comprehensive public data support compliance with insider trading and market manipulation rules.

Analysts, investors, and market participants can access full trade details, including issuer and intermediary identifiers, transaction dates, prices, volumes, and times, enabling thorough oversight and auditability. The announcement aligns with regulatory standards across EU and UK markets where Grafton Group shares trade.