Helical plc Finalizes Share Buyback with Acquisition of 239,738 Shares at 195p-198p Range

Details of Helical plc’s Share Buyback and Treasury Holdings

During the week of 20 to 24 July 2026, Helical plc, a London-based property investment and development firm, executed a significant tranche of its authorised share buyback programme. The company acquired 239,738 ordinary shares of 1 pence each through its broker Peel Hunt LLP on the London Stock Exchange (XLON). This move demonstrates Helical’s strategic focus on returning capital to shareholders and optimising its capital structure by accumulating treasury shares rather than cancelling them.

The buyback was conducted over six transactions, with the largest single block being 70,000 shares purchased on 22 July at 195.00 pence, the lowest price paid during this period. The second-largest block was 60,000 shares bought on 20 July at 198.00 pence, the highest price during the tranche. Other purchases included 40,000 shares at 198.00 pence on 20 July, 24,738 shares at 198.00 pence on 21 July, and two smaller tranches totaling 45,000 shares at 196.00 pence on 24 July. This staggered approach highlights the company’s disciplined execution of its capital return strategy.

Share Price Range and Average Purchase Cost in July 2026

Throughout the five trading days of this buyback tranche, Helical’s shares traded within a narrow range of 195.00 pence to 198.00 pence, a three-pence spread. The weighted average price paid for the 239,738 shares was 196.75 pence, approximately at the midpoint of the trading range. This indicates that the company’s broker executed purchases across varying market conditions, capturing both lower and higher prices during the week.

Most shares acquired at the highest price of 198.00 pence (124,738 shares) were purchased during the first two days, suggesting initial upward price momentum or limited selling pressure. The largest single block at the lowest price of 195.00 pence occurred midweek on 22 July, representing an opportunistic buy within the trading range. This disciplined execution resulted in an effective average acquisition cost of 196.75 pence per share.

Impact on Treasury Shares and Capital Structure

Following this tranche, Helical holds 1,225,611 ordinary shares in treasury, representing shares previously issued but now held by the company rather than circulating among external investors. The total number of ordinary shares issued stands at 117,481,200. The company notes that 116,255,589 shares may be used as the denominator for shareholder interest notifications under the Financial Conduct Authority’s Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.

Holding shares in treasury rather than cancelling them outright provides Helical with flexibility for future corporate actions such as reissuance, employee share schemes, or further capital returns. This approach reflects management’s preference for maintaining strategic optionality to enhance shareholder value.

Authorisation and Execution of June 2026 Buyback Programme

The July share purchases are part of a broader buyback programme authorised on 8 June 2026. While specific details of the June authorisation are not disclosed in the July announcement, the recent tranche represents interim activity within the approved framework.

Helical’s board initiated the buyback programme based on an assessment that the shares were trading at attractive valuations relative to the company’s asset base and earnings. Broker Peel Hunt LLP was entrusted with executing purchases within pre-agreed parameters, ensuring orderly transactions without disrupting the market. The staggered purchases over multiple days and price points demonstrate professional and disciplined execution.

Regulatory Disclosures and Market Abuse Regulation Compliance

Helical’s announcement complies with Article 5(1)(b) of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No 596/2014, now part of UK law, by providing detailed transaction data. Each of the six purchases includes the number of shares, price in pence, trading venue (XLON), date, exact trade time, and unique transaction reference numbers. This transparency enables market participants and regulators to verify the accuracy of the buyback activity.

The inclusion of transaction reference numbers (e.g., 00196964592TRLO1) ensures auditability against London Stock Exchange records. The precise timing of trades down to the second highlights the rigorous reporting standards for listed companies’ buyback programmes.

Role of Peel Hunt LLP in Buyback Execution

Peel Hunt LLP, a prominent UK investment bank and equity broker, handled all 239,738 share purchases on Helical’s behalf. Utilizing a reputable broker is standard practice to access market infrastructure and ensure compliance while minimizing market disruption. Peel Hunt’s expertise in mid-cap equities facilitated disciplined execution within the authorised parameters.

Broker authority was granted under board-approved limits set during the June 2026 announcement, including maximum prices and aggregate purchase limits. The broker’s execution across six transactions over five days achieved an effective weighted average price of 196.75 pence per share.

Helical’s Share Capital Structure and Market Context

Helical plc trades on the London Stock Exchange under ticker HLCL and issues ordinary shares with a 1 pence par value. The distinctions between issued shares, treasury shares, and the regulatory denominator reflect UK corporate governance and FCA regulatory requirements. The current shareholder base, approximately 116.3 million shares using the regulatory denominator, determines voting rights, dividends, and disclosure thresholds.

In the property investment sector, share buybacks are common when shares trade below net asset value. By reducing free-floating shares without proportionally reducing assets, buybacks can improve earnings per share and potentially reduce valuation discounts. Helical’s treasury share accumulation supports capital structure optimisation while preserving management flexibility.

Investor Relations and Contact Information

Helical has provided contact details for investor inquiries related to the buyback. CEO Matthew Bonning-Snook and CFO James Moss are primary contacts. The company’s registered office is 22 Ganton Street, London, W1F 7FD, with telephone number 020 7629 0113. Additional information is available at www.helical.co.uk.

For media and regulatory enquiries, FTI Consulting serves as the external communications adviser, with contacts Dido Laurimore, Richard Gotla, and Andrew Davis. Email contact is [email protected] and telephone 020 3727 1000. This multi-channel communication approach ensures transparency and accessibility for shareholders and market participants.

Outlook on Buyback Programme and Capital Management

While this announcement covers the July 20-24 tranche, Helical has not disclosed the total authorised buyback size, timeline for remaining purchases, or maximum limits. These details were likely outlined in the 8 June 2026 authorisation. The current disclosure serves as an interim update rather than a full programme summary.

Investors should anticipate further disclosures as additional share purchases occur. Future buyback activity will depend on market conditions, share price trends, valuation assessments, and regulatory restrictions. Helical’s detailed transaction reporting underscores its commitment to transparency in capital management. Shareholders and market observers should monitor forthcoming regulatory announcements for updates on the buyback programme and its impact on the company’s capital structure and shareholder returns.