Kerry Group plc Completes Repurchase of 90,111 Shares Under €300 Million Buyback Plan

Details of Five-Day Share Repurchase and Pricing

Over five consecutive trading days on Euronext Dublin, Kerry Group acquired a total of 90,111 ordinary shares. Daily purchase volumes varied, with the largest single-day buy of 27,006 shares on 23 July 2026 and the smallest of 8,999 shares on 21 July 2026. All transactions were executed by intermediary J&E Davy acting as a riskless principal for Kerry, with trades occurring throughout each trading session.

Share prices during this period showed moderate fluctuation, ranging from a low of €79.55 on 23 July to a high of €83.30 on 22 July. This 4.7% price range reflects typical intra-week market volatility. Daily price movements saw shares trade between €82.50 and €82.65 on 20 July, dip to €82.00 on 21 July, rise to €82.55–€83.30 on 22 July, fall to €79.55–€81.90 on 23 July, and close between €80.90 and €80.95 on 24 July 2026.

Share Cancellation and Reduction in Issued Capital

Following settlement and cancellation of the 90,111 repurchased shares, Kerry Group’s ordinary share capital will decrease to 158,644,716 shares outstanding, excluding treasury shares. This cancellation permanently removes these shares from circulation, differing from treasury stock which can be reissued later. The reduction supports an immediate increase in earnings per share (EPS), assuming net income remains stable, by distributing profits over fewer shares.

The announcement confirms that treasury shares are excluded from the share count, indicating either no treasury holdings at the reporting date or separate identification within the capital structure.

Overview of €300 Million Buyback Programme and Timeline

Kerry Group launched its €300 million share repurchase programme on 17 February 2026, with execution permitted until 31 December 2026. This timeframe provides management flexibility to repurchase shares opportunistically within regulatory and financial constraints.

The buyback reflects Kerry’s 2026 capital allocation strategy, signaling confidence in the company’s valuation and ability to enhance shareholder value through share reduction alongside other strategic priorities. The €300 million authorisation represents a significant commitment to shareholder returns in a competitive speciality ingredients sector. The timing and volume of purchases will depend on market conditions, trading liquidity, share price trends, and the company’s financial status throughout the programme.

Kerry Group’s Business Model and Market Positioning

Kerry Group plc is a global leader in speciality food and beverage ingredients, providing taste and nutrition solutions to food, beverage, and pharmaceutical manufacturers worldwide. The company operates manufacturing plants, research centres, and distribution networks across Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific, and emerging markets, enabling localized support and rapid delivery.

Listed on Euronext Dublin under the ticker -KYGA, Kerry benefits from long-term trends such as consumer demand for healthier, clean-label, and sustainably sourced products. Its focus on innovation and proprietary solutions allows premium pricing and margin growth, distinguishing it from commodity ingredient suppliers.

Regulatory Compliance and Market Abuse Regulation Adherence

Kerry Group’s buyback transactions comply fully with Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 (Market Abuse Regulation, MAR), including UK retained law post-Brexit. The announcement provides detailed disclosures of individual trades executed by J&E Davy as riskless principal, including execution times, prices, volumes, and unique Euronext Dublin match IDs.

This transparency enables regulators, investors, and market participants to verify compliance and pricing integrity. The riskless principal structure protects Kerry from execution risk and ensures professional market execution within normal trading hours, consistent with MAR requirements against price manipulation.

Share Capital Details and Nominal Value

Kerry Group’s ordinary shares have a par value of €0.125 each. After this repurchase and cancellation, the company will have 158,644,716 ordinary shares outstanding, forming the basis for dividend, voting, and EPS calculations. The nominal par value remains constant for accounting purposes, while market prices paid ranged from €79.55 to €83.30, reflecting market valuation.

Intermediary Role and Trade Execution Specifics

J&E Davy, acting as intermediary with code DAVYIE21 on Euronext Dublin, executed twelve trades over the five-day period. Trade times spanned from 08:03 to 16:16 daily, indicating a systematic approach to minimize market impact. Trade sizes varied from 3,500 to 21,899 shares, reflecting efforts to execute efficiently without disrupting prices.

Each trade’s unique match identification number ensures auditability and regulatory compliance, reinforcing the professional and transparent execution of the buyback programme.

Investor Impact and Earnings Per Share Enhancement

The cancellation of 90,111 shares reduces Kerry Group’s share count, mechanically increasing EPS if net income remains unchanged. This buyback delivers immediate accretive effects for shareholders without requiring operational growth. Should the full €300 million programme be completed, cumulative EPS accretion could be substantial, enhancing shareholder returns independently of business performance.

Kerry’s capital allocation choice to repurchase shares rather than pursue acquisitions, debt reduction, or dividend increases highlights management’s confidence in the company’s valuation and growth prospects. Investors should consider this alongside other financial metrics and capital deployment strategies.

Market Environment and Share Price Context During Repurchase

During the 20–24 July 2026 buyback window, Kerry shares traded within a relatively narrow price range despite daily fluctuations. The lowest price of €79.55 on 23 July may reflect broader market or sector influences. The absence of material execution delays indicates sufficient liquidity on Euronext Dublin to support sizeable institutional transactions.

This liquidity is crucial for large shareholders and market participants to manage positions efficiently, reinforcing Kerry’s status as a major Irish blue-chip equity.

Outlook on Remaining Buyback Execution and Completion

With 90,111 shares repurchased in this tranche, Kerry Group has utilized a portion of its €300 million buyback authorisation. Based on purchase prices, this tranche represents approximately €7.4 to €7.5 million in capital deployed, leaving significant capacity for further repurchases.

The company has until 31 December 2026 to complete the programme. Future execution will depend on market liquidity, share price movements, and Kerry’s financial position. Subsequent buyback disclosures will provide transparency on progress and pricing under Market Abuse Regulation requirements.