Famous Brands approves 5% share buyback

Famous Brands has approved a general share repurchase programme of up to 5% of its issued ordinary share capital, citing confidence in its cash position and concerns that the group’s share price does not reflect its underlying value.

The repurchase will be implemented through FB Investments Proprietary Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of the group, and is scheduled to commence on 1 February 2026. The programme is expected to run until 31 May 2026, although the board has indicated that it may be discontinued should market conditions change.

In a voluntary Sens announcement on Friday, the board said the company and its subsidiaries currently hold sufficient cash to undertake the buyback. The decision forms part of Famous Brands’s broader capital allocation strategy and follows a period of balance sheet strengthening.

Darren Hele, Famous Brands CEO, said: “The launch of our buyback programme is an important milestone in our capital allocation framework. The continued deleveraging of our balance sheet and investments has set us up for improved strategic and operational execution across the value chain. Disciplined capital allocation has strengthened our balance sheet in pursuit of improved leverage levels.”

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The board noted that the programme’s timing was influenced by the recent performance of the company’s share price, which it believes continues to undervalue Famous Brands and its future prospects.

All shares repurchased under the programme will be held as treasury shares and will not carry voting rights.

Famous Brands also confirmed that it intends to continue the repurchase during its upcoming closed period, which begins on 1 March 2026 and runs until the release of its financial results for the year ended 28 February 2026, currently expected on or about 18 May 2026.

Should the buyback proceed during this closed period, it will be conducted as an irrevocable, non-discretionary programme managed by an independent third party. Trading decisions will be made independently of the company and in accordance with pre-set parameters.

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