London,
23 December 2024
Commencement of US$ 25
million share buyback and cancellation programme
Georgia Capital PLC (the "Company"
or "Georgia Capital") announces today that its board of directors
(the "Board") approved a US$ 25 million share buyback and
cancellation programme, which will be put in place immediately. The
programme will remain in effect for a period of six months or until
the Company's 2025 Annual General Meeting. The shares will be
purchased in the open market and the cancellation of the treasury
shares will be executed on a monthly basis. The purpose of the
buyback is to reduce the share capital. Under the buyback
programme, the maximum price paid per share will not exceed the
latest reported NAV per share amount.
The Programme is consistent with the
Board's intention, announced on 17 May 2024, to make available at
least GEL 300 million for capital returns through the end of 2026.
Since announcing this initiative, US$ 40 million has been deployed
by way of share buybacks. This takes the capital returned to the
Company's shareholders since demerger to a total of US$ 127 million
or 11 million shares, representing 23% of Georgia Capital's issued
share capital at its peak[1].
In accordance with the authority
granted by the shareholders at the 2024 annual general meeting
("AGM"), the maximum number of shares that may be repurchased is
3,331,969. The programme is conducted within certain pre-set
parameters, and in accordance with the general authority to
repurchase shares granted at the 2024 AGM, Chapter 12 of the FCA
Listing Rules, and the provisions of the Market Abuse Regulation
596/2014/EU and of the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU)
2016/1052 (as they form part of UK domestic law).
The Company has appointed Numis
Securities Limited ("Deutsche Numis") to manage an irrevocable,
non‐discretionary share buyback programme until the end of the
programme. During closed periods the Company and its directors have
no power to invoke any changes to the programme and it is being
executed at the sole discretion of Deutsche Numis.
The Company will make further
announcements in due course following the completion of any share
repurchases.
Name of authorised official of
issuer responsible for making notification: Giorgi Alpaidze, Chief
Financial Officer.
About Georgia Capital PLC
Georgia Capital (LEI:
213800Q65T5GNBOW7H65) is a
platform for buying, building and developing businesses in Georgia
with holdings in sectors that are expected to benefit from the
continued growth and further diversification of the Georgian
economy. The Company's focus is typically on larger-scale
investment opportunities in Georgia, which have the potential to
reach at least GEL 300 million equity value over 3-5 years from the
initial investment and to monetise them through exits, as
investments mature. Georgia Capital currently has the following
portfolio businesses: (i) a retail (pharmacy) business, (ii) an
insurance business (P&C and medical insurance), (iii) a
hospitals business, (iv) a renewable energy business (hydro and
wind assets), (v) an education business and (vi) a clinics and
diagnostics business; Georgia Capital also holds other small
private businesses across different industries in Georgia; a 20%
equity stake in the water utility business and a c.20% equity stake
in LSE listed Bank of Georgia Group PLC ("BoG"), the holding
company of leading universal banks in Georgia and
Armenia.
JSC
Georgia Capital has, as of the date hereof, the following credit
rating:
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|
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S&P Global
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'BB-'/FC & 'BB-'/LC
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For further information, please visit
www.georgiacapital.ge
or
contact:
Irakli Gilauri
|
Giorgi Alpaidze
|
Michael Oliver
|
Shalva Bukia
|
Chairman and Chief
Executive
|
Chief Financial Officer
|
Adviser to the Chairman &
CEO
|
Head of Investor
Relations
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ir@gcap.ge
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+995 322 005 000
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+44 203 178 4034
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+ 995 322 005 045
|
|
ir@gcap.ge
|
ir@gcap.ge
|
ir@gcap.ge
|
This news report is presented for general informational
purposes only and should not be construed as an offer to sell or
the solicitation of an offer to buy any
securities.