Mr. Joe Racanelli reports
AIMIA CONFIRMS THE LAUNCH OF ITS NORMAL COURSE ISSUER BID TO REPURCHASE UP TO 7,009,622 SHARES
The Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) has approved Aimia Inc.'s previously announced normal course issuer bid (NCIB).
The NCIB represents part of the company's strategy of unlocking shareholder value, as has been identified as a key priority in recent shareholder disclosures.
Aimia has received approval to purchase for cancellation up to 7,009,622 of its common shares, or 10 per cent of the public float of 70,096,228 common shares as at May 28, 2024, through the facilities of the TSX and through alternative Canadian trading systems (such as Alpha ATS), or by exempt offers or block purchases, during the period from June 6, 2024, to no later than June 5, 2025. Purchases made on the open market through the facilities of the TSX and alternative Canadian trading systems will be at the prevailing market price at the time of acquisition. Aimia may also purchase common shares for cancellation pursuant to exemption orders from applicable securities regulatory authorities, and such purchases will be at a discount to the prevailing market price. As at May 28, 2024, there were 99,679,614 issued and outstanding common shares. Aimia has not repurchased any of its common shares during the past 12 months.
The average daily trading volume on the TSX for the past six months was 47,315 common shares. Under TSX rules, a maximum daily purchase of 25 per cent of this average may be made, representing 11,828 common shares. In addition, Aimia may make, once per week, a block purchase (as such term is defined in the TSX company manual) of common shares not directly or indirectly owned by insiders of Aimia, in accordance with the regulations of the TSX. The common shares purchased pursuant to the NCIB will be cancelled.
Transactions under the NCIB will depend on future market conditions. Aimia has entered into an automatic share purchase plan with the designated broker responsible for the NCIB to allow for the repurchase of common shares at times when Aimia ordinarily would not be active in the market due to its prescheduled blackout periods. Outside of such prescheduled blackout periods, Aimia retains discretion whether to make purchases under the NCIB, and to determine the timing, amount and acceptable price of any such purchases, subject at all times to applicable TSX and other regulatory requirements.
Aimia believes that the market price of its common shares may, from time to time, not reflect the inherent value of the company, and that repurchases of common shares pursuant to the NCIB may represent an appropriate and desirable use of the company's funds. Therefore, Aimia believes that it is in its best interest to proceed with this NCIB, while maintaining sufficient financial flexibility to execute on the company's future strategic direction and capital allocation priorities.
About Aimia Inc.
Aimia is a diversified company focused on unlocking the growth potential of its two global businesses: Bozzetto, a sustainable specialty chemicals company, and Cortland International, a rope and netting solutions company. Headquartered in Toronto, Aimia's priorities include: monetizing its non-core investments; returning capital to its shareholders; and efficiently utilizing its loss carry-forwards to create shareholder value.
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