An anonymous director reports
CENOVUS ENERGY ANNOUNCES RENEWAL OF SHARE BUYBACK PROGRAM
The Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) has approved the renewal of Cenovus Energy Inc.'s normal course issuer bid (NCIB) to purchase up to 127,489,549 common shares during the 12-month period commencing Nov. 11, 2024, and ending Nov. 10, 2025.
Cenovus's renewal of its share buyback program is consistent with the company's capital allocation framework, which supports enhancing value for investors by returning cash to shareholders, generating strong returns on capital investment and maintaining its resilient balance sheet. Cenovus believes there are times when the market price of its common shares may not fully reflect the underlying value of its business and future prospects. Depending on the trading price of its common shares and other relevant factors, the company believes purchasing common shares represents an attractive investment opportunity and is in the best interest of Cenovus and its shareholders.
Cenovus's prior NCIB for the purchase of up to 133,160,021 common shares is set to expire on Nov. 8, 2024. As at Oct. 31, 2024, Cenovus had repurchased an aggregate of 64,729,372 common shares at a weighted average price of $25.20 per common share, excluding brokerage fees and share buyback taxes, under its prior NCIB. Purchases were made on the open market through the facilities of the TSX, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and/or alternative trading systems in Canada and the United States.
The number of shares authorized for purchase under the NCIB renewal represents 10 per cent of Cenovus's public float, as defined by the TSX, as of Oct. 31, 2024. On Oct. 31, 2024, Cenovus had 1,826,621,068 common shares outstanding. Purchases will be made on the open market through the facilities of the TSX, NYSE and/or alternative trading systems in Canada and the United States at market prices prevailing at the time of acquisition, or such other price as may be permitted by securities laws, including Rule 10b-18 under the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any exemptions therefrom.
Cenovus has also entered into an automatic share purchase plan (ASPP), allowing it to purchase common shares under the NCIB when the company would ordinarily not be permitted to purchase shares due to regulatory restrictions and customary self-imposed blackout periods. Pursuant to the ASPP, Cenovus will provide instructions during non-blackout periods to its designated broker, which may not be varied or suspended during the blackout period. Purchases by Cenovus's designated broker will be in accordance with stock exchange rules, applicable securities laws and the terms of the ASPP. All purchases made under the ASPP are included in computing the number of common shares purchased under the NCIB. The ASPP has been precleared, as required by the TSX.
The actual number of common shares that may be purchased under the NCIB and the timing of any such purchases will be determined by Cenovus. The average daily trading volume through the facilities of the TSX during the six-month period ended Oct. 31, 2024, was 5,684,875 common shares. Consequently, daily purchases through the facilities of the TSX will be limited to 1,421,218 common shares, equal to 25 per cent of the average daily trading volume, other than block purchase exceptions. Purchases over the NYSE will be made in compliance with the volume limitations in Rule 10b-18 in relation to average daily trading volume and block trades. All common shares acquired by Cenovus under the NCIB will be cancelled.
About Cenovus Energy Inc.
Cenovus Energy is an integrated energy company with oil and natural gas production operations in Canada and the Asia-Pacific region, and upgrading, refining and marketing operations in Canada and the United States. The company is focused on managing its assets in a safe, innovative and cost-efficient manner, integrating environmental, social and governance considerations into its business plans.
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