Encouraging Move as WH Smith Confirms Purchase of 52,728 Shares to Cancel as Part of Buyback

In a move that reinforces the retail titan’s confidence in its own growth and stability, WH Smith PLC has purchased a substantial batch of 52,728 ordinary shares as part of an ongoing share buyback programme. Launched in September 2024, the programme to date has seen a staggering 2,231,698 ordinary shares re-enter the company’s possession. These newly acquired shares will be cancelled, indicating that the company is actively controlling its share count, and potentially paving the way for increased shareholder value. The information about the recent buyback activities was detailed in a disclosure made by the company in line with the Financial Conduct Authority’s Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules. The transactions were facilitated by well-known banking entity Barclays. The firm disclosed in the announcement that a total of 128,685,236 shares are currently in issue. This number represents the total voting rights in the company and can be used by shareholders as a baseline to determine if they need to disclose changes in interest in the company. In addition to its steady pursuit of reducing the number of outstanding shares, the announcement paints a promising picture of WH Smith PLC’s continuing strategy, demonstrating its commitment to boost shareholder returns.