PARIS (Reuters) – EssilorLuxottica said on Friday it was launching a new share buyback programme for a maximum of 2.5 million shares, or around 0.6% of its capital.
The French-Italian eyewear giant, which has seen business bounce back since the pandemic, said in a press statement that the plan showed the group’s confidence in its long-term prospects.
Shares can be purchased over a period starting Friday and running through Aug. 31, the group said.
Shares will be purchased for a price that does not exceed 200 euros apiece, according to a resolution approved in the company’s annual shareholding meeting in May that allows a buyback programme for up to 10% of the company’s capital, or up to 1.59 billion euros over the next 18 months.
EssilorLuxottica shares were up 2.9% to 138.10 euros at 0940 GMT.
(Reporting by Kate Entringer and Mimosa Spencer; Editing by Mark Potter)