ADNOC-backed Borouge plans to go for share buyback

Dubai: The ADNOC joint venture Borouge is the latest UAE company to enter a buyback program, with a plan to pic up to 2.5% of its issued share capital.

This comes after the petrochemicals company saw a 24% year-on-year increase in 2024 net profit to $1.24 billion, 'superior' free cash flow generation of about $1.6 billion, which was 'driven by record production and sales volumes'.

"The share buyback would be conducted through open market transactions in accordance with ADX regulations, with the quantity of shares repurchased dependent on market conditions and other factors," said a statement.

It was in May 2022 that ADNOC and its partner Borealis announced plans for Borouge to seek a listing on ADX. It then went on to be one of the most high visibility stock market floats in the UAE.

"Borouge’s share buyback at an attractive valuation, underscores our commitment to enhancing shareholder value," said Hazeem Sultan Al Suwaidi, CEO of Borouge.

"With one of the highest dividend yields on the ADX, this buyback highlights our strong financial position and ability to seize value-accretive opportunities.

"We remain well-positioned to maximise returns while advancing the Borouge 4 expansion and other strategic initiatives.”

A lot is happening at Borouge these days. Early this month, ADNOC and its JV partner OMV (The Austrian petrochem firm) confirmed a move to combine the operations of Borouge and Borealis to create ‘Borouge Group International’. The plan is to consolidate and set themselves up for ‘potential growth acquisitions’ in the polyolefins space.

Shareholders are also in line7.94 fils per share as H2-dividend, which will be distributed on April 28. That would bring its total 2024 dividend payout to $1.3 billion - equivalent to 15.88 fils per share and at an 'attractive annual dividend yield'. (The AGM will be held April 7 at 3pm.)

"Borouge is in a prime position, financially and operationally, to cement its role amongst the industry’s leading companies and accelerate its growth ambitions," said a statement.