Inchcape's £250m Share Buyback: A Vote of Confidence in the Group's Future

Inchcape plc (INCH.L), a leading global automotive distributor, has announced a £250 million share buyback program, reflecting its confidence in the group's long-term prospects and strong financial performance. The company's decision to repurchase shares comes on the heels of a 10% increase in pretax profit for the fiscal year 2024, driven by resilient margins and continued cost discipline across the group. This move signals Inchcape's commitment to driving shareholder returns and creating value for its investors.



The share buyback program, set to commence on 4 March 2025 and conclude within the next 12 months, will further boost Inchcape's earnings per share (EPS) by reducing the number of outstanding shares. This reduction in share count will distribute the company's earnings among fewer shares, leading to an increase in EPS for remaining shareholders. Inchcape's EPS growth for 2025 is expected to be higher, partly driven by this share buyback program.

In addition to the share buyback, Inchcape has declared a final dividend of 17.2 pence for fiscal 2024, reflecting the company's commitment to returning capital to shareholders. The company's strong cash generative business model and robust balance sheet have enabled it to initiate this share buyback program, demonstrating its confidence in the group's long-term prospects.



Inchcape's strategic transformation into an automotive distribution business has positioned it well for future growth and acquisitions. The company's diversified and scaled global market leadership position, long-standing and valuable OEM relationships, high-performance culture, and differentiated technology capabilities have contributed to its resilient profit margins and strong financial performance. Inchcape's medium-term targets for 2025-2030 anticipate generating £2.5 billion in free cash flow, which will be deployed to drive shareholder returns through both ongoing share buybacks and value-accretive acquisitions.

In summary, Inchcape's £250 million share buyback program is a vote of confidence in the group's future, driven by its strong financial performance and commitment to creating value for shareholders. The program, along with the company's strategic transformation and medium-term targets, positions Inchcape well for future growth and success in the global automotive distribution market.