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IBM to Repurchase up to $1 Billion of Stock
Open Market Transactions are in Addition to $12.5 Billion
Accelerated Share Repurchases Announced in May
December 3, 2007
IBM announced today that it plans to repurchase up to $1
billion of its outstanding common stock in open market transactions by the end
of February 2008.
These repurchases, originally planned for March and April of
2008, are in addition to a $12.5 billion accelerated share repurchase announced
earlier this year.
"These stock repurchases are enabled by IBM's strong,
consistent cash flow and are an important way of returning value to IBM
shareholders," said Samuel J. Palmisano, IBM chairman, president and chief
executive officer. "They are an element of our long-term roadmap for earnings
per share growth through 2010 and also represent a good value at today's
prices."
In April the IBM board of directors authorized $15 billion
for the company's stock repurchase program. In May IBM announced it would
repurchase $12.5 billion of its outstanding common stock from three banks
through accelerated share repurchase agreements that will conclude at the end
of February 2008.
At the end of September, IBM had approximately $1.7 billion
remaining for stock repurchases from the April authorization.
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In the past you have said that you were out of the market
until after the Accelerated Share Repurchase (ASR) covering period. What is
different now?
We
have already made a significant commitment to share repurchase in 2007.
Through June we spent $18 billion, including a $12.5 billion ASR in May. Under
the ASR, the bank counterparties are expected to complete their cover purchases
by the end of February.
We originally
planned to start buying shares again in the open market in March and April, but
have decided to start investing those funds now given the recent market conditions
which have driven IBM stock to a very attractive level. We believe IBM stock
is a good value at this level and we have the financial flexibility to take
advantage of it.
How
will these shares be repurchased?
These
shares will be repurchased in the open market, not in a structured
transaction. Under a trading plan, the shares will be repurchased on an
economic basis, taking into account the IBM stock price.
The repurchases
will be handled by the bank currently executing the final three months of the ASR
that we announced last May.
What is the EPS impact in 4Q07 and 2008?
There is no benefit to earnings per share in 4Q07, and a
potentially very small EPS benefit in 2008.
The current price provides an opportunity to repurchase
shares at an attractive price; this was effectively an economic decision.
How
will you fund the purchases?
We
plan to use cash to fund these additional repurchases.
Are
you still planning to wait until April for additional Board authorization?
We
have $1.7 billion remaining from the existing authorization. This will be used
for the additional open market purchases announced today, the ASR price
adjustment from the last two banks, and any additional repurchases executed
after the ASR covering period is completed at the end of February 2008.
At
this time, we expect to request additional authorization no later than April
2008.
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