Saputo Inc. (TSX: SAP) (Saputo or the Company), announced today
that the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) has accepted Saputo’s notice
of intention to make a normal course issuer bid (NCIB) to purchase
up to 2% of Saputo’s issued and outstanding common shares. This
normal course issuer bid reflects the Company’s continued
commitment to returning value to shareholders, while maintaining
the flexibility to allocate capital for growth opportunities.
Under the terms of the NCIB, Saputo may purchase
for cancellation up to 8,487,169 common shares, representing 2% of
its 424,358,459 issued and outstanding common shares as of November
8, 2024, on the open market through the TSX, alternative Canadian
trading systems, or by other means as may be permitted by the
applicable securities regulatory authority, including exempt offers
and off-exchange block purchases. The NCIB will remain in effect
for one year, beginning November 19, 2024, and will end no
later than November 18, 2025. In the event the number of common
shares that Saputo can purchase under the NCIB has been attained,
the Company may apply to the TSX to amend the NCIB to increase the
number of common shares authorized to be repurchased in accordance
with TSX rules. The consideration that Saputo will pay for any
common shares acquired by it on the open market under the NCIB will
be in cash at the market price of such common shares at the time of
acquisition. In the case of off-exchange block purchases, purchases
will be at a discount to the prevailing market price in accordance
with and subject to the terms of applicable exemptive relief. Based
on the average daily trading volume of 470,487 common shares during
the last six months, daily purchases will be limited to 117,621
common shares. In addition, Saputo may make, once per week, a block
purchase (as such term is defined in the TSX Company Manual) of
common shares not owned, directly or indirectly, by insiders of the
Company, in accordance with TSX rules.
In connection with the NCIB, Saputo has
established an automatic purchase plan (APP). The APP enables
Saputo to provide standard instructions regarding how the common
shares are to be repurchased on the open market during self-imposed
blackout periods. The APP is effective as of November 19, 2024, and
should terminate together with the NCIB. It constitutes an
automatic plan for purposes of applicable Canadian securities
legislation and has been pre-cleared by the TSX. Saputo has not
purchased any of its common shares in the last 12 months.
Share repurchases under the NCIB are part of
Saputo’s broader capital allocation strategy that balances capital
expenditures, dividends, debt reduction and share repurchases.
Saputo believes that the purchase of its own shares may, under
appropriate circumstances, be a responsible allocation of cash.
Although Saputo presently intends to purchase common shares under
the NCIB, there can be no assurances that any such purchases will
be completed.
About Saputo
Saputo, one of the top ten dairy processors in
the world, produces, markets, and distributes a wide array of dairy
products of the utmost quality, including cheese, fluid milk,
extended shelf-life milk and cream products, cultured products, and
dairy ingredients. Saputo is a leading cheese manufacturer and
fluid milk and cream processor in Canada, a leading dairy processor
in Australia and the top dairy processor in Argentina. In the USA,
Saputo ranks among the top three cheese producers and is one of the
top producers of extended shelf-life and cultured dairy products.
In the United Kingdom, Saputo is the leading manufacturer of
branded cheese and dairy spreads. In addition to its dairy
portfolio, Saputo produces, markets, and distributes a range of
dairy alternative products. Saputo products are sold in several
countries under market-leading brands, as well as private label
brands. Saputo Inc. is a publicly traded company and its shares are
listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “SAP”. Follow
Saputo’s activities at Saputo.com or via Facebook, Instagram, and
LinkedIn.
CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS
This news release contains statements which are
forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable
securities laws. These forward-looking statements include, among
others, statements with respect to the NCIB, future purchase of
shares pursuant to the NCIB and, if applicable, the APP, as well as
our objectives, outlook, goals, ambitions and strategic plans, and
statements other than historical facts. The words “may”, “could”,
“should”, “will”, “would”, “believe”, “plan”, “expect”, “intend”,
“anticipate”, “estimate”, “foresee”, “objective”, “continue”,
“propose”, “aim”, “commit”, “assume”, “forecast”, “predict”,
“seek”, “project”, “potential”, “goal”, “target”, or “pledge”, or
the negative of these terms or variations of them, the use of
conditional or future tense or words and expressions of similar
nature, are intended to identify forward- looking statements. All
statements other than statements of historical fact included in
this news release may constitute forward-looking statements within
the meaning of applicable securities laws.
By their nature, forward-looking statements are
subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could
differ materially from those stated, implied, or projected in such
forward-looking statements. As a result, we cannot guarantee that
any forward-looking statements will materialize, and we warn
readers that these forward-looking statements are not statements of
historical fact or guarantees of future performance in any way.
Assumptions, expectations, and estimates made in the preparation of
forward-looking statements and risks and uncertainties that could
cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations
are discussed in our materials filed with the Canadian securities
regulatory authorities from time to time, including the “Risks and
Uncertainties” section of the Management's Discussion and Analysis
dated June 6, 2024, available on SEDAR+ under the Company's profile
at www.sedarplus.ca.
Forward-looking statements are based on
Management’s current estimates, expectations and assumptions.
Management believes that these estimates, expectations, and
assumptions are reasonable as of the date hereof, and are
inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive,
and other uncertainties and contingencies regarding future events,
and are accordingly subject to changes after such date.
Forward-looking statements are intended to provide shareholders
with information regarding Saputo, including our assessment of
future financial plans, and may not be appropriate for other
purposes. Undue importance should not be placed on forward-looking
statements, and the information contained in such forward-looking
statements should not be relied upon as of any other date.
Unless otherwise indicated by Saputo,
forward-looking statements in this news release describe our
estimates, expectations and assumptions as of the date hereof, and,
accordingly, are subject to change after that date. Except as
required under applicable securities legislation, Saputo does not
undertake to update or revise forward-looking statements, whether
written or verbal, that may be made from time to time by itself or
on our behalf, whether as a result of new information, future
events, or otherwise. All forward-looking statements contained
herein are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.
Investor InquiriesNicholas
EstrelaSenior Director, Investor Relations1-514-328-3117
Media Inquiries1-514-328-3141 /
1-866-648-5902media@saputo.com
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