British American Tobacco p.l.c. (BATS) has disclosed the purchase of 587,484 ordinary shares of 25 pence each during the week of 2 to 6 November 2026, executed via Merrill Lynch International on the London Stock Exchange. The buyback forms part of the programme announced on 18 March 2024 and was conducted under shareholder authority granted at the Annual General Meeting on 15 April 2026. All purchased shares are intended to be cancelled, reducing the company's total ordinary share count in issue. Following cancellation, British American Tobacco will hold 2,154,141,127 ordinary shares carrying voting rights, with 132,647,849 shares held in treasury.

Key Points

  • British American Tobacco p.l.c. (BATS), ISIN GB0002875804
  • 587,484 ordinary shares purchased between 2 and 6 November 2026 via Merrill Lynch International, all to be cancelled
  • Daily volume-weighted average prices ranged from 4,552.31p to 4,707.12p across the five trading days
  • Investors should monitor the ongoing buyback programme and any updates to the total shares in issue figure

Daily Breakdown of BAT's November Share Purchases via Merrill Lynch International

All purchases were executed exclusively on the London Stock Exchange, with no trades recorded on CHIX or BATE platforms during the period. On 2 November, 117,853 shares were purchased at a volume-weighted average price of 4,591.77p; on 3 November, 119,091 shares at 4,552.31p; on 4 November, 117,402 shares at 4,601.98p; on 5 November, 114,939 shares at 4,707.12p; and on 6 November, 118,199 shares at 4,568.29p. The highest single price paid across the entire period was 4,766.00p on 5 November, while the lowest was 4,501.00p on 6 November.

Share Cancellation to Reduce BAT's Voting Share Count to 2,154,141,127

British American Tobacco has confirmed its intention to cancel all 587,484 shares purchased during the week. Following this cancellation, the company will have 2,154,141,127 ordinary shares in issue excluding treasury shares, all of which carry voting rights. The company will simultaneously hold 132,647,849 ordinary shares in treasury. The announcement notes that shareholders may use this information to assess whether they are required to disclose their interest, or any change in their interest, under the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.

Buyback Conducted Under 18 March 2024 Programme and April 2026 AGM Authority

The repurchases sit within the broader buyback programme that British American Tobacco first announced on 18 March 2024, with the specific authority to purchase shares having been renewed by shareholders at the company's Annual General Meeting held on 15 April 2026. The trades were carried out in compliance with Article 5(1)(b) of the Market Abuse Regulation as it applies in the UK, and full schedules of individual transactions executed by Merrill Lynch International have been published via the London Stock Exchange's regulatory news service. Investors following capital return activity at the global tobacco and next-generation products group may continue to watch for further weekly disclosures.