Imperial Brands PLC (IMB), the FTSE-listed tobacco and next-generation products group, has announced the purchase and cancellation of 802,754 ordinary shares of 10 pence each, covering transactions between 26 and 30 October 2026. The buyback forms part of the company's £750 million share repurchase programme, which was announced on 8 October 2026. Following settlement and cancellation, the remaining ordinary shares in issue will stand at 754,894,240, excluding treasury shares — a figure investors and notifiable-interest holders will need for regulatory calculations under FCA disclosure rules.

Key Points

  • Imperial Brands PLC (IMB), LSE-listed tobacco manufacturer operating a £750 million share buyback programme
  • 802,754 ordinary shares purchased for cancellation across five trading days from 26 to 30 October 2026
  • Volume weighted average prices ranged from 2,857.90p to 2,947.93p per share across the period
  • Investors should watch the pace of further buyback tranches and the remaining programme capacity

Imperial Brands Purchases 802,754 Shares Across Five Days at Prices Ranging from 2,848p to 2,970p

Between 26 and 30 October 2026, Imperial Brands purchased its ordinary shares on each trading day through HSBC Bank plc as on-exchange transactions under London Stock Exchange rules. Daily volumes ranged from 89,143 shares on 30 October to 213,936 shares on 27 October. The volume weighted average price paid per share moved between 2,857.90 pence on 27 October and 2,947.93 pence on 30 October, with the absolute lowest price paid across the period being 2,840.00 pence and the highest 2,970.00 pence. All shares are designated for cancellation.

£750 Million Buyback Programme Launched on 8 October 2026 Drives Ongoing Capital Return to Shareholders

The purchases sit within Imperial Brands' £750 million share repurchase programme, details of which were first disclosed on 8 October 2026. Share buyback programmes of this scale are a common mechanism for returning capital to shareholders and can reduce the total share count over time, which may affect per-share financial metrics. The company has not disclosed in this announcement how much of the £750 million programme has been utilised to date, nor has it provided a timeline for its completion. Investors may wish to monitor subsequent weekly disclosures for ongoing progress.

Post-Cancellation Share Count of 754,894,240 Sets New Denominator for FCA Disclosure Obligations

Following settlement and cancellation of the 802,754 shares purchased in this tranche, Imperial Brands confirms that 754,894,240 ordinary shares will remain in issue, excluding treasury shares. The announcement explicitly states that this figure should be used as the denominator by shareholders and others with notification obligations when determining whether they must report an interest or a change in interest under the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules. This regulatory update is a standard but important requirement accompanying each buyback cancellation. All purchases were conducted by HSBC Bank plc in compliance with Article 5(1)(b) of the Market Abuse Regulation.