SThree plc (STEM), the specialist STEM-focused staffing group listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange, has announced the purchase of 13,173 of its own ordinary shares on 6 November 2026 as part of its ongoing share buyback programme. The shares were acquired through broker Berenberg at a weighted average price of 293.6241 pence per share, with prices ranging from 290.5p to 295.5p. The company intends to cancel the purchased shares, reducing the total share count in issue. The announcement also carries a Rule 2.9 disclosure, reflecting SThree's ongoing offer period that commenced on 9 September 2026.

Key Points

  • SThree plc (STEM) — specialist STEM staffing group admitted to the main market of the London Stock Exchange
  • 13,173 ordinary shares of 1 pence each purchased on 6 November 2026 via Berenberg under the buyback programme announced on 12 February 2026
  • Weighted average purchase price of 293.6241p; total shares purchased under the programme to date stands at 6,528,721
  • Investors should watch developments related to the offer period that began on 9 September 2026, given the Rule 2.9 disclosure obligations now in effect

SThree Purchases Shares at 290.5p–295.5p Through Berenberg on 6 November 2026

All 13,173 shares were purchased on the London Stock Exchange (XLON) across 21 individual transactions executed between 08:32 and 16:14 on 6 November 2026. The lowest price paid in any single trade was 290.5000 pence per share, while the highest was 295.5000 pence. The volume-weighted average price across all trades was 293.6241 pence. Berenberg acted as the executing broker on behalf of SThree throughout the session, in line with the terms of the buyback programme the company announced on 12 February 2026. All purchased shares are earmarked for cancellation rather than retention in treasury.

Total Buyback Reaches 6,528,721 Shares With 121,358,578 Ordinary Shares Remaining in Issue

Following completion of this latest tranche, SThree has now repurchased a cumulative total of 6,528,721 ordinary shares since the buyback programme began. The company will have 121,358,578 ordinary shares in issue following these purchases, with 35,767 shares held in treasury. This leaves a total voting rights figure of 121,322,811, which the announcement confirms shareholders may use as the denominator when calculating whether they are required to notify interests under the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules. Each ordinary share carries one vote, and the shares trade under ISIN GB00B0KM9T71 and LEI number 2138003NEBX5VRP3EX50.

Rule 2.9 Disclosure Reflects SThree's Offer Period Status Since 9 September 2026

Alongside the routine buyback disclosure, SThree has issued a Rule 2.9 statement under the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers, confirming 121,322,811 ordinary shares in issue excluding treasury shares as at the date of the announcement. This requirement arises because SThree entered an offer period on 9 September 2026, meaning its ordinary shares are classified as relevant securities under Rule 8 of the Code. Investors may be watching for further developments connected to that offer period, as the company remains subject to heightened disclosure obligations for as long as that period remains open.