SThree plc (STEM), the specialist STEM-focused recruitment group listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange, has disclosed the purchase of 16,129 of its own ordinary shares on 2 November 2026 as part of its ongoing share buyback programme. The shares were acquired through broker Berenberg at prices ranging from 303.0p to 310.0p, with a weighted average price of 308.5055p. The announcement also carries a Rule 2.9 disclosure, reflecting the company's active offer period, which began on 9 September 2026 and requires regular confirmation of voting share totals under the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers.

Key Points

  • SThree plc (STEM) — STEM-sector specialist recruiter admitted to trading on the London Stock Exchange main market
  • 16,129 ordinary shares of 1 pence each purchased on 2 November 2026 via Berenberg under the buyback programme announced on 12 February 2026
  • Weighted average purchase price of 308.5055p; total shares bought back since programme commenced stands at 6,465,584
  • Investors should watch developments relating to the offer period declared on 9 September 2026, which triggers ongoing Rule 8 and Rule 2.9 obligations under the Takeover Code

SThree Cancels Latest Tranche as Buyback Programme Reaches 6.46 Million Shares

SThree has confirmed it intends to cancel the 16,129 ordinary shares purchased on 2 November 2026, consistent with the terms of its buyback programme initiated on 12 February 2026. Since that programme commenced, the company has now repurchased a cumulative total of 6,465,584 ordinary shares. Following this transaction, SThree will have 121,421,715 ordinary shares in issue, with 35,767 shares held in treasury. The programme is being executed through JOH Berenberg, Gossler & Co KG, trading as Berenberg, acting on the company's behalf across the London Stock Exchange's XLON venue.

Rule 2.9 Disclosure Confirms 121,385,948 Voting Rights Amid Active Offer Period

In compliance with Rule 2.9 of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers, SThree has confirmed that it has 121,385,948 ordinary shares in issue excluding treasury shares as at the date of this announcement. Each ordinary share carries one vote, making this figure the denominator shareholders must use when calculating whether they are required to notify a change in their interest under the Financial Conduct Authority's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules. The company entered its current offer period on 9 September 2026, and its ordinary shares are identified under ISIN GB00B0KM9T71 and LEI number 2138003NEBX5VRP3EX50.

Berenberg Executes Trades Across 2 November Session Between 303p and 310p

The full schedule of individual transactions published alongside the announcement shows Berenberg executed multiple trades throughout the 2 November 2026 session, with activity recorded from 10:06 in the morning through to shortly after 15:05. Prices moved within a range of 303.0p at the session's lower end to 310.0p during afternoon trading, at which level several larger block purchases were completed. The volume-weighted average price across all trades on XLON was 308.5055p. The detailed trade-by-trade breakdown has been published in accordance with Article 5(1)(b) of the UK Market Abuse Regulation.