News Corporation (ticker: NWS) has announced a significant update to its stock repurchase program, reflecting a strategic move to enhance shareholder value. As of July 18, 2025, the company disclosed an ongoing buy-back initiative under its 2021 and 2025 Repurchase Programs, authorized to repurchase up to $2 billion in aggregate of its Nasdaq-listed Class A and Class B common stock. This announcement was made through an Appendix 3C filing with the ASX, detailing a selective buy-back program rather than an on-market or employee share scheme buy-back.
Key highlights from the buy-back announcement include: - Total securities on issue in the Class A common stock: approximately 375 million shares. - The company has repurchased approximately \(698.2 million worth of shares under the 2021 Repurchase Program to date. - An additional \)1 billion authorization was granted in 2025, expanding the repurchase capacity. - On July 17, 2025, News Corp repurchased 22,379,933 shares at a total consideration of approximately \(461.9 million, with prices ranging from \)14.88 to $30.75 per share over the program period. - The buy-back is intended to enhance shareholder value without requiring further shareholder approval or imposing foreign participation restrictions.
From a financial perspective, News Corp reported revenues of \(10.085 billion and a net income attributable to the parent company of \)266 million for the fiscal year 2024. The company generated \(1.098 billion in net cash from operating activities during the same period. The buy-back program's scale, with nearly \)700 million already spent and an additional $1 billion authorized, represents a substantial capital allocation aimed at optimizing the company’s capital structure and returning value to shareholders.
This buy-back initiative aligns with themes from News Corp’s previous earnings calls, where management emphasized disciplined capital allocation and shareholder returns as key priorities. The repurchase program reflects confidence in the company’s financial health and future prospects, leveraging strong cash flow generation to support strategic investments and shareholder value enhancement.
Looking forward, the continuation and expansion of the repurchase program suggest that News Corp is positioning itself to manage equity dilution and potentially improve earnings per share metrics, which could positively influence market perception and stock valuation.
For investors and market analysts, this buy-back announcement is a critical indicator of News Corp’s commitment to shareholder value and financial discipline. It also underscores the importance of monitoring capital allocation strategies in evaluating the company’s long-term growth and profitability.
Source Document: News Corporation Appendix 3C Buy-Back Notification