Celestica Announces TSX Acceptance of Early Renewal of Its Normal Course Issuer Bid

Rhea-AI Summary

Celestica (NYSE: CLS) announced the early termination of its existing share repurchase program and the TSX's acceptance of a new Normal Course Issuer Bid (NCIB). Under the existing program, the company repurchased 2,923,323 shares at an average price of US$43.28. The new NCIB, running from November 1, 2024, to October 31, 2025, allows for the repurchase of up to 8,609,693 common shares, representing 10% of the public float less previously purchased shares. Daily purchases will be to 160,924 shares, based on the average daily trading volume. The program will be funded through existing cash and credit facilities.

Positive

• Company demonstrates confidence in its stock value through share buyback program
• Strong financial position allowing share repurchases through cash and credit facilities
• Existing buyback program achieved average purchase price of US$43.28 per share

Negative

• None.

Insights

Financial Analyst

This share buyback program renewal demonstrates strong confidence in Celestica's financial position and commitment to returning value to shareholders. The company is authorized to repurchase up to 8.61 million shares, representing approximately 10% of the public float, following successful completion of 2.92 million shares at an average price of $43.28 under the previous program.

The early renewal and expansion of the buyback program is particularly notable given Celestica's strong stock performance and suggests management views the shares as undervalued despite recent gains. The flexibility to execute purchases through multiple venues and potential use of automatic purchase plans indicates a strategic approach to capital allocation. With the program funded through existing cash and credit facilities, this reflects robust free cash flow generation and balance sheet strength.

TORONTO, Oct. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Celestica Inc. (NYSE: CLS) (TSX: CLS), a leader in design, manufacturing, hardware platform and supply chain solutions for the world’s most innovative companies, today announced that it has terminated its existing normal course issuer bid (the “Existing Bid”), which commenced on December 14, 2023 and had an expiry date of December 13, 2024, and the Toronto Stock Exchange (the “TSX”) has accepted the Company's notice to launch a Normal Course Issuer Bid (the “New Bid”).

Under the Existing Bid, the Company repurchased and cancelled a total of 2,923,323 common shares (through October 18, 2024), through the facilities of the TSX or by such other permitted means, out of the 11,763,330 common shares it was authorized to repurchase, for at a weighted average price of US$43.28 per share. As a result of the early termination and renewal of the Existing Bid, the 2,923,323 common shares purchased under the Existing Bid will be deducted from the New Bid’s annual limit as per the requirements of the TSX.

Under the New Bid, the Company may repurchase on the open market, at its discretion during the period commencing on November 1, 2024 and ending on the earlier of October 31, 2025 and the completion of purchases under the New Bid, up to 8,609,693 common shares, representing approximately 10.0% of the "public float" (within the meaning of the rules of the TSX) as at October 18, 2024 less the 2,923,323 common shares purchased under the Existing Bid, subject to the normal terms and limitations of such bids.

Under the TSX rules, the average daily trading volume of the common shares on the TSX during the six months ended September 30, 2024 was approximately 643,696 and, accordingly, daily purchases on the TSX pursuant to the New Bid will be limited to 160,924 common shares, other than purchases made pursuant to the block purchase exception. The actual number of common shares which may be purchased pursuant to the New Bid and the timing of any such purchases will be determined by the management of the Company, subject to applicable law and the rules of the TSX. In accordance with the TSX rules, the maximum number of common shares which may be repurchased for cancellation under the New Bid will be reduced by the number of common shares purchased by non-independent brokers for delivery pursuant to stock-based compensation plans.

Purchases are expected to be made through the facilities of TSX, the New York Stock Exchange, other designated exchanges and/or alternative Canadian trading systems, or by such other means as may be permitted by the Ontario Securities Commission or other applicable Canadian Securities Administrators, at prevailing market prices, including through one or more automatic share purchase plans. The New Bid will be funded using existing cash resources and draws on its credit facility, and any common shares repurchased by the Company under the New Bid will be cancelled.

As of October 18, 2024, the Company had 116,359,313 issued and outstanding common shares and a "public float" (within the meaning of the rules of the TSX) of 115,330,168 common shares.

The Company believes that the purchases are in the best interest of the Company and constitute a desirable use of its funds.

About Celestica

Celestica enables the world's best brands. Through our recognized customer-centric approach, we partner with leading companies in Aerospace and Defense, Communications, Enterprise, HealthTech, Industrial, and Capital Equipment to deliver solutions for their most complex challenges. As a leader in design, manufacturing, hardware platform and supply chain solutions, Celestica brings global expertise and insight at every stage of product development — from the drawing board to full-scale production and after-market services. With talented teams across North America, Europe and Asia, we imagine, develop and deliver a better future with our customers. For more information on Celestica, visit www.celestica.com. Our securities filings can be accessed at www.sedarplus.ca and www.sec.gov.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws, including, without limitation, statements related to: the Company's intention to commence the New Bid and terminate the Existing Bid, the timing, quantity and funding of any purchases of common shares under the New Bid, and the expected facilities through which any such purchases may be made. For those statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and for forward-looking information under applicable Canadian securities laws.

Forward-looking statements are provided to assist readers in understanding management’s current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The forward-looking statements herein are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements, including, among others, risks related to: the availability of cash resources for, and the permissibility under our credit facility of, repurchases of outstanding common shares under the New Bid; compliance with applicable laws and regulations pertaining to normal course issuer bids; a reduction in the size of our "public float" as a result of repurchases made under the New Bid; changes to our business model; the Company's future capital requirements; market and general economic conditions; demand for our customers' products; and unforeseen legal or regulatory developments, as well as the other risks and uncertainties discussed in our public filings at www.sedarplus.com and www.sec.gov, including in our 2023 Annual Report on Form 20-F (see, among other risk disclosures, Item 3(D), “Key Information — Risk Factors”, Item 5 “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects,” and Item 11, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk”) filed with, and our most recent Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A), and other subsequent reports on Form 6-K furnished to, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and as applicable, the Canadian Securities Administrators.

The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on various assumptions, many of which involve factors that are beyond our control. Our material assumptions include the following: the Company's view with respect to its financial condition and prospects; general economic and market conditions and currency exchange rates; the availability of cash resources for, and the permissibility under our credit facility of, repurchases of outstanding common shares under the New Bid; the existence of potentially superior uses for the Company’s cash resources than common share repurchases; compliance by third parties with their contractual obligations; compliance with applicable laws and regulations pertaining to the New Bid; that we will continue to have sufficient financial resources to fund currently anticipated financial actions and obligations and to pursue desirable business opportunities, as well as the other assumptions discussed in our public filings at www.sedarplus.com and www.sec.gov, under the heading “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements”, or similarly named sections, including in our 2023 Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with, and our most recent MD&A, and other subsequent reports on Form 6-K furnished to, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and as applicable, the Canadian Securities Administrators. While management believes these assumptions to be reasonable under the current circumstances, they may prove to be inaccurate, which could cause actual results to differ materially (and adversely) from those that would have been achieved had such assumptions been accurate. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law

All forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements.

Contacts:

Celestica Global Communications	Celestica Investor Relations
(416) 448-2211	(416) 448-2200
clsir@celestica.com	media@celestica.com

FAQ

How many shares can Celestica (CLS) repurchase under its new NCIB program?

Celestica can repurchase up to 8,609,693 common shares under the new NCIB program, representing 10% of the public float less previously purchased shares.

What is the daily purchase limit for Celestica (CLS) under the new share buyback program?

The daily purchase limit on the TSX is 160,924 common shares, based on the average daily trading volume for the six months ended September 30, 2024.

When does Celestica's (CLS) new share buyback program start and end?

The new buyback program runs from November 1, 2024, to October 31, 2025, or until the completion of purchases under the program.

How many shares did Celestica (CLS) repurchase under its existing buyback program?

Under the existing program, Celestica repurchased 2,923,323 common shares at a weighted average price of US$43.28 per share through October 18, 2024.