IMAX Announces Extension of Current Share-Repurchase Program

Rhea-AI Summary

IMAX Corporation has extended its share-repurchase program for an additional 12 months, now set to conclude on June 30, 2021. The program allows for the buyback of up to $200 million in common shares, with approximately $89.4 million remaining. Since its initiation on July 1, 2017, IMAX has repurchased around 6 million shares for $110.6 million, representing a 9% reduction in outstanding shares. Despite the extension, the company does not plan to repurchase shares in light of current market conditions. An exemption from Canadian securities laws has also been granted to facilitate these repurchases.

Positive

• Share repurchase program extended until June 30, 2021, demonstrating commitment to returning capital to shareholders.
• Approximately 6 million shares repurchased since 2017 has resulted in a 9% reduction in outstanding shares, enhancing shareholder value.

Negative

• Current operating environment leads to no immediate plans for further buybacks, potentially limiting short-term investor confidence.

NEW YORK, June 26, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- IMAX Corporation (NYSE: IMAX) today announced the approval by the Company's Board of Directors of a 12-month extension to its share-repurchase program through June 30, 2021. The current share-repurchase program authorized the Company to repurchase up to $200 million of its common shares, of which approximately $89.4 million remains available, and was set to conclude on June 30, 2020.

The Company has repurchased a total of approximately 6 million of its common shares for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $110.6 million pursuant to the current share-repurchase program since it commenced on July 1, 2017. With this extension effective July 1, 2020, the Company remains authorized to repurchase up to approximately $89.4 million worth of common shares through June 30, 2021. In light of the current operating environment, the Company does not currently intend to repurchase shares.

Repurchases to date by the Company pursuant to the share-repurchase program have resulted in an approximately 9% net reduction in shares outstanding since the program began on July 1, 2017. This includes repurchases of 2,484,123 common shares in the first quarter of 2020.

Repurchases under the Company's share-repurchase program may be made either in the open market or through private transactions, subject to market conditions and applicable legal requirements. IMAX has no obligation to repurchase shares, and the share-repurchase program may be suspended or discontinued by the Company at any time. In addition, the $200 million authorization does not include shares repurchased in connection with the administration of employee share-based compensation plans.

Canadian Securities Law Update

The Company has received an exemption decision issued by the Ontario Securities Commission dated May 21, 2020 for relief from the formal issuer bid requirements under Canadian securities laws. The exemption decision permits the Company to repurchase up to 15% of its outstanding common shares in any 12-month period through the facilities of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under repurchase programs that the Company may implement from time to time. Canadian securities laws regulate an issuer's ability to make repurchases of its own securities.

The Company was previously exempted from the formal issuer bid requirements under Canadian securities laws pursuant to a decision of the Ontario Securities Commission dated March 25, 2019, which allowed the Company to repurchase up to 10% of its outstanding common shares in any 12-month period. The new decision provides the Company with more flexibility to continue to make repurchases under its repurchase programs from time to time in excess of the maximum allowable in reliance on the existing "other published markets" exemption from the formal issuer bid requirements available under Canadian securities laws. The "other published markets" exemption caps the Company's ability to repurchase its securities through the facilities of the NYSE at 5% of the issuer's outstanding securities during any 12-month period.

The conditions of the exemption decision are as follows: (i) any repurchases made in reliance on the exemption decision must be permitted under, and part of, repurchase programs established and conducted in accordance with United States securities laws and NYSE rules, (ii) the aggregate number of common shares acquired in reliance on the exemption decision by the Company and any person acting jointly or in concert with the Company within any period of 12 months does not exceed 15% of the outstanding common shares at the beginning of the 12-month period, (iii) the common shares are not listed and posted for trading on an exchange in Canada, (iv) the exemption decision applies only to the acquisition of common shares by the Company within 36 months of the date of the original decision, being March 25, 2022, and (v) prior to purchasing common shares in reliance on the exemption decision, the Company discloses the terms of the exemption decision and the conditions applicable thereto in a press release that is issued and filed on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval and includes such information as part of the news release required to be issued in accordance with the "other published markets exemption" in respect of any repurchase program that may be implemented by the Company, which this press releases satisfies.

About IMAX Corporation

IMAX, an innovator in entertainment technology, combines proprietary software, architecture and equipment to create experiences that take you beyond the edge of your seat to a world you've never imagined. Top filmmakers and studios are utilizing IMAX theaters to connect with audiences in extraordinary ways, and, as such, IMAX's network is among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event films around the globe.

IMAX is headquartered in New York, Toronto, and Los Angeles, with additional offices in London, Dublin, Tokyo, and Shanghai. As of March 31, 2020, there were 1,616 IMAX theater systems (1,526 commercial multiplexes, 14 commercial destinations, 76 institutional) operating in 81 countries and territories. Shares of IMAX China Holding, Inc., a subsidiary of IMAX Corp., trade on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under the stock code "HK.1970."

IMAX®, IMAX® 3D, IMAX DMR®, Experience It In IMAX®, An IMAX 3D Experience®, The IMAX Experience®, and IMAX nXos® are trademarks of IMAX Corporation. More information about the Company can be found at www.imax.com. You may also connect with IMAX on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/imax), Facebook (www.facebook.com/imax), Twitter (www.twitter.com/imax) and YouTube (www.youtube.com/imaxmovies).

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward looking statements that are based on IMAX management's assumptions and existing information and involve certain risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Important factors that could affect these statements include, but are not limited to, references to future capital expenditures (including the amount and nature thereof), business and technology strategies and measures to implement strategies, competitive strengths, goals, expansion and growth of business, operations and technology, plans and references to the future success of IMAX Corporation together with its consolidated subsidiaries (the "Company") and expectations regarding the Company's future operating, financial and technological results. These forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will conform with the expectations and predictions of the Company is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, risks associated with investments and operations in foreign jurisdictions and any future international expansion, including those related to economic, political and regulatory policies of local governments and laws and policies of the United States and Canada; risks related to the Company's growth and operations in China, including the adverse impact of the coronavirus outbreak in China; the performance of IMAX DMR® films; the signing of theater system agreements; conditions, changes and developments in the commercial exhibition industry; risks related to currency fluctuations; the potential impact of increased competition in the markets within which the Company operates; competitive actions by other companies; the failure to respond to change and advancements in digital technology; risks relating to recent consolidation among commercial exhibitors and studios; risks related to new business initiatives; conditions in the in-home and out-of-home entertainment industries; the opportunities (or lack thereof) that may be presented to and pursued by the Company; risks related to cyber-security and data privacy; risks related to the Company's inability to protect the Company's intellectual property; general economic, market or business conditions; the failure to convert theater system backlog into revenue; changes in laws or regulations; the failure to fully realize the projected cost savings and benefits from any of the Company's restructuring initiatives; the impact of COVID-19 on our financial condition and results of operations and on the businesses of our customers and exhibitor partners; and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. These factors, other risks and uncertainties and financial details are discussed in IMAX's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

For additional information please contact:

Investors: IMAX Corporation, New York Brett Harriss 212-821-0187 bharriss@IMAX.com	Media: IMAX Corporation, New York Mark Jafar 212-821-0102 mjafar@imax.com

 

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SOURCE IMAX Corporation

FAQ

What is the current status of IMAX's share repurchase program?

IMAX's share repurchase program has been extended for 12 months, allowing for the repurchase of up to $200 million in shares.

How much has IMAX spent on share repurchases since the program began?

IMAX has repurchased approximately 6 million shares for an aggregate price of about $110.6 million since the program's inception on July 1, 2017.

What is the remaining amount authorized for repurchase under IMAX's program?

Approximately $89.4 million remains available for repurchase under the current program.

How has the share repurchase program affected IMAX's outstanding shares?

The program has led to a net reduction of about 9% in shares outstanding since its start.

What exemption did IMAX receive from the Ontario Securities Commission?

IMAX received an exemption to repurchase up to 15% of its outstanding common shares in a 12-month period through the NYSE.