Ovintiv Renews Annual Share Buy-Back Program

Rhea-AI Summary

Ovintiv Inc. (NYSE: OVV) (TSX: OVV) has received regulatory approvals to renew its share buy-back program, consistent with its capital allocation framework. The Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) has accepted Ovintiv's notice to renew its normal course issuer bid (NCIB) to purchase up to 25,920,545 common shares during the period from October 3, 2024, to October 2, 2025. This represents 10% of Ovintiv's public float as of September 20, 2024.

Purchases will be made on the TSX, NYSE, and other designated exchanges at market prices. Ovintiv has also renewed its automatic share purchase plan (ASPP) to allow purchases during blackout periods. Under the existing NCIB, Ovintiv has purchased 12,747,485 common shares at a weighted average price of US$46.44 per share.

Positive

• Renewal of share buy-back program, indicating confidence in the company's financial position
• Approval to purchase up to 25,920,545 common shares, representing 10% of public float
• Consistent with capital allocation framework, returning at least 50% of post-base dividend Non-GAAP Free Cash Flow to shareholders
• Renewal of Automatic Share Purchase Plan (ASPP) allowing purchases during blackout periods

Negative

• None.

Insights

Financial Analyst

Ovintiv's renewal of its share buy-back program is a positive signal for investors. The company's commitment to return at least 50% of post-base dividend Non-GAAP Free Cash Flow to shareholders demonstrates a strong focus on shareholder value. The authorization to repurchase up to 25,920,545 shares, representing 10% of the public float, is significant.

Key points to consider:

• The renewal aligns with Ovintiv's capital allocation strategy, potentially boosting earnings per share and stock price.
• The Automatic Share Purchase Plan (ASPP) allows for consistent buybacks, even during blackout periods.
• Under the previous NCIB, Ovintiv repurchased 12,747,485 shares at an average price of $46.44, showing a track record of executing buybacks.
• The NCIB Exemption allows for more flexible repurchases on U.S. marketplaces, potentially increasing liquidity for the stock.

While share buybacks can be seen positively, investors should also consider the company's overall financial health, growth prospects and the energy market conditions when evaluating the long-term impact of this program.

Company Receives TSX Approval for Renewal of Normal Course Issuer Bid

DENVER, Sept. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Ovintiv Inc. (NYSE: OVV) (TSX: OVV) today announced it has received regulatory approvals for the renewal of its share buy-back program. This action is consistent with the Company's capital allocation framework, which returns at least 50 percent of post base dividend Non-GAAP Free Cash Flow to shareholders.

The Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") has accepted Ovintiv's notice of intention to renew its normal course issuer bid ("NCIB") to purchase up to 25,920,545 common shares during the 12-month period commencing October 3, 2024, and ending October 2, 2025. The number of shares authorized for purchase represents 10 percent of Ovintiv's public float as of September 20, 2024, as calculated pursuant to TSX rules.  Purchases will be made on the open market through the facilities of the TSX, New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"), other designated exchanges and/or alternative trading systems in Canada and the United States at the market price at the time of acquisition, as well as by other means permitted by stock exchange rules and securities laws including Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Ovintiv has also renewed its automatic share purchase plan ("ASPP") allowing it to purchase common shares under the NCIB when Ovintiv would ordinarily not be permitted to purchase shares due to regulatory restrictions and customary self-imposed blackout periods. Pursuant to the ASPP, Ovintiv will provide instructions during non-blackout periods to its designated broker, which may not be varied or suspended during the blackout period. Purchases by Ovintiv's designated broker will be in accordance with applicable stock exchange rules and securities laws and the terms of the ASPP.  All purchases made under the ASPP are included in computing the number of common shares purchased under the NCIB. The ASPP has been pre-cleared as required by the TSX.

The actual number of common shares that may be purchased under the NCIB and the timing of any such purchases will be determined by Ovintiv. The average daily trading volume through the facilities of the TSX, excluding purchases made on such facilities, during the most recently completed six-month period was 110,556 common shares. Consequently, daily purchases through the facilities of the TSX will be limited to 27,639 common shares, other than block purchase exceptions.  Purchases over the NYSE will be made in compliance with the volume limitations in Rule 10b-18 in relation to average daily trading volume and block trades.  All common shares acquired by Ovintiv under the NCIB may be cancelled or returned to treasury as authorized but unissued shares.

Pursuant to its existing NCIB, under which Ovintiv received approval from the TSX to purchase up to 26,734,819 common shares during the 12-month period commencing October 3, 2023 and ending October 2, 2024, Ovintiv has purchased 12,747,485 common shares on the TSX, NYSE and alternative trading systems at a weighted average purchase price of US$46.44 per common share.

On March 9, 2022, Ovintiv obtained an exemption order (the "NCIB Exemption") from applicable Canadian regulators, permitting Ovintiv to make repurchases under the NCIB through the facilities of the NYSE and other United States-based trading systems in excess of 5 percent of Ovintiv's outstanding number of shares, the maximum allowable under applicable Canadian securities laws absent an exemption.  The NCIB Exemption allows Ovintiv to repurchase up to 10 percent of Ovintiv's public float on such U.S. marketplaces provided that Ovintiv's aggregate repurchases on all marketplaces do not exceed this amount over the 12-month period of the NCIB, which is consistent with the maximum number of shares Ovintiv is able to purchase under the NCIB. The other conditions to the NCIB Exemption are outlined in Ovintiv's 2024 second quarter report on Form 10-Q filed on EDGAR and SEDAR+.     

ADVISORY REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS - This news release contains certain forward-looking statements or information (collectively, "FLS") within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. FLS include: the planned share repurchase program, including the amount and number of shares to be acquired, treatment of such shares following purchase, anticipated timeframe, method and location of purchases, announced capital framework; and benefits of the NCIB.

Readers are cautioned against unduly relying on FLS which, by their nature, involve numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties that may cause such statements not to occur, or results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. These assumptions include: future commodity prices and differentials; foreign exchange rates; ability to access cash, credit facilities and shelf prospectuses; and expectations and projections made in light of, and generally consistent with, Ovintiv's historical experience and its perception of historical trends, including with respect to the pace of technological development, benefits achieved and general industry expectations.

Risks and uncertainties that may affect these business outcomes include: ability to generate sufficient cash flow to meet obligations and fund the NCIB; commodity price volatility; variability in the amount, number of shares, method, location and timing of purchases, if any, pursuant to the NCIB; fluctuations in currency and interest rates; and other risks and uncertainties impacting Ovintiv's business, as described in its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and as described from time to time in Ovintiv's other periodic filings as filed on EDGAR and SEDAR+.

Although Ovintiv believes the expectations represented by such FLS are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions, risks and uncertainties referenced above are not exhaustive. FLS are made as of the date of this news release and, except as required by law, Ovintiv undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any FLS. FLS contained in this news release are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements.

Further information on Ovintiv is available on the company's website, www.ovintiv.com, or by contacting:

Investor contact: (888) 525-0304

Media contact: (403) 645-2252

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SOURCE Ovintiv Inc.

FAQ

How many shares is Ovintiv (OVV) authorized to purchase under the renewed NCIB?

Ovintiv is authorized to purchase up to 25,920,545 common shares under the renewed Normal Course Issuer Bid (NCIB).

What is the duration of Ovintiv's (OVV) renewed share buy-back program?

Ovintiv's renewed share buy-back program runs for a 12-month period from October 3, 2024, to October 2, 2025.

How many shares has Ovintiv (OVV) purchased under its existing NCIB?

Under the existing NCIB, Ovintiv has purchased 12,747,485 common shares at a weighted average price of US$46.44 per share.

What is the purpose of Ovintiv's (OVV) Automatic Share Purchase Plan (ASPP)?

The ASPP allows Ovintiv to purchase common shares under the NCIB during regulatory restrictions and customary self-imposed blackout periods when it would ordinarily not be permitted to purchase shares.