Safe Bulkers, Inc. Announces Common Stock Repurchase Program

Rhea-AI Summary

Safe Bulkers has authorized a new stock repurchase program allowing the purchase of up to 5,000,000 shares of common stock, representing approximately 4.3% of outstanding shares. The buyback program will utilize existing cash resources and will be conducted in compliance with relevant regulations. This initiative continues a prior program launched in June 2022. The company provides marine drybulk transportation services, focusing on coal, grain, and iron ore. The announcement reflects a strategic effort to enhance shareholder value through stock buybacks.

Positive

• Authorization of a new buyback program for up to 5,000,000 shares, indicating confidence in the company's valuation.
• Continued commitment to enhancing shareholder value through stock repurchases.

Negative

• None.

MONACO, March 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Safe Bulkers, Inc. (the “Company” or “Safe Bulkers”) (NYSE: SB), an international provider of marine drybulk transportation services, announced today that it has authorized a program under which it may from time to time in the future purchase up to 5,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. If the maximum number of shares of the Company’s common stock are purchased pursuant to the aforementioned program, it would represent approximately 4.3% of the shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding and 6.6% of its public float.

The program does not obligate the Company to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock and the program may be modified or terminated at any time without prior notice. Any such purchases will be made in the open market in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and that purchases on the open market will be conducted within the safe harbor provisions of Regulation 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The purchases will be funded using the Company’s existing cash resources.

The common stock repurchase program announced today is in continuation to the program announced on June 21, 2022, pursuant to which the Company authorized the purchase of up to 5,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. Purchases under the program announced today will commence at any time after the previously announced program is concluded.

About Safe Bulkers, Inc.
Safe Bulkers is an international provider of marine drybulk transportation services, transporting bulk cargoes, particularly coal, grain and iron ore, along worldwide shipping routes for some of the world’s largest users of marine drybulk transportation services. Safe Bulkers common stock, Series C preferred stock and Series D preferred stock are listed on the NYSE, where they trade under the symbols “SB,” “SB.PR.C” and “SB.PR.D,” respectively.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements (as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and in the Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) concerning future events, Safe Bulkers’ growth strategy and measures to implement such strategy, including expected vessel acquisitions and entering into further time charters. Words such as “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “hopes,” “estimates” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although Safe Bulkers believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct. These statements involve known and unknown risks and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates which are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of Safe Bulkers. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward- looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, changes in the demand for drybulk vessels, competitive factors in the market in which Safe Bulkers operates, risks associated with operations outside the United States and other factors listed from time to time in Safe Bulkers’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Safe Bulkers expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to release any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in its expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.

For further information please contact:

Company Contact:
Dr. Loukas Barmparis President
Safe Bulkers, Inc.
Tel.: +30 2 111 888 400
+357 25 887 200
E-Mail: directors@safebulkers.com

Investor Relations / Media Contact:
Nicolas Bornozis, President
Capital Link, Inc.
230 Park Avenue, Suite 1536
New York, N.Y. 10169
Tel.: (212) 661-7566
Fax: (212) 661-7526
E-Mail: safebulkers@capitallink.com

FAQ

What is the purpose of Safe Bulkers' stock repurchase program?

The purpose is to enhance shareholder value by reducing the number of outstanding shares.

How many shares does Safe Bulkers plan to buy back?

Safe Bulkers plans to buy back up to 5,000,000 shares of common stock.

When will the stock buyback program commence?

The buyback program will commence after the conclusion of the previous program announced in June 2022.

What percentage of shares does the buyback represent?

The buyback represents approximately 4.3% of the outstanding shares.

What are the stock symbols for Safe Bulkers?

Safe Bulkers trades under the stock symbol SB for common stock, and SB-PC and SB-PD for Series C and D preferred stocks, respectively.