TransAlta Corporation Enters into Automatic Share Purchase Plan

Rhea-AI Summary

TransAlta (TAC) announces entering into an automatic share purchase plan to repurchase common shares under its normal course issuer bid. The company has purchased over 4 million common shares since May 2023, aiming to enhance shareholder returns through capital allocation strategies.

Insights

Financial Analyst

The initiation of an automatic share purchase plan (ASPP) by TransAlta Corporation is a strategic financial maneuver that signals to the market a potential undervaluation of the company's common shares. The repurchase program under the normal course issuer bid (NCIB) suggests that management is confident in the intrinsic value of the company, which they believe is not currently reflected in the market price. The repurchase of shares can often be perceived as a positive signal by investors, as it may indicate a bullish outlook by the company's leadership on the future financial performance and prospects of the company.

From a financial perspective, the reduction in the number of outstanding shares typically results in an increase in earnings per share (EPS), assuming net income remains constant. This could potentially lead to a higher stock price. However, the effectiveness of such a strategy depends on various factors including the overall market conditions, investor sentiment and the company's future performance. It is also important to consider the opportunity cost of the repurchase, as the funds used for the buyback could have been allocated to other investments or growth opportunities.

Market Research Analyst

The implementation of the ASPP aligns with TransAlta's commitment to enhancing shareholder value, which is further supported by its strong free cash flow position. The market often reacts favorably to share buyback announcements as they can be interpreted as a company's self-assessment of being undervalued. Additionally, the ASPP allows for share repurchases during periods when insiders are typically restricted from trading, such as blackout periods surrounding earnings releases or other significant corporate events, thus providing a continuous mechanism for share repurchase without breaching insider trading regulations.

It's important for investors to monitor the volume of shares repurchased and the prices paid, as these activities can provide insights into management's expectations and the company's capital allocation strategy. Moreover, the cancellation of repurchased shares will consolidate ownership among existing shareholders, potentially leading to a more favorable demand-supply dynamic for the stock. However, the market's response to such a program can vary and investors should consider the broader industry trends and macroeconomic factors that may impact the stock's performance in conjunction with the ASPP.

Corporate Governance Expert

The transparency and regulatory compliance of TransAlta's ASPP, as evidenced by its pre-clearance by the Toronto Stock Exchange, is a key aspect of good corporate governance. The ASPP is structured to adhere to TSX rules and applicable laws, which helps maintain investor confidence in the management's decision-making process. The company's statement that it is not in possession of any material undisclosed information prior to the initiation of the ASPP is important in maintaining the integrity of the program and avoiding potential conflicts of interest.

Investors should appreciate the company's adherence to insider trading rules and the use of an ASPP to navigate around self-imposed trading restrictions. This level of corporate governance practice is reassuring for stakeholders and can contribute to a positive perception of the company's leadership and ethical standards. The predetermined nature of the ASPP provides a systematic approach to share repurchases, which reduces the potential for market manipulation or the perception of opportunistic timing based on insider information.

CALGARY, AB, March 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - TransAlta Corporation ("TransAlta" or the "Company") (TSX: TA) (NYSE: TAC) announced today that it has entered into an automatic share purchase plan ("ASPP") with its broker in order to facilitate repurchases of TransAlta's common shares ("Common Shares") under the Company's previously announced normal course issuer bid ("NCIB").   

The Company previously announced that it had received approval from the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") to purchase up to 14,000,000 of its Common Shares during the 12-month period that commenced May 31, 2023 and terminates May 30, 2024. Purchases under the NCIB may be made through open market transactions on the TSX and any alternative Canadian trading systems on which the Common Shares are traded, based on the prevailing market price. Since January 1, 2024, the Company has purchased 2,710,300 Common Shares at a weighted average price per Common Share of $9.52 for an aggregate value of approximately $25.8 million.  Since the beginning of the current NCIB on May 31, 2023, the Company has purchased 4,134,900 at a weighted average price per Common Share of $10.01 for an aggregate value of approximately $41.4 million.

The Company believes that the prevailing price for the Common Shares may not, from time to time, reflect the underlying value of the Common Shares and that the purchase of Common Shares pursuant to the NCIB may be an attractive and appropriate use of available funds relative to other alternatives.  The ASPP will facilitate purchases under the NCIB as it will allow for purchases of Common Shares to be made at times when the Company would ordinarily not be permitted to make purchases, whether due to regulatory restriction or customary self-imposed blackout periods. TransAlta is committed to enhancing shareholder returns through appropriate capital allocation such as a share buyback and its quarterly dividend, which are underpinned by the Company's strong free cash flow position.

Under the ASPP, the Company's broker may purchase Common Shares from the effective date of the ASPP until the end of the NCIB.  The ASPP will facilitate purchases of Common Shares under the NCIB by authorizing the Company's broker to make purchases at its sole discretion based on parameters set by the Company in accordance with TSX rules, applicable law and the terms of the ASPP.  Outside of periods that the Company is restricted from purchasing Common Shares pursuant to insider trading rules or its own internal trading blackout policies, Common Shares may also be purchased based on management's discretion, in compliance with TSX rules and applicable law. 

All purchases of Common Shares made under the ASPP will be included in determining the number of Common Shares purchased under the NCIB. Any Common Shares purchased by the Company pursuant to the NCIB will be cancelled.  The Company is not currently in possession of any material undisclosed information in relation to the Company.   The ASPP has been pre-cleared by the TSX and will be effective on April 1, 2024.  

The ASPP will terminate on the earliest of the date on which: (a) the maximum purchase limits under the ASPP are reached; (b) May 3, 2024; or (c) the Company terminates the ASPP in accordance with its terms.   

About TransAlta Corporation:

TransAlta owns, operates and develops a diverse fleet of electrical power generation assets in Canada, the United States and Australia with a focus on long-term shareholder value. TransAlta provides municipalities, medium and large industries, businesses and utility customers with clean, affordable, energy efficient and reliable power. Today, TransAlta is one of Canada's largest producers of wind power and Alberta's largest producer of hydroelectric power. For over 112 years, TransAlta has been a responsible operator and a proud member of the communities where we operate and where our employees work and live. TransAlta aligns its corporate goals with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Future-Fit Business Benchmark, which also defines sustainable goals for businesses. Our reporting on climate change management has been guided by the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) S2 Climate-related Disclosures Standard and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations. TransAlta has achieved a 66 per cent reduction in GHG emissions or 21.3 million tonnes CO2e since 2015 and received an upgraded MSCI ESG rating of AA.

For more information about TransAlta, visit its website at transalta.com.

Note: All financial figures are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/transalta-corporation-enters-into-automatic-share-purchase-plan-302096585.html

SOURCE TransAlta Corporation

FAQ

How many Common Shares has TransAlta purchased since January 1, 2024?

TransAlta has purchased 2,710,300 Common Shares since January 1, 2024.

What is the weighted average price per Common Share purchased by TransAlta since the beginning of the current NCIB on May 31, 2023?

The weighted average price per Common Share purchased by TransAlta since May 31, 2023, is $10.01.

When will the ASPP be effective for TransAlta?

The ASPP will be effective on April 1, 2024, for TransAlta.

How will the ASPP facilitate purchases of Common Shares under the NCIB?

The ASPP will allow purchases of Common Shares to be made at times when the company would not be permitted to buy due to regulatory restrictions or blackout periods.