Today, Haleon plc (LSE/NYSE: HLN), a leading company in the consumer health sector, confirmed an agreement with Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) to purchase approximately £230 million worth of its own ordinary shares from Pfizer. This transaction is contingent upon the completion of Pfizer's proposed offering of Haleon shares to institutional investors through an accelerated bookbuild.
The off-market purchase includes two distinct allocations of Haleon's ordinary shares. Approximately £114.6 million represents the remaining portion of the £500 million dedicated to share repurchases for 2024, as announced on February 29, 2024. These shares will be canceled, bringing an end to Haleon's on-market share buyback program that commenced on August 1, 2024.
In addition to the shares allocated for cancellation, Haleon is acquiring approximately £115.4 million worth of shares to be held as treasury shares. These will fulfill the company's obligations under its existing employee share plans for the year 2025.
The agreed purchase price per share for Haleon in this off-market transaction will match the price per ordinary share set in Pfizer's bookbuild offering. Details regarding the final results of the offering and subsequent purchase will be disclosed following Pfizer's announcement.
Haleon, known for its portfolio in Oral Health, Pain Relief, Respiratory Health, Digestive Health, and Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements (VMS), is home to well-established brands such as Advil, Sensodyne, and Centrum. The company emphasizes trusted science and innovation in its product development.
In other recent news, Haleon plc has reported significant developments. The company recently announced the completion of its divestment of the nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) business outside the United States to Dr. Reddy's Laboratories SA, a transaction involving up to £500 million. Haleon also revealed its decision to acquire an additional 33% equity stake in its Chinese joint venture, Tianjin TSKF Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd, increasing its ownership to 88%.
In terms of financial maneuvers, Haleon launched a dual-tranche bond offering as part of its Euro Medium Term Note program. Analyst notes from Morgan Stanley and BofA Securities have upgraded Haleon's stock price target, maintaining a positive rating. However, Goldman Sachs downgraded Haleon's stock from "Buy" to "Neutral," and Berenberg initiated coverage with a "Buy" rating.
Haleon also launched Eroxon®, the first FDA-cleared over-the-counter gel for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in the United States. In addition, the company welcomed two new board members, Alan Stewart and Nancy Avila. These are recent developments in Haleon's business operations.
InvestingPro Insights
Haleon's recent agreement with Pfizer to repurchase shares aligns well with its strong financial position, as highlighted by several InvestingPro metrics. The company's impressive gross profit margin of 62.54% for the last twelve months as of Q2 2024 suggests a robust ability to generate profit from its sales, which is crucial for funding share buybacks and maintaining financial flexibility.
InvestingPro Tips indicate that Haleon is "trading near its 52-week high" and has shown a "strong return over the last three months." This positive momentum is reflected in the company's 29.88% price total return over the past three months. These factors may have influenced the timing of the share repurchase agreement, as the company demonstrates confidence in its valuation and market position.
Additionally, the InvestingPro Tip noting that Haleon "operates with a moderate level of debt" suggests that the company has the financial capacity to execute this share buyback without compromising its balance sheet strength. This prudent financial management aligns with the company's strategy to effectively allocate capital, as mentioned in the article.
For investors seeking a more comprehensive analysis, InvestingPro offers 5 additional tips that could provide further insights into Haleon's financial health and market position.
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