Coca-Cola HBC AG - Steinhausen, Switzerland-based soft-drink bottling partner of Coca-Cola Co - Says that on Tuesday, it will start a share buyback programme to return up to EUR400 million to shareholders. The company expects the programme to run for around two years. It adds that it remains committed to its priorities, such as organic investment in the business to deliver its medium-term financial targets, such as capital expenditure as a percentage of net sales revenue in the range of 6.5% to 7.5% per year, and paying a progressive dividend with a payout target of 40% to 50% of earnings per share. "With these priorities in mind, the Board believes that the current share price undervalues CCH's future growth opportunities. Therefore, the present time represents a compelling opportunity to reduce the number of shares in circulation, while continuing to invest in the business," Coca-Cola HBC says. It anticipates that the buyback programme will improve earnings per share. Chief Executive Officer Zoran Bogdanovic says: "With our cash-generative business and a strong balance sheet today, we believe that the current market weakness presents a compelling opportunity for us to deploy excess capital through a buyback programme and deliver enhanced shareholder value."
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