The Williams Cos. in Tulsa announced a $1.5 billion share repurchase program that is effective immediately.
The board of directors gave the authority for the program to buy up the amount of the firm’s outstanding common stock.
“With a strong balance sheet and excess free cash flow, we are well positioned to execute on this attractive opportunity to invest in Williams,” said Williams President and CEO Alan Armstrong. “Consistent with our commitment to creating sustainable value for our shareholders, this program is part of a broader capital allocation strategy we are pursuing to maximize shareholder returns in the coming years.”
Under the share repurchase authorization, repurchases can be made from time to time using a variety of methods, which may include open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise, all in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and other applicable legal requirements.
The timing and amount of any shares of the company’s common stock that are repurchased under the share repurchase authorization will be determined by the company’s management based on market conditions and other factors. The company will only repurchase shares when management believes it would not jeopardize the company’s current credit ratings.
In addition, the company only intends to execute buybacks opportunistically in response to what it believes is a significant stock price dislocation. The share repurchase authorization does not obligate the company to acquire any particular amount of common stock, and may be modified, suspended or discontinued at any time or from time to time at the company’s discretion.
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Source: Williams announcement