Orion Minerals’ share purchase plan has closed with 158,5 million shares purchased for an aggregate A$1,79 million (R20,6 million). The purchase plan follows the capital raising recently completed by way of a private placement of 289 million shares and an agreement to convert outstanding loan amounts owed via the issue of 233 million shares for an aggregate value of c.A$5,8 million.
In terms of the revised offer to Assura plc shareholders by Primary Health Properties plc (PHP), a further 73,665,754 new PHP shares will be listed this week. The revised offer remains open for acceptances until further notice. As at 20 August 2025, PHP had received acceptances in respect of 2,65 billion shares, representing c.81.37% of the issued share capital of Assura.
A creditor of Murray & Roberts (M&R) has instituted liquidation proceedings against the company, which M&R says it will not oppose, bringing to an end a 120-year legacy for the construction and engineering giant.
Blue Label Telecoms’ name change to Blu Label Unlimited has been accepted and placed on file by CIPC. The company will commence trading under the new name on 3 September 2025.
This week the following companies announced the repurchase of shares:
Investec ltd intends to execute a share purchase and buy-back programme of up to R2,5 billion (£100 million) whereby Investec ltd will purchase Investec plc ordinary share and repurchase Investec ltd ordinary shares. The programme will run until 31 March 2026 subject to market conditions. The Investec ltd shares will be cancelled, and the Investec plc shares will be treated as if they were treasury shares in the consolidated annual financial statements of the Investec Group.
Bytes Technology will undertake a share repurchase programme of up to a maximum aggregate consideration of £25 million. The purpose of the programme is to reduce Bytes’ share capital. This week 118,594 shares were repurchased at an average price per share of £3.85 for an aggregate £151,789.
Glencore plc’s current share buy-back programme plans to acquire shares of an aggregate value of up to US$1 billion. The shares will be repurchased on the LSE, BATS, Chi-X and Aquis exchanges and is expected to be completed in February 2026. This week 9,3 million shares were repurchased at an average price of £2.97 per share for an aggregate £27,6 million.
In May 2025 Tharisa plc announced it would undertake a repurchase programme of up to US$5 million. Shares have been trading at a significant discount, having been negatively impacted by the global commodity pricing environment, geo-political events and market volatility. Over the period 11 to 15 August 2025, the company repurchased 28,603 shares at an average price of R20.48 on the JSE and 299,445 shares at 87.39 pence per share on the LSE.
In May 2025, British American Tobacco plc extended its share buyback programme by a further £200 million, taking the total amount to be repurchased by 31 December 2025 to £1,1 billion. The extended programme is being funded using the net proceeds of the block trade of shares in ITC to institutional investors. This week the company repurchased a further 594,538 shares at an average price of £42.43 per share for an aggregate £25,22 million.
During the period 11 to 15 August 2025, Prosus repurchased a further 2,285,237 Prosus shares for an aggregate €119,7 million and Naspers, a further 108,067 Naspers shares for a total consideration of R996,15 million.
Six companies issued profit warnings this week: South Ocean, Aveng, Northam Platinum, Randgold & Exploration, Curro and Aspen Pharmacare.
During the week one company issued or withdrew a cautionary notice: Hulamin.
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