Haleon plc filed a Form 6-K with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on 29 October 2026, announcing the commencement of a share buyback programme of up to £500 million in aggregate consideration.

Key Highlights

  • Programme size: Haleon will buy up to an aggregate consideration of £500 million in ordinary shares of £0.01 each.
  • Appointed broker: The company has entered into an irrevocable agreement with Citigroup Global Markets Limited to carry out purchases independently of Haleon.
  • Trading venues: Purchases will be made on the London Stock Exchange, CBOE Europe Limited, and/or Aquis.
  • End date: The Buyback Programme will end no later than 19 February 2027.
  • Share treatment: Approximately 80% of shares purchased will be cancelled; the remainder will be held as treasury shares to satisfy employee share plan obligations in 2027 and 2028.
  • Maximum share count: The maximum number of shares that may be purchased under existing AGM authority is 805,110,900.
  • AGM authority source: The authority was obtained at the Annual General Meeting held on 29 April 2026.

Haleon's £500M Buyback: Structure, Broker Arrangement, and Share Disposal

According to the filing, Haleon plc (LSE/NYSE:HLN) announced on 29 October 2026 that it is commencing a share buyback programme, as set out in the company's 2026 Q3 Trading Statement issued the same day. The company disclosed the purpose of the programme is "to reduce the Company's share capital and to meet the Company's obligations under its employee share plans."

The filing states that Haleon has entered into an irrevocable agreement with Citigroup Global Markets Limited, which will make all trading decisions independently of Haleon, including decisions on timing and during any closed period. Purchases will be effected on the London Stock Exchange, CBOE Europe Limited, and/or Aquis, within pre-set parameters and subject to the terms of the arrangement with Citi. The company disclosed that the programme operates in accordance with the AGM authority, the assimilated UK Market Abuse Regulation No. 596/2014, assimilated Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052, and Chapter 9 of the UK Financial Conduct Authority's UK Listing Rules.

Upon conclusion of the programme, the filing states that approximately 80% of purchased shares will be cancelled, with the remainder to be held as treasury shares carrying no voting or dividend rights, for use in satisfying Haleon's existing employee share plan obligations in 2027 and 2028. The filing notes that "there is no guarantee that the Buyback Programme will be implemented in full or of the number of Shares that will be bought back by the Company," and that further regulatory announcements will be made as purchases occur.

What Was Disclosed

Haleon plc disclosed the commencement of a £500 million share buyback programme via an irrevocable agreement with Citigroup Global Markets Limited, with purchases to occur on specified UK exchanges no later than 19 February 2027, and approximately 80% of acquired shares to be cancelled.