Business
Dividend Declaration
AO World plc is returning approximately £20 million to shareholders through a combination of a £10 million share buyback programme and a special dividend of 1.75 pence per ordinary share, representing an aggregate return of around £10 million. The buyback programme, managed by Jefferies and Peel Hunt, will run until March 2027 and aims to reduce share capital, with shares purchased intended for cancellation. The special dividend will be paid on 31 July 2026 to shareholders on the register as of 10 July 2026. The company states these actions reflect its strong financial position and cash generation while maintaining flexibility for strategic investment. Disclaimer*
About this update from Ao World Plc
1 July 2026 AO WORLD PLC £20M SHAREHOLDER RETURN VIA DIVIDEND AND SHARE BUYBACK AO World PLC ("AO" or the "Company"), the UK's most trusted online electrical retailer, is pleased to announce that, in line with the Company's full year results announcement on 17 June 2026, the Board has: a) approved the commencement of a further share buyback programme to purchase a total of up to £10 million (excluding expenses) of the Company's ordinary shares (the "Ordinary Shares") (the "Programme"); and b) declared a special dividend of 1.75 pence per Ordinary Share, representing an aggregate return of approximately £10m (the "Special Dividend"). The Board believes the combined return reflects the Company's strong financial position, cash generation and disciplined approach to capital allocation, while retaining the flexibility to invest in the business and pursue its strategic priorities. Share Buyback Programme The sole purpose of the Programme is to reduce the share capital of AO and the Company therefore intends to cancel the Ordinary Shares purchased under the Programme. The Board considers the Programme to be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. The Programme will be conducted in accordance with and under the terms of the general authority granted by the Company's shareholders at the Company's Annual General Meeting on 15 September 2025 and any further authority to repurchase Ordinary Shares as may be granted by its shareholders at the Company's Annual General Meeting in 2026. The maximum number of Ordinary Shares that the Company is currently authorised to repurchase under the Programme is 48,281,353 (being the number of Ordinary Shares able to be purchased under the 2025 authority less the number of shares purchased under the Company's share buyback programme that completed on 25 March 2026). Share purchases will take place in open market transactions and may be executed from time to time depending on market conditions, share price, trading volume and other factors. Jefferies International Limited ("Jefferies") and Peel Hunt LLP ("Peel Hunt") will manage the Programme, which is an irrevocable, non‑discretionary share buyback programme to repurchase the Company's shares on its behalf, and within certain defined parameters. Jefferies and Peel H...