Aviva, the UK's largest insurer, has completed its $379 million share buyback programme. The programme, which was launched in December 2022, saw Aviva buy back 10.5 million shares.
The share buyback was part of Aviva's strategy to return capital to shareholders. The company said it would continue to evaluate its capital position and consider further share buybacks in the future.
Aviva's share price has risen by over 10% since the start of the year. The company's CEO, Amanda Blanc, said the share buyback was a "clear sign of our confidence in the future of Aviva".
The share buyback programme was well received by investors. Analysts at Jefferies said the move was "a positive step" and that it "demonstrates management's commitment to shareholder returns".
Aviva is the latest in a number of UK companies to announce share buyback programmes. In recent months, other companies such as Lloyds Banking Group and Royal Dutch Shell have also announced share buybacks.
The share buyback trend is being driven by a number of factors, including strong corporate profits and low interest rates. Companies are using the proceeds from their strong profits to buy back their own shares, which can boost their earnings per share and make them more attractive to investors.
The share buyback trend is likely to continue in the near future. With corporate profits expected to remain strong and interest rates likely to remain low, companies are likely to continue to use their excess cash to buy back their own shares.