The Board of Directors of Aker Philadelphia Shipyard ASA (the "Company") (Oslo: AKPS) has resolved to initiate a buyback program for up to 10% of the Company's share capital.
The decision reflects the Company's focus on maximizing shareholder returns over time, its strong financial position, its confidence in its ability to deliver on its operational commitments, and a reflection of the opportunities it sees to further develop its shipping investments. The buyback program will be continuously evaluated to maximize its value to the Company's shareholders, including price at which buybacks are executed.
The buyback program will be conducted in accordance with the authorization granted to the Board of Directors by the Annual General Meeting on 9 April 2014. The buyback will be executed at prevailing market prices on the Oslo Stock Exchange. The buyback program will take effect on 21 July 2014 and terminate by the Annual General Meeting in 2015, but no later than 30 June 2015.
The Company has entered into an agreement with Pareto Securities AS to carry out the repurchase of the shares on behalf of the Company and within the framework set by the Company with regard to amount, price and timeframe.
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Aker Philadelphia Shipyard is a leading U.S. commercial shipyard constructing vessels for operation in the Jones Act market. It possesses a state-of-the-art shipbuilding facility and has earned a reputation as the preferred provider of oceangoing merchant vessels with a track record of delivering quality ships. Aker Philadelphia Shipyard is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange and is majority-owned by Converto Capital Fund, which in turn is majority-owned by Aker ASA. Aker is a Norwegian industrial investment company that creates value through active ownership. Aker's investment portfolio is concentrated on key Norwegian industries that are international in scope: oil and gas, fisheries and biotechnology, and marine assets. Aker's industrial holdings comprise ownership interests in Aker Solutions, Kvaerner, Det norske oljeselskap, Aker BioMarine, Ocean Yield and Havfisk.
This information is subject of the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.