---
title: "Imperial Brands Cancels New Tranche of Shares in Ongoing £1.45bn Buyback"
type: "News"
locale: "en"
url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/287097673.md"
description: "Imperial Brands has announced the cancellation of a new tranche of shares as part of its ongoing £1.45 billion buyback program. On May 20, 2026, the company repurchased 248,086 shares at an average price of 2,876.9810 pence each, reducing the total share count to 775,336,893. This move aims to enhance earnings per share and returns for investors amidst regulatory pressures in the tobacco sector. Analysts currently rate the stock as a Buy with a price target of £3500.00."
datetime: "2026-05-20T16:37:31.000Z"
locales:
  - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/287097673.md)
  - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/287097673.md)
  - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/287097673.md)
---

# Imperial Brands Cancels New Tranche of Shares in Ongoing £1.45bn Buyback

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Imperial Brands ( (GB:IMB) ) has issued an announcement.

Imperial Brands has continued its share buyback strategy, repurchasing 248,086 ordinary shares on 20 May 2026 under its £1.45 billion share repurchase programme. The shares were bought on the London Stock Exchange through Barclays at an average price of 2,876.9810 pence per share and will be cancelled, reducing the company’s share count to 775,336,893 and potentially enhancing earnings per share and capital returns for investors.

The reduction in the number of shares in issue provides a new reference figure for investors and other stakeholders when calculating disclosure thresholds under the U.K.’s transparency rules. This ongoing capital management activity underscores Imperial Brands’ commitment to returning cash to shareholders and may support its valuation in a competitive global tobacco sector facing regulatory and demand pressures.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:IMB) stock is a Buy with a £3500.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Imperial Brands stock, see the GB:IMB Stock Forecast page.

**Spark’s Take on IMB Stock**

According to Spark, TipRanks’ AI Analyst, IMB is a Neutral.

The score is driven primarily by stable but mixed fundamentals: solid operating performance is offset by higher leverage and a significant decline in free cash flow. Valuation is supportive (moderate P/E and strong dividend yield), while technicals are only neutral-to-weak with negative MACD and price below longer-term averages. Earnings call commentary is constructive due to reiterated guidance, strong cash conversion, and ongoing shareholder returns, tempered by one-offs and settlement-related cash outflows.

To see Spark’s full report on IMB stock, click here.

**More about Imperial Brands**

Imperial Brands is a multinational tobacco company focused on the manufacture and sale of cigarettes, cigars, and next-generation nicotine products. The group is listed on the London Stock Exchange and targets global markets through a portfolio of traditional tobacco and alternative nicotine brands.

**Average Trading Volume:** 2,713,524

**Technical Sentiment Signal:** Buy

**Current Market Cap:** £22.33B

See more insights into IMB stock on TipRanks’ Stock Analysis page.

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