London, Jan 24, 2026, 08:04 GMT — Market closed
- Rolls-Royce shares closed Friday 0.72% higher, at 1,253 pence
- A regulatory filing revealed the company purchased 654,125 shares on Jan. 22 as part of its £200 million interim buyback program
- With trading set to resume on Jan. 26, investors are eyeing upcoming buyback announcements ahead of full-year results on Feb. 26
Rolls-Royce Holdings plc remained in focus on traders’ screens Friday, revealing a fresh round of share buybacks as part of its ongoing interim repurchase programme.
The market won’t reopen until Monday, shifting attention to the message behind the buyback and what might follow, instead of fresh price moves.
The programme is crucial as it extends into late February, just ahead of the company’s full-year results. Investors are looking closely to see detailed updates on cash generation, returns, and the board’s stance on 2026 payouts at that key juncture.
Last month, Rolls-Royce announced its £200 million interim buyback plan would kick off on Jan. 2 and wrap up by Feb. 24 at the latest, just ahead of its full-year 2025 results due Feb. 26. The company also committed to reporting buyback activity by 7:30 a.m. the following business day. 1
Rolls-Royce disclosed in a Friday filing that it acquired 654,125 ordinary shares on Jan. 22. The purchases spanned the London Stock Exchange, CBOE BXE, CBOE CXE, and Aquis, executed via UBS AG London Branch. Share prices ranged from 1,239.5 pence to 1,278 pence, with a volume-weighted average price of 1,255.0891 pence on the LSE. The company plans to cancel these shares and has bought back 7.29 million shares under its current programme. 2
Rolls-Royce shares closed Friday at 1,253 pence, rising 9 pence from the previous session. The stock fluctuated between 1,245.5 and 1,263 pence during the day. About 37.1 million shares traded hands, with the company’s market cap hovering near £105 billion, according to Sharecast data. 3
The broader mood turned cautious. The FTSE 100 dipped 0.07% on Friday, ending a three-week run of gains as investors grappled with fresh geopolitical tensions. Gold drew attention once again, Reuters noted. “Gold ostensibly remains the preferred portfolio hedge amid ongoing geopolitical risk, keeping the bullish case intact,” said Laura Cooper, senior macro strategist at Nuveen. 4
Dan Coatsworth, investment analyst at AJ Bell, noted that investors have “loaded up on three names that have served them well over the past year – Rolls-Royce, Endeavour Mining and BAE Systems.” BAE Systems climbed 2.1% on Friday. 5
Investors will be keeping an eye on whether buyback activity holds steady when London trading picks up again on Jan. 26. The mood on risk assets remains jittery, with tariff news and safe-haven flows already rattling equities.
Buybacks provide only a buffer, not a fix. As shares hover near recent peaks, a slip in guidance or a reminder that aerospace cash flows fluctuate with flying hours and timing could still trigger profit-taking.
The London market reopens on Jan. 26, followed by Rolls-Royce’s full-year results on Feb. 26. The company has indicated it will outline its 2026 buyback plans then.
