London, Jan 29, 2026, 07:53 GMT — Premarket
- Rolls-Royce shares fell 2.6% on Wednesday, dragged down by a softer FTSE 100.
- Delta has placed an order for 31 Airbus widebodies powered by Rolls-Royce Trent engines, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2029.
- Rolls-Royce has repurchased additional shares as part of its £200 million buyback, according to a recent filing.
Rolls-Royce (RR.L) shares could see action at Thursday’s London open following Delta Air Lines’ announcement of a 31-aircraft order for Airbus widebody jets, with deliveries kicking off in 2029. Delta CEO Ed Bastian highlighted that the new planes would “enhance our capabilities and elevate our premium offerings.” Airbus North America chief Robin Hayes added the jets would “power their global growth.” 1
For Rolls-Royce, it’s not just about scoring that first engine sale. The real value lies in long-term servicing contracts for large engines, which can stretch over years and become crucial as planes rack up miles on lengthy routes.
This is crucial now since the stock is closely linked to two key factors: civil aerospace demand and shareholder returns. The company has relied heavily on buybacks, repurchasing and canceling its own shares as a clear method of returning cash to investors.
Shares dropped 2.58% Wednesday, closing at 12.08 pounds, lagging the FTSE 100 which fell 0.52%. About 17.3 million shares changed hands, shy of the 50-day average volume of 26.0 million. The stock now sits 7.55% below its 52-week peak of 13.07 pounds, hit on Jan. 14. 2
Rolls-Royce announced Wednesday that Delta Air Lines placed an order for 30 Trent XWB-84 EP engines and 32 Trent 7000 engines. These will power 15 Airbus A350-900s and 16 Airbus A330neos. The deal includes TotalCare, Rolls-Royce’s long-term support package that tracks engine health and handles maintenance. Rob Watson, president of civil aerospace, called the reorder a “commitment to reliability, durability, and customer success.” Delta TechOps chief John Laughter praised the Trent XWB-84 as a “highly reliable engine in our fleet.” 3
A filing on Thursday revealed that Rolls-Royce repurchased 845,685 shares on Jan. 28, paying between 1,209 and 1,248 pence each. This move is part of its £200 million buyback plan carried out via UBS. The company confirmed it will cancel the shares and has now bought back around 9.6 million shares since the programme started. 4
Late Tuesday, a regulatory filing revealed that CEO Tufan Erginbilgic and CFO Helen McCabe had incentive plan shares vest on Jan. 26. To cover tax withholding, Erginbilgic sold 4,862 shares, McCabe offloaded 1,880. Erginbilgic kept 5,460 shares from the vesting, while McCabe held onto 2,110, according to the notice. 5
Rolls-Royce revealed a £200 million interim buyback in December, following a £1 billion buyback completed in November. The company said the new programme kicked off on Jan. 2 and should wrap up by Feb. 24 at the latest. Any larger buyback plans for 2026 will need board approval. 6
Airbus delivery schedules and airline network strategies will also guide investors. While engine manufacturers secure orders years ahead, their cash flow tends to follow flying hours and maintenance costs as fleets age.
The widebody cycle can shift fast. A drop in long-haul demand, delays in aircraft deliveries, or surprise engine maintenance bills would challenge market expectations and might dampen the investor enthusiasm fueling buybacks.
Rolls-Royce’s 2025 full-year results, due Feb. 26, stand as the next major trigger. Investors will be watching closely for updated guidance, cashflow details, and any moves on shareholder returns. 7
