London, Jan 31, 2026, 09:35 GMT — Market closed
Imperial Brands shares closed Friday at 3,066 pence (£30.66), rising 42 pence, or 1.39%, ahead of Monday’s London session. The stock fluctuated between 2,994p and 3,066p, with roughly 1.06 million shares traded, per Hargreaves Lansdown data.
The overall tone gave a boost. The FTSE 100 ended Friday 0.5% higher while sterling dropped 0.6% versus the dollar—a combination that usually favors global earners with domestic expenses. “The weaker pound is obviously beneficial for the multinationals,” noted Fiona Cincotta, senior market analyst at City Index. Reuters
After the close, Imperial revealed it had bought back 88,533 shares on Jan. 30 at an average price of 3,028.56p. Morgan Stanley & Co. International Plc handled the trade. The company confirmed it will cancel these shares, reducing the total number outstanding. That move can boost earnings per share if profits remain steady.
Just a day before, Imperial disclosed buying 100,106 shares on Jan. 29 at an average price of 3,023.09p, again for cancellation and through the same broker. These repurchases fall under a £1.45 billion buyback scheme unveiled in October.
Funding came into focus as Imperial Brands Finance PLC revealed final terms for €900 million of 3.875% notes maturing Aug. 2, 2033. These are backed by Imperial Brands and issued under a €15 billion debt programme. The company confirmed the documents will be filed with the Financial Conduct Authority’s national storage mechanism.
Tobacco stocks edged higher heading into the weekend. British American Tobacco rose 1.13% on Friday, according to data, making Imperial’s gains seem less isolated on an otherwise quiet day.
There’s a catch. Buybacks might steady the tape temporarily, but they don’t erase larger headwinds: declining cigarette sales across several markets, stricter regulations on nicotine products, and currency fluctuations that diminish overseas profits when sterling gains strength. Rising bond yields also shift how investors value defensive dividend stocks.
Coming up on the dividend calendar, Imperial’s next ex-dividend date is Feb. 19 — the point after which new investors won’t get the next payout. The final dividend is scheduled for March 31, pending shareholder approval. Then, the half-year results drop on May 12.
