(Celltrion)
(Celltrion)

Celltrion said Wednesday it has canceled 9.11 million treasury shares worth about 1.72 trillion won ($1.1 billion), marking the largest share cancellation in its history.

The move, approved by the board, accounts for roughly 4 percent of the company’s outstanding shares and exceeds the combined 1.6 trillion won in share cancellations carried out in 2024 and 2025.

The canceled shares include 3 million previously reserved for employee stock option programs, underscoring Celltrion’s focus on enhancing shareholder value.

Following the cancellation, the company will retain about 3.23 million treasury shares, which it plans to use strategically for growth initiatives such as mergers and acquisitions, technology development and facility investment.

The decision comes after Celltrion recorded a shareholder return rate of about 103 percent last year, supported by a 750 won per share cash dividend and share cancellations — more than double its three-year average target of 40 percent under its corporate value enhancement plan.

The dividend was issued as a tax-exempt payout by converting capital reserves into retained earnings, boosting effective returns for shareholders.

“Amid growing global uncertainty, we have executed a large-scale share cancellation as planned,” a company official said. “We will continue to enhance both corporate growth and shareholder value based on investor trust.”


jwjeon7625@heraldcorp.com