Standard Chartered PLC (STANCHART, HKEX: 02888) submitted its monthly return for the period ended 31 March 2026, detailing a sizeable contraction in its ordinary share base driven by on-market buy-backs.
Share capital movements • Ordinary shares in issue fell by 19.71 million—equivalent to 0.87% of February’s total—to 2.23 billion. No treasury shares were held at month-end. • The entire reduction resulted from six tranches of market repurchases executed and cancelled between 3 and 31 March, authorised by the 8 May 2025 AGM. An additional 1.96 million shares were repurchased on 30–31 March and await cancellation. • Preference share capital was unchanged at 195.29 million non-cumulative irredeemable shares and 15,000 redeemable preference shares.
Employee share plans • Aggregate outstanding options declined to 67.89 million after net cancellations and grants across four schemes. – 2021 Share Plan: 47.07 million options outstanding following 17.88 million new grants and 23.35 million lapses. – 2013 Sharesave Plan: 1.32 million options remain after 0.98 million cancellations. – 2023 Sharesave Plan: 18.18 million options outstanding. – 2011 Share Plan: 0.62 million options were exercised; the company reported no cash inflow from option exercises.
Convertible securities STANCHART has eight outstanding perpetual subordinated contingent convertible (AT1) instruments with a combined face value of USD 7.00 billion and SGD 1.50 billion. Full conversion would add up to 934.65 million ordinary shares, at conversion prices ranging from USD 6.353 to USD 20.76 and SGD 12.929 to SGD 32.043.
Compliance and other matters • The bank confirmed that its public float remained above the 25% threshold required by Hong Kong listing rules. • No changes were reported in authorised or registered share capital, no treasury shares were transferred or sold, and no warrants or Hong Kong Depositary Receipts were outstanding or issued during the month.
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