NewPrinces flies, accelerates buyback and looks to new M&A

(Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - After a series of seesawing sessions, NewPrinces has returned to rally at Piazza Affari. Spurring the purchases is the announcement of a significant acceleration of the share buyback programme, "in view of the current valuation level of the stock and the Group's solid financial position," a note said. As of 31 March 2026, the company holds 1,142,348 treasury shares, or 2.60 per cent of the share capital, and - with the buy-back programme - will be able to purchase additional shares up to a maximum of 17.40 per cent of the capital.

According to management, in fact, 'current market levels do not fully reflect the Group's intrinsic value, asset quality and growth prospects resulting from the recently launched industrial and retail integration strategy'. The group released its financial year 2025 results on 31 March, which showed growth across all key indicators, with consolidated revenues up more than 80% to EUR 2.96 billion and net profit at EUR 383 million (+139.3%). The market greeted the quarterly report with enthusiasm and the stock closed the 31 March session gaining 8.4%. Yet, in the days that followed, a shower of sales fell on the stock, leading the group to declare in a note that 'there is no inside information' that 'has not been brought to the public's attention, nor extraordinary events, changes in governance, revisions to guidance or extraordinary transactions in the pipeline that could justify the price fluctuations recorded'. After a series of declines, the market regained confidence in the stock, which started to rise again. Between buying and selling, the group has gained almost 5% since the release of the 2025 accounts on 31 March.

In addition, the agri-food group is under the spotlight because, as Equita recalls, according to recent press sources, which also quote company statements, it would be interested in the acquisition of Realco, a cooperative of the large-scale retail sector based in Reggio Emilia, currently loss-making and in composition due to its deteriorating financial situation. According to sources, a possible binding offer could be submitted by 8 April. "The news is partly unexpected," writes Equita, "since last week's management presentation showed a strong interest in M&A (with operations potentially in the short term) but more in food manufacturing than in retail". The transaction, according to analysts, 'could take place on likely very favourable terms (as was the case for Carrefour and Diageo), in light of the asset's state of crisis and employment relevance'.