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Investing.com -- Shares of ConvaTec Group Plc (LON:CTEC) rose by 6% on Wednesday after the company announced a $300 million share buyback program, equivalent to about 5% of its market value, to be completed by the end of December.
The Reading, U.K.-based medical device maker said the buyback is part of its capital allocation plans aimed at maintaining a net debt-to-EBITDA leverage ratio of 2x.
UBS Global Research noted that leverage, forecast at 1.3x by the end of 2025, would increase to 1.7x once the program is carried out.
UBS said ConvaTec’s strong cash flow performance in recent years has enabled the company to introduce the program and projected that buybacks are likely to remain a feature of its mid-term approach.
Analysts at the bank estimated that, excluding acquisitions, the company could return up to $2 billion, about one-third of its current market capitalization, through buybacks over the next four years.
ConvaTec operates across four segments, namely, wound therapeutics, ostomy care, continence and critical care, and infusion devices. The company’s products are used in managing chronic conditions.
UBS maintained ConvaTec as a top pick, citing a discounted valuation compared with peers. The stock trades at 17.5 times estimated 2025 earnings.
UBS set a 12-month price target of 375p, compared with a closing price of 231p on Aug. 19.
The brokerage forecast ConvaTec’s revenues to increase from $2.44 billion in 2025 to $3.13 billion by 2029, while net earnings are expected to rise from $364 million in 2025 to $564 million in 2029.
Earnings per share are projected to grow from $0.18 in 2025 to $0.28 in 2029. Dividends are expected to increase from $0.07 per share in 2025 to $0.11 in 2029.
ConvaTec’s shares have traded in a 52-week range of 213p to 295p. The company’s market capitalization stands at £4.74 billion.
UBS projected a 2.6% dividend yield for 2025 and a total stock return of 64.8%, compared with an assumed market return of 8.9%.