The board of British engineering giant Rolls-Royce is reportedly finalizing plans for a substantial new share buyback scheme. According to industry sources, the program could be valued at up to £1.5 billion. An official announcement is expected to coincide with the release of the company’s full-year 2025 results, scheduled for February 26. This would mark the third significant repurchase initiative undertaken by the aircraft engine manufacturer in just over a year.
Strategic Investments Amid Market Challenges
While its financial position strengthens, Rolls-Royce faces headwinds in a key segment of its commercial aerospace division. Several major airlines are currently replacing the Trent 1000 engines on their Boeing 787 fleets with the competing GEnx model from General Electric. This shift is driven by carrier concerns over the Trent 1000’s operational reliability, maintenance costs, and emissions profile.
The company’s strategic counter lies in its next-generation UltraFan engine technology. The demonstrator unit has already achieved thrust levels exceeding 85,000 pounds and is designed to operate with significantly greater efficiency than previous models. Furthermore, the system is fully compatible with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Additional testing phases are planned for early 2026 to broaden the engine’s operational envelope.
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Robust Financials Enable Capital Return
The foundation for the anticipated capital return to shareholders is a notably robust operational performance. Following a strong first half in 2025, which saw an underlying operating profit of £1.7 billion, management raised its full-year guidance in July and subsequently reaffirmed it in November. For the entire fiscal year, Rolls-Royce forecasts an underlying operating profit in the range of £3.1 to £3.2 billion. The company also anticipates generating a free cash flow between £3.0 and £3.1 billion.
This financial resilience has already facilitated two prior buybacks. The company initiated a £1 billion repurchase program early in 2025. This was followed by a further £200 million buyback at the beginning of 2026. The rumored third tranche, worth up to £1.5 billion, would bring the total volume returned to shareholders to approximately £2.7 billion since the start of last year—a clear signal of financial strength under the leadership of CEO Tufan Erginbilgic.
The forthcoming full-year report on February 26 is set to provide definitive details regarding the scale and timeline of this latest shareholder return program. The move underscores a balanced strategy of investing in future propulsion technologies while rewarding investors, reflecting confidence in the firm’s ongoing cash generation capabilities.
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