CLIQ Digital resolves to return capital to shareholders by means of a share buyback programme of up to €13 million and not through the distribution of a dividend in 2024

Düsseldorf, this 20 February 2024. The Management Board and the Supervisory Board of CLIQ Digital AG (ISIN: DE000A35JS40) resolved today to initiate a share buyback programme with a volume of up to €13 million. The programme is scheduled to begin as soon as possible and be completed within twelve months. It will be based on the existing authorization by the general shareholders meeting of 14 April 2022 which allows the acquisition of up to 646,871 shares of the company. The shares will be bought back over the stock exchange and shall be used to reduce CLIQ Digital’s capital through cancellation and/or to meet CLIQ Digital’s obligations arising from stock option plans. The buyback will be exercised independently and without the influence of CLIQ Digital by an investment bank commissioned by CLIQ Digital, which shall make the decisions on the timing and amount of the individual order placements. All required regulatory disclosures will be made before the actual commencement of the share buyback programme.

At the same time, CLIQ Digital’s Management Board and Supervisory Board resolved to propose to the ordinary general shareholder meeting scheduled for 4 April 2024 not to pay a dividend to the shareholders in 2024 (2023: dividend amount of approx. €11.6 million or €1.79 per share).

CLIQ Digital believes that a share buyback programme is a preferable means to return capital to its shareholders compared to a dividend distribution. Furthermore, the programme aims at reducing the volatility of CLIQ Digital’s share price and increasing shareholder value. As part of its capital return strategy, CLIQ Digital will decide on a yearly basis to what extent and how capital will be returned to its shareholders in the coming years.