51Talk Online Education Group Announces New Share Repurchase Program

Rhea-AI Summary

51Talk Online Education Group (NYSE American: COE) said its board authorized a new share repurchase program to buy up to US$10 million of its shares (including ADSs) over the next 12 months, ending December 7, 2026.

Repurchases may be made on the open market, in privately negotiated transactions, block trades or other legally permissible means, and are expected to be funded from the company’s existing cash balance.

Positive

• Board authorized repurchase up to US$10 million
• Repurchase period ends on December 7, 2026
• Repurchases may be executed via open market or private trades
• Company expects to fund repurchases from existing cash balance

Negative

• Uses existing cash balance for repurchases, reducing cash reserves
• No percentage of outstanding shares specified, limiting impact visibility

Key Figures

Buyback authorization US$10 million Maximum value under new share repurchase program

Program duration 12 months Repurchases may occur through December 7, 2026

Current share price $41.24 Pre-buyback-announcement price context

52-week range $12.98 – $56.13 Low and high prior to buyback news

Market Reality Check

$41.24 Last Close

Volume Volume 9,518 is below the 20-day average of 13,837, suggesting limited pre-news positioning. low

Technical Price $41.24 is above the 200-day MA $30.79 but about 26.53% below the $56.13 52-week high.

Peers on Argus

COE was nearly flat at +0.07% while peers were mixed: FC -1.43%, CHGG -0.11%, IH -8.03%, STG +5.86%, LGCY +0.51%. The pattern points to stock-specific dynamics around the buyback news rather than a sector-wide move.

Historical Context

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
2025-12-03	Earnings date notice	Neutral	-10.7%	Q3 2025 earnings release date and conference call details announced.
2025-09-03	Auditor change	Positive	+4.0%	Appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as new independent auditor.
2025-09-03	Earnings results	Positive	+4.0%	Q2 2025 results with strong revenue, billings and student growth.
2025-08-29	Earnings date notice	Neutral	-1.9%	Announcement of Q2 2025 earnings release timing and call.
2025-08-15	Investor conference	Neutral	+5.5%	Sidoti virtual investor conference participation and presentation schedule.

Pattern Detected

Neutral event announcements have often seen sizable price moves in either direction, while clearly positive operational or corporate updates have tended to align with modest gains.

Recent Company History

Over the last few months, 51Talk has focused on financial reporting and capital markets visibility. A strong Q2 2025 earnings release with rapid revenue and student growth was followed by a positive share reaction. The company later changed auditors, appointing Ernst & Young LLP, which also coincided with a gain. Neutral scheduling updates for both Q2 and Q3 2025 earnings, plus a Sidoti conference appearance, produced mixed and sometimes sharp moves. Today’s buyback authorization adds a capital allocation element to this sequence of operational and governance developments.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement introduces a new capital allocation lever: authorization to repurchase up to US$10 million of shares and ADSs over 12 months, funded from existing cash. Coming after strong Q2 2025 growth and recent governance steps like an auditor change, it adds a shareholder-return element to the story. Investors may watch actual repurchase activity, upcoming earnings, and further regulatory filings to gauge how actively management uses this flexibility and how it interacts with overall liquidity and growth priorities.

Key Terms

american depositary shares financial

"repurchase up to US$10 million worth of its shares (including American Depositary Shares)"

American depositary shares (ADSs) are a way for investors in the United States to buy shares of foreign companies without dealing with international markets directly. They represent ownership in a foreign company's stock and are traded on U.S. stock exchanges, making it easier for American investors to buy, sell, and own parts of companies from around the world.

block trades technical

"in privately negotiated transactions, in block trades and/or through other legally permissible means"

A block trade is a single, large buy or sell of shares or bonds arranged privately between big traders rather than piecemeal on the public market. Think of it like buying a whole shipment at once instead of many small shopping trips; it lets large holders move big positions with less immediate disruption but can signal strong buying or selling pressure and cause price swings once the trade is known, so investors watch block trades for clues about market sentiment and liquidity.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

SINGAPORE, Dec. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- 51Talk Online Education Group ("51Talk", or the "Company") (NYSE American: COE), a global online education platform with core expertise in English education, today announced that its board of directors has authorized a new share repurchase program under which the Company may repurchase up to US$10 million worth of its shares (including American Depositary Shares) over the next 12 months, ending on December 7, 2026.

The share repurchases may be effected from time to time on the open market at prevailing market prices, in privately negotiated transactions, in block trades and/or through other legally permissible means, depending on market conditions, and will be implemented in accordance with applicable rules and regulations. The Company expects to fund the repurchases out of its existing cash balance.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains statements that may constitute "forward-looking" statements which are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "aims," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "likely to," and similar statements. 51Talk may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about 51Talk's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in 51Talk's filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and 51Talk does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

About 51Talk Online Education Group

51Talk Online Education Group (NYSE American: COE) is a global online education platform with core expertise in English education. The Company's mission is to make quality education accessible and affordable. The Company's online and mobile education platforms enable students to take live interactive English lessons on demand. The Company connects its students with highly qualified teachers using a shared economy approach, and employs student and teacher feedback and data analytics to deliver a personalized learning experience to its students.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/51talk-online-education-group-announces-new-share-repurchase-program-302635279.html

SOURCE 51Talk Online Education Group

FAQ

What did 51Talk (COE) announce on December 8, 2025 about share repurchases?

The board authorized a US$10 million share repurchase program effective through Dec 7, 2026.

How will 51Talk (COE) execute the US$10 million buyback?

Repurchases may occur on the open market, in privately negotiated transactions, in block trades, or by other legally permissible means.

How will 51Talk (COE) pay for the new repurchase program?

The company expects to fund the repurchases from its existing cash balance.

When does the 51Talk (COE) repurchase program expire?

The repurchase authorization expires on December 7, 2026.

What does the US$10 million repurchase mean for COE shareholders?

The program authorizes up to US$10 million in purchases but does not specify share counts or guaranteed purchases.