Franklin Electric Announces Repurchase of Company Shares

Rhea-AI Summary

Franklin Electric (NASDAQ: FELE) has completed a stock repurchase of 1,200,000 shares at $86.78 per share from the Patricia Schaefer Settlement Trust. The purchase price was determined by the 5-day volume-weighted average price on NASDAQ. The transaction, valued at approximately $104.1 million, was executed to provide liquidity for the estate's tax obligations following the passing of Patricia Schaefer, daughter of the company's founder. The Board of Directors approved an increase to the share repurchase authorization by 1,200,000 shares, maintaining a total authorization of 1,126,635 shares post-transaction. CEO Joe Ruzynski expressed confidence in the company's strong balance sheet, cash flow generation, and strategic plans.

Positive

• Strategic repurchase of 1.2 million shares demonstrates confidence in company's future
• Strong balance sheet and cash flow generation allows for significant share buyback
• Board approved additional 1.2 million share repurchase authorization
• Company maintains healthy repurchase capacity of 1,126,635 shares post-transaction

Negative

• Significant cash outlay of approximately $104.1 million reduces company's cash reserves
• Large block transaction may impact stock's trading liquidity

Insights

Corporate Finance Expert

Franklin Electric's $104M share repurchase demonstrates financial strength while aiding founder's family with estate taxes.

Franklin Electric has executed a significant $104.1 million share repurchase, acquiring 1.2 million shares at $86.78 per share from the Patricia Schaefer Settlement Trust. This transaction serves dual purposes: providing liquidity for the estate of the founder's daughter while simultaneously representing a substantial capital allocation decision by management.

The repurchase price of $86.78 was determined by the 5-day volume-weighted average price, ensuring market alignment rather than a premium or discount. What's particularly notable is the Board's concurrent authorization to replenish the buyback capacity with an additional 1.2 million shares, maintaining the company's 1,126,635 share repurchase authorization post-transaction.

This balanced approach demonstrates management's confidence in Franklin Electric's financial position without compromising future flexibility. By facilitating the Schaefer estate's tax obligations while maintaining their repurchase authorization, they've executed a strategic transaction that addresses family needs while preserving capital allocation optionality.

The repurchase signals strong free cash flow generation and balance sheet health, as evidenced by CEO Joe Ruzynski's explicit reference to the company's "strong balance sheet and cash flow generation." Rather than representing an opportunistic value play, this transaction appears primarily designed to accommodate a significant shareholder's estate needs while maintaining the company's existing share repurchase capacity for future deployment.

FORT WAYNE, Ind., June 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Franklin Electric Co., Inc. (NASDAQ: FELE) is pleased to announce the successful completion of a stock purchase transaction involving shares held within the Patricia Schaefer Settlement Trust, a trust established by the late Patricia Schaefer. The purchase transaction involved the acquisition of 1,200,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at a price equal to $86.78 per share, which was the volume-weighted average price of the stock on NASDAQ for the five trading days preceding today’s closing.

Joe Ruzynski, Chief Executive Officer of Franklin Electric, commented on the transaction, stating, “We were saddened to learn of the passing of Patricia Schaefer, a pillar of her community and the daughter of our founder. As we had the option to repurchase shares, we were pleased to be able to provide a source of liquidity for Ms. Schaefer’s estate to satisfy its tax obligations. This purchase also reflects our confidence in Franklin Electric's strong balance sheet, cash flow generation, our strategic plans, and our future. We are proud to demonstrate our belief in the company's enduring prospects while simultaneously supporting the needs of the Schaefer estate.”

In connection with the purchase transaction, the Company’s Board of Directors approved an increase to the Company’s share repurchase authorization of 1,200,000 shares of common stock, such that after the transaction described herein, the Company will continue to be authorized to repurchase up to an aggregate 1,126,635 shares of its common stock.

About Franklin Electric
Franklin Electric is a global leader in the production and marketing of systems and components for the movement of water and energy. Recognized as a technical leader in its products and services, Franklin Electric serves customers worldwide in residential, commercial, agricultural, industrial, municipal, and fueling applications. Franklin Electric is proud to be recognized in Newsweek’s lists of America’s Most Responsible Companies 2024, Most Trustworthy Companies 2024, and Greenest Companies 2025; Best Places to Work in Indiana 2024; and America’s Climate Leaders 2024 by USA Today.

“Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any forward-looking statements contained herein, including those relating to market conditions or the Company’s financial results, costs, expenses or expense reductions, profit margins, inventory levels, foreign currency translation rates, liquidity expectations, business goals and sales growth, involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, risks and uncertainties with respect to general economic and currency conditions, various conditions specific to the Company’s business and industry, weather conditions, new housing starts, market demand, competitive factors, changes in distribution channels, supply constraints, effect of price increases, raw material costs, technology factors, integration of acquisitions, litigation, government and regulatory actions, the Company’s accounting policies, future trends, epidemics and pandemics, and other risks which are detailed in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, included in Item 1A of Part I of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, Exhibit 99.1 attached thereto and in Item 1A of Part II of the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. These risks and uncertainties may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements made herein are based on information currently available, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

Contact:	Russ Fleeger
	Franklin Electric Co., Inc.
	260.824.2900

FAQ

How many shares did Franklin Electric (FELE) repurchase in June 2025?

Franklin Electric repurchased 1,200,000 shares from the Patricia Schaefer Settlement Trust.

What was the share price for FELE's June 2025 stock repurchase?

The shares were purchased at $86.78 per share, based on the 5-day volume-weighted average price on NASDAQ.

What is Franklin Electric's remaining share repurchase authorization after the June 2025 transaction?

After the transaction, Franklin Electric is authorized to repurchase up to 1,126,635 shares of its common stock.

Why did Franklin Electric (FELE) repurchase shares from the Schaefer Trust?

The repurchase was executed to provide liquidity for the estate's tax obligations following Patricia Schaefer's passing and demonstrates confidence in the company's future.

What is the total value of FELE's June 2025 share repurchase?

The total value of the repurchase was approximately $104.1 million (1,200,000 shares at $86.78 per share).