Rambus Initiates Accelerated Share Repurchase Program

Rhea-AI Summary

Rambus Inc. (NASDAQ: RMBS) announces an accelerated share repurchase program with Royal Bank of Canada to buy back $50 million of its common stock, showcasing confidence in the company's growth and commitment to increasing shareholder value.

Financial Analyst

The initiation of a $50 million accelerated share repurchase (ASR) program by Rambus Inc. signifies a strategic move aimed at capital return to shareholders and is indicative of the company's strong cash position and financial health. The ASR mechanism allows Rambus to immediately retire a portion of its shares, which could potentially enhance earnings per share (EPS) by reducing the number of outstanding shares. This can be a positive signal to the market, suggesting management's confidence in the intrinsic value of the company.

However, it is essential to consider the opportunity cost associated with such buyback programs. The capital deployed for share repurchases is not being invested in research and development or potential acquisitions, which could also drive long-term growth. Therefore, while the immediate effects might be favorable for stock prices, the long-term impact should be evaluated in the context of the company's overall growth strategy and industry position.

Market Research Analyst

From a market research perspective, Rambus's decision to engage in an ASR program is a strategic move that could be interpreted as a response to market conditions and investor expectations. The repurchase plan reflects a broader trend where technology companies use buybacks as a tool to manage equity dilution and return excess capital to shareholders. By analyzing the semiconductor industry and peer companies, it's observed that share repurchase programs are a common practice, often used to signal confidence to investors and support share price during volatile market conditions.

It's also important to assess the impact of this buyback on Rambus's competitive positioning. The reduction in equity could lead to a more focused capital structure, potentially making the company more attractive to investors seeking value. However, it is crucial to monitor the balance between returning capital to shareholders and maintaining sufficient liquidity for operational flexibility and strategic investments.

Economist

Examining the macroeconomic implications, the ASR program commenced by Rambus may be reflective of broader economic trends, such as low-interest rates, which make debt financing cheaper and may encourage firms to repurchase shares. Additionally, the repurchase strategy could be influenced by the company's assessment of the economic cycle and its impact on the technology sector. A repurchase could be a prudent use of capital if growth prospects are expected to moderate.

However, the timing and scale of such financial maneuvers must be carefully scrutinized. If the buyback is executed when the stock is perceived to be undervalued, it could be beneficial for the remaining shareholders. Conversely, if the repurchase occurs at a price above the intrinsic value, it could lead to a suboptimal allocation of the company's capital. The final outcome of the program, in terms of the number of shares repurchased and the average buyback price, will be critical in evaluating the effectiveness of this financial strategy.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Rambus Inc. (NASDAQ: RMBS), a premier chip and silicon IP provider making data faster and safer, today announced that it initiated an accelerated share repurchase program with Royal Bank of Canada, through its agent RBC Capital Markets, LLC (“Dealer”) to repurchase an aggregate of approximately $50 million of its common stock.

“As part of our ongoing capital allocation strategy and commitment to increasing stockholder value, this share repurchase program reflects the strength of our balance sheet and cash generation, and demonstrates our continued confidence in the long-term growth of the company,” said Luc Seraphin, president and chief executive officer at Rambus.

Under the accelerated share repurchase program, Rambus will pre-pay $50 million to Dealer and receive an initial delivery of approximately 675,000 shares of its common stock within the first week of the program. The final number of shares to be repurchased will be determined based on the volume-weighted average price of Rambus common stock during the terms of the transaction, less a discount. The program is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2024.

The accelerated share repurchase program is part of the broader share repurchase program previously authorized by the Rambus Board of Directors.

About Rambus Inc.

Rambus is a provider of industry-leading chips and silicon IP making data faster and safer. With over 30 years of advanced semiconductor experience, we are a pioneer in high-performance memory subsystems that solve the bottleneck between memory and processing for data-intensive systems. Whether in the cloud, at the edge or in your hand, real-time and immersive applications depend on data throughput and integrity. Rambus products and innovations deliver the increased bandwidth, capacity and security required to meet the world’s data needs and drive ever-greater end-user experiences. For more information, visit rambus.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 relating, among other things, to the terms of Rambus’ accelerated share repurchase program, including timing. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections, management’s beliefs and certain assumptions made by Rambus’ management. Actual results may differ materially. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are subject to risks and uncertainties, including those more fully described in Rambus’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to Rambus as of the date hereof, and Rambus undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240301176284/en/

Nicole Noutsios

Rambus Investor Relations

(510) 315-1003

rambus@nmnadvisors.com

Source: Rambus Inc.

Related Links

https://www.rambus.com/

Source: Rambus Inc.

What type of program did Rambus initiate with Royal Bank of Canada?

Rambus initiated an accelerated share repurchase program with Royal Bank of Canada to repurchase $50 million of its common stock.

How many shares of common stock will Rambus initially receive under the program?

Rambus will receive approximately 675,000 shares of its common stock within the first week of the program.

When is the accelerated share repurchase program expected to be completed?

The program is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2024.

What determines the final number of shares to be repurchased in the program?

The final number of shares to be repurchased will be determined based on the volume-weighted average price of Rambus common stock during the terms of the transaction, less a discount.