BAT buys back 662,841 shares of British American Tobacco stock

Published on 10/15/2026 at 09:49 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

BAT bought back 662,841 shares from October 5 to October 9, 2026. British American Tobacco stock targets a 30.00 percent margin by 2030.

Capital returns meet long term targets

British American Tobacco bought back 662,841 shares between October 5 and October 9, 2026.
New Category contribution margin is targeted at 30.00 percent by 2030.
British American Tobacco stock trades at EUR 51.83 at 9:37 a.m. CEST at Lang & Schwarz on October 15, 2026.

Schwarzweiß-Reportagefoto von Feldarbeitern bei der Ernte auf landwirtschaftlicher Anbaufläche — British American Tobacco plc (GB0002875804) zeigt dokumentarisch Landwirtschaft und Ernteprozesse in Schwarzweiß, Illustration mit AI erstellt.

British American Tobacco (ISIN GB0002875804) bought back 662,841 ordinary shares between October 5 and October 9, 2026, sharpening the company's capital-return story as its newer nicotine categories carry more of the long-term growth plan. The shares are intended for cancellation, according to FT.com in the October 12, 2026 company announcement.

Buyback cuts the share count

The purchases covered 168,340 shares on October 5, 167,400 on October 6, 165,559 on October 7 and 161,542 on October 8. The October 12 filing said BAT would have 2,156,557,507 ordinary shares carrying voting rights after cancellation, while 132,648,864 shares would remain in treasury.

Three milestones shape the story

BAT's recent chronology links capital returns with a broader portfolio shift. On July 30, 2026, the company published half-year results for the six months to June 30, 2026 through its investor-relations materials. On September 29, 2026, BAT set out its Horizon 2030 plans and retained full-year 2026 guidance. On October 12, 2026, it disclosed the latest buyback purchases through FT.com.

What does the margin target mean?

The answer rests on New Categories. In its September 29, 2026 Capital Markets Day release, BAT said it expects New Category revenue to grow at a mid-teens rate through 2030 and contribution margin to reach at least 30.00 percent. The company also retained guidance for 3.00 to 5.00 percent revenue growth and 4.00 to 6.00 percent adjusted profit from operations growth in fiscal year 2026, with adjusted diluted earnings per share growth toward the middle of a 5.00 to 8.00 percent range, all at constant exchange rates.

The next dated milestones are a dividend payment on November 6, 2026 and fiscal year 2026 results on February 11, 2027, dates listed by Simply Wall St. The results will provide the next test of whether newer categories can offset pressure on traditional tobacco volumes.

Stock price and investor view

For investors, the buyback provides a concrete reduction in the share count, while the 30.00 percent margin ambition gives the New Category strategy a measurable operating target. The key tension is timing: capital returns are immediate, but the growth and margin objectives extend through 2030.

British American Tobacco stock was trading at EUR 51.83 at Lang & Schwarz on October 15, 2026 at 9:37 a.m. CEST. The further course of trading is shown by the continuously updated real-time quote of British American Tobacco stock.