AbitibiBowater Inc., doing business as Resolute Forest Products, has announced that its Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to 10% of the company’s common stock for an aggregate purchase price of up to US$100 million. The repurchase program will be funded using the company’s available cash.

“We are taking advantage of our strong financial position to act on an attractive opportunity to return cash to shareholders,” said Richard Garneau, President and Chief Executive Officer. “The Company will continue to manage its capital with the utmost discipline, carefully balancing initiatives to return cash to shareholders with other considerations, such as pursuing sound capital investments and opportunities to further increase Resolute’s earnings power.  We are committed to enhancing shareholder value in the long term.”

The company is authorized to repurchase from time to time shares of its outstanding common stock on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions in the United States.

The timing and amount of stock repurchases will depend on a variety of factors, including the market conditions as well as corporate and regulatory considerations. The share repurchase program may be suspended, modified or discontinued at any time and the company has no obligation to repurchase any amount of its common stock under the program. The repurchase program has no set expiration date. The company intends to make all repurchases in compliance with applicable regulatory guidelines and to administer the plan in accordance with applicable laws, including Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Source: Resolute Forest Products