Star Bulk Carriers Corp. (the "Company" or "Star Bulk") (NASDAQ:SBLK), a global shipping company focusing on the transportation of dry bulk cargoes, today announced that the Company's Board further amended its dividend policy which was in place since 2021. Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context requires otherwise, all references in this press release to "we," "us," "our," or similar references, mean Star Bulk Carriers Corp. and, where applicable, its consolidated subsidiaries.
Under the amended dividend policy, as set out herein below, the Company may approve an allocation of up to 60% of cash flow from operations less debt amortization, less maintenance/upgrade CAPEX less any deficit of cash below $2.1 million per owned vessel ("Cash Flow"), towards quarterly shareholder dividends.
Any remaining Cash Flow to be allocated, at the Company's discretion, to:
- Share repurchases: Buybacks will be prioritized when the share price is trading at a significant discount to the estimated net liquidation value of the Company's hard assets
- Growth Opportunities: Cash Flow may be also used for opportunistic vessel acquisitions and investments that will create enhanced returns over time and for general corporate purposes.
New Share Repurchase Program
On December 13, 2024 our Board of Directors cancelled the existing $50.0 million share repurchase program and authorized a new share repurchase program of up to an aggregate of $100.0 million ("New Share Repurchase Program") under the same conditions applying as per the previous share repurchase program. Pursuant to the New Share Repurchase Program and using proceeds from previous vessel sales, the Company bought back 293,474 shares at an average price of $15.5. The repurchased shares will be withdrawn and cancelled, leaving the total number of shares issued and outstanding post cancellation at 117,730,112.
