STELLARTON, NS - Empire Company Limited announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended May 3, 2025. For the quarter, the Company recorded net earnings of $173 million ($0.74 per share) compared to $149 million ($0.61 per share) last year. For the quarter, the Company recorded adjusted net earnings of $173 million ($0.74 per share) compared to $154 million ($0.63 per share) last year, an increase of 12.3% (or 17.5% per share).

"This was a very strong quarter for Empire, and I am pleased with the way our team finished the year, delivering positive results across all major financial measures," said Michael Medline, President & CEO, Empire, in the recent press release. "Our momentum continued to build throughout fiscal 2025 resulting in fourth quarter market share gains, and our adjusted EPS growth of 8.8% was within our financial framework."

Dividend Declaration

The Company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.22 per share on both Non-Voting Class A shares ("Class A shares") and Class B common shares, that will be payable on July 31, 2025 to shareholders of record on July 15, 2025. This reflects an increase in the annualized dividend rate of 10.0%. These dividends are eligible dividends as defined for the purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and applicable provincial legislation.

Normal Course Issuer Bid ("NCIB")

On June 18, 2025, the Company renewed its NCIB by filing a notice of intention with the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") to purchase for cancellation up to 11,500,000 Class A shares representing approximately 9.6% of the public float of 120,095,524 Class A shares as of June 17, 2025, subject to regulatory approval. As of June 17, 2025, there were 133,524,593 Class A shares issued and outstanding.

The Company intends to repurchase up to $400 million of Class A shares in fiscal 2026. The purchases will be made through the facilities of the TSX and/or any alternative Canadian trading systems to the extent they are eligible. The price that Empire will pay for any shares will be the market price at the time of acquisition. The Company believes that repurchasing shares at the prevailing market prices from time to time is a worthwhile use of funds and in the best interests of Empire and its shareholders. Purchases under the renewed NCIB may commence on July 2, 2025 and shall terminate not later than July 1, 2026.

See the full report here.