Garrett Motion Shares Surge with Aggressive Capital Plan
On Thursday, the stock price of Garrett Motion Inc. (NASDAQ:GTX) saw a remarkable increase of 8.5% following the announcement of a new capital allocation framework. The automotive technology provider outlined a strategy to return 75% or more of its Adjusted Free Cash Flow to shareholders through stock buybacks and quarterly cash dividends.
The company's Board of Directors has established a dividend policy set to begin in 2025, with plans to distribute approximately $50 million in dividends throughout the year. The first quarterly dividend is scheduled to be paid at $0.06 per share on January 31, 2025, to shareholders of record as of January 15, 2025. Additionally, the Board of Directors of Garrett Motion approved a stock repurchase program allowing for the repurchase of up to $250 million in common stock during 2025.
Garrett's President and CEO, Olivier Rabiller, expressed confidence in the company's ability to consistently generate strong free cash flow, which supports both the initiation of dividends and the new buyback program. Rabiller emphasized the company's commitment to creating shareholder value while strategically investing in technologies that contribute to growth in its turbo and zero-emission product lines.
Garrett’s capital allocation plan is supported by a flexible cost structure and robust cash generation capabilities. The company’s capital allocation priorities remain focused on investing in differentiated technology, returning value to shareholders, and managing debt. Since the conversion of Series A Preferred Stock, Garrett has executed significant stock repurchases totaling $438 million up to the third quarter of 2024.
The company's goal of returning a significant portion of its free cash flow to shareholders will be influenced by various factors, including market conditions, stock price, and potential alternative uses of capital. Garrett Motion has made it clear that the timing and amount of dividends are at the discretion of the Board of Directors, and there are no guarantees regarding the actual returns to shareholders. The stock repurchase plan allows for stock buybacks through open market purchases, block trades, or privately negotiated transactions and complies with applicable rules and regulations. This plan is flexible, has no minimum purchase obligation, and can be adjusted or terminated at any time.