SAN FRANCISCO - February 26, 2015 - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Gap Inc. (NYSE:GPS) today announced that its Board of Directors approved a new $1 billion share repurchase authorization for the company's common stock and plans to increase its annual dividend, reinforcing the company's commitment to returning excess cash to shareholders.
The new $1 billion repurchase authorization for Gap Inc.'s stock follows the company's previous $500 million share repurchase authorization, which the company announced on October 16, 2014. Since the beginning of 2010, Gap Inc. has repurchased over $7.25 billion or about 297 million shares at an average price of $24.42.
Additionally, the company announced that its Board of Directors intends to increase the company's annual dividend to $0.92 per share in fiscal year 2015, compared to the company's current annual dividend of $0.88 per share. This is the sixth consecutive year Gap Inc. has increased its annual dividend, and it represents an annual dividend per share increase of more than 50 percent in the last two years.
"Through the end of fiscal year 2014, we're pleased to have distributed more than $1.6 billion in cash to shareholders through our meaningful share repurchase activity and our increased dividend," said Sabrina Simmons, chief financial officer, Gap Inc. "Both the new authorization and increased annual dividend continue to underscore the company's commitment to returning excess cash to shareholders."
Gap Inc.'s Board of Directors also authorized the first quarter fiscal year 2015 dividend of $0.23 per share, payable on or after April 29, 2015 to shareholders of record at the close of business on April 8, 2015.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than those that are purely historical are forward-looking statements. Words such as "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "project," and similar expressions also identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the following:
Because these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, there are important factors that could cause the company's actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. These factors include, without limitation, the following:
Additional information regarding factors that could cause results to differ can be found in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 1, 2014, as well as the company's subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
These forward-looking statements are based on information as of February 26, 2015. The company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that any projected results expressed or implied therein will not be realized.
Gap Inc. is a leading global retailer offering clothing, accessories, and personal care products for men, women, and children under the Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Piperlime, Athleta, and Intermix brands. Fiscal year 2014 net sales were $16.4 billion. Gap Inc. products are available for purchase in more than 90 countries worldwide through about 3,300 company-operated stores, over 400 franchise stores, and e-commerce sites. For more information, please visit www.gapinc.com.
SOURCE Gap Inc.
David Davick
Gap Inc.
Investor Relations Contact:
415-427-2164
Investor_relations@gap.com
Kari Shellhorn
Media Relations
415-427-1805
Press@gap.com
Gap Inc. is a leading global retailer offering clothing, accessories, and personal care products for men, women, and children under the Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Athleta, and Intermix brands.