BASF SE Continues Share‑Buyback Program While Expanding in China
BASF SE announced on 5 January 2026 that it will proceed with its ongoing share‑buyback programme without interruption. The decision was communicated through a post‑admission duties announcement issued by EQS News and subsequently reported by boerse‑express.com. The company stated that the buyback will be conducted in accordance with the rules and regulations applicable to capital‑market information in Germany. No further details regarding the amount or timing of the buy‑back were disclosed at this time.
The continuation of the buy‑back is part of BASF’s broader strategy to support its share price and enhance shareholder value. The company reiterated that it remains compliant with all regulatory requirements and that the buy‑back is undertaken with a view to maintaining an attractive capital structure.
Simultaneously, BASF’s board has approved a major investment in its Chinese operations. The new plant in Zhanjiang, located on China’s southern coast, represents the largest single investment in the company’s history. According to reports from boerse‑express.com and finanznachrichten.de, the expansion is intended to strengthen BASF’s position in the growing Chinese market and to diversify its production capacity. The project has attracted significant attention from investors, who have expressed concerns about the potential risks associated with the investment.
BASF’s management acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the project but emphasized that the expansion aligns with the company’s long‑term growth objectives. The investment is expected to create new production capacity for chemicals and agricultural solutions, thereby expanding BASF’s product portfolio in a key growth region.
The company’s market data indicates that BASF’s shares closed at €44.78 on 1 January 2026, following a 52‑week high of €55.06 on 5 March 2025 and a 52‑week low of €37.40 on 6 April 2025. The company’s market capitalisation stands at approximately €39.97 billion, and the price‑to‑earnings ratio is 164.54.
BASF’s share‑buyback and the new Chinese plant are seen as pivotal moves for the company as it enters the 2026 trading year. Stakeholders will be closely monitoring the progress of the buy‑back programme and the development of the Zhanjiang facility, as both initiatives are expected to have a material impact on the company’s financial performance and shareholder value.
