Sopra Steria, a major European technology player listed on Euronext Paris, has completed a €40 million share buyback programme. The company purchased 271,471 shares, representing 1.4% of shares outstanding, between May 27 and July 29, 2026. This move reduces the circulating capital base while ensuring the group’s management holding company remains compliant with voting right thresholds.

The repurchase was executed at an average price of €147.35 per share. The total amount spent on the programme was €40 million. All acquired shares are intended to be retired from circulation, which typically supports earnings per share metrics by reducing the denominator in the calculation.

To maintain regulatory compliance regarding voting power, Sopra GMT, Sopra Steria Group’s management holding company, will ensure it does not exceed the threshold of 30% of the voting rights following the retirement of the repurchased shares. Prior to the retirement process, Sopra GMT will reduce the number of voting rights it holds by converting shares to bearer shares.

Buyback Programme Details

Sopra Steria operates in nearly 30 countries with 51,000 employees, providing consulting, digital services, and solutions for digital transformation. In 2025, the Group generated revenues of €5.6 billion. The company is committed to combining sector knowledge with innovative technologies to help clients build competitive advantages.

What the Numbers Show

The retirement of 1.4% of outstanding shares represents a meaningful reduction in equity count without dilution. By converting existing holdings to bearer shares before retiring the bought-back stock, Sopra GMT demonstrates a structured approach to maintaining control below the 30% voting rights ceiling. This mechanism allows the company to return capital to shareholders through share cancellation while preserving the governance structure required by its holding entity.

Sopra Steria has appointed Laura Chaubard to lead its Defence, Security and Space vertical, effective September 1, 2026, as the Group accelerates its sovereignty agenda amid rising European defence spending. Chaubard, a graduate of École Polytechnique and a General Engineer of Armament, will join the Group Executive Committee. The appointment reinforces Sopra Steria's ambition to be a leading European partner in critical systems at a time when technological sovereignty is becoming a major strategic issue.

The Defence, Security and Space vertical accounted for 13% of the Group's revenue in 2025. It brings together Sopra Steria's most strategic activities in service of the armed forces, governments, and major critical infrastructure. The vertical designs and integrates critical systems, including command, intelligence, cybersecurity, sovereign data processing, ground segments, and space applications.

Strategic Context and Acquisitions

Europe is increasing its spending on defence, security, and access to space at a rate not seen in thirty years, asserting its ambition for strategic autonomy. The choice of players that will design and maintain critical systems—and their degree of independence from non-European players—is becoming a central question for European strategy.

Sopra Steria's vertical draws on proven strengths and strategic acquisitions. CS Group, a wholly owned subsidiary, is a recognised integrator of critical defence and security systems. In May 2026, the Group completed the acquisition of Starion and Nexova, which strengthen its sovereign, secure capabilities in space and cybersecurity.

Key Vertical Metrics

Rajesh Krishnamurthy, CEO of Sopra Steria, said: "Ambitions are judged by the resources you put behind them." The Group aims to make defence, security, and space one of the engines of its growth in the years ahead.