As part of the completed fourth and fifth tranches and the initiated sixth tranche of the 2022–2025 share buyback program, we repurchased a total of 30.0 million shares in the amount of €1,184 million over the course of the year through December 31, 2024. Since the beginning of the share buyback program, we have repurchased a total of 80.0 million shares with a value of €3,124 million.
On March 25, 2024, we issued a bond with a volume of €1 billion and a term through 2036. The proceeds will be used, among other things, to refinance existing financial liabilities.
By way of a resolution of the Board of Management dated May 2, 2024, the issued capital was reduced by €39 million, and the corresponding shares were retired. The treasury shares had been acquired as part of the existing share buyback programs. This was entered in the commercial register on May 22, 2024.
