DigiPlus fights back against sell-off with ₱6-billion share repurchase
Tanco-led online gaming firm Digiplus Interactive Corporation has launched a ₱6 billion share buyback program to show confidence in the company’s prospects and to support its share price, which has slid following concerns over possible government measures to limit access to its popular games.
“In a move that underscores the company's strong balance sheet and commitment to maximizing long- term shareholder value, DigiPlus, the Philippines’ leading digital entertainment company, today announced that its Board of Directors has approved a share repurchase program of up to ₱6 billion worth of common shares,” the firm said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange.
The share repurchase program is valid over a 12-month period and can be renewed, subject to approval of the Board of Directors.
Last week, shares of DigiPlus dropped by 23.87 percent, closing at ₱29.5 on Friday. This decline followed the filing of a Senate bill proposing stricter regulations for online gaming. The proposed measures aim to discourage gambling among lower-income households by introducing a minimum top-up threshold of ₱10,000 and prohibiting e-wallet platforms from processing gaming payments.
“The share repurchase program demonstrates our firm confidence in DigiPlus’ long-term growth and solid fundamentals,” said DigiPlus Chairman Eusebio Tanco.
He added that, “By strategically deploying our capital through this buyback, we are sending a clear signal that DigiPlus is committed to delivering sustainable returns for shareholders while remaining well-positioned to pursue expansion and innovation.”
The share buyback will be funded through the company’s internally generated cash flows, underscoring DigiPlus’ healthy balance sheet and resilient operations.
“DigiPlus remains well-capitalized, balancing disciplined capital management with its investments in growth, technology, and new markets,” the company said.
Chinabank Capital Corporation Managing Director Juan Paolo Colet said “We expect this to stabilize the stock price and curb negative investor sentiment in the immediate term.”
“This should definitely give investors a much-needed confidence boost, and I believe the timing couldn’t be better, especially now that the stock is in the oversold territory and looking for a technical bounce,” said Unicapital Securities Research Analyst Jeri R. Alfonso.
She added that “I was chatting with a few reporters last week, and I shared that there are three potential near-term catalysts that could work in PLUS’ favor. First, if the proposed bill doesn’t get passed, that alone could calm a lot of nerves and ease regulatory concerns.
“Second, if the company announces a sizable share buyback, it would send a strong message that management believes in the business, and third, if PLUS delivers strong second quarter 2025 results that would reinforce the company's growth story.”