18. Share capital
As at March 31, 2018, the authorized share capital was £6,100 divided into 60,000,000 ordinary shares of 10 pence each and 1,000,000 preferred shares of 10 pence each. The Company had 50,434,080 ordinary shares (excluding 4,400,000 treasury shares) outstanding as at March 31, 2018. There were no preferred shares outstanding as at March 31, 2018.
As at March 31, 2017, the authorized share capital was £6,100 divided into 60,000,000 ordinary shares of 10 pence each and 1,000,000 preferred shares of 10 pence each. The Company had 50,012,559 ordinary shares (excluding 3,300,000 treasury shares) outstanding as at March 31, 2017. There were no preferred shares outstanding as at March 31, 2017.
Treasury shares
On March 16, 2016, the Company’s shareholders authorized a share repurchase program for the repurchase of up to 3,300,000 of the Company’s American Depository Shares (“ADSs”) each representing one ordinary share, par value 10 pence per share of the Company, at a price range of $10 to $50 per ADS. Pursuant to the terms of the repurchase program, the Company’s ADSs may be purchased in the open market from time to time for 36 months from March 16, 2016, the date of shareholders’ approval. The Company was not obligated under the repurchase program to repurchase a specific number of ADSs, and the repurchase program could be suspended at any time at the Company’s discretion.
During the year ended March 31, 2017, the Company purchased 2,200,000 ADSs in the open market for a total consideration of $64,224 (including transaction costs of $33 for share repurchase of 2,200,000 ADSs, $111 paid towards cancellation fees for ADSs in relation to share repurchase of 2,200,000 ADSs which was completed during the year ended March 31, 2017, and $55 paid towards cancellation fees for ADSs in relation to share repurchase of 1,100,000 ADSs, which was completed during the year ended March 31, 2016). The shares underlying these purchased ADSs are recorded as treasury shares.
During the year ended March 31, 2018, the Company purchased the balance 1,100,000 ADSs in the open market for a total consideration of $39,546 (including transaction costs of $17) and completed the share repurchase program.
In March 2018, the shareholders of the Company authorized the repurchase of up to 3,300,000 of the Company’s ADSs, at a price range of $10 to $100 per ADS. Pursuant to the terms of the repurchase program, the Company’s ADSs may be purchased in the open market from time to time for 36 months from March 30, 2018, the date of shareholders’ approval. The Company is not obligated under the repurchase program to repurchase a specific number of ADSs, and the repurchase program could be suspended at any time at the Company’s discretion. The Company intends to fund the repurchase with cash on hand.