ASX All Ords stock Betr Entertainment Ltd (ASX: BTR) was trading higher on Wednesday after the company announced a trading update and a new share buyback.
The digital wagering operator said in a statement to the ASX that it had experienced strong growth in turnover during the second half, up 24.5%, on an expanded customer base of 163,504 active customers.
Betr's quarterly turnover came in at $444.4 million, up from $357 million, while year to date revenue was up 25.2% to $807.4 million.
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M&A still in the wings
The company also said it continued to assess opportunities in terms of merger and acquisition activity, "consistent with our longstanding stated ambition''.
Betr said in its statement to the ASX:
We remain in active discussions with a number of existing and new industry participants regarding consolidation and partnership opportunities and will ensure appropriate disclosure should these discussions progress, in accordance with our continuous disclosure obligations.
Added to this, the company said it would undertake of buyback of up to 10% of its shares on issue.
The company said:
It is the view of the board of betr that the company's shares are trading below their intrinsic value, and thus the proposed buy-back represents an efficient way to reduce the number of shares on issue and enhance long term shareholder returns. Importantly, allocation of the Company's funds towards the Proposed Buyback will not impact the Company's capacity to execute on its M&A strategy. The final size and timing of the Proposed Buy-Back will depend on various factors, including market conditions, Betr's prevailing share price, future capital requirements, and any future unforeseen developments or circumstances.
The company said there was no guarantee that the buyback's 10% upper limit would be fully utilised.
Betr last year sought to take over fellow gambling company PointsBet Holdings Ltd (ASX: PBH), however was unsuccessful.
Set up to succeed
Chair Matthew Tripp said during the company's annual general meeting in November last year that Betr was "in its strongest position to date" with record turnover, a refreshed next-generation wagering brand and a management team which was able to "move fast and execute with discipline and focus".
Mr Tripp said the company was, "very strong in our core wagering business, we have a well-capitalised balance sheet, and there is strong shareholder support for further strategic options''.
Betr shares were 11.1% higher on the buyback news on Wednesday morning, changing hands for 25 cents.
