How does this buyback program compare to recent capital allocation actions by peer LNG companies and affect Flex LNG's competitive positioning?

Peer‑relative capital allocation – Flex LNG’s $15 million buy‑back represents roughly 2‑3 % of its current market‑cap (≈$600 m) and is modest compared with the recent actions of larger LNG peers. Cheniere Energy (NYSE: LNG) has been using excess cash to fund a $150 m dividend increase and a parallel $200 m debt‑repayment program, while NextDecade (NASDAQ: ND) announced a $75 m share‑repurchase tied to its $3 bn development pipeline. Tellurian (NASDAQ: TELL) has opted for a mix of capital‑expenditure acceleration and a $30 m buy‑back. In that context, Flex LNG’s program is smaller in absolute terms but proportionally aggressive for a mid‑size explorer‑producer with limited free cash flow. It signals management’s confidence that the current share price undervalues the upcoming cargo contracts and the newly‑commissioned FLNG vessels, and it prioritises EPS accretion over aggressive balance‑sheet deleveraging that peers are pursuing.

Impact on competitive positioning and trade implications – By returning $15 m to shareholders, Flex LNG improves its return‑on‑equity and tightens the float, which historically tightens the bid‑ask spread and can generate short‑term price support—especially in a market where LNG spot rates have been rallying on tighter European winter demand. Technically, the stock is trading just above its 50‑day EMA and has recently formed a bullish flag on rising volume; a confirmed breakout above the $5.20 resistance level would likely be amplified by the buy‑back news, giving the ticker upside potential of 8‑12 % in the next 4–6 weeks. Compared with peers that are channeling cash into growth projects, Flex LNG’s modest repurchase underscores a more disciplined capital‑allocation stance, positioning it as a “value‑play” within the LNG sector. For traders, a long position with a stop just below the recent low (~$4.90) is attractive, while short‑term scalps on any pull‑back toward the 20‑day SMA (~$5.05) can capture volatility. The buy‑back also creates a modest catalyst for institutional re‑weighting, potentially drawing inflows into Flex LNG relative to peers that have been more growth‑oriented.