Will the timing of the announcement (8 August) and execution (11 August) create any volatility around the release?

Yes – the split‑timing is likely to generate a short‑run volatility spike.

The 8 August press release will surface the size and intent of the SAMPO buy‑back, but the actual market‑‑impact trades will not begin until the 11 August execution at 08:30 EEST. In the intervening 72 hours the market will digest the new “buy‑back” signal, prompting a wave of speculative positioning, short‑covering, and algorithmic “buy‑the‑rumor” activity. When the programme actually starts, the pre‑positioned orders will be triggered en masse, creating a sudden surge in demand that typically overwhelms the order‑book depth at the prevailing price. Historically, such staggered announcements produce a “announcement‑driven” volatility burst on the execution day, especially in the first 30 minutes when the first tranche is filled.

Trading implications:

- Pre‑release (8 Aug): Anticipate a modest upside as the market prices in the expected buy‑back; consider a light long exposure or buying on pull‑backs if the price drifts lower on the news.

- Execution window (11 Aug, 08:30‑09:30 EEST): Expect a sharp, short‑lived spike in volume and price. A momentum‑based strategy—e.g., buying on the breakout or scaling in with a tight stop—can capture the upside, while a tight stop‑loss (2–3 % below the breakout) protects against a possible “sell‑the‑rumor” reversal if the buy‑back is smaller than anticipated.

- Post‑execution (after 09:30 EEST): Liquidity should normalize; the price may settle near the pre‑buy‑back level unless the buy‑back materially narrows the float. Traders can unwind short‑term positions or transition to a longer‑term stance based on the revised fundamentals (cash‑generation, EPS uplift, and balance‑sheet strength).