Xerox Updates Capital Allocation Policy Ahead of Lexmark Acquisition
Xerox Updates Capital Allocation Policy Ahead of Lexmark Acquisition
Xerox has announced that its board of directors approved an update to its dividend policy in anticipation of the closing of the Lexmark transaction, reducing the quarterly dividend to $0.025 per share ($0.10 per share annualized). Accordingly, Xerox announced the declaration of a quarterly dividend of $0.025 per share on Xerox Holdings Corporation Common Stock. The dividend is payable on July 31, 2025, to shareholders of record on June 30, 2025.
In December 2024, Xerox announced a reduction to its dividend in conjunction with the planned acquisition of Lexmark, reflecting the prioritization of debt repayment following acquisition close. Since then, yields on Xerox publicly traded debt have risen, resulting in an increased cost of capital and placing greater value on the reduction of debt. Further, an acceleration in the expected timing of the Lexmark transaction close and ongoing tariff and trade-related volatility have put a premium on flexibility.
"Consistent with our previously stated capital allocation priorities to reduce leverage post-closing, we believe reducing our dividend creates greater financial flexibility to deploy cash in the most accretive manner," said Mirlanda Gecaj, CFO, Xerox. "The dividend remains an important component of our capital allocation policy as we continue to optimize our allocation framework ahead of the Lexmark acquisition close."
Xerox reiterates its 2025 guidance and continues to expect the Lexmark transaction to be delevering upon transaction close and immediately accretive to adjusted earnings per share and free cash flow. The company continues to expect synergies associated with the Lexmark transaction of at least $238 million, realizable within two years. The combined run-rate cash flows of Xerox and Lexmark, along with cash derived from future synergies and forward flow proceeds, are expected to result in significantly improved EBITDA and free cash flow, enabling the reduction of debt toward the company's targeted 3x gross debt leverage level. Xerox will reevaluate its capital allocation priorities, including the amount of capital returned to shareholders, as gross debt leverage is reduced.
The board also declared a quarterly dividend of $20 per share on the outstanding Xerox Holdings Series A Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock. The dividend is payable on July 1, 2025, to shareholders of record on June 15, 2025.