By Kyle Morris

Aviva PLC said Thursday that it will increase and extend its share buyback program to 1.0 billion pounds ($1.33 billion).

The FTSE 100 listed insurer said the program has been increased from GBP750 million and the maximum number of shares to now be acquired is 392 million.

The buyback began on Aug. 13 and will now complete no later than March 31.

"We are increasing our share buyback to GBP1 billion as part of our commitment to return at least GBP4 billion to ordinary shareholders. We will update further on our capital return and dividend plans at our full-year results in March 2022," Chief Executive Amanda Blanc said.

Write to Kyle Morris at kyle.morris@dowjones.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

12-16-21 0227ET