Axel Springer launches share buyback programme

FRANKFURT, June 25 (Reuters) - German publisher Axel Springer (SPRGn.DE) launched its planned share buyback programme on Wednesday, the company said.

The tender offer period is expected to end on July 25, Axel Springer said in a statement.

The Berlin-based company, publisher of Europe's biggest-selling tabloid, Bild, announced two weeks ago it would offer to buy back 918,000 shares for 80 euros ($124.4) per share.

Springer shares closed at 70 euros in Frankfurt on Tuesday. (Reporting by Nicola Leske; Editing by Paul Bolding)