London, January 12, 2026, 08:42 GMT — Regular session
- Vodafone shares nudged up in early trading following a regulatory filing that revealed the latest batch of buybacks.
- The filing showed the group snapped up 7.5 million shares, paying just over 102 pence each on average.
- Attention turns to Vodafone’s trading update on Feb. 5 for clues on cash flow and momentum.
Shares of Vodafone Group in London ticked higher early Monday following the company’s announcement of new stock purchases as part of its ongoing share buyback programme.
The filing matters because it offers the market an almost real-time glimpse of how swiftly Vodafone is turning cash back into shareholder returns, especially at a time when the stock reacts sharply to any signals about cash generation.
The week kicks off with investors watching closely for the next update, following a strong rally in recent months that’s left the shares craving follow-through instead of fresh headlines.
Vodafone reported purchasing 7,547,641 ordinary shares on Jan. 9, at a volume-weighted average price of 102.04 pence. The trades ranged from 101.10 pence to 103.75 pence. The company plans to hold these shares in treasury, boosting treasury shares to 1,418,893,652. That leaves 23,459,067,105 shares outstanding, excluding treasury stock. 1
A share buyback happens when a company buys back its own shares, usually to lower the number of shares outstanding. When shares are “held in treasury,” it means the company keeps them instead of canceling, allowing them to be reused later, such as for employee stock programs.
By 08:42 GMT, Vodafone shares edged up roughly 0.2% to 101.36 pence, following a close of 101.20 pence. Data from Investing.com shows the modest gain.
Vodafone is focusing on boosting free cash flow and restoring investor returns following years of intense spending and market strain. In November, CEO Margherita Della Valle told reporters the group was “pleased” to raise the dividend, after upgrading its earnings forecast. 2
Monday’s buyback is modest compared to Vodafone’s total shares and won’t shift the investment thesis alone. Still, it offers some technical backing on weaker sessions and keeps focus on the cash angle.
Buybacks risk fading into the background if trading cools or cash flow falls short of forecasts. A dip in core markets would probably surface first in service revenue trends and cautious guidance.
Vodafone’s next major trigger is its Q3 FY26 trading update set for Feb. 5. The company’s full-year results will follow on May 12, per its financial calendar. 3
