LONDON, Jan 24, 2026, 09:26 GMT — Market closed.
- Vodafone shares ended Friday at 104.05 pence, rising 0.4%.
- Deutsche Bank raised its price target to 150p, while Vodafone revealed additional buybacks in an RNS filing.
- Vodafone’s Q3 FY26 trading update is set for Feb. 5 and will be the next key event.
Vodafone Group (VOD.L) shares closed Friday at 104.05 pence, gaining 0.43%. A late-week rally pushed the telecom giant back into focus ahead of Monday’s London open. 1
Why it matters now: the stock surged 2.57% on Thursday to roughly £1.04, beating the broader market’s pace and staying close to its 52-week peak. All eyes will be on whether this momentum carries into the new week when markets reopen. 2
Deutsche Bank raised its price target on Vodafone to 150p from 140p on Thursday, maintaining a “buy” rating. The bank highlighted improving operations, particularly in Germany, alongside the boost from annual share buybacks. It also noted that “sum-of-parts” valuations—breaking down business segments individually—can be tough for the market to digest, suggesting disposals might help streamline the narrative. 3
On Friday, Vodafone revealed it purchased 2,679,550 shares on Jan. 22 via Merrill Lynch International, as part of a plan announced last November. The company paid a volume-weighted average price of 103.78 pence per share. Vodafone confirmed it would keep these shares in treasury and provided updated figures for treasury shares and shares outstanding. 4
A share buyback happens when a company spends cash to buy back its own stock. If the shares are held in treasury, the company keeps them on its books instead of cancelling them immediately. This can still reduce the “free float” that investors trade daily.
New data emerged on the UK fixed-line market, where Vodafone operates. CityFibre reported that roughly 70% of households switching broadband within its network area opted for its services. This shift was partly driven by Sky offering high-speed fibre packages, with Vodafone among the retailers tapping into CityFibre’s network. “Where CityFibre is available we are increasingly the network of choice,” said CEO Simon Holden. 5
This is significant as the UK broadband battle sharpens around fibre rollouts and customer churn. CityFibre is taking on larger network players head-on, while retailers rush to lock in subscribers. Vodafone faces pressure to maintain price discipline yet stay competitive, particularly where BT’s Openreach sets the standard and Virgin Media O2 pushes hard in cable regions.
Still, the setup can flip. Even a whiff of an intensified price war in mobile or fixed broadband could swiftly hurt earnings. And buybacks won’t shield a stock if cash flow falls short or management signals caution.
Vodafone’s Q3 FY26 trading update arrives on Feb. 5, the same day its interim dividend is set to be paid. Investors will be focused on any news about momentum in Germany and the UK, plus shifts in cash-flow forecasts. 6
All eyes turn to Monday, when the key question is if Vodafone can hold steady near the £1.04 mark following Thursday’s sharp move. Any fresh broker notes or daily buyback updates could quickly change the mood in a week already set to be volatile for UK telecom stocks.
