London, Feb 10, 2026, 09:24 (GMT) — Regular session
Vodafone Group Plc stock picked up 1.1% to 114.55 pence by 0909 GMT in early Tuesday London trading, after the telecoms giant announced new share buybacks and highlighted upcoming spectrum investments in Egypt. 1
Why does it matter? Investors have used Vodafone’s buybacks as a litmus test—proof the turnaround is finally cash-backed, not just talk. Spectrum spending, though, isn’t something telecoms operators can skip. By pulling the trigger now, management is making it clear just how lean they’re willing to play things on the balance sheet.
Vodafone wrapped up Monday’s trading with a 2.5% jump, closing at £1.13 and leaving the FTSE 100’s smaller gains behind. 2
Vodafone disclosed in a Tuesday filing that it snapped up 23.39 million shares on Feb. 9, shelling out between 111.45 pence and 113.50 pence apiece as part of its buyback program announced earlier this month. Instead of cancelling them, the company plans to tuck the shares away in treasury, keeping them on the books for now. 3
The buyback news landed after Vodafone issued a Monday statement: Vodafone Egypt is picking up more 1,800MHz spectrum—those are the frequencies that move mobile data—through a multi-year arrangement with Egyptian telecom regulators. The deal’s price tag gets paid out over four years, kicking off with a $100 million instalment in FY26. Vodafone projects the transaction will add around $350 million to its intangible assets for spectrum. 4
Some analysts are embracing the re-rating story. LBBW bumped its Vodafone target to 120 pence from 110, sticking with a “buy” call, according to an Alliance News broker summary published Monday. 5
The smooth ride for Vodafone shares looks to have hit a bump. Investors haven’t hesitated to hit “sell” on signs of weakness—especially in Germany, Vodafone’s largest market, where competition has made recovering growth a slog, as its latest trading report made clear. 6
If investment spending jumps more than forecast—or Germany stumbles again—the notion that Vodafone can maintain its cash returns and steady its European core gets a real test. Shares, now hovering below recent peaks, could swing either direction.
Traders are eyeing the daily buyback reports for any signs that big volumes are sticking around. They’re also tracking if new spectrum commitments get kept in check—no expanding past current free cash flow plans.
Vodafone has penciled in May 12 for its full-year FY26 results. Cash flow, guidance, and capital return plans for the coming financial year—those are the key items investors are expecting management to address. 7
