Vodafone Group (NASDAQ:VOD) Sees Large Volume Increase – Still a Buy?

Shares of Vodafone Group PLC (NASDAQ:VOD) saw unusually-strong trading volume on Thursday . Approximately 12,705,023 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 146% from the previous session’s volume of 5,170,830 shares.The stock last traded at $14.6850 and had previously closed at $15.71.

Vodafone Group News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Vodafone Group this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Vodafone launched a new €500 million share buyback as revenue rose, a direct capital-return action that supports the share price by shrinking supply and signaling confidence from management. Vodafone starts new EUR500 million share buyback as revenue rises
• Positive Sentiment: Management says growth in Turkey, Africa and Germany underpins its profit guidance — a reminder that geographies outside the UK still contribute meaningful upside to group results. Vodafone says growth in Turkey, Africa and Germany supports profit guidance
• Positive Sentiment: Quarterly results showed global revenue momentum (group revenues passed £9bn) and mid-single-digit service revenue growth, which management says supports delivery at the upper end of FY targets. These operational improvements feed the longer-term turnaround thesis. Vodafone hails quarterly growth as global revenues pass £9bn
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst and market commentary highlight a broader turnaround under CEO Margherita Della Valle, with the stock having strong momentum off 2024 lows — reinforcing bullish sentiment among some investors. Vodafone share price eyes 20% pop to 2018 highs as turnaround pays off
• Neutral Sentiment: Management reiterated guidance and expects to deliver at the upper end of profit and cash-flow targets despite softer service revenue in some key markets — a stabilizing message but one that leaves execution risk if regional trends persist. Vodafone sticks to guidance despite UK and Germany softness
• Negative Sentiment: Revenue missed market expectations and management pointed to weakness in Turkey as a drag — the most direct catalyst for today’s share weakness. Vodafone Shares Fall After Revenue Disappoints, Dragged by Turkey Weakness
• Negative Sentiment: Performance softened in the UK and Germany (two material markets), with service revenue growth below City forecasts in the quarter — a regional slowdown that increases short-term downside risk. Vodafone falls on UK and Germany softness
• Negative Sentiment: Multiple headlines note that shares fell after the trading update, reflecting market concern about near-term top-line momentum despite strategic positives. Vodafone shares fall as performance in the UK and Germany softens

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have weighed in on VOD. BNP Paribas Exane upgraded Vodafone Group to a “strong sell” rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. Zacks Research raised shares of Vodafone Group from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, January 12th. UBS Group reissued a “sell” rating on shares of Vodafone Group in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Berenberg Bank upgraded Vodafone Group from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a “sell (d+)” rating on shares of Vodafone Group in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have issued a Hold rating and five have given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Reduce” and an average target price of $72.00.

Vodafone Group Trading Down 6.7%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.78, a quick ratio of 1.13 and a current ratio of 1.17. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $13.35 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $12.23.

Vodafone Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 5th. Investors of record on Monday, November 24th will be given a $0.2567 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 24th. This represents a yield of 434.0%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Vodafone Group

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Assetmark Inc. lifted its stake in Vodafone Group by 156.8% in the fourth quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 2,275 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 1,389 shares during the last quarter. American Capital Advisory LLC lifted its stake in shares of Vodafone Group by 40.8% during the 4th quarter. American Capital Advisory LLC now owns 2,400 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 696 shares during the last quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC boosted its holdings in Vodafone Group by 3,455.7% during the 3rd quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 3,449 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock valued at $39,000 after acquiring an additional 3,352 shares during the period. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC increased its stake in Vodafone Group by 38.0% in the third quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 3,435 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock worth $40,000 after purchasing an additional 946 shares during the period. Finally, CENTRAL TRUST Co lifted its position in shares of Vodafone Group by 129.6% during the fourth quarter. CENTRAL TRUST Co now owns 3,915 shares of the cell phone carrier’s stock worth $52,000 after purchasing an additional 2,210 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 7.84% of the company’s stock.

Vodafone Group Company Profile

Vodafone Group plc is a British multinational telecommunications company headquartered in London. It provides a wide range of communications services to consumer and enterprise customers, including mobile voice and data, fixed-line broadband, cable and pay-TV, and wholesale network services. The company also offers business-oriented solutions such as cloud and hosting, managed networks, unified communications, and Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity and platform services.

Vodafone operates through a combination of wholly owned subsidiaries, joint ventures and partner arrangements across multiple countries, with a particularly large presence in Europe and in several African markets.