Vodafone Group Plc (VOD) AI Stock Analysis
VOD AI stock analysis summary
AI ResearchVodafone Group Plc is a multinational telecommunications provider operating mobile and fixed-line networks across Europe and internationally. In FY2026, the company generated $40.73B in revenue with a net income of -$399.7M and free cash flow of $8.58B. It carries $36.92B in net debt while offering a 3.33% dividend yield.
- Market cap
- $37.32B
- Revenue (TTM)
- $40.46B
- P/E
- — fwd 35.6x
- 1Y return
- 46.1% S&P 500 16.8%
- Avg. target
- $16.12 0.1% vs last close
Bull case
- Revenue expanded 8.8% in FY2026 to $40.73B, with quarterly revenue growing 7.3% year-over-year in the period ending September 30, 2026.
- The company generates substantial cash, delivering $8.58B in free cash flow and $13.49B in operating cash flow in FY2026.
- Valuation multiples remain discounted on cash flow and asset measures, featuring an EV/EBITDA of 4.4x and a price-to-book ratio of 0.7x.
Bear case
- Profitability remains negative, reflecting net income of -$399.7M in FY2026 and trailing twelve-month EPS of -$0.14.
- The balance sheet carries significant leverage, with net debt of $36.92B and total debt of $52.69B as of March 31, 2026.
- Shareholder payouts have contracted over time, evidenced by a 5-year annualized dividend growth rate of -12.9%.
What Vodafone Group Plc does
Vodafone Group Public Limited Company operates as a telecommunications provider offering services across Europe and globally. Founded in 1984 and headquartered in Newbury, United Kingdom, the company provides mobile calling, texting, and data access, along with fixed-line broadband internet, television, and voice services. Vodafone markets convergence services under its GigaKombi and Vodafone One brands, merging mobile and fixed communications. It also offers value-added services such as Internet of Things solutions for logistics, fleet management, smart metering, insurance, cloud computing, and cybersecurity. Additionally, the company operates M-Pesa, an African mobile payment platform supporting money transfers, financial services, and commercial transactions.
Growth and profitability
Vodafone generated $40.73B in revenue in FY2026, an increase of 8.8% following $37.45B in FY2025 and $36.72B in FY2024. Its 5-year revenue CAGR from FY2021 to FY2026 was -1.4%. Gross margin reached 31.5% in FY2026, down from 33.4% in FY2025 and 35.3% in FY2022. Operating margin recovered to 8.6% in FY2026 after dropping to -1.1% in FY2025. Net income stood at -$399.7M in FY2026 compared to -$4.17B in FY2025. Over the trailing twelve months ending September 30, 2026, revenue totaled $40.46B with an operating margin of 7.8% and EPS of -$0.14. For the latest quarter, year-over-year revenue grew 7.3%, while earnings contracted 15.4%.
Balance sheet and cash flow
As of March 31, 2026, Vodafone held $15.77B in cash and short-term investments against $52.69B in total debt, resulting in net debt of $36.92B. Shareholders' equity was $50.69B, with total assets of $130.05B, a current ratio of 1.13, and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.04. In FY2026, operating cash flow was $13.49B, and free cash flow reached $8.58B. Cash outflows included $4.90B in capital expenditures, $2.05B for share buybacks, and $1.10B in dividends paid, contributing to a 10.9% decrease in share count over 5 years.
Valuation and performance
At a last close of $16.11, Vodafone holds a market cap of $37.32B and an enterprise value of $84.51B. Its forward P/E stands at 35.6x, above the 14.1x median of its US-listed Communication Services peers, though its EV/EBITDA of 4.4x sits well below the peer median of 10.0x. Price-to-sales is 0.9x versus the peer median of 0.8x, and price-to-book is 0.7x. Over the past year, Vodafone shares rose 46.1%, outpacing the S&P 500 (SPY) return of 16.8%, while its 5-year return of 49.4% trailed the index's 83.0% gain.
VOD dividend
Vodafone pays a semiannual dividend with an annual forward payout of $0.54, translating to a dividend yield of 3.33%. The payout ratio is 77.4%, and the company has paid dividends for 38 consecutive years. Over the past 5 years, the dividend decreased at an annualized rate of 12.9%. Its last ex-dividend date was June 5, 2026.
What analysts expect
Wall Street coverage includes 2 Strong Buy, 1 Buy, 0 Hold, and 2 Sell ratings. The mean price target is $16.12, representing a 0.1% premium over the last close of $16.11. For the current fiscal year ending March 31, 2027, consensus estimates project EPS of $1.10 on revenue of $44.84B. For the following fiscal year, analysts anticipate EPS of $1.49 and revenue of $46.36B. Vodafone has beaten EPS estimates in 1 of the last 4 quarters, with the next earnings release scheduled for November 10, 2026.
Key risks and what to watch
- A debt-to-equity ratio of 1.04 alongside $52.69B in total debt requires sustained cash flow generation to manage debt obligations.
- Quarterly earnings fell 15.4% year-over-year in the latest quarter, highlighting operational headwinds.
- Execution risk remains around earnings surprises, as the company has beaten EPS expectations in only 1 of the last 4 quarters.
AI-generated research summary. Written with AI from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 and checked so every figure matches that data. For information only, not investment advice. Disclaimer
About this VOD AI stock analysis
This page is an AI-written research summary of Vodafone Group Plc (VOD). The text was generated on October 30, 2026 from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 (company profile, annual results, latest balance sheet, valuation, price performance and analyst estimates). An automatic check rejects any draft that contains a figure not found in that data. It is not investment advice; verify figures on the linked tabs before making decisions.
Related: VOD income statement, VOD balance sheet, VOD key metrics, VOD analyst forecast, VOD chart. See the VOD stock overview for the latest quote and news.
VOD AI stock analysis FAQ
What is Vodafone's dividend yield and payout schedule?
Vodafone pays a semiannual dividend with an annual forward amount of $0.54, which yields 3.33%. The dividend has been paid for 38 consecutive years, though its 5-year annualized growth rate is -12.9%.
How much debt does Vodafone carry?
As of March 31, 2026, Vodafone reported total debt of $52.69B and cash of $15.77B, leaving net debt at $36.92B. Its debt-to-equity ratio is 1.04.
What are analysts forecasting for Vodafone's earnings?
For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2027, analysts estimate EPS of $1.10 on revenue of $44.84B. For the subsequent fiscal year, EPS is projected to grow 35.3% to $1.49.
When is Vodafone's next earnings report?
Vodafone's next earnings date is scheduled for November 10, 2026.