STOCK TITAN

Niel family builds 19.87% equity-linked position in Vodafone (VOD)

Filing Impact
(Neutral)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
6-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Vodafone Group Plc reports a TR-1 notification of major holdings under UK Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules. The notified holder controls 19.87% of Vodafone’s voting rights, representing 4,574,743,685 voting rights, all through financial instruments rather than directly held shares.

The position is held via several Equity Linked Arrangements capable of cash and/or physical settlement, with maturity dates on 22 February 2027 and 6 July 2027, each potentially extendable subject to conditions. Entities linked to the Niel Family Group, including Maya SAS and Vega SAS, are listed as the controlling persons and controlled undertakings in relation to this exposure.

Positive

  • None.

Negative

  • None.
Total voting rights via instruments 4574743685 Total number of voting rights held through financial instruments (Section 7 and 8.B2)
Total voting rights percentage 19.87% Aggregate percentage of Vodafone voting rights held via financial instruments
Equity Linked Arrangement tranche 630000000 Number of voting rights for the Equity Linked Arrangement expiring 22 February 2027
Equity Linked Arrangement tranche 1314914562 Number of voting rights for each of two Equity Linked Arrangements expiring 6 July 2027
Equity Linked Arrangement tranche 1314914561 Number of voting rights for a further Equity Linked Arrangement expiring 6 July 2027
Percentage per 630M tranche 2.74 Percent of voting rights represented by the 630,000,000 voting-right Equity Linked Arrangement
Percentage per 1.3149B tranche 5.71 Percent of voting rights for each 1,314,914,562 voting-right Equity Linked Arrangement
TR-1 notification of major holdings regulatory
"Vodafone Group Plc ('Vodafone' or the 'Company') publishes the below TR-1 notification of major holdings"
Equity Linked Arrangement financial
"Equity Linked Arrangement | 22 February 2027 (see Additional Information)"
Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules regulatory
"under the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules"
Disclosure guidance and transparency rules are the standards and regulations that require companies to share clear, timely information about their finances, risks, operations and material events. They matter to investors because consistent, honest reporting is like a car’s dashboard — it reveals the data you need to judge safety and performance and make informed buying or selling decisions. Strong disclosure reduces surprises and helps keep markets fair and efficient.
voting rights attached to shares financial
"% of voting rights attached to shares (total of 8.A)"
cash settlement financial
"capable of either or both of physical and/or cash settlement"
Cash settlement is a process where, instead of exchanging physical assets like stocks or commodities, the parties involved settle the difference in value with money after a contract ends. For investors, it simplifies transactions by avoiding the need to handle or deliver the actual asset, making it quicker and more convenient to complete trades. This method ensures a straightforward way to settle agreements based on their final value.
physical settlement financial
"including the right to request early physical settlement, in whole or in part"
Physical settlement is when the actual item, like a commodity or product, is delivered to the buyer after a trade, instead of just settling with money. For example, if you buy a barrel of oil through a contract with physical settlement, you will receive the oil itself. It matters because it ensures the real thing changes hands, not just the price.
See more from StockTitan in Google Search and AI answers. Adds StockTitan as a preferred source · opens Google
Add on Google
Learn about SEC filing dates

FAQ

What major holding in Vodafone (VOD) is disclosed in this TR-1 notification?

The notification discloses that a holder has 19.87% of Vodafone’s voting rights, corresponding to 4,574,743,685 voting rights. This exposure is held entirely through equity-linked financial instruments rather than directly owned Vodafone shares.

How is the 19.87% Vodafone (VOD) interest structured?

The 19.87% interest is held via several Equity Linked Arrangements listed as financial instruments. These instruments together provide exposure to 4,574,743,685 voting rights, with no voting rights currently attached to directly held Vodafone shares.

Who is behind the notified major holding in Vodafone (VOD)?

The table names Maya SAS and Vega SAS, and references the Niel Family Group. For each, the percentage of voting rights through financial instruments is shown as 19.87%, matching the total notified position.

What financial instruments are used to gain exposure to Vodafone (VOD)?

The exposure is via Equity Linked Arrangements classified under DTR 5.3.1R(1)(b). Individual instruments cover 630,000,000 and multiple tranches of 1,314,914,562 voting rights, contributing to the aggregate 4,574,743,685 voting rights.

When do the Vodafone (VOD) Equity Linked Arrangements expire?

One Equity Linked Arrangement expires on 22 February 2027 and three expire on 6 July 2027. The 2027 expiries may, subject to conditions, be extended to 22 May 2027 and 6 January 2028, respectively.

Are the Vodafone (VOD) equity-linked instruments physically or cash settled?

The instruments are described as capable of either or both physical and cash settlement. Whether, and to what extent, each is physically or cash settled depends on the outcome and timing of certain regulatory conditions.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
Form 6-K
 
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
 
PURSUANT TO RULES 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
Dated July 16, 2026
 
Commission File Number: 001-10086
 
VODAFONE GROUP
PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
(Translation of registrant’s name into English)
 
 
VODAFONE HOUSE, THE CONNECTION, NEWBURY, BERKSHIRE, RG14 2FN, ENGLAND
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
 
Form 20-F Form 40-F _
 
 
 
This Report on Form 6-K contains a Stock Exchange Announcement dated 16 July 2026 entitled ‘Holding(s) in Company’.
 
16 July 2026
 
Holding(s) in Company
 
 
Vodafone Group Plc ('Vodafone' or the 'Company') publishes the below TR-1 notification of major holdings in the Company.
 
This announcement is made pursuant to the requirements of DTR 5.8.12R(1).
 
Shareholders should refer to Vodafone's announcement regarding total voting rights to determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interests in the Company under the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.
 
 
TR-1: Standard form for notification of major holdings
 
1. Issuer Details
 
ISIN
 
GB00BH4HKS39
 
Issuer Name
 
VODAFONE GROUP PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
 
UK or Non-UK Issuer
 
UK
 
2. Reason for Notification
 
An acquisition or disposal of financial instruments
 
3. Details of person subject to the notification obligation
 
Name
 
Vega SAS
 
City of registered office (if applicable)
 
Paris
 
Country of registered office (if applicable)
 
France
 
4. Details of the shareholder
 
Full name of shareholder(s) if different from the person(s) subject to the notification obligation, above
 
 
 
City of registered office (if applicable)
 
 
 
Country of registered office (if applicable)
 
 
 
 
 
5. Date on which the threshold was crossed or reached
 
13-Jul-2026
 
6. Date on which Issuer notified
 
15-Jul-2026
 
7. Total positions of person(s) subject to the notification obligation
 
 
% of voting rights attached to shares (total of 8.A)
% of voting rights through financial instruments (total of 8.B 1 + 8.B 2)
Total of both in % (8.A + 8.B)
Total number of voting rights held in issuer
Resulting situation on the date on which threshold was crossed or reached
 
0.000000
 
19.87
 
19.87
 
4574743685
 
Position of previous notification (if applicable)
 
 
 
 
 
 
8. Notified details of the resulting situation on the date on which the threshold was crossed or reached
 
8A. Voting rights attached to shares
 
Class/Type of shares ISIN code(if possible)
Number of direct voting rights (DTR5.1)
Number of indirect voting rights (DTR5.2.1)
% of direct voting rights (DTR5.1)
% of indirect voting rights (DTR5.2.1)
 
 
 
 
 
Sub Total 8.A
 
 
 
8B1. Financial Instruments according to (DTR5.3.1R.(1) (a))
 
Type of financial instrument
Expiration date
Exercise/conversion period
Number of voting rights that may be acquired if the instrument is exercised/converted
% of voting rights
 
 
 
 
 
Sub Total 8.B1
 
 
 
 
8B2. Financial Instruments with similar economic effect according to (DTR5.3.1R.(1) (b))
 
Type of financial instrument
Expiration date
Exercise/conversion period
Physical or cash settlement
Number of voting rights
% of voting rights
Equity Linked Arrangement
 
22 February 2027 (see Additional Information)
 
From the date of signing until the maturity date, subject to certain conditions, including the right to request early physical settlement, in whole or in part, if the relevant regulatory conditions are satisfied.
 
Cash
 
630000000
 
2.74
 
Equity Linked Arrangement
 
6 July 2027 (see Additional Information)
 
From the date of signing until the maturity date, subject to certain conditions, including the right to request early physical settlement, in whole or in part, if the relevant regulatory conditions are satisfied.
 
Cash
 
1314914562
 
5.71
 
Equity Linked Arrangement
 
6 July 2027 (see Additional Information)
 
From the date of signing until the maturity date, subject to certain conditions, including the right to request early physical settlement, in whole or in part, if the relevant regulatory conditions are satisfied.
 
Cash
 
1314914562
 
5.71
 
Equity Linked Arrangement
 
6 July 2027 (see Additional Information)
 
From the date of signing until the maturity date, subject to certain conditions, including the right to request early physical settlement, in whole or in part, if the relevant regulatory conditions are satisfied.
 
Cash
 
1314914561
 
5.71
 
Sub Total 8.B2
 
4574743685
 
19.87%
 
 
9. Information in relation to the person subject to the notification obligation
 
2. Full chain of controlled undertakings through which the voting rights and/or the financial instruments are effectively held starting with the ultimate controlling natural person or legal entities (please add additional rows as necessary)
 
Ultimate controlling person
Name of controlled undertaking
% of voting rights if it equals or is higher than the notifiable threshold
% of voting rights through financial instruments if it equals or is higher than the notifiable threshold
Total of both if it equals or is higher than the notifiable threshold
Maya SAS
 
Vega SAS
 
 
19.87
 
19.87%
 
The Niel Family Group, comprising Xavier Niel, Jules Niel, John Niel, Elisa Niel and Joseph Niel
 
Maya SAS
 
 
19.87
 
19.87%
 
 
10. In case of proxy voting
 
Name of the proxy holder
 
 
 
The number and % of voting rights held
 
 
 
The date until which the voting rights will be held
 
 
 
If date does not apply, explain below
 
 
 
11. Additional Information
 
The Expiry Date for the Equity Linked Arrangement expiring on 22 February 2027 described in Section 8.B.2 may be extended, subject to certain conditions, to 22 May 2027.
The Expiry Date for each of the Equity Linked Arrangements expiring on 6 July 2027 described in Section 8.B.2 may be extended, subject to certain conditions, to 6 January 2028.
The financial instruments set out in Sections 8.B.2 are capable of either or both of physical and/or cash settlement. Whether, and the extent to which, each financial instrument listed in Section 8.B.2 will be physically settled or cash settled is subject to the outcome and timing of certain regulatory conditions.
 
12. Date of Completion
 
15-Jul-2026
 
13. Place Of Completion
 
London, England
 
 
- ends -
 
 
For more information, please contact:
 
Investor Relations:
 
vodafone.com
 
ir@vodafone.co.uk
 
Media Relations:
 
Vodafone.com/media/contact
 
GroupMedia@vodafone.com
Registered Office: Vodafone House, The Connection, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2FN, England. Registered in England No. 1833679
 
 
 
About Vodafone Group
everyone.connected
 
Vodafone is a leading European and African telecoms company.
 
We serve around 370 million mobile and broadband customers, operating networks in 17 countries with investments in a further three and partners in over 40 more. We have capacity on more than 70 subsea cable systems - the backbone of the internet - and we are developing a new direct-to-mobile satellite communications service to connect areas without coverage. Vodafone runs one of the world's largest IoT platforms, with over 240 million IoT connections globally, and we provide financial services to around 103 million customers across seven African countries - managing more transactions than any other provider.
From the seabed to the stars, Vodafone's mission is to keep everyone connected.
For more information, please visit www.vodafone.com follow us on X at @VodafoneGroup or connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/vodafone.
 
 
 
SIGNATURES
 
 
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorised.
 
 
 
VODAFONE GROUP
 
PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
 
Date: July 16, 2026
By: /s/ M D B
 
Name: Maaike de Bie
 
Title: Group General Counsel and Company Secretary