VODAFONE GROUP PUBLIC LTD CO filed this 424B5 on 17/06/2026
VODAFONE GROUP PUBLIC LTD CO - 424B5 - 20260617 - RISK_FACTORS
 
RISK FACTORS
An investment in the securities involves significant risk. You should read the risk factors set forth under the caption “Principal risk factors and uncertainties” in our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended March 31, 2023, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus, or similar sections in subsequent filings incorporated by reference in this prospectus, for a discussion of certain factors you should consider before investing in our securities. You should also read any risk factors included in any prospectus supplement related to a specific offering of our securities.
Risks Associated with the Securities
We may, under the terms of the indenture, carry out an internal reorganization of Vodafone. The indenture relating to the debt securities permits us to effect an internal reorganization without the consent of holders of our debt securities, even if this affects the credit rating of the debt securities or gives us the option to redeem the notes.
Under the indenture, if we transfer our assets to another entity, that entity would be required either to assume the obligations of Vodafone under the debt securities or to provide a full and unconditional guarantee of those obligations. If a guarantee were to be provided, the original issuer (Vodafone) would have no assets other than a receivable from the guarantor in the amount of the debt securities and thus no ability to generate revenue to make payments of interest and principal on the debt securities. Holders of the debt securities would then effectively need to look exclusively to the guarantor for any such payments. The consent of holders of our debt securities would not be required in connection with such a reorganization transaction.
The indenture contains no restrictions on the legal or financial characteristics of the transferee and no restrictions addressing the potential effects of any reorganization transaction on Vodafone or the debt securities. In particular, the indenture would not prohibit such a transaction if it resulted in the credit rating assigned to Vodafone or the debt securities being downgraded by any rating agency or caused additional amounts to become payable in respect of withholding tax on the debt securities. A downgrade of the credit rating could adversely affect the trading prices of the debt securities and, possibly, the liquidity of the market for the debt securities. If additional amounts become payable in respect of withholding tax, the debt securities will thereafter be subject to redemption at our option (or the option of the transferee entity) at any time, as described on page 24 under “Description of Debt Securities We May Offer — Special Situations — Optional Tax Redemption.” We have no obligation under the indenture to seek to avoid these results, or any other legal or financial effects that are disadvantageous to you, in connection with a reorganization transaction that is permitted under the indenture, and there can be no assurance that they will not occur.
If we fail to maintain a listing on a “recognised stock exchange,” interest on our debt securities may be subject to UK withholding tax, and our liquidity and financial position may be adversely affected by the requirement to pay additional amounts on our debt securities.
Interest payable on our debt securities on or after the date of this prospectus will be paid free of United Kingdom (“UK”) withholding tax if we maintain a listing of the debt securities on a “recognised stock exchange” within the meaning of Section 1005 of the UK Income Tax Act 2007. We may apply for listing of the debt securities on any “recognised stock exchange,” including, inter alia, the London Stock Exchange plc or the NASDAQ Global Market, each of which is currently designated as a “recognised stock exchange.” The inability to list the debt securities or to maintain such a listing may have an adverse effect on our liquidity and financial position by reason of our obligation to pay such additional amounts as may be necessary so that the net amount received by the holders after such reduction will not be less than the amount the holder would have received in the absence of such withholding or deduction. While if we apply for such a listing we will use our best efforts to obtain and maintain such a listing, as needed, we cannot guarantee that we will be successful. See “Description of the Debt Securities We May Offer — Payment of Additional Amounts” and “Taxation — United Kingdom Taxation.”
The debt securities, warrants and preference shares lack a developed public market.
There can be no assurance regarding the future development of a market for the debt securities, warrants or preference shares or the ability of holders of the debt securities, warrants or preference shares
 
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to sell their debt securities, warrants or preference shares or the price at which such holders may be able to sell their debt securities, warrants or preference shares. If such a market were to develop, the debt securities, warrants or preference shares could trade at prices that may be higher or lower than the initial offering price depending on many factors, including, among other things, prevailing interest rates, our operating results and the market for similar securities. Underwriters, broker-dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the debt securities, warrants or preference shares may make a market in the debt securities, warrants or preference shares as permitted by applicable laws and regulations but will have no obligation to do so, and any such market-making activities with respect to the debt securities, warrants or preference shares may be discontinued at any time without notice. Therefore, there can be no assurance as to the liquidity of any trading market for the debt securities, warrants or preference shares or that an active public market for the debt securities, warrants or preference shares will develop. See “Plan of Distribution” on page 65. We may apply for listing of the debt securities, warrants or preference shares on the Official List of the UK Financial Conduct Authority and for trading of the debt securities, warrants or preference shares on the London Stock Exchange plc, and for listing of the debt securities, warrants or preference shares on the NASDAQ Global Market, or on any other “recognised stock exchange.”
If we default on our debt securities your right to receive payments on such debt securities may be adversely affected by English insolvency laws.
We are incorporated under the laws of England and Wales. Accordingly, insolvency proceedings with respect to us would be likely to proceed under, and be governed by, English insolvency law. The procedural and substantive provisions of English insolvency laws generally are more favorable to secured creditors than comparable provisions of United States law. These provisions afford debtors and unsecured creditors only limited protection from the claims of secured creditors and it will generally not be possible for us or other unsecured creditors to prevent or delay the secured creditors from enforcing their security to repay the debts due to them under the terms that such security was granted to them.
 
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed on July 26, 2023 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) using the shelf registration process. We may sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings.
This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide one or more prospectus supplements that will contain specific information about the terms of those securities and their offering. The prospectus supplements may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement(s) together with the additional information described on page 9 under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” prior to purchasing any of the securities offered by this prospectus.
Unless otherwise stated in this prospectus or unless the context otherwise requires, references in this prospectus to “we,” “our,” “us,” “Vodafone” or “the Company” are to Vodafone Group Plc. References to “the Group” are to Vodafone Group Plc, its subsidiaries and, where the context requires, its interests in joint ventures and associated undertakings.
 
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