This is a list of questions frequently asked by holders of ordinary shares, listed and traded on the London Stock Exchange:
Who are your Registrars and what do they do?
Vodafone has appointed Computershare Investor Services PLC as its Registrars. The Registrars manage Vodafone's share register on its behalf. They are responsible for ensuring the shareholder details are recorded accurately.
How do I contact your Registrars?
For shareholder enquiries such as changing your name, address, dividend payments and shareholder certificates, please contact our Registrars by writing to:
Computershare Investor Services PLC
P O Box 82
The Pavilions
Bridgwater Road
Bristol
BS99 7NH
England
Tel: +44 (0) 870 702 0198
www.computershare.com
How do I buy and sell shares?
You can buy and sell Vodafone ordinary shares through a financial adviser or stockbroker, bank or building society or 'share shops' that offer a similar service. The commission charges for buying and selling shares vary between the different organisations.
Internet and Telephone Share Dealing Service
Do you have a share dealing service?
Yes. A internet and telephone share dealing service is operated by our Registrars. Shareholders may use the service to either increase their holding or sell their entire holding. Shareholders wishing to take advantage of this service should contact our Registrars for further information.
This is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold shares in Vodafone Group Plc. Shareholders who are unsure what action to take should contact a financial advisor authorised under the UK's Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. Share values may go down as well as up which may result in a shareholder receiving less than he/she originally invested.
On what basis will our Registrars buy or sell?
All transactions will be undertaken on an 'execution only' basis. This means that our Registrars cannot give you any investment advice on transactions, nor will our Registrars be able to provide any other services under this agreement. Please contact our Registrars for documentation and full details of service. If you are in any doubt about what action you should take you should consult an independent financial advisor authorised under the UK Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.
Where are Vodafone ordinary shares traded?
Vodafone ordinary shares are traded on the London Stock Exchange and, in the form of American Depositary Shares (ADSs), on the New York Stock Exchange.
What are share certificates?
Share certificates are evidence of your ownership of the shares - similar to the deeds of your house or your insurance policies - and so should be kept in a safe place.
When you first buy shares in Vodafone you are given a unique eleven digit Shareholder Reference Number (SRN). This should be quoted in all correspondence with our Registrars. If you buy more shares, these will be added to your existing account as long as your name and address details exactly match those currently held by the Registrars.
We recommend that you keep a separate record of your SRN, certificate numbers and the number of shares each certificate covers in case of loss or damage. Share certificates are posted to shareholders at their own risk.
What happens if I lose my share certificate?
The Registrars keep a record of your name, address and the number of shares you own. If your certificates are lost, stolen or destroyed, the Registrars can arrange for the issue of duplicate certificates. Simply contact the Registrars as soon as you can, quoting your Shareholder Reference Number (SRN) if possible. The Registrars will need to arrange for you to complete an indemnity covering the Company for any loss arising from a dispute over who owns the shares and you may be charged for this depending on the value of the share certificate. Generally, there is no charge if the value of shares represented by the certificate is £100 or less. Once this is done, the Registrars will send you a duplicate certificate.
How do I find out how many Vodafone shares I hold?
You can determine the number of shares you hold in your name by adding up all your share certificates (please note, however, that any certificates dated before 29 June 1999 are invalid, due to the merger with AirTouch Communications, Inc.) or referring to a recent dividend tax voucher, or by contacting the Registrars. If you hold shares in a PEP, ISA, or through a stock broker nominee service, you should refer to your statement or contact the appropriate administrator.
What should I do if I change my name or address?
If you change your name on getting married or for any other reason, please notify the Registrars, enclosing a copy of your marriage certificate or the relevant legal document.
If you change your address you will need to send a signed letter to the Registrars notifying them of the change. Alternatively, you can request a change of address form from the Registrars by calling +44 (0) 870 702 0198.
Where can I find my shareholder reference number (SRN)?
This will be included on any personalised documentation the Registrars send you. For certificated holders the SRN will start with a C followed by 10 numerical digits and for CREST holders the SRN will start with a G followed by 10 numerical digits. You should quote this number whenever you contact the Registrars to speed up the location of your account.
How do I transfer my Vodafone shares to someone else?
You may at some point wish to transfer your shares to someone else (for example, your spouse or partner or in an 'off market' sale). As these transactions usually do not involve a stockbroker, you can use a stock transfer form which can be obtained from our Registrars.
Where stamp duty is payable, the completed transfer form must be sent to a UK Inland Revenue Stamp Office and the duty paid before it can be forwarded to the Registrars.
Where stamp duty is not payable, you will need to complete the form fully, remembering to complete the stamp duty declaration on the reverse. The transfer form and share certificate (totalling at least the number of shares on the transfer) should be forwarded to the Registrars. Do not worry if the share certificates represent more shares than the transfer. If this is the case, the Registrars will send you a share certificate representing the balance. If you are in doubt or would like a stock transfer form, please contact our Registrars.
Do I have to pay stamp duty on my shares transfer?
This is dependent on the nature of the transaction taking place. As a general rule if no consideration or money is changing hands, then the transaction is not liable for stamp duty. However, there are several instances where stamp duty has to be paid and for full guidelines you should refer to the reverse of the Stock Transfer Form. If you require any further information please contact our Registrars.
May I hold shares jointly with someone else?
Yes you may. Please contact our Registrars.
My spouse/partner/relative has passed away. What should I do with their shareholding?
Please contact our Registrars at your earliest opportunity to establish which documents you will need to forward to them. This may involve a Certificate of Confirmation or Small Estates procedure, Grant of Probate/Letters of Administration. Our Registrars will ensure that this process is made as straightforward as possible for you.
Can I check my shareholding on the Internet?
You can manage your shareholding online at our Registrars' website. In addition to checking your shareholding, you can also download forms to change any of your current details on the share register (for example, to record a change of address or change your dividend instructions).
Click on the link below to go to our Registrars' website. To access your shareholding you will need to enter your Shareholder Reference Number (SRN).
Launch the website of our Registrars
Please note: site opens in a new window
Dividends and Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRIP)
What are dividends and when do I receive them?
These are payments that Vodafone pays to you as a shareholder. They are paid twice yearly usually in February and August. A dividend is paid for each share, so the amount you receive depends on the number of shares you own. To receive the dividend, your name must be on the share register on the ex-dividend date which is usually two days before the record date. If the shares are sold before the ex-dividend date or purchased after it, you will not be entitled to that dividend.
What does 'ex-dividend' mean?
Before announcing each dividend, and in consultation with the London Stock Exchange, we set a date on which shares will be sold without entitlement to the dividend - known as going 'ex-dividend'. Before that date they are said to be 'cum-dividend', i.e. they have entitlement to the dividend.
Anyone who buys a share before the ex-dividend date is therefore entitled to receive the dividend recently announced. If you purchase on or after that date the dividend most recently announced is payable not to you but to the previous owner.
The dividend is paid to shareholders on the number of shares held at the record date. The record date is usually two days after the ex-dividend date. If you receive a dividend having recently sold your shares and are unsure whether you are entitled to it, contact the agent who acted on your behalf in the sale. Depending on the terms of the sale, the dividend may be due to the new owner.
How can I have my dividends paid?
You can have your dividends paid directly into your UK bank or building society account. This will save you paying in any dividend cheque and will also ensure that you get access to the money on the payment date of the dividend. Your tax voucher will be posted to you at the time of payment. If you would like your dividend paid into your bank or building society account you will need to complete a mandate form which can be obtained from the website of our Registrars.
Alternatively, you can receive the dividend cheque through the post.
Whether you choose to have your dividend paid into your bank or building society account or paid to you directly by cheque, when a dividend is paid, you will receive a tax voucher at the time of the payment. This provides details about the payment and how the amount you have been paid has been calculated.
Who should I contact if I have lost my dividend cheque?
If you lose your dividend cheque you should contact our Registrars as soon as possible, confirming which payment has been lost. They will then arrange for the cheque to be stopped and issue you with a duplicate. There is no fee for this service.
Who should I contact if I have lost my dividend tax voucher?
If you require a replacement dividend tax voucher, please inform our Registrars, who will arrange for a duplicate to be sent to you. There is a fee for this service.
What should I do if I have found an out-of-date dividend cheque?
If you return the cheque to our Registrars, and it is found to be outstanding, a duplicate cheque will be issued which you will be able to cash at your bank or building society. To prevent this problem from arising again, you could arrange for the dividend to be paid directly into your bank or building society account by completing a dividend mandate form.
Do I have to pay tax on my dividends?
When a dividend is paid, you will receive a tax voucher showing the net amount of dividend received and the tax deemed to have been paid (the 'tax credit'). The total of these two amounts is usually called the 'gross dividend'. The tax credit on dividends is currently 10% of the gross dividend.
Dividends received on your shareholding are treated as though they had been paid after deduction of income tax at the lower rate. Generally, if you are UK resident shareholder and you:
For the purposes of self-assessment, the UK Inland Revenue requires that you retain tax vouchers for six years.
Can I buy Vodafone shares with my dividend?
The Company operates a Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRIP) which gives shareholders the opportunity to acquire additional Vodafone shares in a cost-effective way by re-investing their cash dividend. The plan is available to all shareholders provided that they do not live in or are subject to the jurisdiction of any country where their participation in the plan would require Vodafone or the plan administrator to take action to comply with local government or regulatory procedures or any similar formalities.
Shareholders wishing to join the DRIP should ensure that their completed mandate form (which can be obtained from the website of our Registrars) is received by the plan administrator no later than 16 July 2004 for it to be applicable to the payment of the final dividend on 6 August 2004. Having joined the DRIP, dividends will continue to be reinvested until the plan administrator receives written instructions requesting withdrawal from the DRIP.
For full terms and conditions and or a mandate form please contact our Registrars.
How does the DRIP work?
The DRIP allows you to buy shares in Vodafone Group Plc in the open market using your cash dividend. The Company's Registrars will arrange for as many shares as possible to be purchased on your behalf, as soon as reasonably practical and in any event within three days after each dividend payment date.
The DRIP will be operated on a mandated basis; in other words, your election to participate will apply to all future dividends until you cancel or otherwise terminate your mandate or sell/transfer your shares.
What are the costs?
There will be an administration charge of 0.5% of the total value of your dividend payment reinvested in shares (no minimum dealing charge will be applied). You will also have to pay stamp duty reserve tax at the prevailing rate - currently 0.5% of the value of the shares acquired (the £5.00 minimum duty will not apply). The total of these charges is 1%, and this will be deducted automatically from the amount to be reinvested in shares.
For example, if a £25.00 dividend is used to buy shares for you, 25 pence will be deducted to cover administration and dealing costs and stamp duty reserve tax.
At what price will the shares be bought and how many will I receive?
The number of shares you will receive will depend on the price of Vodafone Group Plc shares at the time the shares are bought. You cannot specify a maximum or minimum price. This service is on an execution only basis. This means that our Registrars cannot give you any investment advice on transactions, nor will our Registrars be able to provide any other services under this agreement. Please contact our Registrars for documentation and full details of service.
What happens to any money left over after the shares have been bought?
Any cash dividend remaining after the share purchase, that was insufficient to purchase a whole share, will be carried forward and added to future dividend payments for reinvestment in Vodafone Group Plc shares under the terms of the DRIP. All monies which are held for you will be held in a client bank account which our Registrars maintains for participants of the DRIP. Interest is not paid on any such monies.
Any outstanding balance over £3 will be repaid in the event of the sale or transfer of your shares or your withdrawal from the DRIP. Less than £3 will be donated to charity unless you contact our Registrars to request its return.
Will I still receive a tax voucher?
You will be sent a tax voucher covering the whole amount of your cash dividend. For self-assessment purposes, the UK Inland Revenue requires that you retain tax vouchers for six years.
How will I know how many shares have been bought for me?
The share purchase advice and the share certificate will be posted to you within fifteen working days of the dividend payment date.
The share purchase advice will show the number of shares acquired, the purchase price and the associated costs. Shares purchased on your behalf will be registered in your name and you will be sent a share certificate.
What happens if I subsequently buy or sell Vodafone shares outside the DRIP?
If you buy or sell shares, the DRIP election will apply to the increased or reduced holding. All shares acquired by a DRIP participant will be included automatically with effect from the date of their registration. Please note that it may take several days after the date of purchase to register the new shares.
What happens if I am a sponsored member of CREST?
If you hold your Vodafone Group Plc shares in a CREST account the shares will be credited to it. You will be sent a CREST statement instead of a share certificate together with your dividend tax voucher.
What should I do if I do not want to join the DRIP?
If you want to continue to receive a cash dividend and do not want to reinvest your dividend, then you need take no action.
Can I join the DRIP for just some of my shares?
No, for administrative reasons, you may only participate in the DRIP for the whole of your shareholding in Vodafone Group Plc.
The only possible exception would be for very large institutional shareholders with shares held on behalf of a number of beneficiaries. The Company may, at its discretion, permit such a shareholder to reinvest the cash dividend payment on a lesser number of shares than the full holding where such a shareholder has provided a written notification of their requirements. Such part reinvestment will apply to the dividend on that number of shares until it is altered or cancelled. The remaining cash dividend will automatically be paid on the shares which are not included in the DRIP.
Can I withdraw from the DRIP?
You may withdraw from the DRIP at any time by contacting our Registrars. Your notice of withdrawal from the DRIP must be received not later than 15 working days prior to the payment date for a dividend if you do not wish to be included in the DRIP for that dividend. Where proper notification is received by our Registrars of a participant's death, bankruptcy or mental incapacity, that participant will cease to participate in the DRIP unless the participant was a joint holder, in which case the DRIP will continue for the remaining joint shareholder.
What is the effect on my tax position?
Income tax: You will be liable for income tax on dividends reinvested in the DRIP on the same basis as if you had received the cash dividend in full and arranged the investment yourself. You should therefore include the dividend on your self assessment return. If you are a higher rate taxpayer you will also be required to pay the extra 22.5% (over the 10% tax credit) when you settle your overall tax bill for the year.
Capital gains tax: You may be liable to tax on any capital gain you make if you dispose of the shares. If you are not sure how this will affect you, please consult an independent financial advisor authorised under the UK's Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. Tax legislation can change at any time.