v3.26.1
Called up share capital (Details)
€ in Millions
12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2026
EUR (€)
shares
Mar. 31, 2025
EUR (€)
shares
Mar. 31, 2026
£ / shares
Ordinary shares of 2020 21 US cents each allotted, issued and fully paid:      
Beginning balance | € € 4,319    
Ending balance | € € 3,950 € 4,319  
Ordinary shares      
Ordinary shares of 2020 21 US cents each allotted, issued and fully paid:      
Beginning balance (in shares) [1],[2] 26,388,285,902 28,818,683,808  
Allotted during the year (in shares) [1],[2] 495,180 455,190  
Cancelled during the year (in Shares) [1],[2] (2,060,402,493) (2,430,853,096)  
Ending balance (in shares) [1],[2] 24,328,378,589 26,388,285,902  
Beginning balance | € [1],[2] € 4,319 € 4,797  
Allotted during the year | € [1],[2] 0 0  
Cancelled during the year | € [1],[2] (369) (478)  
Ending balance | € [1],[2] € 3,950 € 4,319  
Number of treasury shares held 1,234,199,142 1,416,813,312  
Nominal value of treasury shares | € € 200 € 232  
Market value of treasury shares | € € 1,600 € 1,234  
Reissue of treasury shares 86,121,473 99,750,090  
Repurchase of treasury shares 1,963,879,726 2,208,854,544  
7% cumulative fixed rate shares      
Ordinary shares of 2020 21 US cents each allotted, issued and fully paid:      
Beginning balance (in shares) 50,000 50,000  
Ending balance (in shares)   50,000  
Par value per share | £ / shares     £ 1
Cumulative rate of fixed rate shares 7.00%    
[1] At 31 March 2026, the Group held 1,234,199,142 (2025: 1,416,813,312) treasury shares with a nominal value of €200 million (2025: €232 million). The market value of shares held was €1,600 million (2025: €1,234 million). During the year, 86,121,473 (2025: 99,750,090) treasury shares were reissued under Group share schemes and 1,963,879,726 (2025: 2,208,854,544) shares were repurchased under share buy-back arrangements.
[2] At 31 March 2026, there were 50,000 (2025: 50,000) 7% cumulative fixed rate shares of £1 each in issue.