KEY POINTS:
Vodafone in the UK hinted yesterday that it was on the hunt for fresh acquisitions in Europe as the turnaround in its fortunes continued with half-year results at the top end of City expectations.
Underlying earnings for the six months rose to £6.24 billion ($17.88 billion) but a further £8 billion write-down in the value of Vodafone's German and Italian businesses left it with a £4.55 billion net loss for period.
Chief executive Arun Sarin said "the time may be ripe" for consolidation, adding that he would look at Hutchison Whampoa's 3 UK network if it came on the market.
His comments follow the demise of easyMobile, which Sarin said was a signal that consolidation would soon begin.
- INDEPENDENT
