Vodafone Set to Boost Dividend

Vodafone is expected to announce a huge increase in dividend payments when it unveils half-year profits on Tuesday. Analysts believe that new chief executive Arun Sarin will increase dividends by as much as 30% a share for the current financial year. Sarin, who took over from Sir Christopher Gent after the group’s annual meeting in July, is also expected to give further details on the launch of Vodafone’s 3G mobile service.

Cashflow is expected to have grown even more strongly, giving the mobile phones giantthe opportunity to pay out more to investors while keeping enough to fund spending onnetworks and potential acquisitions. One industry analyst said: ‘Last month he was able to announce strong figures for Vodafone Live, the so-called 2.5G service launched by his predecessor.’ Continue >>