Vodafone Share News (VOD)

City sources predict the FTSE 100 will open up two points from yesterday's close of 6,694, rising modestly after stronger gains in the US overnight. Economic announcements due out today include the EU balance of trade, consumer price index and harmonised index of consumer prices, as well as US building permits, Bloomberg consumer confidence and continuing claims. In UK company news, Vodafone is to offer high-speed fixed-line broadband and internet TV services in Germany through a new collaboration with German telecoms giant Deutsche Telekom (DT).Cobham has been awarded an extension of its current B717 QantasLink contract through to 2018. The new AUS$150m agreement includes an increase to the number of B717 aircraft operated by Cobham from 13 to 18 and the establishment of new operating bases in Australia. Copper mining giant Antofagasta reported a 29.2% fall in earnings in the first quarter reflecting lower commodity prices and higher operating costs. EBITDA came to $781.7m in the first three months, compared to $1.1bn the previous year. Revenues fell 14.6% to $1.5bn from $1.7bn as prices of copper and gold dropped during the quarter.