Feb 24 (Reuters) - Verizon Communications Inc said itwas targeting a higher adjusted EBITDA margin and 4 percentrevenue growth for 2014 after it completed the acquisition ofVodafone Group's 45 percent stake in their VerizonWireless joint venture.
The margin on adjusted earnings before interest, tax,depreciation and amortization was 34.9 percent in 2013, whilerevenue growth was 4.1 percent.
Shareholders of Vodafone and Verizon approved the $130billion takeover in January, paving the way for thethird-biggest deal in corporate history.
Verizon said on Monday it expected to reduce debt and fundnetwork investments this year with continued strong cash flows,which would also support its dividend policy.
Evercore Partners analyst Jonathan Schildkraut saidVerizon's equipment instalment plans, which allow customers toupgrade to new phones and pay for them in instalments, couldlead to better EBITDA margins, but at the expense of short-termcash flows.
Verizon, which had net debt of $40.1 billion as of Dec. 31,2013, raised its quarterly dividend by 2.9 percent to 53 centsper share in September and said that providing a strong dividendwould remain a priority.
Vodafone (VOD)