Vodafone shares gain as report fuels AT&T takeover speculation

Shares in Vodafone were lifted by growing speculation that US giant AT&T was plotting a takeover of the UK mobile company. Executives at AT&T were putting together plans for a possible takeover of the company next year, reported Bloomberg citing people familiar with the situation. The report said the two companies hadn't started formal discussions yet but AT&T was looking at which Vodafone assets it would keep hold of after a deal as well as a strategy for Vodafone's business in Europe. AT&T has made little secret of its interest in expanding in Europe and Vodafone has been seen as its most likely target should it pounce on a European operator. Chief Executive Randall Stephenson was quoted last month as saying there was "huge opportunity" to upgrade European networks. Shares in Vodafone were up 1.85% at 228.65p at 09:06.TB