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I can't see it being VIL as nothing has been announced. India holds 0 value to Vodafone, so they can't realistically borrow more money against the asset either.
The announcement so far states there will be a shareholder meeting and that promoters will participate in equity raise. As India is worthless to Vodafone's I suspect that they will cede part of equity to Indian state rather than transfer cash or borrow money (e.g. dropping from 33% to 25% ownership).
Someone started the rumour. If this individual or organisation had no real basis for it, it is a scam to increase the share price. It doesn't mean betaville or others were involved, they are just gullible participants. But if there was no plan for takeover as we now realise, then the rumour was a scam to ramp the price up. We have to accept we were duped and try harder next time.
MDV is not working out for ordinary shareholder but that doesn't mean she's not working out for others.
She maintained highest dividend in FTSE while selling two European core assets. Who benefits? E& is a major shareholder with little interest in European assets.
Disentangling this will take best part of decade and cost billion in fees. Again who benefits? The usual parasites like Accenture.
On the other side of the world, strategy appears to be to move all valuable assets into Vodacom. Is this strategy for Vodafone or for E&?
CEO in name only, doing the same thing she has been since 2004 - following orders.
Time changes perspective. Nobody could have guessed that Vodafone would sell entire Spain operation for 30% discount on price they paid for Ono in 2014. Or Italy for 25% discount to the price rejected only couple of years back. If these are the kind of bold decisions made by the management, why is Germany disposal seen as crazy?
What would someone pay for it - its not exactly profitable as things are.
I sold majority earlier today at 71.50 - I expect quite a few others did.
Next news item will be BT class action, 60-40 it goes against BT and opens up more litigation - easy money.
Loyalty penalty class action with 1.4b liability will start hitting the news again around April
In May, we'll have results which will be spun as a "turnaround" until we look at the numbers. They will not cut the dividend but they'll probably start talking about selling another Opco. They can probably sell Germany for 10b.
I expect at this stage it'll be in low 60s high 50s ex-dividend and everyone will say it can't go any lower.
UK merger will not be hitting the news until September/October earliest and decision will likely follow in December. I expect It will succeed and price will go back around 70p. By this point we'll have Labour government and they'll reverse the decision and call for for further review in 2026..
Wish all the best to other holders, happy to be be out.
I would argue that JV would have been simpler than a sale. VOD have over 5000 employees in Italy, proportion of which are in group functions (e.g. Vodafone Business). Same issue as with Spain - their carrier function is based in Spain for a start. Risk is that they spend the next decade unwinding these functions instead of focusing on core business.
In 2022 Iliad offered 100% of Vodafone Italy for value of 11b. This was rejected as not in best interest of shareholder.
Just over a month ago Iliad proposed a merger valuing Vodafone Italy at 10.5b. This was rejected again.
Vodafone now announces a sale valuing Vodafone Italy at 8b.
As far as BOD keeping busy selling assets, anyone can sell £1 coins for 90p - it doesn't make you effective or successful.
Can anyone explain why Vodafone would reject takeover valuing Italy at over 11b, merger valuing company at 10.45b only to accept takeover valuing company at 8billion. How does the BOD explain this to shareholders - its the worst possible outcome.