Vodafone confirmed overnight reports that it had entered informal talks with Liberty Global about combining some of their businesses in Europe, but added that the two groups were not considering a combination of the two companies, which market watchers say would create a GBP 100 billion company, the Financial Times reported.
A few weeks ago, Liberty Global chairman John Malone pointed out certain synergies should the company merge with Vodafone European businesses. However, Vodafone on Friday said that it was not in interested in a group merger but rather the possible exchange of “selected assets between the two companies”. There is no certainty that any transaction will be agreed, or which assets will ultimately be involved.
Vodafone’s business in the UK, Germany and the Netherlands would be immediately complementary to Liberty’s cable services in the countries, allowing combinations of the two groups in these areas to offer bundled telecoms and TV products.
Liberty made it clear that it has no interest in the emerging markets businesses of Vodafone given the clear benefits of combining its fixed line operations in Western Europe with the mobile business of Vodafone. A small but significant minority of Vodafone shareholder base would be in favour of at least separating the emerging markets assets into a separate entity. Liberty was not immediately available for comment.
