Vodafone has been linked with an exclusive and potentially lucrative deal to sell Apple’s iPhone in Europe.
Recovering from early weakness, Vodafone finished one percent higher at 157.6p after Credit Suisse issued a “trading buy” recommendation and announced the company was the frontrunner to land the European iPhone contract.
Shares in the mobile phone operator had opened lower following an interview with Denny Strigl, chief operating officer of Verizon Communications, in the Financial Times.
Mr Strigl refused to say whether Verizon Wireless, the US mobile phone company in which Vodafone has a 45 per cent stake, would resume dividend payments in two years.
In the US, AT&T won an exclusive five-year deal for the iPhone, which goes on sale this week.
Credit Suisse said a similar deal in Europe would boost the Vodafone share price.
June 26 2007