But the Eurozone remains lousy
Emerging markets such as India and Turkey continue to show strong service growth, Vodafone revealed today in a second quarter trading update. Revenues from India were were up 16.2 per cent and from Turkey 18.7 per cent, though receipts from Britain and the Eurozone remained weak. Increased competition and a weaker economy were blamed for the UK’s 0.8 per cent decline while conditions in Italy and Spain, respectively down 7.7 per cent and 10 per cent, were said still to be “challenging.”Only Germany remained strong with revenues 4.2 per cent up.
On a brighter note group data revenue grew 17 per cent to £10.8 billion reflecting an increase in Europe smartphone penetration.
Net debt was reduced to £22.7 billion following final SoftBank proceeds (£1.5 billion) and £0.8 billion of share buybacks from Vodafone’s £6.8 billion share buyback programme, now almost complete.
Vodafone added that it expects to complete its £1,048 million purchase of Cable & Wireless Worldwide next Friday (July 27 2012).
