VODAFONE is set to call time on more than a decade of ever-increasing rewards for investors as the economic slump in Europe exacts a heavy toll.
The mobile phone giant has increased payouts every year since 2000 and is expected to deliver a whopping £4.8bn in ordinary dividends for the financial year that ended in March.
However, the turmoil in the eurozone means that Vittorio Colao, the chief executive, is unlikely to renew a long-standing pledge to keep raising the payout when he presents the annual results next week.
Despite the dividend freeze, Vodafone is expected to retain its status as the most generous payer in the FTSE 100. Last year’s dividend is equivalent to the market value of ITV, the 64th biggest company in the FTSE.
Thesundaytimes
