Vodafone: Stop the rumors, not buying Verizon

Wall Street can't end its love affair with Vodafone's stake in Verizon Wireless [1]. Usually The Street is pouring over reports that Vodafone is set to sell its 45 percent stake in the U.S. carrier [2], but the rumor du jour is from the Financial Times: Vodafone is interested in buying out its partner Verizon (not just the wireless carrier) for some $160 billion.

Vodafone issued a two sentence reply [3] regarding the speculation: "Vodafone wishes to make it clear that it has no plans to make such an offer [on Verizon Communications."

FT characterized the potential deal as a "risky and hugely expensive catch-up exercise" for its U.S. market ambitions following its botched takeover of (the original) AT&T Wireless in 2004. Cingular Wireless scooped up that carrier for $41 billion. Other Vodafone-Verizon Wireless articles floating around today include more pressure [4] from an investor group for Vodafone to restructure its 45 percent stake in the U.S. carrier.

For more on Vodafone's U.S. ambitions:
- read this FT blog [5]
- and check out this article about restructuring the VZW stake [6]