Vodafone shares power ahead on strong results

MOBILE phone giant Vodafone charged to its highest close for nearly six months today after half-year results beat expectations.

The shares soared 13% and a number of other telecom stocks also moved ahead as hopes grew that some of the gloom surrounding the sector could at last be lifting.

The gains also supported the wider market and, along with a strong start in the US, meant the FTSE 100 Index was able to close up 69.4 points at 4085.0.