Vodafone raises dividend by 20%

Vodafone shareholders were handed a boost today after the mobile phone group raised its dividend 20% and set aside £2.5bn (€3.6bn) to buy back shares.

The announcement came as Vodafone unveiled half-year turnover up 13% to £16.9bn (€24.3bn) with profits before one-off items ahead 26% at £5.4bn (€7.7bn).