VODAFONE Group, in which many former eircom investors hold shares, may raise its dividend by 20%, easing investor concern that chief executive Arun Sarin’s expansion strategy may hurt shareholder returns.

VIVENDI Universal’s dream of landing a $14 billion cash-rich deal for its US entertainment empire is fast evaporating with final bids likely to fall short of the mark, sources involved in the auction said.

Media giant Vivendi Universal announced a net loss of €23bn last year - the largest in French corporate history.

Jean-Marie Messier, the much-maligned chairman of Vivendi Universal, has been formally removed from his post and replaced by Jean-Rene Fourtou, of the pharmaceutical giant Aventis.