Vodafone CEO Focuses on Deals in U.K., Italy, Spain and Portugal

Vodafone Group Plc is hunting for mergers in the U.K., Spain, Italy and Portugal, according to Chief Executive Officer Nick Read.

“I just stand back and look at markets where I see a very strong case for consolidation without the need for punitive remedies,” Read said on a call with reporters following a third-quarter trading update on Wednesday.

“It’s those four markets that I think are the largest opportunity. We’re engaged with multiple parties on multiple markets,” he added.

Nick Read

Photographer: Angel Garcia/Bloomberg

Read declined to comment on reports that activist investor Cevian Capital AB has taken a stake in Newbury, England-based ...