Liberty Global (LBTYA) Changes Tone on Vodafone, Jefferies Notes

Jefferies analyst Ulrich Rathe weighed in in Liberty Global (NASDAQ: LBTYA) after the company's Chairman opened the door to a Vodafone (NYSE: VOD) deal.

Rathe commented, "Liberty Global's Chairman states there would be a 'great fit' with Vodafone. This is a change of tone that we interpret as (a) floating a test balloon to shareholders, and (b) opening the door to Vodafone 'officially'. From a Vodafone perspective, we have argued that a merger with Liberty Global would make sense. If more lukewarm prior statements by Liberty Global had cast undue doubt over the merger scenario, we think these latest statements should remove it."

The firm maintained a Buy rating and price target of $59 on LBTYA.

For an analyst ratings summary and ratings history on Liberty Global click here. For more ratings news on Liberty Global click here.

Shares of Liberty Global closed at $53.11 yesterday.

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