Anyone knows about the recent speculation of big contracts coming up at C&W ??? Would welcome any threads. Thanks.

UK's Cable & Wireless jumps on ABN AMRO optimism

LONDON, Dec 19 (Reuters) - British telecoms firm Cable & Wireless Plc topped the FTSE 100 (^FTSE - news) gainers list on Friday, recovering from a two-month low after C&W's house broker ABN AMRO (Amsterdam: AAH.AS - news) told clients the stock looked cheap.

C&W shares were up 5.3 percent at 133-1/4 pence by midday. Volume was heavy, with over 34 million shares changing hands, above the 90-day average volume of 29.6 million. Earlier in the week, C&W touched 123-1/4p, its lowest level since mid-October.

"Since C&W announced their U.S. exit the stock has drifted off around 10 percent and I think the main reason for that is people have been reducing beta in their portfolios towards the end of the year, but I do think the downside risk has minimalised," said ABN AMRO analyst Richard Eary.

"Even if the markets turn and look for low-beta stocks next year and go back to value plays, C&W should also come up on radar screens given its cash pile, low multiples and ability to increase the dividend side or potentially embark on share buy-backs," Eary added. He has an "add" rating on C&W, with a price target of 148p.

C&W shares have been the star performer of the blue-chip FTSE index in 2003. Friday's rise brings its increase in the year so far to a massive 196 percent. The next best gainer looks set to be mobile phone company mmO2 , up 74 percent at 77p since the beginning of January.

Tata Communications shares gain amid CWW takeover report

MUMBAI: Shares of Tata Communications on Thursday soared by about four per cent in early morning trade amid reports that the company was looking to bid for acquiring UK-based telecom player Cable & Wireless Worldwide (CWW).

UPDATE 1-India's Tata Comm eyeing C&W Worldwide-report

MUMBAI, March 1 (Reuters) - India's Tata Communications Ltd is preparing to bid for Cable & Wireless Worldwide Plc, the Times of India reported on Thursday, in what would be the biggest British acquisition by an Indian firm since Tata Motors (BSE: TATAMOTORS.BO - news) bought Jaguar Land Rover.
The paper, citing sources directly briefed on the matter, said a bid could possibly be made in the next two weeks.

virgin mobile may join later.

Statement re. Press Comment

RNS

RNS Number : 4603Y
Tata Communications Limited
01 March 2012



NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, AUSTRALIA, JAPAN OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION

THIS IS AN ANNOUNCEMENT FALLING UNDER RULE 2.4 OF THE CITY CODE ON TAKEOVERS AND MERGERS (THE "CODE") AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN ANNOUNCEMENT OF A FIRM INTENTION TO MAKE AN OFFER UNDER RULE 2.7 OF THE CODE. THERE CAN BE NO CERTAINTY THAT ANY OFFER WILL BE MADE

1 March 2012

Announcement in relation to press speculation

Tata Communications Ltd ("TCL") notes the press speculation in relation to Cable & Wireless Worldwide plc ("CWW") and confirms that as part of its ongoing review of potential acquisition opportunities, TCL is evaluating a possible cash offer for CWW. TCL would like to emphasise that considerations are at a very preliminary stage.

In accordance with Rule 2.6(a) of the Code, TCL is now required, by not later than 5.00 p.m. on 29 March 2012, to either announce a firm intention to make an offer for CWW in accordance with Rule 2.7 of the Code or announce that it does not intend to make an offer, in which case the announcement will be treated as a statement to which Rule 2.8 of the Code applies. This deadline can be extended with the consent of the Panel in accordance with Rule 2.6(c) of the Code.

This is an announcement falling under Rule 2.4 of the Code and does not constitute an announcement of a firm intention to make an offer under Rule 2.7 of the Code.

Out of extended auction +15.4%

Indians have the habit of buying British companies with depressed share prices.

Corus was sold to TATA Steel when everyone knew the future could be bright. We paid over £3 a share for Corus, they bought it at penny prices. It worth around £7 now!!!

Jaguar Land Rover had the same story. Sold for nothing - £500 cash and the co was sold for £10 if memory serve me right. It made the higher profit ever last year under TATA management.

The new story is CW. Many of us paid over £1.70 for CW. and some others paid over £7 and still holding. We are now happy that TATA is going to buy it probably around 50p. They will sell the same shares around £2 in two years, all IMO.

Growth in internet is exponential and reality now, unlike internet hype years 2000, 2001. You should just look at Google, Apple, Facebook, etc. They all need internet connection all over the world. I think CW. worth over £1 even at this depressed market.

Three reasons for my expectation of bid price around 50p.

1. The break up value is around £2.4bn.
2. Those who bought at 29p in early february will not be able to sell 90M million shares at profit if the price does not jump to 50p levels.
3. Internet is now recognized as one of the best growth industries. We cannot live without it. Telecom companies like CW., CWC, and Virgin Media will be more valuable in the future.... probably ten times more in the next five years.

TATA joined in when the share price was over 28p (27.2 to 29.2p) for ten days.

The UK tax losses of 4 Billion are worth around 20p per share to VOD not sure if Tata could use them against their other UK interests if they can then really you would expect Tata to be happy to pay 40p+. I am not at all versed on USA corporation tax but given the tax loss cfwd by CW. in the states is 14 billion may be Verizon should be bidding rather than VOD with Verizon selling of the UK based assets and UK related tax losses to VOD. Verizon is 50% owned by VOD for those that do not know.

make your mind up time for Vodaphone bid.

Could be Tata :-)

or maybe a virgin!

well something going on takeover panel give Vodaphone bid extension time to 29th march same as for Tata. sp moving up nicely 50p possible here.

looks like a case of who will "blink" first.... Tata or Vodaphone?

It worth over 70p anyway, regardless of the results.
Some even value its assets at 150p a share.

Seems to be coming off a bit now.

sp up 5% so far today.

sp finished up 6% more to come we think.

At the closing price, its a double bagger + for me. I was tempted to take the money and run - lets hope I was right to stay.

skin us too have stayed in looking fo 50p+

Vodafone's C&W Worldwide bid deadline extended

(Reuters) - Vodafone must decide whether to bid for Britain's Cable & Wireless Worldwide by 29 March after regulator the Takeover Panel extended the deadline on Friday to the same date set for potential rival bidder Tata Communications.

The takeover panel had set a "put up or shut up" deadline for March 12 after Vodafone said in February it was in the early stage of considering whether to make a cash bid for Cable & Wireless Worldwide (C&WW).

It granted the extension on Friday at the request of C&WW, the corporate telecoms services group said.


Vodafone's declared interest in C&WW, which has issued a string of profit warnings since it split from Cable & Wireless Comms two years ago, prompted India's Tata Communications to say on March 1 that it too was looking at making a bid.

Shares in C&WW closed up 5.9 percent at 36.2 pence, valuing the group at nearly 1 billion pounds ($1.6 billion).

Vodafone closed down 0.9 percent at 169 pence. Tata Communications last traded up 2.5 percent at 235.60 rupees.

Analyst Nick Brown at Espirito Santo Investment Bank said the extension meant Vodafone was working quite seriously on whether to make a formal bid or not.

"Their intentions of having a look at the business were made public perhaps before they would have liked, so it makes sense they might want a bit more time because it's not just the Cable & Wireless shareholders they have to convince; they've got to present a robust case to Vodafone shareholders as well," he said.

"There's been a fair degree of scepticism about the deal; as we've got closer to the deadline it became more apparent that Vodafone was serious about potentially making a bid.

"Now they are requesting more time it is probably more likely than not they are going to come out with something formal."

Standard Chartered is the financial adviser to Tata Communications, the company said in the filing, with Rothschild and Barclays Capital advising C&W Worldwide.