Liberty Global denies rumors of Vodafone takeover but takes stake Liberty Global has acquired a 4.92% stake in the Vodafone Group but denies this is a step towards a full takeover bid. Instead, the move is an opportunistic investment, according to Mike Fries, Liberty Global CEO. “We believe, like many others, that Vodafone’s current share price does not reflect the underlying long-term value of their operating businesses, or their announced consolidation and infrastructure opportunities,” said Fries. This makes Liberty Global Vodafone’s third-largest shareholder after UAE-based telecoms company e& and USA investment group BlackRock. Vodafone, with market capitalization of $30.94bn at the time of the Liberty Global move, reported quarterly results below expectations earlier this month. This kept the share price…