Annual Report For the year ended 31 March 2009

Prospects for the year ahead

In Europe and Central Europe, operating conditions will be challenging in the 2010 financial year. IMF forecasts indicate a GDP decline of 4% in 2009 across the Vodafone footprint within Europe and Central Europe and that unemployment could increase significantly. In these markets, we expect that voice and messaging revenue trends will continue as a result of ongoing pricing pressures and slowing usage. However, we expect further growth in data revenue. In Turkey, where we will focus on our turnaround plan, we expect that the 2010 financial year will be challenging. Revenue growth in other emerging markets, in particular India and Africa, is expected to continue as we drive penetration in these markets. We expect another year of good performance at Verizon Wireless.

Adjusted operating profit is expected to be in the range of £11.0 billion to £11.8 billion. We have widened our outlook for adjusted operating profit this year to reflect current economic uncertainty. Performance will be determined by actual economic trends, our success in closing the performance gaps we have identified in certain markets and the extent to which we decide to reinvest cost savings into total communications growth opportunities. Underlying EBITDA margins, before the impact of acquisitions and disposals, foreign exchange and business mix, are expected to decline by a similar amount to the 2009 financial year. This trend reflects the benefit of the acceleration of the Group’s cost savings programme in a weaker revenue environment. Overall Group EBITDA margin is expected to decline at a slightly slower rate.

Free cash flow before licence and spectrum payments is expected to be in the range of £6.0 billion to £6.5 billion, ahead of our medium term target to deliver between £5.0 and £6.0 billion annual free cash flow. We intend to maintain European capital intensity at around 10% of revenue and to continue to invest significantly in India. Capital expenditure is expected to be similar to last year after adjusting for foreign currency.

Summary

Overall, these results reflect the benefits of Vodafone’s exposure to a diverse range of economies, our successful exploitation of data services and the opportunities derived from our regional approach, as well as the initial impact of our accelerated £1 billion cost savings programme.

We are confident that our strategy is appropriate for the current operating environment.

Vittorio Colao
Chief Executive