- Peeking ahead to more European telecom consolidation, Orange SA (ORAN -0.9%) says it might be looking at Telecom Italia (NYSE:TI), or other countries' targets such as the Netherlands' KPN (OTCPK:KKPNY) or Belgacom (OTCPK:BGAOY).
- As a bigger provider, Orange is looking to more tie-ups to relieve the falling prices that heavier competition has brought to the European market.
- The regulatory climate still has a way to go, says Orange's European chief Gervais Pellissier, but consolidation is inevitable on the continent, and in France as well: “The situation with four players is not sustainable in the long term."
- France's No. 3 provider Bouygues (OTCPK:BOUYY) has been hit hard by the price war but has maintained it's not talking with merger partners. But: "The only one that is not for sale in the French market is us,” says Orange's Pellissier.
- Orange is down less than expected as it's trading ex-dividend today for its upcoming special $0.4542 cash dividend (2.83% of current price; Orange ADRs are at $16.03 after yesterday's close of $16.18).