Vodafone (VOD): London calling

Growth expert Dennis Slothower has chosen Vodafone Group (NYSE: VOD) as the latest "stock of the month" in his Stealth Stocks newsletter.

He notes that the London-based firm is a world leader in providing voice and data communications services for both consumer and enterprise customers, with a significant presence in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Pacific and the United States.

Indeed, he points out, the company has equity interests in 25 countries; partner market arrangements extend the group's footprint to an additional 38 countries with 206 million mobile communications customers.

He explains, "Vodaphone Group is continually developing and enhancing service offerings, particularly through third-generation (3G) mobile technology, which has been deployed in the majority of its operations."

With interest rates falling, he observes, the technology sector is leading the way and the wireless sector is leading the technology sector. And the company, he says, has grown earnings over the past year at a 25% rate.

Says Slothower, "This stock has everything I like: international exposure, a 2.5% dividend and a low P/E ratio. I would not be surprised to see VOD double over the next 18 months."

According to my numbers, he contends, Vodafone should be selling in the $70 range over the next three to five years. He concludes, "It is currently trading in the low $30 range, so VOD has a large upside potential. Place a sell stop at 25% below your entry price. As the stock rises, continue to raise your stop."

Each day, Steven Halpern's TheStockAdvisors.com features the latest stock picks and investment ideas from the nation's leading financial newsletter advisors.