3 Reasons Why Vodafone Group plc Could Rise Higher

Since selling its share of joint venture Verizon Wireless,Vodafones(LSE: VOD) (NASDAQ: VOD.US) performance has failed to impress investors. Sales have fallen, dragging down the companys profits and share price.

However, there are three catalysts ahead that could reignite Vodafones fortunes.

Delightful dividend

One of Vodafones most attractive qualities is the companys dividend payout. At present levels Vodafone supports a dividend yield of 5.2% and City estimates are calling for this yield to hit 5.4% next year, followed by 5.6% during 2016.

Nevertheless, Vodafones higher than average dividend yield suggests to me that the City believes that the payout is unsustainable at present levels.

Actually, Vodafone is only expected to report earnings per share of 6.6p next year, while the dividend payout will cost the company 11.4p per share. Unfortunately, it would appear as if Vodafones dividend is bigger than the company can afford.

That said, if Vodafones management can convince the City that the payout is in fact here to stay, then its likely that the company will see its share price rise as a result.

European troubles

Europe has been the root cause of Vodafones troubles during the past few years. European revenues have been sliding as peers grab market share and economic troubles force customers to opt for cheaper alternatives.

Revenue within Vodafones European market fell 7.9% on an organic basis during the first half of this year, with some markets reporting double-digit declines in service revenue.

Nevertheless, if Vodafone can reverse its fortunes within Europe then the companys sales should reverse their slide. Management is proactive on this front, building the companys presence on the continent through acquisitions and hefty infrastructure investment as part of Project Spring. The goal is to make Vodafone one of Europes best mobile service providers.

Over the long-term, Vodafones infrastructure investment and the companys integrated product offering across Europe should draw customers. But with the unemployment rate standing at just under 12% across the Eurozone, Vodafones sales wont start rising until the European economy recovers.

Take over

Finally, there is still a chance that a larger peercould make an offer for Vodafone. Indeed, only recently rumours have resurfaced suggesting that US telecoms giant, AT&T and Japanese giant Softbankcould be looking at Vodafone.

During the past few days reports have suggested that Softbank was planning to takeover Vodafone, while rumors regarding AT&Ts interest have been around for some time. However, AT&Ts management has stated that the company does not want to acquire Vodafone in its entirety. Instead, it is suspected that AT&T will work with a partner to break-up and then acquire separate parts of Vodafone.

Specifically, its suspected that AT&T will only want to acquire Vodafones European operations, which could allow Vodafone could kill two birds with one stone. Indeed, if Vodafone could offload its European division to AT&T, the company would not have to worry about kick starting growth on the continent. AT&T could be working with Softbank to acquire separate parts of Vodafone.

Still, I should state that as of yet, there have been no definitive takeover talks between Vodafone, AT&T and Softbank.

Only time will tell

Vodafones recovery will take time, although with that hefty 5.2% dividend yield, investors will be paid to wait.

Nevertheless, if its growth youre looking for, there are other opportunities out there.The key, when searching for growth stocks, is looking under the radar. You want to get on board while the company is still an unknown quantity.

Rupert Hargreaves has no position in any shares mentioned. We Fools don’t all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.