《财富》水晶球：2014全球大事预测

    AT＆T将与沃达丰合并

    关于美国电信巨头AT＆T有可能与英国沃达丰公司( Vodafone)合并的谣言已经流传了10年左右。尽管2004年的交易以失败告终，但今年9月份，在沃达丰同意将其持有威瑞森( Verizon)45%的股权回售给这家公司（许多人认为这是沃达丰在寻求与AT＆T合并交易前必须完成的步骤之一，AT＆T是仅次于威瑞森的美国第二大电信公司）之后，这种传言再次甚嚣尘上。据说AT＆T有意在2014年收购欧洲的电信公司，并且悄悄地盯上了沃达丰，但这两家公司还没有确认这个消息。电信业的进一步兼并整合——有报道称斯普林特公司(Sprint )正在追逐德国电信公司(T-Mobile)——使得这桩合并交易变得更加可能。

    概率: 75%。

    AT&T will merge with Vodafone

    Rumors have been swirling for a decade about a possible merger between American telecom giant AT&T (T, Fortune 500) and its British counterpart Vodafone (VOD). But while a 2004 deal fell apart, speculation intensified again this past September after Vodafone agreed to sell its 45% stake in Verizon (VZ, Fortune 500) back to that company. (Many view that as a needed step before Vodafone can pursue a deal with AT&T, the second-largest telecom firm in the U.S. after Verizon.) AT&T has expressed interest in European acquisitions in 2014 and is quietly eyeing Vodafone, according to news reports, though neither company will confirm it. Further consolidation in the telecom industry -- as with reports that Sprint (S, Fortune 500) is pursuing T-Mobile (TMUS) -- could make a deal more likely.

    Odds: 75%.