Vodafone tests investors on possible A$ bond-funds

British telecom group Vodafone Group<VOD.L> has approached investors through an investment bank to test their appetite for a possible Australian dollar bond issue, two fund managers said on Thursday.  

Preliminary discussions centred on a seven-year issue at around 170 basis points over swap, they said.                                           

Investors named National Australia Bank (NAB)<NAB.AX> as the bank which was marketing the possible issue.                          

Vodafone said it has no firm plans at this stage having just completed a A$3 billion bank refinancing package.             

NAB declined to comment.    

The telecom has issued A$265 million of 2013 notes in 2006 in a kangaroo bond offer jointly managed by Citigroup and Deutsche Bank.