Centrica Share Discussion Threads

[philo124] 27/3/2014 20:15

Good repost.

[mitchy] 27/3/2014 20:14

Deutsche Bank have issued 4 notes of 300p over 8 days (one was issued twice on the same day). Smacks of desperation to me.

[mitchy] 27/3/2014 20:08

27 Mar 14 Centrica PLC Deutsche Bank Hold 325.20 300.00 300.00 Reiterates
27 Mar 14 Centrica PLC RBC Capital Markets Outperform 325.20 360.00 360.00 Reiterates

[selborne_edge] 27/3/2014 09:27

I am glad that Sam Laidlaw has come out with a spirited defence of Centrica and the energy companies in general. This ridiculous enquiry had to come from a Liberal Democrat and will only result in the reduction of investment into the energy industry. The response from that silly labour female was to be expected.

[essentialinvestor] 27/3/2014 07:14

Competition inquiry announced.

[janekane] 27/3/2014 07:10

Breakup .....?

[mitchy] 26/3/2014 22:56

Don't know if we can draw many conclusions from this complicated chart but here goes anyway.

Trading range is still topped at 350.
First support now at 320
second support 306/8
Third support below 280 somewhere.

Good Luck.

[mitchy] 26/3/2014 08:38

Probably some profit taking to invest in lloy at 75p

[mitchy] 26/3/2014 08:36

26 Mar 14 Centrica PLC Deutsche Bank Hold 323.10 300.00 300.00 Reiterates
25 Mar 14 Centrica PLC Credit Suisse Neutral 323.10 310.00 310.00 Reiterates
25 Mar 14 Centrica PLC Barclays Capital Underweight 323.10 285.00 275.00 Reiterates

[mitchy] 26/3/2014 07:52

There maybe some dramatic price moves in share price today

[mitchy] 26/3/2014 07:50

So are they saying also that they will be charging the same even if wholesale prices go down!? Nice one SSE.

[mac15] 26/3/2014 07:42

sse freeze prices till 2016.

[mitchy] 26/3/2014 07:00

Cameron to issue more licences to drill fracking sites on U.K mainland. He's asking the industry to stepUp production times to end of year ! That will mean financial assistance of one form or another.Not That he will ever admit to giving the industry a leg up.

[mitchy] 25/3/2014 16:18

Analyst Angelos Anastasiou at Whitman Howard issued a buy note with a 430p price target:The deal is said to be earnings enhancing in its first full year and we believe that the business will slot in well with its existing activities. Despite the political machinations in the UK, Centrica remains one of our favoured, value plays, and today's move augments this position. For Centrica the deal provides an opportunity for it to acquire a vertically integrated energy supply business in an adjacent market. This will provide a platform for growth in Ireland. The business will be operated from BGE's offices in Dublin and Cork, forming part of Centrica's International Downstream activities. It is the largest dual fuel supplier in Ireland, with approximately 650,000 residential gas and electricity accounts and 30,000 business accounts. The 445MW Whitegate gas-fired power station is in County Cork.Separately, analysts at Barclays have issued a less positive note on Centrica:Whilst investors appear to have digested the potential for a Centrica supply margin squeeze around the UK election, we believe the market has failed to price in a more long-term threat: that increasing levels of competition could lead to a permanent structural decline in margins. We anticipate a step-change in the competitive landscape over the next three years, driven by 1) the emergence of a new breed of "hard discounting" independent suppliers, 2) greater ease of switching due to the rollout of smart meters, and 3) further policy interventions to promote switching. We reiterate our underweight rating, with our price target [cut from 285p to 275p] implying 17% downside.Centrica is currently 1.2p higher at 332.7p

[mitchy] 25/3/2014 14:47

The breakup value,were it ever happen, would be more than the current share price value,so we're told.

[333pete] 25/3/2014 14:42

A bit disappointing that the share price is falling after the news is out. I can't see CNA being broken up myself, after all, what message would that send to business and who is going to fund future investment in UK energy?

DYOR

[mitchy] 25/3/2014 14:12

It also makes the two broker notes out today old news if they haven't included it in their analysis. I would expect some rerating after this news.

[mitchy] 25/3/2014 14:07

That acquisition is a significant feather in Centrica's cap not to be underestimated. Ireland has been forced intoSelling prized assets like this to pay down their debt. This is a big win for Centrica..make no mistake.

[mitchy] 25/3/2014 13:52

LONDON-- Centrica PLC said on Tuesday it will buy Irish power company Bord Gáis Energy for EUR1.1 billion ($1.52 billion) in partnership with two private-equity firms as the U.K.-based utility takes advantage of Ireland's privatization program to expand outside of its U.K. base.Centrica, which distributes gas to U.K. households through its British Gas commercial unit, will buy Bord Gáis Energy's gas and electricity supply business in Ireland and the Whitegate gas-fired power station from the Dublin-owned Bord Gáis Éirann.The acquisition is expected to close in the first half of this year and contributed to Centrica's earnings in the first full year of ownership, the U.K. company said.The Irish government announced last December said it was selling its largest energy companies to the Centrica-led consortium, marking its largest privatization under the country's European-backed financial bailout. Centrica's partners in the deal are Brookfield Renewable Energy Partners LP and iCON Infrastructure Partners.Ireland struck a deal with the European Union and International Monetary Fund in 2010 to raise funds and to sell some state-owned assets.Bord Gáis Energy's supply business is the largest dual fuel supplier in Ireland, with 650,000 residential gas and electricity accounts and 30,000 business accounts.

[mitchy] 25/3/2014 10:45

25 Mar 14Centrica PLCCredit SuisseNeutral332.90310.00310.00Reiterates25 Mar 14Centrica PLCBarclays CapitalUnderweight332.90285.00275.00Reiterates

[mitchy] 25/3/2014 00:27

British Gas owner Centrica PLC fell 1.9%, and SSE PLC lost 2.3%, among those in the utility sector that saw their shares fall on news reports that a regulator may look into a break up of the U.K'.s "Big Six" energy

[wipo1] 24/3/2014 17:45

Maxidi - Well I switched out of CNA to french stock GDF SUEZ EU:GSZ The French government has a big stake in this. Labour probably had a big short on CNA at 390p!

[mitchy] 24/3/2014 14:13

Why Centrica PLC Should Be A Candidate For Your 2014 ISABy Alan Oscroft - Monday, 24 March, 2014 | See also: CNACPYYY0inShareEnergy firms are facing the squeeze - with an election not far off and attention focused on energy costs, the scope for raising prices is more restricted than it has been for a few years.The future looks goodBut over the long term, gas and electricity are essentials and people will be paying for them for many decades to come. And that's how ISAs are best targeted - at companies that can hopefully be bought and forgotten about for 20 years or more.And that brings me to Centrica (LSE: CNA) (NASDAQOTH: CPYYY.US), the company trading under the British Gas and Scottish Gas brands in the UK - confusingly, BG Group owns the British Gas brand overseas.Like the rest of the sector, Centrica faces some of the strictest regulation of any UK industry, but that does have an upside for investors. With prices set in advance, gas and oil contracts negotiated over the longer term, and with customer numbers and demand really pretty constant, year-on-year income is amongst the easiest to predict.Strong dividendsAnd with capital reinvestment costs also planned long-term, it's safe for Centrica to pay out a larger share of its earnings in dividends than just about any other type of business. Centrica is paying pretty reliable annual yields of around 5%, and that is especially attractive for income seekers in times of low interest rates.The share price has actually been doing pretty well too - it generally sticks close to the FTSE 100 average, but with dividends that easily beat the FTSE's average yield of around 3%.Over the past couple of months the political fallout has admittedly sent the shares down, and at 334p they've lost about 8% over the past 12 months. But over the past 10 years? Pretty much bang on the FTSE, with similar volatility - for an overall gain of 50%, which is an annual rise of around 7%!Healthy growthWhat about the future? Let's assume a very conservative average share price gain of just 3% per year, and a regular 5% dividend yield with dividends reinvested. Every £1,000 invested in Centrica today would be worth £4,700 in 20 years (though if the past decade's rise of 7% per year is repeated, we'd double that to £9,600!)And that is what long-term ISA investments should look like.If use your full ISA allowance every year for shares like Centrica and keep them for decades, you could even be on your way to a million-pound pot by the time you retire -- and our expert Motley Fool report Ten Steps To Making A Million In The Market can help you get there.