TOP NEWS: National Grid lifts outlook on surging interim earnings

(Alliance News) - National Grid PLC on Thursday raised its annual guidance on soaring interim ...

Alliance News 18 November, 2021 | 9:15AM
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(Alliance News) - National Grid PLC on Thursday raised its annual guidance on soaring interim profit as the company benefited from its North Sea interconnector to Norway and higher auction prices.

The FTSE 100 constituent posted a pretax profit of GBP1.08 billion for the six months ended in September, a jump of 86% from GBP583 million a year before. Bottom line growth was attributed to the reduced impact of Covid-19 compared to the prior year, and higher revenue from its UK Electricity Transmission business.

Revenue improved 14% annually to GBP6.94 billion from GBP6.06 billion. Earnings per share of 10.5p were down 25% on the year before as a result of a deferred tax remeasurement.

National Grid manages the UK's power infrastructure and provides power to the states of New York, Rhode Island and Massachusetts in the US.

The group's UK Electricity System Operator business saw the greatest gains in the period, with revenue rising 21% annually to GBP1.15 billion. Meanwhile its UK Electricity Transmission also saw healthy growth, up 10% to GBP1.04 billion.

Commenting on the second half, National Grid highlighted its completed 1,400 megwatt undersea North Sea Link power cable to Norway, following a GBP620 million investment, in boosting future revenue further.

"Looking ahead, the new organisational structure that we have implemented, alongside a major cost efficiency programme, will ensure we are in a strong position to capitalise on the significant growth opportunities ahead," commented Chief Executive John Pettigrew.

"Our focus will be on delivering critical and green investment to enable the decarbonisation of power, transport and heat, and lead a clean, fair and affordable energy transition across the jurisdictions we serve."

Following the strong start to the year, National Grid raised its annual underlying earnings per share outlook and said it would be "significantly" above the top end of the previous 5% to 7% guidance range.

National Grid lifted its interim payout to 17.21 pence per share from 17.00p previously.

Shares were trading up 0.6% at 980.00p each in London on Thursday morning.

By Will Paige; willpaige@alliancenews.com

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Securities Mentioned in Article

Security Name Price Change (%) Morningstar
Rating
National Grid PLC 1,056.71 GBX 0.78

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