United Utilities Group
Website:
United Utilities Group
Index:
FTSE 100
EPIC: UU.
Supersector:
Utilities
Sector:
Gas, Water and Multiutilities
Subsector:
Water
Market Cap:
£10.25B
Payout Frequency: Semi-Annual
United Utilities Group Dividend Analysis and Summary
Key Dividend Details
- Final dividend: 35.78p per share (FY26)
- Total FY26 dividend: 53.66p (+3.5% YoY, in line with CPIH-linked policy)
- Ex-dividend date: 25/06/2026
- Record date: 26/06/2026
- Payment date: 03/08/2026
- DRIP available (Equiniti); election deadline: 13/07/2026
- Policy: Maintain dividend growth in line with CPIH
- Guided FY27 DPS: 55.54p (CPIH-linked)
Coverage, Cash and Balance Sheet Support
- Underlying EPS: 107.1p ? dividend cover ~2.0x
- Reported EPS: 86.1p ? cover ~1.6x
- Operating cash flow (FY26): £1,381.9m vs cash dividends paid: £357.6m (~3.9x cash cover)
- Net debt: £9.94bn; RCV gearing: 60% (mid-point of 55–65% target)
- Credit ratings: Moody’s Baa1, Fitch A-, S&P BBB+ (stable)
- Liquidity extends to H2 FY28; average effective interest rate: 4.2%
Capital Allocation and Outlook
- AMP8 capex increased to ~£11.5bn (from ~£9bn) with FY27 capex guided at ~£2bn
- Asset base (RCV) growth guided at ~10% CAGR in AMP8; FY26 RCV up 7.5% to £16.5bn
- Target regulatory returns in AMP8: 10–11% RoRE; FY26 regulatory return: 13.0%
- Planned ~£800m equity raise to support investment and keep gearing in range
Sustainability and Growth Assessment
- Policy-anchored, inflation-linked growth is well supported by FY26 performance: underlying operating profit up +35%, underlying EPS 107.1p vs DPS 53.66p (~2.0x cover) and strong cash generation.
- Accounting changes boosted underlying EPS (c.+37p from higher IRE capitalisation and +3p from index-linked debt estimate change), but cash cover remains robust and credit metrics are stable.
- Forward trajectory: dividends guided to rise with CPIH (FY27 DPS 55.54p). Given escalating AMP8 capex, the announced equity raise and solid regulatory returns underpin dividend capacity while preserving balance sheet resilience.
Structural or Policy Developments Affecting Dividends
- Equity raise (~£800m) announced to support enlarged AMP8 programme and maintain target gearing; positive for long-term dividend sustainability, though modestly dilutive.
- AMP8 investment plan increased to ~£11.5bn (includes additional £1.4bn proposals; further ~£1.2bn expected in 2027/28).
- Dividend policy unchanged: growth in line with CPIH from an FY26 base of 53.66p.
- No demergers/M&A/share consolidations disclosed. DRIP remains available.
Risks and Flags Relevant to Dividend Stability
- ODI penalties: FY26 net penalty ~£35m; revenue impact lands with two-year lag (reducing FY28 revenues). Management still guides to net reward over AMP8.
- Regulatory and environmental investigations: Ongoing Ofwat and Environment Agency cases could lead to fines or remediation; indicative sector penalties elsewhere range up to mid-single digit % of wastewater turnover.
- Execution risk: Delivery of a significantly larger capex plan at allowed cost and quality; totex/PCD underperformance could pressure returns.
- Financing and inflation risk: Rising nominal debt and interest costs (effective rate 4.2%), though hedging and index-linked structures mitigate; plan to reduce index-linked share of debt over AMP8.
- Severe downside mitigations include potential dividend deferral/suspension per going-concern stress testing, albeit not the base case.
Read more
United Utilities Group Annual Dividend Yield - 3.88%
Dividends Used in Calculation:
| Ex-Dividend Date |
Payment Date |
Type |
Amount |
Currency |
| 18/12/2025 |
02/02/2026 |
Interim |
17.8800p |
GBX |
| 25/06/2026 |
03/08/2026 |
Final |
35.7800p |
GBX |
Total (Annual Dividends Per Share):
53.66p
Dividend Yield =
Annual Dividends Per Share (53.66p)
÷ Share Price (1383p)
= 3.88%
United Utilities Group Dividend History
| Ex Dividend Date |
Payment Date |
Type |
Amount |
Currency |
| 25/06/2026 |
03/08/2026 |
Final |
35.7800p |
GBX |
| 18/12/2025 |
02/02/2026 |
Interim |
17.8800p |
GBX |
| 19/06/2025 |
01/08/2025 |
Final |
34.57p |
GBX |
| 28/11/2024 |
13/01/2025 |
Interim |
17.28p |
GBX |
| 20/06/2024 |
01/08/2024 |
Final |
33.19p |
GBX |
| 21/12/2023 |
01/02/2024 |
Interim |
16.59p |
GBX |
| 22/06/2023 |
01/08/2023 |
Final |
30.34p |
GBX |
| 22/12/2022 |
01/02/2023 |
Interim |
15.17p |
GBX |
| 23/06/2022 |
01/08/2022 |
Final |
29.00p |
GBX |
| 16/12/2021 |
01/02/2022 |
Interim |
14.50p |
GBX |
| 24/06/2021 |
02/08/2021 |
Final |
28.83p |
GBX |
| 17/12/2020 |
01/02/2021 |
Interim |
14.41p |
GBX |
| 25/06/2020 |
03/08/2020 |
Final |
28.40p |
GBX |
| 19/12/2019 |
03/02/2020 |
Interim |
14.20p |
GBX |
| 20/06/2019 |
01/08/2019 |
Final |
27.52p |
GBX |
| 20/12/2018 |
01/02/2019 |
Interim |
13.76p |
GBX |
| 21/06/2018 |
03/08/2018 |
Final |
26.49p |
GBX |
| 21/12/2017 |
01/02/2018 |
Interim |
13.24p |
GBX |
| 22/06/2017 |
04/08/2017 |
Final |
25.92p |
GBX |
| 15/12/2016 |
01/02/2017 |
Interim |
12.95p |
GBX |
| 23/06/2016 |
01/08/2016 |
Final |
25.64p |
GBX |
| 17/12/2015 |
01/02/2016 |
Interim |
12.81p |
GBX |
| 25/06/2015 |
03/08/2015 |
Final |
25.14p |
GBX |
| 18/12/2014 |
02/02/2015 |
Interim |
12.56p |
GBX |
| 18/06/2014 |
01/08/2014 |
Final |
24.03p |
GBX |
| 18/12/2013 |
03/02/2014 |
Interim |
12.01p |
GBX |
| 19/06/2013 |
02/08/2013 |
Final |
22.88p |
GBX |
| 19/12/2012 |
01/02/2013 |
Interim |
11.44p |
GBX |
| 20/06/2012 |
03/08/2012 |
Final |
21.34p |
GBX |
| 14/12/2011 |
01/02/2012 |
Interim |
10.67p |
GBX |
| 22/06/2011 |
01/08/2011 |
Final |
20.0p |
GBX |
| 15/12/2010 |
02/02/2011 |
Interim |
10.0p |
GBX |
| 16/06/2010 |
02/08/2010 |
Final |
23.13p |
GBX |
| 16/12/2009 |
03/02/2010 |
Interim |
11.17p |
GBX |
| 17/06/2009 |
03/08/2009 |
Final |
22.03p |
GBX |
| 17/12/2008 |
04/02/2009 |
Interim |
10.64p |
GBX |
| 25/06/2008 |
08/08/2008 |
Final |
31.47p |
GBX |
| 19/12/2007 |
11/02/2008 |
Interim |
15.2p |
GBX |
| 27/06/2007 |
24/08/2007 |
Final |
30.3p |
GBX |
| 20/12/2006 |
12/02/2007 |
Interim |
14.63p |
GBX |
| 28/06/2006 |
25/08/2006 |
Final |
29.58p |
GBX |
| 21/12/2005 |
09/02/2006 |
Interim |
14.29p |
GBX |
| 08/06/2005 |
26/08/2005 |
Final |
30.63p |
GBX |
| 22/12/2004 |
09/02/2005 |
Interim |
14.79p |
GBX |
| 30/06/2004 |
27/08/2004 |
Final |
29.88p |
GBX |
| 17/12/2003 |
09/02/2004 |
Interim |
14.43p |
GBX |
| 25/06/2003 |
29/08/2003 |
Final |
32.1p |
GBX |
| 18/12/2002 |
10/02/2003 |
Interim |
15.5p |
GBX |
| 05/06/2002 |
01/10/2002 |
Final |
31.7p |
GBX |
| 05/12/2001 |
11/02/2002 |
Interim |
15.3p |
GBX |
| 06/06/2001 |
01/10/2001 |
Final |
31.1p |
GBX |
| 13/12/2000 |
12/02/2001 |
Interim |
15.0p |
GBX |
| 05/06/2000 |
01/10/2000 |
Final |
30.5p |
GBX |
| 20/12/1999 |
14/02/2000 |
Interim |
14.7p |
GBX |
| 07/06/1999 |
01/10/1999 |
Final |
29.9p |
GBX |
| 30/11/1998 |
06/04/1999 |
Interim |
14.4p |
GBX |
| 08/06/1998 |
01/10/1998 |
Final |
29.0p |
GBX |
| 08/12/1997 |
16/02/1998 |
Interim |
13.16p |
GBX |
| 13/06/1997 |
01/10/1997 |
Final |
25.2p |
GBX |
| 17/12/1996 |
13/02/1997 |
Interim |
12.0p |
GBX |
| 08/06/1996 |
01/10/1996 |
Final |
19.59p |
GBX |
| 28/12/1995 |
16/02/1996 |
Interim |
9.27p |
GBX |
| 16/06/1995 |
03/10/1995 |
Final |
21.0p |
GBX |
| 03/01/1995 |
24/02/1995 |
Interim |
8.35p |
GBX |
| 16/06/1994 |
03/10/1994 |
Final |
15.4p |
GBX |
| 04/01/1994 |
06/04/1994 |
Interim |
7.67p |
GBX |
| 17/06/1993 |
06/08/1993 |
Final |
14.27p |
GBX |
| 04/01/1993 |
26/02/1993 |
Interim |
7.13p |
GBX |
| 11/06/1992 |
01/10/1992 |
Final |
13.13p |
GBX |
| 03/01/1992 |
17/02/1992 |
Interim |
6.54p |
GBX |
| 22/07/1991 |
01/10/1991 |
Final |
12.0p |
GBX |
| 28/01/1991 |
04/03/1991 |
Interim |
6.0p |
GBX |
| 23/07/1990 |
10/10/1990 |
Final |
10.47p |
GBX |
| Year |
Interim |
Final |
Currency |
Total |
Change |
| 2024 |
17.280 |
33.190 |
GBX |
50.470 |
7.540 |
| 2023 |
16.590 |
30.340 |
GBX |
46.930 |
6.240 |
| 2022 |
15.170 |
29.000 |
GBX |
44.170 |
1.930 |
| 2021 |
14.500 |
28.830 |
GBX |
43.330 |
1.210 |
| 2020 |
14.410 |
28.400 |
GBX |
42.810 |
2.610 |
| 2019 |
14.200 |
27.520 |
GBX |
41.720 |
3.650 |
| 2018 |
13.760 |
26.490 |
GBX |
40.250 |
2.780 |
| 2017 |
13.240 |
25.920 |
GBX |
39.160 |
1.470 |
| 2016 |
12.950 |
25.640 |
GBX |
38.590 |
1.680 |
| 2015 |
12.810 |
25.140 |
GBX |
37.950 |
3.710 |
| 2014 |
12.560 |
24.030 |
GBX |
36.590 |
4.870 |
| 2013 |
12.010 |
22.880 |
GBX |
34.890 |
6.430 |
| 2012 |
11.440 |
21.340 |
GBX |
32.780 |
6.870 |
| 2011 |
10.670 |
20.000 |
GBX |
30.670 |
-7.420 |
| 2010 |
10.000 |
23.130 |
GBX |
33.130 |
-0.210 |
| 2009 |
11.170 |
22.030 |
GBX |
33.200 |
-21.150 |
| 2008 |
10.640 |
31.470 |
GBX |
42.110 |
-7.450 |
| 2007 |
15.200 |
30.300 |
GBX |
45.500 |
2.910 |
| 2006 |
14.630 |
29.580 |
GBX |
44.210 |
-1.580 |
| 2005 |
14.290 |
30.630 |
GBX |
44.920 |
0.550 |
| 2004 |
14.790 |
29.880 |
GBX |
44.670 |
-3.990 |
| 2003 |
14.430 |
32.100 |
GBX |
46.530 |
-1.410 |
| 2002 |
15.500 |
31.700 |
GBX |
47.200 |
1.720 |
| 2001 |
15.300 |
31.100 |
GBX |
46.400 |
1.970 |
| 2000 |
15.000 |
30.500 |
GBX |
45.500 |
2.010 |
| 1999 |
14.700 |
29.900 |
GBX |
44.600 |
2.760 |
| 1998 |
14.400 |
29.000 |
GBX |
43.400 |
13.130 |
| 1997 |
13.160 |
25.200 |
GBX |
38.360 |
21.430 |
| 1996 |
12.000 |
19.590 |
GBX |
31.590 |
-18.200 |
| 1995 |
17.620 |
21.000 |
GBX |
38.620 |
67.400 |
| 1994 |
7.670 |
15.400 |
GBX |
23.070 |
7.800 |
| 1993 |
7.130 |
14.270 |
GBX |
21.400 |
8.790 |
| 1992 |
6.540 |
13.130 |
GBX |
19.670 |
9.270 |
| 1991 |
6.000 |
12.000 |
GBX |
18.000 |
71.910 |
| 1990 |
|
10.470 |
GBX |
10.470 |
|
United Utilities Group Dividend Calculator
United Utilities Group Dividend Growth
| Dividend Growth (1Y) |
3.92%
|
| Dividend CAGR (5Y) |
3.94%
|
| Years of Growth |
14
|
| Payout Ratio |
88.02%
|
| Buyback Yield |
-0.02%
|
| Shareholder Yield |
4.17%
|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 22.02 |
| Forward P/E | 12.11 |
| P/FCF | – |
| Earnings Yield | 4.56% |
| FCF Yield | -0.67% |
| ROE | 20.44% |
| ROCE | 5.24% |
| Profit Margin | 16.93% |
| Operating Margin | 36.31% |
| Gross Margin | 95.1% |