FTSE 100 news / Companies and sectors / Utilities / 8 October 2026
Utilities: sector news on Thursday 8 October 2026
Average tone +2.9 (slightly positive) across 6 companies with relevant coverage, from 37 stories.
Company by company
| Company | Tone | Stories | What the coverage was about |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Grid | +5.5 | 23 | Coverage was dominated by the Thames tunnel finishing 49 days early, plus a record investment plan and a Barclays buy rating. |
| Metlen Energy & Metals | +5.7 | 6 | Coverage focused on Metlen weighing an Athens listing of its METKA infrastructure arm, and on commercial interest in its European gallium, including a Japanese deal. |
| Severn Trent | −2.3 | 4 | Coverage focused on Severn Trent's customer warnings about water use and wet weather, plus plans to tackle River Severn sewage spills. |
| Centrica | −2.0 | 2 | Coverage was split between a British Gas misbilling story, which reflects badly on the company, and a piece on Centrica's nuclear extensions and its future, which leans mildly positive. |
| SSE | +7.5 | 1 | The only relevant coverage asks whether SSE is gaining momentum, pointing to climbs in its networks and wind businesses. |
| United Utilities | +3.0 | 1 | The only relevant coverage said United Utilities' earnings met guidance, with attention on whether an accounting change alters the dividend picture. |
Strongest stories in the sector
- +10.0 National Grid completes 2.2km tunnel breakthrough 49 days ahead of schedule
Tunnel breakthrough 49 days ahead of schedule - +10.0 National Grid completes electricity tunnel breakthrough 49 days ahead of schedule
Tunnel breakthrough well ahead of schedule - +10.0 National Grid completes 2.2km tunnel under River Thames
Thames tunnel completed - +10.0 New tunnel under River Thames completed 49 days early
Thames tunnel completed 49 days early - +9.7 METLEN bags Japanese gallium deal as European supply push gains momentum
Japanese gallium deal win supports growth in strategic metals. - −9.2 British Gas Misbilling - October 2026
British Gas misbilling story hurts reputation and implies customer and regulatory risk. - +9.2 National Grid finishes boring power tunnel under Thames
Finished tunnel boring under Thames - +9.2 National Grid completes Thames cable tunnel
Thames cable tunnel completed - +8.3 National Grid (NG) Gets a Buy from Barclays
Barclays buy rating - +8.0 METLEN attracts global commercial interest in European gallium
Global commercial interest in its European gallium is a positive. - +7.5 FTSE 100 utility National Grid (LSE:NG.) maps out a record investment plan: what does it mean for dividend growth?
Record investment plan, dividend growth angle - −7.5 High Pressure Gas Main Struck At Park Slope Construction Site Multiple Buildings Evacuated
Gas main struck, buildings evacuated