FTSE 100 news / Companies and sectors / Utilities / 14 October 2026
Utilities: sector news on Wednesday 14 October 2026
Average tone +1.0 (neutral) across 5 companies with relevant coverage, from 25 stories.
Company by company
| Company | Tone | Stories | What the coverage was about |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Grid | +4.2 | 13 | Coverage leaned positive, with an earnings upgrade, a 1.9% share rise, a reaffirmed Buy rating and landscape improvement projects. |
| Centrica | −1.3 | 5 | Coverage was mixed: Centrica's shares outperformed the market on the day, but commentary pointed to a cautious energy outlook weighing on the stock and testing its dividend. |
| United Utilities | −2.0 | 5 | Coverage was split between a burst water main in Preston causing flooding and discoloured water, and more positive news on Haweswater plans and developer engagement. |
| Metlen Energy & Metals | +9.2 | 1 | Coverage centred on METLEN teaming up with Thales Alenia Space and Thales Hellas on Greece's defence satellite communications system. |
| Severn Trent | −5.2 | 1 | The only clearly relevant coverage was local, with residents reporting rats near Severn Trent's new waste water treatment site in Cleobury Mortimer. |
| SSE | – | 0 |
Strongest stories in the sector
- +9.2 METLEN, Thales Alenia Space and Thales Hellas Team Up to Contribute to Greece’s Defense Satellite Communications System
METLEN named partner in Greek defence satellite communications project, a positive deal. - +9.2 FTSE 100 Utility National Grid (LSE:NG.) Earnings Upgrade and Interconnector Gains Put Grid Plans in Focus
Earnings upgrade and interconnector gains highlighted - +9.2 National Grid stock outlook: Upward momentum builds amid strong earnings and investment plans
Upward momentum on strong earnings and investment plans - +8.3 J.P. Morgan Reaffirms Their Buy Rating on National Grid (NG)
JPMorgan reaffirms Buy rating - +8.3 What's behind National Grid's latest 1.9% stock surge?
Shares surged 1.9% - −6.7 Healey demands early refunds from utilities as winter, and election, near
Governor demands early refunds from utilities including National Grid, political pressure - −6.7 Neso forced to buy 1.2GW of electricity via interconnector due to delay to NGET asset works
Neso had to buy imports due to delay in National Grid asset works - +5.8 Centrica advances Tuesday, outperforms market
Share price outperformed the market on the day - −5.8 Massachusetts homeowner expected a $0 solar bill, then waited 15 days for National Grid to send it
Customer complaint about slow billing by National Grid in Massachusetts - −5.8 Residents report rats near new Severn Trent waste water treatment site in Cleobury Mortimer
Residents complain of rats near Severn Trent's new treatment site. - −5.7 Preston streets gushing with water after major burst floods roads around city centre
Major burst main flooding Preston roads reflects poorly on network. - +5.2 United Utilities brings developers together to drive North West growth
Engagement with developers supports regional growth and its reputation.