REG - United Utilities Grp - Pre-close update

United UtilitiesAnnouncement

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RNS Number : 9774X  United Utilities Group PLC  25 March 2026

25 March 2026

United Utilities Group PLC

Pre-close Update

United Utilities announces the following pre-close update ahead of its
full-year results for the year ending 31 March 2026.

The Group expects underlying EPS for 2025/26 to be in line with guidance at
around 100 pence, before the accounting change noted below.

The Group is implementing a change in the estimation technique used to measure
inflation‑linked debt. This approach will smooth the impact of unusually
high or low inflation over the remaining life of the debt and is expected to
reduce volatility in the income statement. The reporting change will be
reflected in our 2025/26 full-year results and is expected to lead to a
reduction in underlying net finance expense of approximately £35m and an
increase in underlying EPS of around 5 pence.

Underlying operating cost guidance remains unchanged. As part of its financial
risk management framework, the Group continues to benefit from its disciplined
and prudent energy hedging. Looking beyond 2025/26, our electricity hedging
levels remain above policy minimums, reflecting proactive execution during the
benign market conditions experienced in the third and fourth quarters. As at
the date of this statement, we are fully hedged for Summer 2026 and over 90%
hedged for Winter 2026/27. In addition, the regulatory true‑up mechanism
introduced for AMP8 provides further protection against any potential future
commodity price movements.

 

Investor event

We will be hosting an investor site tour in Manchester on 1 July.

 

 Investors and Analysts
 Chris Laybutt, Investor Relations and Clean Energy Strategy Director  +44 7769 556 858
 Jennifer Platt, Investor Relations Manager                            +44 7733 064 907
 Media
 Andrew Ward, Corporate Affairs Director                               +44 7341 683 924
 Graeme Wilson, Teneo Communications                                   +44 207 260 2700

 

 

LEI: 2138002IEYQAOC88ZJ59

 

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