Should I Invest In Centrica plc Now?

Can Centrica plc (LON: CNA) still deliver a decent investment return?

| More on:

The content of this article was relevant at the time of publishing. Circumstances change continuously and caution should therefore be exercised when relying upon any content contained within this article.

When investing, your capital is at risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you put in.

Read More

The content of this article is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, any form of personal advice. Investments in a currency other than sterling are exposed to currency exchange risk. Currency exchange rates are constantly changing, which may affect the value of the investment in sterling terms. You could lose money in sterling even if the stock price rises in the currency of origin. Stocks listed on overseas exchanges may be subject to additional dealing and exchange rate charges, and may have other tax implications, and may not provide the same, or any, regulatory protection as in the UK.

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More.

Integrated gas and electricity company Centrica‘s (LSE: CNA) share price is down from its highs just now and I think that makes the firm look attractive.

More than just your average utility

With both upstream and downstream operations in roughly equal proportions, Centrica seems likeable for both its dividend-yielding cash flow and its potential to deliver capital gains via upstream development.

So, with Centrica, if the price is right, we can end up with a pleasing mix of cash-flow backed value and growth at a reasonable price.

Diversity within a company’s operations can be an advantage. Last year, based on location of customer, 66% of Centrica’s revenue came from the UK, 28% from North America and 6% from the rest of the world. So there’s diversity by geographical origin of the firm’s revenues.

In terms of activity, there’s also plenty of diversity. Downstream operations supply both gas and electricity, as British Gas in Britain and as Direct Energy in the US, this is the utility part of the equation, the bit that delivers steady cash flow to underpin Centrica’s tidy dividend record.

Upstream operations involve oil and gas exploration, production and storage activities; owning and operating combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) electricity-generating power stations; offshore wind generating operations; and a 20% stake in EDF Energy’s UK nuclear power stations. Within those pursuits, oil and gas exploration has, perhaps the greatest ability to drive up Centrica’s share price.

Cyclicality

Variable demand can make it difficult to nail a profit downstream.  Demand for energy  fluctuates according to factors such as differing weather patterns, and downstream energy suppliers must deal with fiddler’s elbow-like  wholesale prices, too. On top of that, British Utility providers face intense scrutiny , and regulation can move the goal posts. Nonetheless, Centrica’s cash flow record is good and the firm does a pucker job of advancing its dividend:

Year to December 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Net cash from operations (£m) 2,647 2,428 2,337 2,820 2,940
Adjusted earnings per share 21.7p 25.2p 25.6p 26.6p 26.6p
Dividend per share 12.8p 14.3p 15.4p 16.4p 17p

I’m keen to see how things are going this year when the firm reports its interim results around the 31 July.

Valuation

Any investment in Centrica is probably best justified by first considering dividend income. On that score, the news is good. The forward dividend yield is running at about 5.5% for 2015 and adjusted earnings cover the payout around 1.4 times.

Meanwhile, we can currently pick up the shares on a forward P/E multiple of almost 13, with city analysts forecasting an 8% earnings’ uplift next year. That strikes me as a fair price for Centrica’s growth potential.

Should you invest, the value of your investment may rise or fall and your capital is at risk. Before investing, your individual circumstances should be assessed. Consider taking independent financial advice.

Kevin does not own shares in Centrica.

More on Investing Articles

Petrochemical engineer working at night with digital tablet inside oil and gas refinery plant
Investing Articles

Can the Centrica dividend keep on growing?

Christopher Ruane considers some positive factors that might see continued growth in the Centrica dividend -- as well as some…

Read more »

Smiling family of four enjoying breakfast at sunrise while camping
Investing Articles

How I’d turn my £12,000 of savings into passive income of £1,275 a month

This Fool is considering a strategy that he believes can help him achieve a stable passive income stream with a…

Read more »

Person holding magnifying glass over important document, reading the small print
Investing Articles

2 top FTSE 250 investment trusts trading at attractive discounts!

This pair of discounted FTSE 250 trusts appear to be on sale right now. Here's why I'd scoop up their…

Read more »

Smiling young man sitting in cafe and checking messages, with his laptop in front of him.
Investing Articles

3 things that could push the Lloyds share price to 60p and beyond

The Lloyds share price has broken through 50p. Next step 60p? And then what? Here are some thoughts on what…

Read more »

Young female business analyst looking at a graph chart while working from home
Investing Articles

£1,000 in Rolls-Royce shares a year ago would be worth this much now

Rolls-Royce shares have posted one of the best stock market gains of the past 12 months. But what might the…

Read more »

Investing Articles

Are HSBC shares a FTSE bargain? Here’s what the charts say!

There are plenty of dirt-cheap FTSE 100 banking stocks for investors to choose from today. Our writer Royston Wild believes…

Read more »

Three signposts pointing in different directions, with 'Buy' 'Sell' and 'Hold' on
Investing Articles

Just released: Share Advisor’s latest ‘Hold’ recommendation [PREMIUM PICKS]

In our Share Advisor newsletter service, we provide buy, sell, and hold guidance for our universe of recommendations.

Read more »

Investing Articles

Investing £5 a day could help me build a second income of £329 a month!

This Fool explains how £5 a day, or one less takeaway coffee, could help her build a monthly second income…

Read more »