Centrica (CNA) Share Price

CNA - Centrica PLC Investor Summary

Centrica is a large multinational energy company based in the United Kingdom. As a constituent member of the FTSE 100 its share price is one of the indicators of the performance of British companies and, therefore, the UK economy as a whole. The company is one of the results of the privatisation of British Gas in 1986 which previously was vertically integrated having interests in exploration, infrastructure and supply and billing of gas in the UK. The privatised company was demerged in 1997 to form BG plc (now BG Group plc) and Centrica. Exploration and infrastructure interests primarily went to BG plc, and gas supply and consumer services, as well as gas production in the north west of England went to Centrica. Centrica operates its UK consumer business under the British Gas brand, while BG Group plc has the rights to the British Gas brand outside of the UK.

The company has in the past acquired assets to diversify its portfolio, such as the AA (UK), the Goldfish Card (credit card) and One Tel around the turn of the millennium. Since then the company has divested these interests and returned its attention to its core energy markets with its major non-energy interest being Dyno-Rod (drain and locksmith franchise network). Despite being heavily focussed on the UK the company has significant interests worldwide including Spain, Norway and the USA. Group revenue is currently at around £10 billion, with an interim operating profit of almost £1 billion in 2008.