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United Utilities Group (UU) Competitors

United Utilities Group logo
GBX 1,380 -1.00 (-0.07%)
As of 05/13/2026

UU vs. SVT, PNN, SSE, CNA, and DRX

Should you buy United Utilities Group stock or one of its competitors? MarketBeat compares United Utilities Group with other companies and stocks that may be similar based on industry, sector, market capitalization, business model, investor interest, or shared news coverage. Companies and stocks commonly compared with United Utilities Group include Severn Trent (SVT), Pennon Group (PNN), SSE (SSE), Centrica (CNA), and Drax Group (DRX). These companies are all part of the "utilities" sector.

How does United Utilities Group compare to Severn Trent?

Severn Trent (LON:SVT) and United Utilities Group (LON:UU) are both mid-cap utilities companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, media sentiment, risk, institutional ownership, valuation, dividends, earnings and analyst recommendations.

United Utilities Group has a net margin of 22.43% compared to Severn Trent's net margin of 11.92%. United Utilities Group's return on equity of 27.72% beat Severn Trent's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Severn Trent11.92% 17.64% 2.35%
United Utilities Group 22.43%27.72%2.02%

76.2% of Severn Trent shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 65.3% of United Utilities Group shares are held by institutional investors. 0.3% of Severn Trent shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.1% of United Utilities Group shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Severn Trent currently has a consensus price target of GBX 2,978.17, suggesting a potential downside of 4.97%. United Utilities Group has a consensus price target of GBX 1,429.57, suggesting a potential upside of 3.59%. Given United Utilities Group's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe United Utilities Group is more favorable than Severn Trent.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Severn Trent
0 Sell rating(s)
6 Hold rating(s)
0 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.00
United Utilities Group
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.43

Severn Trent pays an annual dividend of GBX 121.71 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.9%. United Utilities Group pays an annual dividend of GBX 50 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.6%. Severn Trent pays out 116.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. United Utilities Group pays out 269.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Severn Trent is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

In the previous week, Severn Trent and Severn Trent both had 2 articles in the media. United Utilities Group's average media sentiment score of 1.36 beat Severn Trent's score of 0.82 indicating that United Utilities Group is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Severn Trent
2 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
United Utilities Group
1 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Severn Trent has higher revenue and earnings than United Utilities Group. Severn Trent is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than United Utilities Group, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Severn Trent£2.65B3.57£177.90M£104.8029.90
United Utilities Group£1.96B4.83£127.46M£18.5374.49

Severn Trent has a beta of 0.556, meaning that its stock price is 44% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, United Utilities Group has a beta of 0.593, meaning that its stock price is 41% less volatile than the broader market.

Summary

United Utilities Group beats Severn Trent on 9 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does United Utilities Group compare to Pennon Group?

United Utilities Group (LON:UU) and Pennon Group (LON:PNN) are both mid-cap utilities companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, valuation, institutional ownership, dividends, earnings, profitability, media sentiment and risk.

United Utilities Group has a beta of 0.593, indicating that its stock price is 41% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Pennon Group has a beta of 0.556, indicating that its stock price is 44% less volatile than the broader market.

United Utilities Group pays an annual dividend of GBX 50 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.6%. Pennon Group pays an annual dividend of GBX 30.98 per share and has a dividend yield of 5.8%. United Utilities Group pays out 269.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Pennon Group pays out 645.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future.

United Utilities Group has higher revenue and earnings than Pennon Group. United Utilities Group is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Pennon Group, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
United Utilities Group£1.96B4.83£127.46M£18.5374.49
Pennon Group£1.18B2.14-£16.20M£4.80111.15

United Utilities Group currently has a consensus target price of GBX 1,429.57, suggesting a potential upside of 3.59%. Pennon Group has a consensus target price of GBX 630.25, suggesting a potential upside of 18.13%. Given Pennon Group's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Pennon Group is more favorable than United Utilities Group.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
United Utilities Group
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.43
Pennon Group
0 Sell rating(s)
1 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.75

In the previous week, United Utilities Group had 2 more articles in the media than Pennon Group. MarketBeat recorded 2 mentions for United Utilities Group and 0 mentions for Pennon Group. United Utilities Group's average media sentiment score of 1.36 beat Pennon Group's score of 0.00 indicating that United Utilities Group is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Overall Sentiment
United Utilities Group Positive
Pennon Group Neutral

65.3% of United Utilities Group shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 80.8% of Pennon Group shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.1% of United Utilities Group shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 0.4% of Pennon Group shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

United Utilities Group has a net margin of 22.43% compared to Pennon Group's net margin of 4.73%. United Utilities Group's return on equity of 27.72% beat Pennon Group's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
United Utilities Group22.43% 27.72% 2.02%
Pennon Group 4.73%3.09%1.81%

Summary

United Utilities Group beats Pennon Group on 11 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does United Utilities Group compare to SSE?

United Utilities Group (LON:UU) and SSE (LON:SSE) are both utilities companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, profitability, earnings, dividends, risk, valuation and media sentiment.

United Utilities Group currently has a consensus target price of GBX 1,429.57, suggesting a potential upside of 3.59%. SSE has a consensus target price of GBX 2,606.57, suggesting a potential upside of 6.13%. Given SSE's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe SSE is more favorable than United Utilities Group.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
United Utilities Group
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.43
SSE
1 Sell rating(s)
1 Hold rating(s)
5 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.57

United Utilities Group has a net margin of 22.43% compared to SSE's net margin of 8.59%. United Utilities Group's return on equity of 27.72% beat SSE's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
United Utilities Group22.43% 27.72% 2.02%
SSE 8.59%7.09%6.57%

65.3% of United Utilities Group shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 67.8% of SSE shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.1% of United Utilities Group shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.2% of SSE shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

United Utilities Group pays an annual dividend of GBX 50 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.6%. SSE pays an annual dividend of GBX 64.20 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.6%. United Utilities Group pays out 269.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. SSE pays out 73.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend.

SSE has higher revenue and earnings than United Utilities Group. SSE is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than United Utilities Group, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
United Utilities Group£1.96B4.83£127.46M£18.5374.49
SSE£10.31B2.87£1.71B£86.9028.26

In the previous week, United Utilities Group and United Utilities Group both had 2 articles in the media. United Utilities Group's average media sentiment score of 1.36 beat SSE's score of 1.08 indicating that United Utilities Group is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
United Utilities Group
1 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
SSE
2 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

United Utilities Group has a beta of 0.593, indicating that its stock price is 41% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, SSE has a beta of 0.624, indicating that its stock price is 38% less volatile than the broader market.

Summary

SSE beats United Utilities Group on 11 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does United Utilities Group compare to Centrica?

Centrica (LON:CNA) and United Utilities Group (LON:UU) are both mid-cap utilities companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, profitability, institutional ownership, risk, earnings, dividends, media sentiment and analyst recommendations.

United Utilities Group has a net margin of 22.43% compared to Centrica's net margin of 0.37%. United Utilities Group's return on equity of 27.72% beat Centrica's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Centrica0.37% 1.68% -33.70%
United Utilities Group 22.43%27.72%2.02%

Centrica has a beta of 0.362, suggesting that its stock price is 64% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, United Utilities Group has a beta of 0.593, suggesting that its stock price is 41% less volatile than the broader market.

Centrica has higher revenue and earnings than United Utilities Group. Centrica is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than United Utilities Group, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Centrica£19.49B0.47£1.05B-£1.50N/A
United Utilities Group£1.96B4.83£127.46M£18.5374.49

In the previous week, Centrica had 12 more articles in the media than United Utilities Group. MarketBeat recorded 14 mentions for Centrica and 2 mentions for United Utilities Group. United Utilities Group's average media sentiment score of 1.36 beat Centrica's score of 0.63 indicating that United Utilities Group is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Centrica
2 Very Positive mention(s)
3 Positive mention(s)
4 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
United Utilities Group
1 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

44.3% of Centrica shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 65.3% of United Utilities Group shares are held by institutional investors. 0.4% of Centrica shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.1% of United Utilities Group shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Centrica pays an annual dividend of GBX 4.83 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.4%. United Utilities Group pays an annual dividend of GBX 50 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.6%. Centrica pays out -322.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. United Utilities Group pays out 269.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future.

Centrica currently has a consensus target price of GBX 205.33, suggesting a potential upside of 1.55%. United Utilities Group has a consensus target price of GBX 1,429.57, suggesting a potential upside of 3.59%. Given United Utilities Group's higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe United Utilities Group is more favorable than Centrica.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Centrica
0 Sell rating(s)
2 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.67
United Utilities Group
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.43

Summary

United Utilities Group beats Centrica on 11 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does United Utilities Group compare to Drax Group?

Drax Group (LON:DRX) and United Utilities Group (LON:UU) are both mid-cap utilities companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, earnings, analyst recommendations, media sentiment, institutional ownership, dividends, risk and profitability.

Drax Group has a beta of 0.656, meaning that its share price is 34% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, United Utilities Group has a beta of 0.593, meaning that its share price is 41% less volatile than the broader market.

Drax Group presently has a consensus target price of GBX 1,010.75, suggesting a potential upside of 19.33%. United Utilities Group has a consensus target price of GBX 1,429.57, suggesting a potential upside of 3.59%. Given Drax Group's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Drax Group is more favorable than United Utilities Group.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Drax Group
0 Sell rating(s)
0 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
3.00
United Utilities Group
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.43

United Utilities Group has a net margin of 22.43% compared to Drax Group's net margin of 1.35%. United Utilities Group's return on equity of 27.72% beat Drax Group's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Drax Group1.35% 3.94% 11.44%
United Utilities Group 22.43%27.72%2.02%

Drax Group has higher revenue and earnings than United Utilities Group. Drax Group is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than United Utilities Group, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Drax Group£5.39B0.53£621.39M£20.2041.93
United Utilities Group£1.96B4.83£127.46M£18.5374.49

Drax Group pays an annual dividend of GBX 27.20 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.2%. United Utilities Group pays an annual dividend of GBX 50 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.6%. Drax Group pays out 134.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. United Utilities Group pays out 269.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future.

In the previous week, Drax Group and Drax Group both had 2 articles in the media. United Utilities Group's average media sentiment score of 1.36 beat Drax Group's score of 0.93 indicating that United Utilities Group is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Drax Group
1 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
United Utilities Group
1 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

61.4% of Drax Group shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 65.3% of United Utilities Group shares are held by institutional investors. 0.9% of Drax Group shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.1% of United Utilities Group shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

Drax Group beats United Utilities Group on 10 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

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New MarketBeat Followers Over Time

This chart shows the number of new MarketBeat users adding UU and its top 5 competitors to their watchlist. Each company is represented with a line over a 90 day period.
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Media Sentiment Over Time

This chart shows the average media sentiment of LON and its competitors over the past 90 days as caculated by MarketBeat. The averaged score is equivalent to the following: Very Negative Sentiment <= -1.5, Negative Sentiment > -1.5 and <= -0.5, Neutral Sentiment > -0.5 and < 0.5, Positive Sentiment >= 0.5 and < 1.5, and Very Positive Sentiment >= 1.5.
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UU vs. The Competition

MetricUnited Utilities GroupUtilities IndustryUtilities SectorLON Exchange
Market Cap£9.45B£4.80B£19.12B£2.79B
Dividend Yield5.11%4.74%3.76%6.09%
P/E Ratio74.4929.9122.51366.15
Price / Sales4.83211.4551.1788,429.84
Price / Cash13.2514.4019.5227.89
Price / Book4.853.032.357.74
Net Income£127.46M£78.15M£777.56M£5.89B
7 Day Performance-3.77%-1.24%-0.09%0.82%
1 Month Performance1.32%-1.84%-1.41%2.78%
1 Year Performance30.13%15.37%22.36%87.90%

United Utilities Group Competitors List

CompanyMarketRankShare PriceAnalysts' Price Target1Y Price PerformanceMarket CapRevenueP/E RatioEmployee CountIndicator(s)
UU
United Utilities Group
2.8801 of 5 stars
GBX 1,380
-0.1%
GBX 1,429.57
+3.6%
+27.5%£9.45B£1.96B74.496,000
SVT
Severn Trent
1.1992 of 5 stars
GBX 3,112
-1.3%
GBX 2,978.17
-4.3%
+20.5%£9.37B£2.65B29.69270
PNN
Pennon Group
N/AGBX 527.50
-2.1%
GBX 630.25
+19.5%
+12.2%£2.49B£1.18B109.903,000
SSE
SSE
2.2882 of 5 stars
GBX 2,447
-2.2%
GBX 2,606.57
+6.5%
+47.0%£29.50B£10.31B28.1612,180
CNA
Centrica
2.2166 of 5 stars
GBX 200.90
-0.5%
GBX 205.33
+2.2%
+36.5%£9.10B£19.49BN/A6,100

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This page (LON:UU) was last updated on 5/14/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
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