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United Utilities Group (UU) Competitors

United Utilities Group logo
GBX 1,297 +8.00 (+0.62%)
As of 06/22/2026
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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 better stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, profitability, media sentiment, institutional ownership, risk, valuation, earnings and dividends.

In the previous week, Severn Trent had 1 more articles in the media than United Utilities Group. MarketBeat recorded 1 mentions for Severn Trent and 0 mentions for United Utilities Group. Severn Trent's average media sentiment score of -0.82 beat United Utilities Group's score of -1.00 indicating that Severn Trent is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Overall Sentiment
Severn Trent Negative
United Utilities Group Negative

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£2.83B3.06£177.90M£123.1023.33
United Utilities Group£1.96B4.54£127.46M£18.5370.01

Severn Trent has a beta of 0.544, indicating that its share price is 46% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, United Utilities Group has a beta of 0.76, indicating that its share price is 24% less volatile than the broader market.

Severn Trent pays an annual dividend of GBX 123.43 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.3%. United Utilities Group pays an annual dividend of GBX 50 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.9%. Severn Trent pays out 100.3% 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 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.

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

Severn Trent presently has a consensus target price of GBX 6,867.14, suggesting a potential upside of 139.11%. United Utilities Group has a consensus target price of GBX 1,431.43, suggesting a potential upside of 10.36%. Given Severn Trent's higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Severn Trent is more favorable than United Utilities Group.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Severn Trent
1 Sell rating(s)
5 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.00
United Utilities Group
0 Sell rating(s)
5 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.29

United Utilities Group has a net margin of 22.43% compared to Severn Trent's net margin of 13.10%. 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 Trent13.10% 20.35% 2.35%
United Utilities Group 22.43%27.72%2.02%

Summary

Severn Trent beats United Utilities Group on 11 of the 18 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 superior business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, media sentiment, analyst recommendations, earnings, risk, valuation, profitability and institutional ownership.

United Utilities Group has a net margin of 22.43% compared to Pennon Group's net margin of 7.09%. 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 7.09%6.61%1.81%

United Utilities Group pays an annual dividend of GBX 50 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.9%. Pennon Group pays an annual dividend of GBX 30.98 per share and has a dividend yield of 6.8%. 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 currently has a consensus target price of GBX 1,431.43, indicating a potential upside of 10.36%. Pennon Group has a consensus target price of GBX 1,432.50, indicating a potential upside of 212.50%. 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)
5 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.29
Pennon Group
0 Sell rating(s)
2 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.67

In the previous week, Pennon Group had 3 more articles in the media than United Utilities Group. MarketBeat recorded 3 mentions for Pennon Group and 0 mentions for United Utilities Group. Pennon Group's average media sentiment score of 0.00 beat United Utilities Group's score of -1.00 indicating that Pennon Group is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Overall Sentiment
United Utilities Group Negative
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, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

United Utilities Group has a beta of 0.76, indicating that its stock price is 24% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Pennon Group has a beta of 0.541, indicating that its stock price is 46% less volatile than the broader market.

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£1.96B4.54£127.46M£18.5370.01
Pennon Group£1.29B1.67-£16.20M£4.8095.50

Summary

United Utilities Group and Pennon Group tied by winning 9 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does United Utilities Group compare to SSE?

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

United Utilities Group has a net margin of 22.43% compared to SSE's net margin of 11.87%. 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
SSE11.87% 9.45% 6.57%
United Utilities Group 22.43%27.72%2.02%

66.8% of SSE shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 65.3% of United Utilities Group shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.1% of SSE shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 0.1% of United Utilities Group shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

SSE has a beta of 0.596, meaning that its share price is 40% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, United Utilities Group has a beta of 0.76, meaning that its share price is 24% less volatile than the broader market.

SSE currently has a consensus target price of GBX 2,606.57, indicating a potential upside of 11.49%. United Utilities Group has a consensus target price of GBX 1,431.43, indicating a potential upside of 10.36%. Given SSE's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities research analysts plainly believe SSE is more favorable than United Utilities Group.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
SSE
1 Sell rating(s)
1 Hold rating(s)
5 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.57
United Utilities Group
0 Sell rating(s)
5 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.29

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
SSE£10.19B2.77£1.71B£105.4022.18
United Utilities Group£1.96B4.54£127.46M£18.5370.01

SSE pays an annual dividend of GBX 64.40 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.8%. United Utilities Group pays an annual dividend of GBX 50 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.9%. SSE pays out 61.1% 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.

In the previous week, SSE's average media sentiment score of 0.00 beat United Utilities Group's score of -1.00 indicating that SSE is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Overall Sentiment
SSE Neutral
United Utilities Group Negative

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?

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

United Utilities Group pays an annual dividend of GBX 50 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.9%. Centrica pays an annual dividend of GBX 4.83 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.8%. 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. Centrica pays out -322.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend.

United Utilities Group has a beta of 0.76, suggesting that its share price is 24% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Centrica has a beta of 0.349, suggesting that its share price is 65% less volatile than the broader market.

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
United Utilities Group22.43% 27.72% 2.02%
Centrica 0.37%1.68%-33.70%

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
United Utilities Group£1.96B4.54£127.46M£18.5370.01
Centrica£19.49B0.40£1.05B-£1.50N/A

United Utilities Group presently has a consensus price target of GBX 1,431.43, indicating a potential upside of 10.36%. Centrica has a consensus price target of GBX 221.33, indicating a potential upside of 28.20%. Given Centrica's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Centrica 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)
5 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.29
Centrica
0 Sell rating(s)
1 Hold rating(s)
5 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.83

In the previous week, Centrica had 1 more articles in the media than United Utilities Group. MarketBeat recorded 1 mentions for Centrica and 0 mentions for United Utilities Group. Centrica's average media sentiment score of 1.26 beat United Utilities Group's score of -1.00 indicating that Centrica is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Overall Sentiment
United Utilities Group Negative
Centrica Positive

65.3% of United Utilities Group shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 52.5% of Centrica shares are held by institutional investors. 0.1% of United Utilities Group shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.4% of Centrica shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

United Utilities Group and Centrica tied by winning 9 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 superior investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, dividends, analyst recommendations, profitability, risk, media sentiment, earnings and valuation.

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 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 company is poised for long-term growth.

In the previous week, Drax Group had 4 more articles in the media than United Utilities Group. MarketBeat recorded 4 mentions for Drax Group and 0 mentions for United Utilities Group. Drax Group's average media sentiment score of 0.27 beat United Utilities Group's score of -1.00 indicating that Drax Group is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Overall Sentiment
Drax Group Neutral
United Utilities Group Negative

Drax Group pays an annual dividend of GBX 27.20 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.6%. United Utilities Group pays an annual dividend of GBX 50 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.9%. 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.

Drax Group has a beta of 0.627, meaning that its stock price is 37% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, United Utilities Group has a beta of 0.76, meaning that its stock price is 24% less volatile than the broader market.

Drax Group presently has a consensus target price of GBX 2,820, indicating a potential upside of 272.52%. United Utilities Group has a consensus target price of GBX 1,431.43, indicating a potential upside of 10.36%. Given Drax Group's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, 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)
1 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.75
United Utilities Group
0 Sell rating(s)
5 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.29

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£5.39B0.47£621.39M£20.2037.48
United Utilities Group£1.96B4.54£127.46M£18.5370.01

Summary

Drax Group beats United Utilities Group on 11 of the 18 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

Export
MetricUnited Utilities GroupUtilities IndustryUtilities SectorLON Exchange
Market Cap£8.88B£4.21B£18.64B£2.78B
Dividend Yield5.11%5.21%3.99%6.16%
P/E Ratio70.0126.8619.68365.72
Price / Sales4.54186.3644.4586,253.69
Price / Cash13.2514.3819.2627.85
Price / Book4.562.882.467.92
Net Income£127.46M£78.15M£785.96M£5.89B
7 Day Performance1.41%-1.97%-0.49%-0.87%
1 Month Performance-4.63%-4.88%-1.71%-0.76%
1 Year Performance15.39%5.48%14.87%70.67%

United Utilities Group Competitors List

Export
CompanyMarketRankShare PriceAnalysts' Price Target1Y Price PerformanceMarket CapRevenueP/E RatioEmployee CountIndicator(s)
UU
United Utilities Group
2.8299 of 5 stars		GBX 1,297
+0.6%		GBX 1,431.43
+10.4%		+14.7%£8.88B£1.96B70.016,000
SVT
Severn Trent
3.0547 of 5 stars		GBX 2,875
+0.0%		GBX 6,867.14
+138.9%		+7.2%£8.68B£2.83B23.35270
PNN
Pennon Group
3.1838 of 5 stars		GBX 462.38
-1.6%		GBX 634.20
+37.2%		-3.5%£2.18B£1.29B96.333,000
SSE
SSE
2.2328 of 5 stars		GBX 2,377
+0.0%		GBX 2,606.57
+9.7%		+26.9%£28.67B£10.19B22.5512,180
CNA
Centrica
4.4197 of 5 stars		GBX 180.50
-0.6%		GBX 221.33
+22.6%		+3.8%£8.17B£19.49BN/A6,100

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This page (LON:UU) was last updated on 6/23/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
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