..........luverly. Sorry couldn't resist it Given some of my less than profitable investments in the past,its nice to be "overweight" in water stocks,with this one and United,guess it will help pay the new "overweight" water bills.............................................Mike.

Splendid figures today and a nicely improving dividend:

AWG turned in a sharp rise in pretax profit from continuing operations for the year to March 31st 2006.

Numbers surged to 108.8m from 32.4m the prior year.

The group enhanced its dividend policy in a move which it said underlines its confidence in the future.

Against the background of improving performance across the group, the board has reviewed its dividend policy and is recommending an increase in the group dividend per share by 2% above RPI each year up until 2009/10.

The proposed increase is reflected in the final dividend declared today of 36p, which made a total dividend for the year of 50.8p, up from 48.7p.

AWG's turnover for the year to end-March was 1.55bn, an increase from 1.36bn, and profit before tax and exceptional items was 135m, up from 56.8m.

CEO, Jonson Cox, said the good results demonstrate effective management in all parts of the group.

In Anglian Water he said the group delivered a strong financial and operating performance following a drive on efficiency. In the face of a challenging operating environment for all water utilities, efficient control of leakage and a high proportion of metered customers has enabled us to keep overall water resources close to normal levels, he added.

Cox also said Morrison continued to make good progress in the year.

Well no-one else seems to be enjoying the water at present so you're all missing out!

AWG is in bid talks with a consortium containing British venture capital firm 3i Group. According to the FT the two lead investors in the bidding group are Australia's Colonial First Estate and Canada's CPP Investment Board, with 3i a junior partner.

AWG admitted that it had been approached by unidentified party, in a move that 'may or may not lead to an offer being made'.

Multiple offers for anyone's who's interested :-)

Queen1,
how does this take-over bid work as the shares are currently trading over the offer[inc revised offer]. i am sure that shareholders wont want to sell for that SP when it is currently higher. am i right in thinking that they have to announce the TO bid due to rules and regs and that they will keep on buying at the SP? until such time as they own enough to take the shares off the market and buy the remainder at a compulsary price?
Alex

Hi robertalexander - You're right to question the situation. Some will have already sold but to counter the situation you describe they have today raised their bid to 2.25bn from the initial 2.2bn that was accepted by the board. This brings the offer price more in line with the current sp which they are obviously hoping will deter other bidders. I however, hope not!