Ok is there a mutter from the gutter going about today or what?
Shares are now consolidated, payout deadline gone, no official
news......??????

(scratches head......)

Any clues among us beautiful BB'ers this afternoon?

thats 2 things we agree on. I have higher hope for this one than AZM. This will help cover my losses on AZM.

It's certainly more stable and the dividend helps as well. It's a bouyant sector at present and after E.ON failed to get Endessa there's also the possibility of more consolidation on the horizon that could indirectly provide a boost to NG.

results tomorrow, thought there would be a bit of rise today in anticipation. Should go all the way up to ex-div day 772p today.

a 5 mil buy at the daeth.

Possibly now a good defensive stock in times of trouble?

"LONDON (Thomson Financial) - National Grid has announced a review of its dividend program, with a 15 pct rise for 2007/08 and an 8 pct annual rise thereafter to 2012.

This will result in a recommended final dividend for the year ending March 31 of 21.3 pence per ordinary share and a full year dividend of 33 pence, the UK gas and electricity distributor said.

'This policy represents a balance between an initial increase and a significant sustainable growth commitment which is supported by earnings,' National Grid said in its interim management statement.

The company said it is in line to meet financial expectations for the year."

It talks about sustainable growth too. Ive been in this for about 4 years now. Its been a nice slow grower with decent dividends. Im suprised by the slight fall this morn. Come ex-dividend day it will be a lot higher.

Ex-divi dates were 06.06 & 15.11 in 2007, so a while to go yet.

NATIONAL GRID FINED 41.6M GBP...oh naughty Mr.Grid.

..anyone for a recovery play?

Any know reason for the slight decline??? They are buying back shares at a rate of knots and promised increasing dividends for a few years yet!!

Any know reason for the slight decline??? They are buying back shares at a rate of knots and promised increasing dividends for a few years yet!!

Generally when the market goes up so does the Grid, and It works in reverse. Thats my ex. with this one anyway K over the last 8 years or so.

on the way back up with the market you may be right Stan. Dividend due fairly soon.

Don't suppose you have the date & amount of the dividend handy? Not immediately apparent from the recent RNS.

The board has recommended a final dividend of 21.3p. The final dividend is to be paid on 20 August 2008 to shareholders on the register as at 6 June 2008.

A very very safe place to put any hard earned profits.
No fireworks or sleepless nights just steady as she goes.
I will be intersting if they manage to get a price hike in the US.
It all depends on the lobby people - not sure if they have enough people on the inside!!
If they do get a hike there should be upside from here.

Went ex. dividend today, be interested to see just how long it takes the price to recover in the current climate.

Only down 16% over a 12 month period. Maybe a safe haven in troubled times?
Divi yield was 4.77 up to march 2008. Remains to be seen if this continues.
Next divi date late Nov.

"Went ex. dividend today, be interested to see just how long it takes the price to recover in the current climate"...a year on and the same question. Also a down day (so far) on the footsie. I've already banked the divi and bought some more on the drop today. A safer outfit then NG is hard to imagine. Good luck all.

Nice rise today and fresh air above.

National Grid Sees Trading In Line; Sound Financial Position





LONDON -(Dow Jones)- National Grid PLC (NG.LN), an international electricity and gas company, said Monday it is trading in line with expectations and it sees a strong operational and financial performance in 2009 to 2010; the group also confirmed it is in a sound financial position.

MAIN FACTS:

-Moody's credit ratings reaffirmed with stable outlook

-Continued progress in U.S. rate case filings

-Continues to trade in line with expectations of delivering a strong performance in 2009/10 across the businesses.

-In particular the group expects a substantial improvement in profitability in the Electricity Distribution and Generation business and continued good momentum in the Transmission business.

-The GBP3.4 billionn investment programme for the current year remains on target.

-The majority of this year's GBP2.5 billionn funding requirement has already been raised, with funding for around a further GBP400 million required in the current year.

-the company is in a sound financial position, National Grid expects the effective interest rate to continue to fall in the current year and on July 20, Moody's reaffirmed the credit ratings and changed its outlook from negative to stable.

-The company is well positioned to deliver a year of strong performance which will continue to underpin the 8% dividend growth policy through to March 2012.

-Continues to work with regulators and policy makers to deliver improved regulatory frameworks which will benefit both customers and shareholders.

-the company welcomes the recent U.K. Low Carbon Transition Plan White Paper and look forward to working with all parties to reduce U.K. carbon emissions by a third by 2020.

-Further progress has been made with the rate case filings in the U.S..

-Following the approval of the Rhode Island gas rate case last year with a return on equity of 10.5%, the company have received approval for two further rate cases for the U.S. gas businesses

-The company's NiMo gas rate case, recommended by New York Public Service Commission staff, was approved in full on May. 14, with a base return on equity of 10.2%.

-The New Hampshire gas rate case was approved on May 29, although the company was disappointed with the allowed return on equity of 9.54%, which was out of line with other regulatory decisions.

-In Massachusetts and Rhode Island the company filed electric rate cases on May. 15, and 1 June respectively.

-These filings will benefit both customers and shareholders by supporting much needed investment and full recovery of costs.

-The company expects a conclusion to be reached around the end of the year in Massachusetts and early next year in Rhode Island.