They are a prime target for a takeover. A buy and hold jobby. DYOR

Currently at March lows! Double bottom or falling knife gone for spec.long

New article and analysis.

http://www.proactiveinvestors.co.uk/companies/news/9650/united-utilities-defensive-attractions-on-tap-9650.html

Looked at this one as a possible recovery play, unfortunately as long as it keeps making lower highs and lower lows, not yet in contention, but watching may surprise yet! not holding my breath though.

Final Results.

Final results for the year ended 31 March 2010

m Year ended

(continuing operations) 31 March 2010 31 March 2009
(restated)*

Operating profit 817.9 729.5

Underlying operating profit** 756.3 736.1

Profit before tax 474.2 529.3

Underlying profit before tax** 500.4 531.3

Basic earnings per share*** 59.2 26.5
(pence)

Total dividends per ordinary 34.30 32.67
share (pence)

United Utilities Group PLC

22 September 2011

UNITED UTILITIES TRADING UPDATE

United Utilities Group PLC today issues an update for the six months ending 30
September 2011. Current trading is in line with the group's expectations and
the company's operational and efficiency initiatives continue to progress well.
The business remains on track to deliver its outperformance targets.

As outlined in the group's 2010/11 full year results, published on 26 May 2011,
United Utilities has now adopted a single segment for financial reporting
purposes.

Revenue in the first half of this year is higher than the corresponding period
last year, largely as a result of the impact of the regulated price increase
for 2011/12 of 4.5% nominal (0.2% real price decrease plus 4.7% RPI inflation).
However, as outlined previously, operating expenses are also expected to rise,
principally as a result of higher infrastructure renewals expenditure and
depreciation, alongside other inflationary cost pressures. It is anticipated
that regulatory capital investment and depreciation will be higher in the
second half of 2011/12, compared with the first half of the year.

United Utilities' financial position remains robust with the group having
headroom to cover its projected financing needs into the second half of 2013,
consistent with its prudent liquidity policy. Reflecting this robust financing
position, the group intends to accelerate approximately GBP100 million of
previously agreed pension deficit payments, providing a higher investment
return for the group than could have been achieved through short term deposits.

The underlying net finance expense for the first half of 2011/12 is expected to
be slightly higher than the first half of last year. This reflects additional
finance expense relating to the GBP200 million index-linked loan facility with
the European Investment Bank, drawn down between March and May 2011, and
marginally higher RPI inflation in respect of the group's index-linked debt
with an eight month lag.

A deferred taxation credit of approximately GBP50 million will be recognised in
the financial statements for the first half of 2011/12. This follows the UK
government substantively enacting the change to reduce the mainstream rate of
corporation taxation from 26% to 25% from 1 April 2012. A similar credit was
also recognised in the first half of last year.

Group borrowings, net of cash and short term deposits and derivatives, at the
half year are expected to be moderately higher than the position at 31 March
2011. This principally reflects expenditure on the regulatory capital
investment programme, payment of the 2010/11 final dividend and payments in
relation to pensions, interest and tax, partly offset by operational cash
flows.

United Utilities will announce its half year results on 23 November 2011.

Reporting on Wednesday half time figures, with relatively predictable income and a strategy of providing a decent dividend. Yields of around 4 - 5% range are expected
for the full year.

Half Yearly Report.

UNITED UTILITIES INTERIM MANAGEMENT STATEMENT

United Utilities today issues an interim management statement covering the
period from 1 October 2011.

Trading update

Current trading is in line with the group's expectations of delivering a good
underlying financial performance for 2011/12.

In the first half of 2011/12, revenue increased by around 4%, compared with the
first half of last year, and this trend is continuing. As indicated previously,
infrastructure renewals expenditure and depreciation are expected to be higher
in the second half of 2011/12, compared with the first six months of the
financial year, reflecting good progress on the capital investment programme
and the impact of the transfer of private sewers.

In December 2011, the RPI inflation index for November 2011 was published and
this annual inflation rate will be included in the allowed regulated price
limits for the financial year starting 1 April 2012.

Supporting its renewed focus on operational performance and customer service,
United Utilities continues to implement a wide range of business improvement
initiatives. The company made good progress in the first half of 2011/12,
building on the achievements from the prior year, and this improving trend is
continuing. United Utilities has moved up four places to fifth position, out of
the ten water and sewerage companies, based on Ofwat's quarter three 2011/12
qualitative service incentive mechanism (SIM) assessment. United Utilities is
currently in eighth position on this qualitative measure for the financial year
to date. Encouragingly, the number of customer complaints received via the
Consumer Council for Water has reduced further in the three months to December
2011, positively contributing to Ofwat's quantitative SIM assessment.

United Utilities has continued with its strong year round operational focus on
leakage and is on course to meet its 2011/12 regulatory leakage target. In
addition, water resource levels are robust, with reservoir stocks currently in
excess of 90% and in line with typical levels for this time of year.

The ownership of and responsibility for private sewers was transferred to the
English and Welsh water and sewerage companies from 1 October 2011, providing
additional benefits for customers and the opportunity for further growth in the
regulatory capital value. United Utilities has been preparing for this for some
time to help ensure a smooth transfer and the level of customer contacts and
the increase in work volumes continues to be broadly in line with expectations.
There is no change at this stage to the cost estimates initially outlined in
May 2011.

Financial position

United Utilities' financial position remains robust and its regulatory capital
asset base continues to grow, reflecting continued high levels of capital
investment and positive RPI inflation. Following agreement in November 2011 of
a GBP200 million index-linked term loan facility with the European Investment
Bank, to support delivery of the capital investment programme, the group has
headroom to cover its projected financing needs into 2014, in line with its
policy of maintaining a prudent level of liquidity on a rolling basis. United
Utilities aims to draw down this GBP200 million loan facility, via a number of
tranches, by the end of the 2011/12 financial year.

As expected, group net debt is slightly higher, compared with the position at
30 September 2011, principally reflecting ongoing high levels of capital
investment and after taking account of the 2011/12 interim dividend payment.
Gearing remains stable and in the middle of Ofwat's assumed range (55% to 65%
net debt to regulatory capital value), supporting a solid A3 credit rating for
United Utilities Water PLC.

Political and regulatory developments

DEFRA published the white paper, "Water for Life", on 8 December 2011 which
sets out the UK government's vision for the future of the water industry. On 23
November 2011, Ofwat published the document "Future price limits - a
consultation on the framework". Following this, on 21 December 2011, Ofwat
published a further industry consultation paper in respect of water companies'
conditions of appointment. United Utilities is assessing these papers and will
continue to actively engage with all key parties to help achieve the optimal
outcome for all its stakeholders.

Outlook

United Utilities has made good progress in the early part of the 2010-15
regulatory period and will continue with its strong focus on improving
operational performance, customer service and cost efficiency. Looking ahead,
management is confident of delivering a good underlying financial performance
for the year ending 31 March 2012.

In line with its usual practice, United Utilities intends to issue a pre-close
trading update on 22 March 2012.

Pre-Close Trading Statement.

Final Results.

Anyone any idea why this has taken off like a rocket today? I can't find anything- well, anything that I understand!

Possible takeover target - United Utilities investors agog with anticipation as break-up speculation mounts

Thanks skinny. Where did you find that?

Don't bother to reply just opened article and now know! Doh!!

In auction +11.2%

Trading Statement

United Utilities today issues an update for the six months ending 30 September
2012. Current trading is in line with the group's expectations of delivering a
good underlying financial performance for 2012/13. The company continues to
make further progress improving operational performance and customer service
and remains confident of delivering its 2010-15 regulatory outperformance
targets.

Revenue is expected to be higher than last year, reflecting the regulated price
increase for 2012/13. However, as expected, this increase is slightly below the
allowed regulated price rise, principally reflecting the ongoing impact of
customers switching to meters and continued lower commercial volumes. As
outlined previously, the increase in revenue for the full year is anticipated
to be largely balanced by higher depreciation, alongside higher infrastructure
renewals expenditure (IRE) and other operating costs both of which are impacted
by the transfer of private sewers.

Regulatory capital investment and depreciation are expected to be slightly
higher in the second half of 2012/13, compared with the first half of the year.
However, the profile of IRE is anticipated to be smoother across 2012/13 than
in 2011/12, when it was skewed much more towards the second half of the year.
Furthermore, IRE and other operating costs in the first half of 2011/12 were
not impacted by the transfer of private sewers. As a result, the profile of
underlying operating profit is expected to be more evenly distributed between
the first half and second half of 2012/13, compared with 2011/12 when
underlying operating profit was much higher in the first half.

The underlying net finance expense for the first half of 2012/13 is expected to
be moderately lower than the first half of last year. This principally reflects
lower RPI inflation in respect of the group's index-linked debt.

A deferred taxation credit of approximately £50 million will be recognised in
the financial statements for the first half of 2012/13. This follows the UK
government substantively enacting the change to reduce the mainstream rate of
corporation taxation from 24% to 23% from 1 April 2013. A similar credit was
also recognised in the first half of last year.

Group borrowings, net of cash and short term deposits and derivatives, at the
half year are expected to be moderately higher than the position at 31 March
2012. This principally reflects expenditure on the regulatory capital
investment programme, payment of the 2011/12 final dividend and payments in
relation to pensions, interest and tax, partly offset by operational cash
flows. Gearing remains in the middle of Ofwat's assumed range (55% to 65% net
debt to regulatory capital value), reflecting growth in the regulatory capital
value through continued high levels of capital investment coupled with RPI
inflation.

United Utilities will announce its half year results on 28 November 2012.

United Utilities raises profits and dividend
StockMarketWire.com
Waste and water company United Utilities has delivered a strong set of financial results for the six months to end-September.

Revenue was up by £30 million to £823 million, principally as a result of the impact of the regulated price increase for 2012/ 13 of 5.8% nominal (0.6% real price increase plus 5.2% RPI inflation) partially offset by reduced commercial volumes, alongside lower property sales (associated with the water business).

Infrastructure renewals expenditure was up £12 million, reflecting continued progress on the capital investment programme and the impact of the transfer of private sewers.

This spend, alongside an expected increase in depreciation, plus operating expenditure relating to private sewers, resulted in underlying operating profit decreasing by £8 million to £316 million.

Total regulatory capital investment in the half year, including £79 million of infrastructure renewals expenditure, was £354 million, representing an increase of 29% compared with the first half of last year.

Underlying profit before taxation was up 3%, at £190 million. This was as a result of a lower underlying net finance expense, reflecting lower RPI inflation, which more than offset the reduction in underlying operating profit.

Underlying profit after taxation was 5% higher than the first half of last year, at £142 million, reflecting the reduction in the mainstream UK corporation taxation rate.

Reported profit after taxation benefited from a £53 million deferred taxation credit, which follows the UK government's changes to reduce the mainstream corporation taxation rate. A similar credit of £50 million was recognised in the first half of 2011/12.

In line with its policy, the board has declared an interim dividend of 11.44 pence per ordinary share (2011 10.67p).

At 9:22am: (LON:UU.) United Ulilities share price was +11.5p at 680.5p

Interim Management Statement

Trading update

Current trading is in line with the group's expectations.

Revenue has continued to increase at a rate slightly below the allowed
regulated price rise for 2012/13, as expected, reflecting the on-going impact
of a tough economic climate on commercial volumes. Depreciation, power and
other costs have also increased as expected, largely offsetting the increase in
revenue. The company continues to make good progress on its regulatory capital
investment programme and remains on track to invest around £750 million in its
asset base in 2012/13.

Improving operational performance and customer service continue to be top
priorities for United Utilities Water (UUW).

The business met its regulatory leakage target for the sixth consecutive year
in 2011/12 and remains on course to meet its target for 2012/13. Water
resources in the region are robust, with reservoirs currently around 90% full.

UUW's significant progress on Ofwat's customer service measure, the service
incentive mechanism (SIM), in 2011/12 has continued into 2012/13.
Encouragingly, our qualitative SIM results for quarter three 2012/13 have
helped improve our ranking. Building on the performance achieved in the first
half of 2012/13, UUW has now moved up to 12th position out of 21 water
companies on this qualitative measure for the financial year to date. UUW was
16th in 2011/12. Overall SIM performance for 2012/13, including our
quantitative SIM score, will be published, along with the industry's results,
after the financial year end.

In addition, the number of customer complaints UUW received via the Consumer
Council for Water (CCW) has reduced further in the three months to December
2012 and, importantly, there have been no customer complaints requiring
investigation by the CCW in the first nine months of the 2012/13 financial
year. This improved performance will positively contribute to Ofwat's
quantitative SIM assessment.

Final Results