Centrica reported lower first-half 2026 earnings with adjusted EBITDA of GBP 737 million and a free cash outflow of GBP 570 million, but raised its interim dividend by 9% to GBP 0.02 and reiterated its 2030 targets of GBP 2 billion in EBITDA and doubling earnings per share. Management attributed the weaker results to heavy transformation spending and external disruptions, including the Middle East war's impact on its optimization business. Retail EBITDA edged up to GBP 346 million, though the U.K. energy supply bad-debt charge rose to GBP 216 million, or 4% of revenue, with outstanding billed and unbilled debt at GBP 2 billion. The company is leaning harder into infrastructure-led growth, highlighting investments in assets such as the Severn combined-cycle gas turbine plant, Sizewell B, and Sizewell C, while warning that the Rough gas storage facility may close without a government-backed support framework.
Centrica PLCLower first-half earnings and free cash outflow, though dividend raised
CNA Financial Corporation