London, Jan 19, 2026, 11:05 GMT — Regular session
- Pennon shares climbed roughly 2.4% to nearly 558 pence, outperforming a weaker mid-cap sector.
- Investors are focused on the upcoming interim dividend schedule, with the stock set to go ex-dividend on Jan. 29.
- The next company catalyst is a trading update scheduled for March, coming before the full-year results set for June.
Pennon Group Plc shares climbed roughly 2.4% to near 558 pence by mid-morning on Monday, gaining ground despite the FTSE 250 index sliding almost 1%. (Barclays Smart Investor)
This move is significant since the stock is behaving like a classic defensive play: it’s finding buyers even as the broader market slips, anchored in a UK sector where dividends often hold the spotlight.
Investors face a firm schedule ahead. Pennon goes ex-dividend on Jan. 29, so anyone buying shares after that won’t get the upcoming interim payout. That dividend is set to be paid on April 2, according to the company’s calendar. The same schedule notes a trading statement in March and full-year results coming June 2. (Pennon Group)
Shares fluctuated between 546.00 pence and 559.50 pence today and are now just shy of the upper limit of their 52-week range, market data shows. (Investing)
Pennon’s listed rivals edged higher too, but the gains were more modest. Severn Trent climbed roughly 1.8%, while United Utilities added around 0.5%. That made Pennon the top performer among the three UK-listed water companies in early trading. (Hargreaves Lansdown)
Leadership is still a key focus. In December, outgoing CEO Susan Davy stated the company was “on track financially and operationally.” Meanwhile, chair David Sproul promised to maintain a “business-as-usual basis” throughout the transition. (Investegate)
The filing outlined temporary measures starting Jan. 1, with Sproul stepping into an executive chair position. Day-to-day operations will be managed by an operating committee until Keith Haslett joins as CEO, anticipated by June 30 at the latest.
Exeter-based Pennon owns water and wastewater firms such as South West Water, along with retail and other water-related businesses. Its earnings hinge on regulation and capital spending cycles, making the shares sensitive to even slight changes in the rate environment and dividend forecasts.
However, the risk for holders remains. Utilities can lose appeal quickly if borrowing costs climb, and any operational or regulatory hurdles can swiftly impact cash flow forecasts and dividend reliability.
Traders are focused on two key near-term dates: Jan. 29 marks the ex-dividend line, while March brings Pennon’s next trading statement. After that, the spotlight shifts to the full-year results on June 2.
