About United Utilities Group PLC (UU)
United Utilities Group PLC is a Utilities - Regulated Water company operating in the Utilities sector. The company is headquartered in Warrington, United Kingdom. UU has been publicly traded since 1989, giving it 37+ years of trading history.
United Utilities Group PLC (UU) has been publicly traded since 1989, making it a 37-year-old public company. It operates in the Utilities - Regulated Water industry within the Utilities sector. The company is headquartered in Warrington, United Kingdom and employs approximately 6,940 people. With a market capitalization of £9.2 billion, UU is a mid-sized company with growth potential.
UU trades on the London Stock Exchange and is classified as a mid-cap-cap stock with a market capitalization of approximately £9.2 billion. The company employs approximately 6,940 people worldwide.
Key Statistics
- Current Price
- £1,354.00
- Market Cap
- £9.23B
- 52-Week High
- £1,404.00
- 52-Week Low
- £964.20
- Sector
- Utilities
- Industry
- Utilities - Regulated Water
UU Investment Performance
UU has gained 13.4% year-to-date in 2026. Over the past 5 years, a £1,000 investment in UU would have grown to £1,529, representing a 52.9% total return. Since its IPO in 1989, a £1,000 investment would now be worth £5,754.
£1,000 Invested in United Utilities Group PLC (UU)
How much would £1,000 invested in UU be worth today?
What would £1,000 invested in UU 1 year ago be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in United Utilities Group PLC (UU) in 2025 would be worth £1,370 as of March 2026, representing a +37.0% total return.
What would £1,000 invested in UU 3 years ago be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in United Utilities Group PLC (UU) in 2023 would be worth £1,299 as of March 2026, representing a +29.9% total return.
What would £1,000 invested in UU 5 years ago be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in United Utilities Group PLC (UU) in 2021 would be worth £1,529 as of March 2026, representing a +52.9% total return.
What would £1,000 invested in UU 10 years ago be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in United Utilities Group PLC (UU) in 2016 would be worth £1,474 as of March 2026, representing a +47.4% total return.
What would £1,000 invested in UU at IPO be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in United Utilities Group PLC (UU) at IPO would be worth £5,755 as of March 2026, representing a +475.4% total return.
Monthly Returns Heatmap
Over the past 36+ years (435 months), United Utilities Group PLC (UU) has averaged a monthly return of +0.51% with a median return of +0.99%. The stock had 249 positive months (57%) and 181 negative months (42%). The best month in UU's history was April 1992 with a +25.6% return, while the worst was September 2022 at -15.9%. Historically, May tends to be the strongest month (averaging +2.2%), and June the weakest (-3.2%).
UU's longest winning streak was 8 consecutive months of gains, while its longest losing streak was 4 consecutive months of losses. The best full year was 1992 with a cumulative return of +40.3%, and the worst was 1999 at -30.7%.
Annual Returns
Over 37 years of trading history, United Utilities Group PLC (UU) has delivered an average annual return of +5.55% with a median return of +2.42%. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is +4.31%. The stock posted gains in 22 years (59%) and losses in 15 years (41%).
UU's best year was 1992 with a +42.65% gain, while the worst was 1999 at -29.07%. The longest streak of consecutive positive years was 4, and the longest losing streak was 3 years. UU achieved double-digit gains (10%+) in 15 years. It suffered double-digit losses in 5 years.
| Year | Return | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | +13.40% | £1,194.00 | £1,354.00 |
| 2025 | +13.60% | £1,051.03 | £1,194.00 |
| 2024 | -0.71% | £1,058.52 | £1,051.03 |
| 2023 | +6.92% | £990.04 | £1,058.52 |
| 2022 | -8.92% | £1,087.04 | £990.04 |
| 2021 | +21.73% | £893.02 | £1,087.04 |
| 2020 | -5.09% | £940.89 | £893.02 |
| 2019 | +28.21% | £733.89 | £940.89 |
| 2018 | -11.20% | £826.46 | £733.89 |
| 2017 | -7.90% | £897.31 | £826.46 |
| 2016 | -3.65% | £931.28 | £897.31 |
| 2015 | +2.17% | £911.52 | £931.28 |
| 2014 | +36.47% | £667.94 | £911.52 |
| 2013 | -0.25% | £669.60 | £667.94 |
| 2012 | +11.19% | £602.20 | £669.60 |
| 2011 | +2.42% | £587.98 | £602.20 |
| 2010 | +19.50% | £492.05 | £587.98 |
| 2009 | -20.83% | £621.50 | £492.05 |
| 2008 | -17.08% | £749.51 | £621.50 |
| 2007 | -3.02% | £772.83 | £749.51 |
| 2006 | +16.32% | £664.41 | £772.83 |
| 2005 | +6.78% | £622.23 | £664.41 |
| 2004 | +27.24% | £489.01 | £622.23 |
| 2003 | -20.53% | £615.30 | £489.01 |
| 2002 | +1.46% | £606.47 | £615.30 |
| 2001 | -7.56% | £656.05 | £606.47 |
| 2000 | +3.60% | £633.22 | £656.05 |
| 1999 | -29.07% | £892.76 | £633.22 |
| 1998 | +16.22% | £768.15 | £892.76 |
| 1997 | +25.67% | £611.24 | £768.15 |
| 1996 | +0.87% | £605.99 | £611.24 |
| 1995 | +13.89% | £532.06 | £605.99 |
| 1994 | -7.46% | £574.97 | £532.06 |
| 1993 | +23.05% | £467.25 | £574.97 |
| 1992 | +42.65% | £327.55 | £467.25 |
| 1991 | -1.19% | £331.47 | £327.55 |
| 1990 | +16.55% | £284.42 | £331.47 |
UU Investment Analysis: Valuation, Risk & Dividends
Key factors to consider when evaluating United Utilities Group PLC as an investment
Valuation
UU currently trades at a trailing P/E ratio of 22.9, which is considered moderate relative to the broader market. The forward P/E of 12.1 suggests analysts expect earnings to be lower in the coming year. The price-to-book ratio stands at 463.5. The price-to-sales ratio is 3.9.
Dividends
United Utilities Group PLC pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 3.87%. This translates to £0.52 per share annually. The payout ratio of 88% indicates high dividend coverage.
Risk & Volatility
UU has a beta of 0.56, indicating it is less volatile than the overall market. The stock's 52-week range is £964.20 to £1404.00, and it currently trades near its 52-week high.
Analyst Ratings
Based on 14 analyst opinions, UU has a consensus "buy" rating. The average price target of £1350.50 suggests 0.3% downside from current levels.
Frequently Asked Questions: UU
What sector is UU in? ▼
UU operates in the Utilities sector, specifically in the Utilities - Regulated Water industry.
How has UU performed historically? ▼
Over 37 years of trading history, UU has posted gains in 22 years (59% of the time). The best year was 1992 with a +42.6% return. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
How can I invest in UU? ▼
You can invest in UU through any brokerage account that offers access to the London Stock Exchange. Popular options include commission-free brokers like Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Robinhood (US), or international brokers like Interactive Brokers. You can buy individual shares or invest through ETFs that hold UU.
Does UU pay dividends? ▼
United Utilities Group PLC pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 3.87%. This translates to £0.52 per share annually. The payout ratio of 88% indicates high dividend coverage.
What does United Utilities Group PLC do? ▼
United Utilities Group PLC is a Utilities - Regulated Water company operating in the Utilities sector. The company is headquartered in Warrington, United Kingdom.
What sector is UU in? ▼
UU operates in the Utilities sector, specifically in the Utilities - Regulated Water industry.
When did UU go public? ▼
United Utilities Group PLC went public in 1989, making it a 37-year-old public company as of 2026.
How much would £1,000 invested in UU 5 years ago be worth today? ▼
A £1,000 investment in UU five years ago would be worth approximately £1,529 today, representing a 52.9% return.
Does UU pay dividends? ▼
Yes, United Utilities Group PLC pays a dividend with a current yield of 3.87%, which is £0.52 per share annually.
What is UU's market cap? ▼
United Utilities Group PLC has a market capitalization of £9.2 billion, classifying it as a mid-cap company.
What is UU's P/E ratio? ▼
UU has a trailing P/E ratio of 22.9 and a forward P/E of 12.1, which measures how much investors are paying per dollar of earnings.
Is UU a buy, hold, or sell? ▼
Based on 14 opinions, UU has a consensus "buy" rating. The average price target is £1350.5.
Last updated: 3/14/2026