Investors in British Gas owner Centrica (CNA) will be watching closely to see if it can hit forecasts against a normalised energy price backdrop when it reports full year results on 15 February.

Analysts are forecasting earnings per share for the full year ending 31 December of 30.5p.

In July 2023, the firm reported first half revenue up 60% to £16.5 billion due to higher energy prices. The company also reported a statutory pre-tax profit of £6.4 billion, as opposed to a loss of £1.1 billion for the first six months of 2022.

At the same time Centrica announced a green focused investment strategy with annualised investment building to between £600 million and £800 million out to 2028, an extension to its share buyback programme by £450 million to £1 billion and a 33% increase in dividend to 1.33p per share.

This generosity to shareholders has been underpinned by the dramatically improved picture on earnings and cash flow for the company as energy prices surged in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Strong operational performance from its gas production, nuclear and gas storage assets has also helped. 

Since the end of the pandemic, shareholders have enjoyed substantial gains in the share price, over the past year the stock is up 38%.

Centrica could come under political pressure as households continue to struggle with falling energy bills. The company has said it is ‘committed’ to supporting vulnerable customers facing wider inflationary pressures and high energy bills.

Since the start of 2022, it has committed £100 million to vulnerable customers. 

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