Centrica (LON:CNA) Shares Down 8.1% – Here’s What Happened

Shares of Centrica plc (LON:CNA) traded down 8.1% on Thursday . The company traded as low as GBX 177.15 and last traded at GBX 180.21. 378,168,125 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 1,672% from the average session volume of 21,336,328 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 196.

Trending Headlines about Centrica

Here are the key news stories impacting Centrica this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Quarterly results reported GBX 11.20 EPS with a net margin of 5.39% and return on equity of 25.16% — indicators that parts of the business remain profitable. Management hosted a conference call and published a slide deck for investors. Slide Deck Conference Call
• Neutral Sentiment: Broader UK market weakness (FTSE moves) amplified the stock’s volatility on results day — Centrica’s move weighed on the index while investors reassessed energy sector peers. FTSE 100 Live
• Negative Sentiment: Management paused the share buyback after a drop in 2025 profits — a clear negative for shareholder returns and one of the main reasons for the sharp sell-off. Buyback Pause
• Negative Sentiment: Coverage across outlets highlighted a large share-price fall (reports of an ~8–9% decline) after results showed earnings were down / had swung to a loss and 2025 earnings roughly halved — driving investor concern over near-term profitability and guidance. Earnings Coverage
• Negative Sentiment: Headline-focused pieces and Q&A-style investor guides increased short-term selling pressure as readers digested the implications for dividends, buybacks and earnings trajectory. Investor Guidance

Analyst Ratings Changes

CNA has been the subject of a number of research reports. Citigroup lifted their price objective on Centrica from GBX 185 to GBX 200 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 4th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their target price on shares of Centrica from GBX 200 to GBX 215 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 3rd. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of GBX 198.80.

Centrica Trading Up 1.4%

The business has a 50 day moving average of GBX 181.06 and a 200 day moving average of GBX 172.39. The firm has a market capitalization of £8.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -40.98, a PEG ratio of 0.45 and a beta of 1.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 66.48, a current ratio of 1.77 and a quick ratio of 0.40.

Centrica (LON:CNA) last released its earnings results on Friday, February 20th. The integrated energy company reported GBX 11.20 earnings per share for the quarter. Centrica had a return on equity of 25.16% and a net margin of 5.39%.

Insider Activity at Centrica

In other news, insider Philippe Boisseau acquired 1,116 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 29th. The stock was purchased at an average price of GBX 168 per share, for a total transaction of £1,874.88. Also, insider Sue Whalley bought 600 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 25th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of GBX 163 per share, with a total value of £978. Insiders have purchased a total of 5,429 shares of company stock worth $933,943 in the last three months. 0.39% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Centrica Company Profile

Centrica is energising a greener, fairer future for our colleagues, customers and communities. Our integrated business operates across the energy value chain, with over ten million Retail customers, leading brands such as British Gas and Bord Gáis Energy, and the UK’s largest energy services workforce. Our Infrastructure businesses bring gas and electricity to the market every day and provide more than half of the UK’s gas storage capacity, while our Optimisation business delivers world-class procurement and route-to-market capabilities to the Group and third parties, supporting energy security and our customers’ decarbonisation journeys.