Centrica Records One-Off, Non-Cash Charge Related To North American Business Retail Supply Unit

In a trading update, Centrica reported that its Centrica Business division has, "experienced significant market pressures in our North America Business retail power book."

Centrica is also reflecting a one-off non-cash post-tax charge of £46m for its North America Business unit, relating to a reassessment of the historic recognition of unbilled power revenues.

At the corporate level, Centrica 2017 full year adjusted earnings per share are expected to be around 12.5p, including a 0.8p impact from the North America Business one-off non-cash charge. "This is lower than market consensus, largely reflecting lower than expected adjusted operating profit in North America Business and UK Business," Centrica said

"North America Business is expected to report full year adjusted operating profit of around £80m, with highly competitive market conditions and low price volatility putting significant downwards pressure on realised power margins, and low volatility also reducing opportunities for gas optimisation. In addition energy prices are currently backwardated, meaning the booked profit of fixed price multi-year power contracts will be weighted towards latter years, compressing short term realised margins. As noted above, we expect to recognise a one-off non-cash post-tax charge of £46m (£76m pre-tax) in North America Business relating to a reassessment of the historic recognition of unbilled power revenues," Centrica said

Centrica said that its North America Home accounts have fallen slightly