Severn Trent PLC (0.3%) (SVT) (SVT – $31.21/2,170 p – London Stock Exchange) is an international provider of water and wastewater services. Severn Trent Water, the UK based utility, provides water to eight million people and wastewater services to nine million people in the Midlands and Mid-Wales. In January 2015, Severn Trent accepted the Final Determination from OFWAT, the UK water regulator, regarding the utility’s five year investment and rate plan for 2015-2020. The plan will likely allow SVT to continue to provide steady and modestly growing returns. Additionally, as one of the UK’s premier water and wastewater providers, Severn Trent is well positioned to provide duly needed expertise and infrastructure investment opportunities in less developed regions across the world. Severn Trent Services, the non-regulated water and waste water service division of the company, which focuses on water purification projects and operating plants and systems for municipalities, has a growing presence in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Strong earnings and cash flow profile combined with water and wastewater infrastructure expertise make SVT an attractive takeover candidate.
From Mario Gabelli (Trades, Portfolio)'s Gabelli Utilities Fund first quarter 2016 commentary.
