Severn Trent plc (SVT) (0.6%) (SVT – $23.14/£18.16 – London Stock Exchange) is an international provider of water and wastewater services. Severn Trent Water, the U.K.-based utility, provides water to eight million people and wastewater services to nine million people in the Midlands and Mid-Wales. Severn Trent operates under a 2015-2020 five year rate plan that provides inflation adjusted annual rates increases approved by OFWAT, the U.K. water regulator. The plan allows SVT to achieve efficiencies and modestly growing returns. The utility has filed its plan for the 2020-2025 period and expected a final decision in late 2019. As one of the U.K.’s premier water and wastewater providers, Severn Trent is well positioned to provide expertise and infrastructure investment opportunities in less developed regions of 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.
From Mario Gabelli (Trades, Portfolio)'s Gabelli Utilities Fund fourth-quarter 2018 commentary.
