U.K. energy supplier bankruptcies reach 25 as Zog collapses

By Steve Goldstein

The U.K. Office of Gas and Electricity Markets on Wednesday announced the collapse of Zog Energy, the 25th provider to collapse as gas prices have surged.

Zog Energy supplied 11,700 customers, Ofgem said. “In recent weeks there has been an unprecedented increase in global gas prices which is putting financial pressure on suppliers. Ofgem is working closely with government and industry to make sure customers continue to be protected this winter,” the regulator said.

Up 2% on Wednesday, the lead natural-gas contract trading on the ICE futures exchange has surged 455% over the last 12 months.

The large-cap FTSE 100 /zigman2/quotes/210598409/delayed UK:UKX +0.34% rose 1.4% to 7,158.32, bouncing along with other global markets as traders try to price in the likely economic impact of the omicron variant of coronavirus.

British Airways operator International Airlines Group /zigman2/quotes/208070069/delayed UK:IAG +3.92% surged 6%, and Premier Inn operator Whitbread /zigman2/quotes/207954631/delayed UK:WTB +1.27% added 4%. Engine maker Rolls-Royce /zigman2/quotes/203646520/delayed UK:RR +1.37% and broadcaster ITV /zigman2/quotes/205378065/delayed UK:ITV +1.16% also gained ground.

In the midcaps, Liontrust Asset Management /zigman2/quotes/207226484/delayed UK:LIO +0.65% jumped 13% after doubling its dividend as assets under management climbed 73%. Liontrust has benefited from demand for funds with an environmental, social and corporate governance focus.

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Add to watchlist UK:UKX

FTSE 100 Index

UK : FTSE UK

7,515.38

+25.54 +0.34%

Volume: 636,472

Dec. 6, 2023 5:13p

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International Consolidated Airlines Group S.A.

UK : U.K.: London

161.90 p

+6.10 +3.92%

Volume: 18.93M

Dec. 6, 2023 4:35p

P/E Ratio

4.82

Dividend Yield

0.00%

Market Cap

£7.66 billion

Rev. per Employee

£359,402

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Whitbread PLC

UK : U.K.: London

3,281.00 p

+41.00 +1.27%

Volume: 679,481

Dec. 6, 2023 4:35p

P/E Ratio

19.44

Dividend Yield

2.56%

Market Cap

£6.13 billion

Rev. per Employee

£73,387

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Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC

UK : U.K.: London

288.60 p

+3.90 +1.37%

Volume: 14.16M

Dec. 6, 2023 4:35p

P/E Ratio

14.58

Dividend Yield

N/A

Market Cap

£23.96 billion

Rev. per Employee

£368,788

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ITV PLC

UK : U.K.: London

61.24 p

+0.70 +1.16%

Volume: 7.75M

Dec. 6, 2023 4:35p

P/E Ratio

8.95

Dividend Yield

8.16%

Market Cap

£2.44 billion

Rev. per Employee

N/A

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Liontrust Asset Management PLC

UK : U.K.: London

543.50 p

+3.50 +0.65%

Volume: 945,586

Dec. 6, 2023 4:35p

P/E Ratio

20.29

Dividend Yield

13.25%

Market Cap

£347.11 million

Rev. per Employee

£966,643