British gas owner Centric (LSE: CNA) There was an augment in stock price by 10%, when the markets opened on Thursday (February 20), after the company presented a robust set of results.

Centrica was delayed at a wider one FTSE 100 Over the past year, after a robust revival from 2021 to 2023, but today’s numbers suggest that the company remains on the right track to make sustainable progress. I think it can open the door to the further benefits of stock prices.

Profits, dividend!

Centrica’s operating profit dropped by 43% to 1,552 million GBP in 2024. Still, the company presented a 10% dividend augment, raising the payment to 4.5 salary per share. This is about 3.1%at the time of writing. Shareholders should also take advantage of the next purchase of shares of 500 million pounds. My amounts suggest that this should ensure a good price -quality ratio at current levels.

I usually don’t praise the company for increasing its payments when the profits dropped rapidly. But this is an amazing situation. Centrica’s profits return to normal after grenade profits in 2023, when the company’s position as a gas manufacturer meant that he benefited from higher energy prices.

Energy group accounts show clear support for dividends and redemption. This company generated almost 1 billion GBP surplus cash in 2024 and ended a year with a net cash of 2.8 billion GBP.

Investing in long -term growth

I think that Centrica General Director Chris O’Shea knows he was ecstatic. Not so long ago, the group fought with profit marking and debt.

O’Shea has planned an investment program worth 4 billion pounds, which aims to support long -term earnings, improving customer satisfaction and company positioning to gradually switch to zero net. For example, the company installed almost half a million shrewd meters last year.

Centrica also agreed to build two 100 MW “Flexible ready for hydrogen” Drive plants in Ireland and extended the lives of four British nuclear energy stations.

Are the actions still affordable?

There is still some risk. For me, the biggest problem is that Centrica generated almost half of its base profits last year from gas production and energy trade in international markets. These companies can be much more profitable than being regulated usability in Great Britain. But profits can also be much more unstable, depending on the conditions of the goods market.

To sum up, I think it is worth taking the risk. In my opinion, these companies may be able to contribute to much more attractive phrases for shareholders than British gas could do alone.

The huge pile of Centrica’s cash also means that it is able to invest in long -term possibilities from the position of strength. If it’s good, I think it should be a great opportunity.

Even after today’s profits, shares trade only 10 times 2025 forecasting profits. Shareholders should also be able to expect 3.5% dividend profitability for a year.

It looks without a problem for me. My appraisal estimates suggest that Centrica shares may be worth more, even if profits level. I think it is worth considering this energy.