Big Six

  • Commercial and market outlook

    Chart of the week | It’s the final countdown…2109 in review

    As 2020 approaches we trade in our reports for gift wrapping and our coffee is set aside for mulled wine. Let’s take a moment to reflect on the topics of 2019 that have garnered the most interest from our complimentary Chart of the Week publication. Our popular weekly publications are...

  • Home supply and services

    Chart of the week | Tariff caps squeeze Big Six profits

    In this week's Chart of the Week, we review SSE’s annual results announcement on 22 May. Now, all of the Big Six have either reported or commented on the financial performance of their energy supply operations since the introduction of the default cap at the start of this year. Their comments...

  • Home supply and services

    Chart of the week | The long game – profits from domestic energy supply

    Understanding just how profitable domestic supply is has been a long-term concern about the energy market. Since 2009, the Big Six have had to publish separate financial accounts for their generation and supply businesses. These “segmental statements” must be issued no later than four months after the end of their...

  • Home supply and services

    Chart of the week | SVT and fixed tariff gap widens

    Prior to the increase of the default price cap on 1 April 2019 to £1,254/year, we reported on 14 March that some suppliers were already positioning their default variable tariffs against the increased cap. We also reported that the gap between default and market-based fixed tariffs was increasing as wholesale...

  • Home supply and services

    Chart of the week | Realising retention: churn risks for small suppliers

    Our latest domestic market share data shows a trend of rising customer churn for energy suppliers across the market. This is due to consumers choosing tariffs or suppliers that offer them a better price, service or added value product. Our chart shows an average churn rate for different supplier segmentations....

  • Home supply and services

    Chart of the week | I’m Still Standing: Medium suppliers lead acquisitions

    Ovo Energy’s acquisition on 11 January of Economy Energy customers via Ofgem’s Supplier of Last Resort (SoLR) mechanism mean that over 1.2mn energy accounts have now moved via the process over the last 12 months. This was Ovo’s second SoLR acquisition after taking on Spark’s customers in November 2018. Ovo...

  • Home supply and services

    Chart of the week | A tariff cap is not a price freeze

    The final confirmation of the default tariff cap on 6 November has caused a good deal of commotion. Most notably the announcement from SSE and npower that the cap is a key factor in renegotiating their merger. But, the price cap that will apply from 1 January is just over...

  • Home supply and services

    Chart of the week | Higher, Broader, Faster, Longer

    Wholesale price movements and pending regulatory changes are causing suppliers to amend the prices and types of domestic contracts they offer. Under a rising wholesale market, suppliers will adjust their tariffs more regularly and upwards. This is to ensure that suppliers recoup enough money to cover the additional costs. Our...

  • Home supply and services

    Chart of the week | In-out, in-out, shaken all about

    With news of the SSE and npower merger receiving final CMA approval to proceed on 10 October, it is a fitting time to reflect on the domestic energy supply industry. The industry is entering a phase of consolidation as a result of tougher market conditions and squeezed margins. Our chart...

  • Home supply and services

    Chart of the week | Quartermaster – One in four customers outside incumbents

    Collectively, the small and medium suppliers (SaMS) now hold over 25% of the energy accounts in the domestic retail market. This means that, when combined, the group represents the largest entity in the market. The chart this week shows the collective growth of the SaMS has come at an increasingly...