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    James Brand

    Vice President and Equity Research Analyst at Deutsche Bank

    James Brand is a Vice President and Equity Research Analyst at Deutsche Bank, specializing in broad sector equity analysis with coverage of 29 publicly listed companies. He has demonstrated strong performance with a 68.08% success rate and an average rating of 4.52 stars according to independent analyst platforms. Brand has built his equity research career at Deutsche Bank, where he has established a reputation for incisive stock analysis and reliable investment recommendations. He holds key professional qualifications and maintains active registration to support his research-oriented responsibilities.

    James Brand's questions to NATIONAL GRID (NGG) leadership

    James Brand's questions to NATIONAL GRID (NGG) leadership • Q2 2024

    Question

    Questioned the company's balance sheet strength, asking if credit metrics will tighten over the 5-year plan, and inquired about the preferred methods for funding the large, long-term CapEx program, including the potential for more asset sales.

    Answer

    The CFO reiterated that gearing will remain in the low 70s with a sensible buffer against credit metrics. For long-term funding, he stated that while it's too early to define a specific strategy, all options are available, including debt, scrip dividends, hybrids, asset rotation, and partnerships, and the appropriate tools will be chosen once the CapEx cadence is clearer.

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    James Brand's questions to PNN.L leadership

    James Brand's questions to PNN.L leadership • H1 2023

    Question

    James Brand requested a breakdown of the GBP 75 million in additional investment and sought clarification on a regulatory true-up mechanism mentioned in relation to mitigating high power costs.

    Answer

    CEO Susan Davy explained the GBP 75 million consists of a GBP 10 million customer incentive scheme and GBP 65 million in asset investments for water resilience. Executive Paul Boote clarified the mitigation mechanism for power costs is the general totex true-up, not a specific energy-related one.

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    James Brand's questions to United Utilities Group (UUGRY) leadership

    James Brand's questions to United Utilities Group (UUGRY) leadership • FY 2017

    Question

    James Brand from Deutsche Bank inquired about the company's positioning for the upcoming PR19 review, focusing on the potential for better cost allowance recognition by Ofwat. He also asked for an update on the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) investigation following a past operational issue.

    Answer

    CEO Steve Mogford expressed optimism regarding the PR19 review, citing a more evidence-based dialogue with Ofwat on cost drivers, particularly for wastewater. He noted the company is driving down its cost-to-serve via digitalization. Regarding the DWI investigation, he explained that final evidence was submitted late last year and the company is awaiting the DWI's formal decision, which could range from a report to a prosecution.

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    James Brand's questions to United Utilities Group (UUGRY) leadership • Q2 2016

    Question

    James Brand inquired about expectations for pricing and margin sustainability in the competitive non-household retail market. He also asked about any early discussions with the new government post-Brexit and potential changes in thinking towards the water sector.

    Answer

    CEO Steven Mogford stated that with many new entrants, the retail market will be highly competitive, likely driving margins down, which is why the low-cost structure of the Water Plus JV is critical. Regarding Brexit, he noted that most significant European environmental legislation is already enshrined in UK law, so he anticipates little change for the water sector in the short term.

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    James Brand's questions to United Utilities Group (UUGRY) leadership • H1 2016

    Question

    James Brand from Deutsche Bank inquired about United Utilities' positioning for Ofwat's 2019 plans regarding water trading and sludge markets, the impact of government cuts to Feed-in Tariffs (FITs) on its solar investment plans, and the interest rate on the recently drawn-down EIB loan.

    Answer

    CEO Steve Mogford explained that the company is well-positioned for the sludge market by treating it as an asset and optimizing processing and energy generation. He noted that while FIT changes have lowered the return threshold for solar, many attractive investments remain. CFO Russ Houlden clarified that the most recent tranche of the floating-rate EIB loan was drawn at LIBOR plus 51 basis points.

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