The owner of British Gas is said to be bracing for an assault from activist investors eager to take advantage of the global energy crisis.
Centrica, which also has a North Sea oil and gas exploration and production joint venture, is understood to be preparing contingency plans with investment bankers from Goldman Sachs against a raid by hedge funds.
The Telegraph reports that the business is on alert after large stakes worth hundreds of millions of pounds changed hands through accounts fronted by investment banks last week.
A 5% tranche of Centrica stock was also bought a fortnight ago through a Bank of America nominee account.
The trade was made up of a combination of shares and contracts-for-differences - a standard tactic by investors planning to demand change.
Industry insiders said that Centrica's board, led by chairman Scott Wheway, a former director of Boots, is preparing its defence ahead of an activist investor appearing on the company's share register. Centrica declined to comment.
Centrica shares were up just over 2p at 74.08p early this morning.
The shares hit highs of around £4 in 2013, but tumbled to less than 32p in 2020.
FTSE 100
Meanwhile, the FTSE 100 was ahead 33 points at 7,499 shortly after opening this morning.
Updates today
- ONS releases annual figures on household disposable income and inequality
- Treasury Select Committee session with UK think-tanks on the cost-of-living squeeze