Severn Trent PLC SVT shares inched up 0.90% to £24.59 Monday, on what proved to be an all-around great trading session for the stock market, with the FTSE 100 Index UKX rising 0.02% to 8,503.71. Supported by world-class markets data from Dow Jones and FactSet,

Severn Trent has said it plans to hand shareholders a higher dividend for the next year, as trading remains in line with targets. This is despite its average customer's yearly water bill being set to increase by an average of 47% over the next five years,

The proposed increase comes amid intense scrutiny over sector payouts, particularly given rising customer bills and concerns about leaks.

Severn Trent PLC SVT shares slid 1.89% to £24.37 Friday, on what proved to be an all-around dismal trading session for the stock market, with the FTSE 100 Index UKX falling 0.73% to 8,502.35.

Severn Trent, one of the UK’s biggest water companies, has announced plans to hike its full-year dividend despite coming under fire for artificially inflating its balance sheet using an accounting trick.