Five water companies are to further increase bills as part of a new £3.4bn infrastructure investment. The greatest annual bill rise is faced by customers of Southern Water - which covers Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Sussex and Kent - where there is a proposed £43 increase next year. Wessex Water billpayers are to be charged the second-biggest yearly uplift - £4 from mid next year, rising to £7 more than current bills by 2030.

Andy Burnham has accused water companies of treating customers like “a blank cheque” after suppliers announced higher bills for millions of households under hosepipe bans.

The analyst fair value estimate for Severn Trent has been adjusted slightly to £32.47 from £31.69, and recent Street price targets are now clustered in a relatively tight £31.50 to £35.00 range. This shift reflects a mix of optimism and caution, as analysts weigh a changing UK water regulatory setting against expectations for the company to deliver on operational and capital plans. Read on to see how these evolving price targets and research views may help you track potential future...

Severn Trent’s fair value estimate has shifted from £31.26 to £31.88, bringing it closer to the cluster of analyst price targets around £33.00. Analysts are broadly aligned on that £33.00 level, but recent rating moves show a split between those who see remaining upside and those who think most of the easy gains are already reflected in the price. As you read on, you will see how this evolving narrative can inform how you track the shares from here. Stay updated as the Fair Value for Severn...