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DCC PLC (GB:DCC)
LSE:DCC

DCC plc (DCC) AI Stock Analysis

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GB:DCC

DCC plc

(LSE:DCC)

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Outperform 71 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:71Outperform
Price Target:
4,984.00 p
▲(10.51% Upside)
Action:UpgradedDate:12/07/25
DCC plc's overall stock score reflects a solid financial foundation with stable cash flows and strategic initiatives to enhance shareholder value. However, challenges in profitability and revenue growth, coupled with a negative P/E ratio, weigh on the score. Positive technical indicators and corporate actions provide a supportive backdrop for potential future performance.
Positive Factors
Strong cash generation
DCC sustains robust operating cash flow despite recent declines, and management targets converting a high share of profits into cash. This durable cash-generation ability underpins dividend capacity, funds bolt-on deals and share returns, and provides a buffer through economic cycles.
Strategic simplification and energy focus
Management has simplified the group by exiting non-core units to concentrate on higher-return energy distribution and services. Narrowing focus improves resource allocation, simplifies execution, and enhances the chance to lift returns on capital employed in core markets over the medium term.
Targeted acquisitions strengthening market position
Bolt-on acquisitions expand scale and geographic reach in energy distribution, reinforcing local leadership and logistics synergies. Such targeted M&A enhances recurring volume flows and pricing leverage, supporting durable distribution margins and competitive position in key markets.
Negative Factors
Revenue and profit decline
Sustained declines in revenue and net income signal structural demand and margin headwinds in key segments. Lower scale can erode fixed-cost absorption and reduce bargaining leverage with suppliers, making margin recovery and consistent profit improvement more challenging over the medium term.
Moderate leverage on the balance sheet
A debt-to-equity near 0.74 represents meaningful leverage for a distributor with cyclically exposed energy volumes. If profitability and cash flow weaken further, interest and refinancing risk could constrain capital allocation, acquisitions, or the ability to sustain large shareholder returns.
Deteriorating returns and margins
Falling ROE and compressed operating margins point to weakened profitability dynamics. Persistently lower margins reduce free cash flow conversion and reinvestment capacity, making it harder to achieve management's higher-return targets without structural improvements or successful integration of acquisitions.

DCC plc (DCC) vs. iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (EWC)

DCC plc Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionDCC plc provides sales, marketing, and support services worldwide. The company's DCC LPG segment sells and markets liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), refrigerants, and natural gas. Its DCC Retail & Oil segment markets, sells, and retails transport and commercial fuels, heating oils, and related products and services; operates retail petrol stations; resells fuel cards; distributes oil; and provides inbound logistics, storage and filling, and outbound logistics services. This segment serves domestic, agricultural, commercial/industrial, forecourt, aviation, and marine customers. The company's DCC Healthcare segment offers products and services to healthcare providers, and health and beauty brand owners; outsourced contract manufacturing services to the health and beauty sector; nutrition products, such as vitamins and health supplements; beauty products; and product development, formulation, manufacturing, and packaging services. In addition, this segment procures and sells exempt medicinal products. Its DCC Technology segment distributes consumer technology products, including smart home products, gaming consoles, peripherals and software, wearable technology, and accessories; business and enterprise technology products, such as tablets, notebooks, and PCs; networking and security products; communication products comprising smartphones; and servers and storage products, audio visual products, printers, peripherals, cables and connectors, and consumables to retailers, resellers, and integrators. It also provides supply chain services. The company was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland.
How the Company Makes MoneyDCC primarily makes money by acting as a specialist distributor and service provider across its operating divisions, earning revenue from the sale and delivery of products and from associated services. In its energy activities, it generates revenue from supplying energy-related products and services (such as fuels and other energy solutions) to customers, with earnings driven by volumes sold, distribution margins, and service income where applicable. In healthcare, it earns revenue by distributing healthcare products on behalf of manufacturers and suppliers, capturing gross margin on product distribution and, where offered, fees for value-added services such as logistics, inventory management, and commercial support. In technology, it generates revenue through the distribution of technology hardware and related products and through support services that may accompany distribution (for example, fulfilment and other channel services), with profitability largely dependent on distribution margins, scale, and operating efficiency. Across the group, key earnings drivers typically include the spread between purchase and selling prices (distribution margin), service fees, customer and supplier relationships that support repeat volumes, and the company’s ability to operate efficient logistics and sales networks across geographies. null

DCC plc Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Nov 11, 2025
(Q2-2026)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:May 19, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The call highlighted significant strategic progress in simplifying the business and focusing on the energy sector, with positive developments in shareholder returns and acquisitions. However, challenges in revenue and profit declines, particularly in the Energy Products and DCC Technology segments, balanced the positive outlook.
Q2-2026 Updates
Positive Updates
Strategic Simplification Progress
Significant progress in simplifying DCC by focusing on energy business and completing the planned changes. Sale of DCC Healthcare and Info Tech business completed, with a tender offer for GBP 600 million to shareholders.
Capital Return to Shareholders
GBP 800 million capital return to shareholders initiated, with GBP 100 million buyback completed and a GBP 600 million tender offer to follow, maintaining a strong balance sheet and investment-grade rating.
Leadership and Strategic Direction
New leadership team with extensive experience in the energy sector in place, focusing on high growth and high returns in energy products and services.
Mobility Business Performance
Mobility operating profit increased by 2.8%, driven by margin management and growth in nonfuel offerings such as EV charging and fleet services.
Acquisitions in Energy Sector
Acquisition of two liquid gas businesses in Europe to strengthen leadership in the Austrian and UK markets.
Negative Updates
Revenue and Operating Profit Decline
Revenue decreased from GBP 7.9 billion to GBP 7.4 billion, with a 5.4% drop in operating profit due to lower energy volumes and a 15% decline in commodity prices.
Challenges in Energy Products
Energy Products volumes decreased by 4.9% and operating profit fell by 12.8%, impacted by warm weather and economic softness in certain markets.
Weaker Performance in DCC Technology
DCC Technology's operating profit declined by 6.9%, with weaker consumer demand and tariff impacts affecting performance in certain categories.
Company Guidance
In the call, DCC provided guidance for fiscal year 2026, highlighting a strategic focus on their energy business, aiming for double-digit growth in earnings by 2030. They maintained their guidance for the year, expecting good operating profit growth, with organic growth projected at 3% to 4% and acquisition growth at 6% to 8% per annum. The company emphasized its strong market positions, targeting higher returns on capital employed in the high teens and converting approximately 90% of profits into cash. DCC also outlined plans for substantial capital returns to shareholders, including a GBP 600 million tender offer following the sale of DCC Healthcare. Despite a 5.4% decline in operating profit for the first half of FY26, the company remains confident in achieving its long-term strategic goals, supported by a robust balance sheet and strong cash generation.

DCC plc Financial Statement Overview

Summary
DCC plc demonstrates stable cost management but faces challenges in revenue and profit growth. The balance sheet reflects moderate leverage, which requires careful management to mitigate financial risks. Cash flows remain healthy, providing a buffer against declining profits. Strategic focus on improving operational efficiency and exploring growth avenues could enhance financial performance.
Income Statement
72
Positive
DCC plc's revenue has shown volatility with a slight decline in recent years, decreasing from 22.2 billion in 2023 to 18 billion in 2025. The gross profit margin remains stable at around 13%, indicating efficient cost management. However, net profit margin has declined, with a noticeable drop in net income from 334 million in 2023 to 206 million in 2025, reflecting challenges in translating revenue to profit. EBIT and EBITDA margins have also seen a downward trend, suggesting pressure on operational efficiency.
Balance Sheet
68
Positive
The balance sheet shows a stable equity base, but a debt-to-equity ratio of around 0.74 indicates moderate leverage, which could pose risks if profitability continues to decline. The equity ratio stands at approximately 33%, showing a decent proportion of funding from equity. Return on equity has decreased from 11.2% in 2023 to 6.7% in 2025, highlighting reduced profitability on shareholders' investments.
Cash Flow
75
Positive
DCC plc's cash flow from operations remains strong, albeit with a decrease from 722 million in 2024 to 582 million in 2025. Free cash flow has declined over the years, but the company maintains a positive free cash flow to net income ratio, suggesting good cash generation relative to earnings. However, the free cash flow growth rate has been negative, indicating challenges in generating cash sustainably.
BreakdownTTMMar 2024Mar 2023Mar 2022Mar 2021Mar 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue16.07B18.01B19.86B17.73B13.41B14.76B
Gross Profit2.03B2.40B2.60B2.04B1.82B1.74B
EBITDA633.78M785.73M882.88M770.47M707.32M640.99M
Net Income-73.31M206.49M326.25M312.37M292.62M245.51M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets8.23B9.26B9.48B9.56B8.03B7.92B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments1.33B1.09B1.11B1.39B1.79B1.79B
Total Debt2.22B2.28B2.31B2.34B2.09B2.39B
Total Liabilities5.52B6.09B6.30B6.59B5.33B5.38B
Stockholders Equity2.61B3.07B3.09B2.91B2.65B2.49B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow413.75M367.73M491.67M257.42M564.89M348.09M
Operating Cash Flow628.26M582.03M722.02M451.77M727.77M529.11M
Investing Cash Flow603.76M-338.14M-525.29M-867.43M-391.52M-319.50M
Financing Cash Flow-476.82M-180.89M-472.75M21.49M-256.63M-15.46M

DCC plc Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price4510.00
Price Trends
50DMA
4802.24
Negative
100DMA
4816.95
Negative
200DMA
4754.72
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-105.85
Positive
RSI
33.76
Neutral
STOCH
19.48
Positive
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For GB:DCC, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 4510 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 4813.10, below the 50-day MA of 4802.24, and below the 200-day MA of 4754.72, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -105.85 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 33.76 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 19.48 is Positive, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for GB:DCC.

DCC plc Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (65)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
71
Outperform
£3.86B-6.39-2.58%4.43%-17.89%-122.62%
70
Outperform
£2.78B13.868.95%5.64%159.13%143.76%
70
Outperform
£4.04B-42.84-4.67%14.05%63.10%-161.03%
69
Neutral
£5.15B-24.34-4.05%8.77%123.03%-330.89%
65
Neutral
$15.17B7.614.09%5.20%3.87%-62.32%
65
Neutral
£65.72M23.116.02%6.59%-5.00%-32.05%
63
Neutral
£882.60M3.0940.22%10.49%56.20%-185.69%
* Energy Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
GB:DCC
DCC plc
4,524.00
-423.59
-8.56%
GB:DEC
Diversified Energy Company
1,168.00
233.35
24.97%
GB:NWF
NWF Group plc
132.50
-29.45
-18.19%
GB:HBR
Harbour Energy
282.80
107.31
61.15%
GB:SEPL
SEPLAT Petroleum Development
463.00
302.37
188.23%
GB:ITH
Ithaca Energy PLC
244.00
123.94
103.22%

DCC plc Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board Changes
DCC strengthens board with appointment of former Shell executive John Abbott
Positive
Mar 6, 2026

DCC plc, the Dublin‑headquartered FTSE 100 energy marketing and distribution group, has appointed veteran energy executive John Abbott as a non‑executive director and member of its Nomination and Governance Committee, effective after its 16 July 2026 AGM. Abbott, a former Shell executive committee member and Downstream Director and current vice‑chair of Neste, brings almost four decades of global energy experience across refining, chemicals, trading and retail.

Chair Mark Breuer said Abbott’s strategic and operational insight will bolster the board as DCC advances its strategy to build a leading multi‑energy business. The appointment underlines DCC’s focus on navigating the energy transition and supporting continued growth, with the company highlighting that no additional regulatory disclosures are required in connection with the board change.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:DCC) stock is a Hold with a £5465.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on DCC plc stock, see the GB:DCC Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial DisclosuresM&A Transactions
DCC Delivers Strong Q3 as It Accelerates Strategic Shift to Core Energy Business
Positive
Feb 4, 2026

DCC plc reported strong adjusted operating profit growth in the third quarter to 31 December 2025, driven by solid organic performance and the first-time contribution from its recent FLAGA acquisition in Austria, while its Energy division performed particularly well despite some UK services headwinds and its Technology arm held operating profit broadly flat as North America returned to growth. The company has committed about £100 million to acquisitions since May 2025, is expanding into new liquid gas markets in Austria, Poland and Central and Eastern Europe, and is progressing a strategic pivot to become a focused energy group through the divestment of Healthcare and Info Tech and the planned sale of the remaining Technology business by end-2026, allowing management to concentrate capital and resources on the growth opportunity in its core energy operations while maintaining guidance for good full-year operating profit growth.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:DCC) stock is a Buy with a £6300.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on DCC plc stock, see the GB:DCC Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyM&A Transactions
DCC expands liquid gas footprint with €48m move into four Central European markets
Positive
Jan 15, 2026

DCC plc has agreed to acquire UGI International’s liquid gas businesses in Poland, Hungary, Czechia and Slovakia, adding more than 200 million litres of annual volume and around 30,000 bulk and cylinder customers to its network. The €48 million cash deal extends DCC’s liquid gas footprint into four new, fragmented Central European markets, anchored by AmeriGas Polska, the second-largest player in Poland with about 13% market share, and three FLAGA-branded operations in neighbouring countries. DCC plans to leverage well-invested infrastructure, a shared service centre in Warsaw and procurement synergies across Continental Europe to boost returns, targeting mid-teen returns on capital employed in the second year. The move underlines liquid gas as a core pillar of DCC’s Energy Solutions growth strategy and strengthens its ambition to become a global leader in lower-carbon energy sales, marketing and distribution, with implications for expanded scale, consolidation power and enhanced positioning in both European and global energy markets.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:DCC) stock is a Buy with a £4827.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on DCC plc stock, see the GB:DCC Stock Forecast page.

Regulatory Filings and Compliance
DCC Updates Share Capital and Voting Rights Ahead of Year-End Disclosure
Neutral
Dec 31, 2025

DCC plc has reported that, as of 31 December 2025, it has 87,609,229 issued ordinary shares of €0.25 each, of which 2,186,132 are held in treasury and therefore do not carry voting rights, leaving 85,423,097 ordinary shares in circulation with voting rights. The company stated that this voting share figure should be used by investors as the reference denominator when assessing whether they must disclose their holdings or changes in holdings under the UK Financial Conduct Authority’s transparency and disclosure rules, ensuring regulatory compliance and clarity for shareholders.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:DCC) stock is a Buy with a £5553.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on DCC plc stock, see the GB:DCC Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Dec 07, 2025