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Scottish referendum poll hits SSE shares

The share price of Scotland’s biggest energy utility SSE has taken a hit as uncertainty over the outcome of the upcoming referendum on independence intensifies.

SSE’s share price over the past week fell below the 1,500 pence mark as voter polling has shown an increase in support for Scottish independence from the rest of the UK.

The surveyed showed a sharp rise in support for Scottish independence, with the ‘yes vote’ up to 47 per cent – excluding don’t knows – from 43 per cent two weeks earlier, while the ‘no vote’ fell from 57 per cent to 53 per cent.

The uptick in support narrows the gap between those in favour and those opposed, from 14 per cent previously to just 6 per cent based on the latest YouGov survey, causing increased uncertainty over the future of the region.

“The results of the poll which came out during trading hours yesterday saw SSE shares fall 2-3 per cent at one point,” said an investor note from Citigroup.

“We would expect the continued uncertainty around Scottish independence to weigh on SSE shares in the coming weeks,” the note added.