EDF shrinks dividends as weak energy markets drag on earnings

EDF, the French energy giant building the new nuclear plant at Hinkley Point, plans to shrink its dividends for next year as it wrestles with the spiralling costs of maintaining its ageing nuclear fleet in France . The company issued three profit warnings last year following a string of unplanned nuclear plant shutdowns ahead of its €55bn nuclear upgrade programme. In the clearest sign that the financial pressure facing the group will continue EDF said it will cut its dividend ratio by over