Chesapeake Utilities, based in Dover, currently pays a dividend of $0.74 per share, yielding 2.42%. The company's annualized dividend of $2.94 is up 9.1% from last year, and over the last five years it has increased its dividend five times for an average annual increase of 9.90%. Its payout ratio stands at 44% of trailing 12-month EPS. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2026 earnings is $6.51 per share, representing year-over-year growth of 8.32%. The stock carries a Zacks Rank of 3, or Hold.
Chesapeake Utilities CorporationDividend increase and growth, low payout ratio, and positive earnings outlook indicate financial health and shareholder returns.