Core Insights - Chesapeake Utilities Corporation's subsidiaries, Florida City Gas and Florida Public Utilities, have been recognized as 2025 Utility Customer Champions by Escalent, highlighting their exceptional service and commitment to customer satisfaction [1][3]. Group 1: Recognition and Achievements - The Utility Customer Champion designation is awarded based on Escalent's research and analysis of customer experiences, indicating a strong dedication to customer trust and support [3][4]. - Florida Public Utilities received the Customer Champion designation for the first time, while Florida City Gas has been recognized for the fourth time, previously earning accolades in 2024, 2023, and 2022 [5]. Group 2: Company Commitment - The leadership of Chesapeake Utilities emphasizes a commitment to customer-centric service, aiming to be a customer champion daily [2][4]. - Both subsidiaries scored 769 on Escalent's Engaged Customer Relationship Index, placing them in the top decile of utility providers [4]. Group 3: Company Overview - Chesapeake Utilities Corporation is a diversified energy delivery company listed on the New York Stock Exchange, providing sustainable energy solutions through various services including natural gas and electricity distribution [6]. - Florida City Gas serves over 122,500 customers across multiple counties in Florida and operates approximately 3,980 miles of distribution pipeline [7]. - Florida Public Utilities serves more than 153,000 customers in Florida, distributing natural gas, propane, and providing electric services [8].

Core Insights - Fortis Inc. is recognized as one of the best Canadian dividend stocks for long-term investment [1] - CIBC has raised its price target for Fortis to C$75 while maintaining an Outperform rating [2] - Fortis reported a capital expenditure of approximately $4.2 billion in the first nine months of the year, aiming for a full-year target of $5.6 billion [3] Financial Performance - The company has introduced a five-year capital plan worth $28.8 billion for the period from 2026 to 2030, with an expected annual rate base growth of about 7% [3] - Fortis announced a 4% increase in its quarterly dividend to $0.64 per share, marking the 52nd consecutive year of dividend growth [4] Business Model - Fortis operates a regulated utility network, with around 93% of its assets in lower-risk transmission and distribution, providing stability in financial results [5] - The investment strategy aims to increase dividends by 4 to 6% annually through 2030, appealing to income-focused investors [4]

Group 1 - NiSource (NYSE: NI) operates five local distribution utility companies and one gas and electric utility, NIPSCO [1] - The stock price increase has positively impacted utilities that may supply AI data centers [1] - Laura Starks, founder and CEO of Starks Energy Economics, has extensive experience in energy investment and analysis [1] Group 2 - The coverage of Laura Starks includes various sectors such as utilities, independent power producers, and all sectors of oil and natural gas [1]

Core Viewpoint - The Southern Company is recognized as one of the best high dividend stocks to buy under $100, highlighting its strong dividend resilience and growth potential [1][2]. Group 1: Financial Performance and Plans - The Southern Company has increased its five-year base capital plan by $13 billion, raising the total to $76 billion [2]. - The company is reviewing approximately 10 gigawatts (GW) of new generation requests as of the second quarter of 2025 [2]. Group 2: Market Demand and Strategy - The Southern Company has a pipeline exceeding 50 GW of potential customer load, driven by strong demand from hyperscale clients and data centers in Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi [3]. - The company emphasizes a focus on disciplined, risk-adjusted contract structures to protect customer benefits while maintaining financial flexibility [3]. Group 3: Dividend History and Yield - The Southern Company offers a quarterly dividend of $0.74 per share, having increased it by 2.8% in April 2025, marking the 24th consecutive year of dividend growth [4]. - The company has paid regular dividends for the past 78 years, with a current dividend yield of 3.24% as of September 18 [4].

Core Message - The article emphasizes the importance of calling 811 before any digging project to prevent damage to underground utility lines and avoid costly repairs averaging $3,500 [1][3][8] Company Information - Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) serves over 16 million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California [9] - PG&E has reported 471 incidents of underground utility line damage due to digging in 2025, with 59% of those incidents occurring without a call to 811 [3][8] Industry Insights - The average repair cost for damaged utility lines is $3,500, highlighting the financial implications of not calling 811 before digging [3][8] - The leading causes of damage to underground utility lines include activities such as building or replacing fences, gardening, and landscaping [8] - The 811 call center operates 24/7 and provides services in multiple languages, ensuring accessibility for all customers [8]

Core Insights - Dominion Energy's latest earnings report showed a nearly 1% increase in stock price, outperforming the S&P 500 index's 0.6% rise [1] Financial Performance - In the first quarter, Dominion reported revenue of just under $4.08 billion, reflecting a 12% year-over-year improvement [2] - Operating earnings reached $803 million, or $0.93 per share, compared to $485 million in the previous year [2] - Both revenue and adjusted net income exceeded analyst expectations, with consensus estimates of $3.78 billion for revenue and $0.77 per share for adjusted net income [3] Growth Drivers - The growth was primarily driven by customers in Virginia and South Carolina, particularly due to the demand for electricity from data centers related to artificial intelligence [4] Future Outlook - Dominion reaffirmed its full-year 2025 guidance, expecting operating earnings of $3.28 to $3.52 per share, with a projected annual growth rate of 5% to 7% through 2029 [5] - The company plans to maintain its annual dividend payment of $2.67 per share until it achieves a utility industry-aligned payout ratio [5] Strategic Positioning - Dominion is positioned as a key provider in a region with growing power needs driven by the demand for AI technologies, suggesting a favorable investment opportunity [6]

Economic Sentiment - Investors and consumers are feeling anxious about a potential recession due to an inverted yield curve and a downward revision of GDP growth to -2.8% for Q1 2025 from +4.0% [1][2] Republic Services - Republic Services Inc. (NYSE: RSG) provides essential waste management services, insulating it from declines in consumer spending [4] - The company has shown strong financial performance with a 5.6% year-over-year revenue growth and a 16.4% improvement in net income in the latest quarter [6] - Republic Services has a moderate buy rating with a projected earnings growth of 9.48% and a healthy adjusted free cash flow of nearly $2.2 billion in 2024 [5][6] - The stock has increased nearly 26% in the year ending March 4, and 10 out of 16 analysts have rated it a buy [7] McKesson Corporation - McKesson Corp. (NYSE: MCK) is a major player in the healthcare sector, distributing pharmaceuticals and health supplies, and has seen an 18% year-over-year revenue improvement [9][10] - The company achieved an all-time high stock price in early March after growing more than 20% in the last year, with a projected earnings growth of 11.81% [9][10][12] - McKesson's strategic acquisitions and solid financial footing position it well against potential recession impacts, with 13 out of 15 analysts rating it a buy [11][12] PG&E Corporation - PG&E Corp. (NYSE: PCG) is a key player in the utilities sector, exceeding its goal of 9,000 new-service customer connections for 2024 by over 50% [13][14] - The company reported operating cash flow of $8 billion in 2024, nearly double that of the previous year, and has a projected earnings growth of 9.40% [15] - PG&E's financial position is strong, with its equity needs fully satisfied for a $63 billion capital plan through 2028, despite risks associated with climate change [15]