This diversified energy company provides regulated and unregulated services to customers across the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions.Tufton Capital Management disclosed a purchase of 23,304 shares of Chesapeake Utilities (CPK +0.76%) in a January 28 SEC filing, with the estimated transaction value at $3.07 million based on the quarter’s average pricing.What happenedAccording to a January 28 SEC filing, Tufton Capital Management increased its position in Chesapeake Utilities (CPK +0.76%) by 23,304 shares. ...

Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK) is included among the 10 High Yield Utility Stocks to Buy in 2026. Duke Energy (DUK) Declares Quarterly Dividend of $1.065 per Share High-voltage power lines. Electricity distribution station. high voltage electric transmission tower. Distribution electric substation with power lines and transformers. Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK) engages in the distribution of natural gas and energy-related services. The company owns and operates a diverse mix of regulated power ...

Company Overview - NiSource Inc. is an Indiana-based regulated energy holding company providing natural gas distribution and electric utility services to nearly four million customers across several Midwestern and Eastern states with a market cap of $20.3 billion [1] Earnings Expectations - Analysts predict NiSource will report an adjusted EPS of $0.49 for Q4 2025, unchanged from the same quarter last year, and the company has exceeded Wall Street's earnings estimates in three of the last four quarters while missing once [2] - For the full year, analysts anticipate NiSource to report an EPS of $1.88, representing a 7.4% increase from $1.75 in fiscal 2024, with an expected rise to $2.04 in fiscal 2026, reflecting an 8.5% year-over-year growth [3] Stock Performance - NI stock has surged 17.9% over the past year, trailing the S&P 500 Index's 18.6% gains but surpassing the Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund's 14.1% gains during the same period [4] Equity Offering - On October 31, NiSource announced the launch of an at-the-market equity offering program allowing the company to sell up to $1.5 billion of its common stock through December 31, 2028, with shares issued at prevailing market prices [5] Analyst Ratings - Analysts' consensus on NI stock is highly bullish, with an overall "Strong Buy" rating; out of 15 analysts, 11 recommend a "Strong Buy" and four suggest a "Hold," with an average price target of $47.08 indicating a potential upside of 8.7% from current levels [6]

Group 1 - Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE:ATO) is recognized as one of the 14 Best Dividend Growth Stocks to Buy and Hold in 2026, indicating strong potential for dividend growth [1] - Morgan Stanley downgraded Atmos Energy from Overweight to Equal Weight and reduced its price target from $182 to $172, reflecting a cautious outlook for utility stocks in 2026 due to political and regulatory risks [2] - Atmos Energy has a forward dividend yield of approximately 2.3%, with a historical annualized growth rate of over 8% for its quarterly dividend over the past decade, supported by management's guidance for 6%-8% earnings growth [3][4] Group 2 - The company is based in Dallas and distributes natural gas to customers across the United States, maintaining a consistent long-term dividend growth record typical of utility companies [4] - While Atmos Energy is seen as a viable investment, there are suggestions that certain AI stocks may offer greater upside potential with less downside risk [5]

Core Viewpoint - Atmos Energy Corporation is positioned for stable growth with positive earnings expectations and strong operational performance, despite some macroeconomic concerns affecting investor sentiment [2][8]. Financial Performance - Atmos Energy is expected to report diluted EPS of $2.39 for fiscal 2026 Q1, reflecting a 7.2% increase from $2.23 in the same quarter last year [2]. - Analysts project a diluted EPS of $8.08 for fiscal 2026, indicating an 8.3% year-over-year growth, followed by a further increase to $8.61 in fiscal 2027, representing a 6.6% growth [3]. - For fiscal 2025, Atmos Energy reported a diluted EPS of $7.46, up from $6.83 in fiscal 2024, marking the 23rd consecutive year of earnings growth [7]. Stock Performance - Over the past 52 weeks, Atmos Energy's stock gained 22.7%, although it is slightly down on a year-to-date basis [4]. - In comparison, the S&P 500 Index increased by 16.2% over the same period, with a year-to-date gain of 1.5% [4]. - The State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) rose by 12.6% over the last year, indicating that Atmos Energy's performance is driven by company-specific factors rather than broader sector trends [5]. Recent Developments - Following the release of its fourth-quarter fiscal 2025 earnings, Atmos Energy's shares rose by 1.7% as EPS reached $1.07, surpassing analyst estimates of $0.95 and showing a year-over-year increase of 24.4% [6]. - Net income for the same quarter increased by 30.6% year-over-year to $175 million [6]. Market Sentiment - Despite strong operational results, macroeconomic factors are influencing market sentiment, with Morgan Stanley downgrading Atmos Energy's stock to "Equal Weight" from "Overweight" and reducing its target price from $182 to $172, citing concerns over political and regulatory risks [8].

Market Overview - The U.S. market has shown volatility, with returns of 19.2% for the Nasdaq Composite, 15.8% for the S&P 500, and 13.7% for the Dow Jones Industrial Average over the past year [1] - Concerns are rising regarding the moderating pace of the economy, influenced by a cooling labor market and high valuations in the technology sector [1] Federal Reserve Actions - The Federal Reserve cut its key interest rate by a quarter percentage point in December to support the job market and stimulate growth, with inflation trending near the 2% target [2] - The Fed has reduced borrowing costs three times this year, bringing the overnight borrowing rate to a range of 3.50-3.75% [2] Labor Market Conditions - The job market is showing signs of cooling, with softer hiring, rising unemployment at 4.6%, and a narrowing gap in job openings [3] - Nonfarm payrolls increased by 64,000 jobs in November after a decline of 105,000 jobs in October, the largest drop since December 2020 [3] Investment Opportunities - Investors looking to diversify can consider dividend-paying stocks, which indicate a healthy business model and tend to outperform non-dividend-paying stocks in volatile markets [4] - Notable dividend-paying companies include: - **Pentair (PNR)**: Declared a dividend of 27 cents per share with a yield of 1% and a payout ratio of 21% [5][6] - **nVent Electric (NVT)**: Declared a dividend of 21 cents per share with a yield of 0.8% and a payout ratio of 26% [7][8] - **CenterPoint Energy (CNP)**: Declared a dividend of 23 cents per share with a yield of 2.3% and a payout ratio of 51% [10][11][12] - **Marriott Vacations Worldwide (VAC)**: Declared a dividend of 80 cents per share with a yield of 5.5% and a payout ratio of 44% [10][13][14] - **PG&E (PCG)**: Declared a dividend of 5 cents per share with a yield of 0.7% and a payout ratio of 7% [15]

Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK) is included among the 11 Energy Stocks to Buy for a Retirement Portfolio. Duke Energy (DUK) Rate Hikes Opposed by North Carolina Leaders eliza-diamond-Iw2oRD2NP2w-unsplash Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK) engages in the distribution of natural gas and energy-related services. The company owns and operates a diverse mix of regulated power plants – including hydro, coal, nuclear, natural gas, solar, and battery storage. Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK) suffered a bl ...

Core Insights - Atmos Energy Corporation (ATO) is positioned for sustained growth driven by increasing natural gas demand and an expanding customer base [1] - The company is focused on long-term investments to enhance the reliability of its natural gas pipelines while benefiting from industrial customer additions and favorable rate outcomes [1] Growth Outlook - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2026 earnings per share (EPS) is projected to increase by 1.8% to $8.02 [2] - Fiscal 2026 revenue is estimated at $5.81 billion, indicating a year-over-year growth of 23.5% [2] - ATO's long-term earnings growth rate is forecasted at 7.98%, with an average earnings surprise of 2.6% over the last four quarters [2] Dividend History - Atmos Energy has consistently increased shareholder value through dividends, currently paying a quarterly dividend of $1.00 per share, equating to an annualized dividend of $4.00 [3] - The current dividend yield stands at 2.27%, outperforming the Zacks S&P 500 composite average of 1.07% [3] Investment Focus - ATO has a five-year capital expenditure plan totaling $26 billion for fiscal 2026-2030, with $20 billion earmarked for upgrading the distribution system and $6 billion for modernizing the transmission system [4] - This investment strategy is expected to yield annual earnings growth of 6-8% during the investment period [4] Debt Position - ATO's total debt to capital ratio is 39.89%, which is more favorable than the industry average of 47.36% [5] - The times interest earned (TIE) ratio at the end of Q4 2025 was 9.6, indicating a strong ability to meet future interest obligations [5] Stock Price Performance - Over the past year, ATO's shares have appreciated by 18.7%, surpassing the industry's growth of 9.8% [6] Additional Context - ATO's fiscal 2026 revenue estimate of $5.81 billion reflects a 23.5% year-over-year growth, with a planned $26 billion in capital spending from 2026 to 2030 for system upgrades and modernization [7]

Group 1 - Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK) is recognized as one of the 14 Best Utility Dividend Stocks to Buy Now [1] - The company operates a diverse mix of regulated power plants, including hydro, coal, nuclear, natural gas, solar, and battery storage [2] - Morgan Stanley analyst David Arcaro lowered the price target for Duke Energy from $136 to $133 while maintaining an 'Equal Weight' rating, noting the utilities sector underperformed the wider market in October [3] Group 2 - Duke Energy is seeking approval from North Carolina regulators for a rate increase of approximately 15% over the next two years, which would result in residential customers paying an additional $20 to $30 per month by 2028 [4] - The company has also requested smaller rate increases for commercial and industrial customers as part of its strategy to propose new investments in North Carolina to enhance reliability and meet rising demand [4]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported diluted earnings per share of $7.46, marking the 23rd consecutive year of earnings per share growth [3] - Fiscal 2025 also represents the 41st consecutive year of dividend growth [3] - Consolidated capital spending increased to $3.6 billion, with 87% dedicated to improving safety and reliability [11] - Rate base increased by 14% to an estimated $21 billion as of September 30 [11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Approximately 57,000 residential customers were added during Fiscal 2025, with over 44,000 located in Texas [4] - Nearly 3,200 commercial customers and 29 industrial customers were added, with anticipated annual consumption of approximately 4 BCF of gas from industrial customers [4] - Over the last five years, nearly 300,000 residential and commercial customers were added, along with 225 industrial customers with an estimated annual load of 63 BCF when fully operational [4] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Texas added jobs at a faster rate than the nation, growing at a rate of 1.14% [5] - The current population estimate for the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is approximately 8.6 million, projected to be the third largest metropolitan area in the U.S. by 2030 [5] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to invest $26 billion over the next five years, with approximately 85% allocated to safety and reliability [8][14] - The five-year plan reflects the impact of Texas House Bill 4384, allowing for quicker recovery of capital spending [9][16] - The company anticipates earnings per share growth of 6-8% from the midpoint of its rebased Fiscal 2026 guidance [9][13] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to meet safety, reliability, and economic development expectations [19] - The company highlighted the importance of natural gas in economic development across its service territory [4][19] - Management noted that the average monthly natural gas bill for residential customers is expected to remain the lowest utility bill in the home [20] Other Important Information - The company completed integrity inspections and verification work on its storage facilities, with ongoing work expected to continue into late calendar year 2026 [8] - The company has a weighted average cost of debt of 4.2% with an average maturity of 17.5 years and approximately $4.9 billion in liquidity [20] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you talk about the larger load customers and the Refresh Capital plan? - Management indicated that 85% of spending is dedicated to safety and reliability, with modest growth included in the plan [25] Question: Can you discuss capital recovery and its impact on growth? - Management stated that the planning process has been consistent since 2011, focusing on safety, reliability, and growth needs [27] Question: What is the annual impact of Texas HB 4384? - Management confirmed that the impact of House Bill 4384 is factored into the rebased earnings per share guidance [43] Question: How is the equity and debt funding structured for the five-year plan? - Management indicated a balanced approach with roughly 50% of annual cash needs coming from equity and 50% from debt [44][45] Question: Will the 60/40 split of HB 4384 benefits change year over year? - Management does not expect the split to change, as the five-year planning process is consistent [47]