second quarter 2026
Filed Aug 6, 2026Chesapeake Utilities Corporation reports second-quarter GAAP net income of $25.4 million and diluted EPS of $1.05, raises 2026 capital expenditure guidance to $550 - $600 million.
Second-quarter GAAP net income and diluted EPS exceeded the prior-year reported amounts, while year-to-date Adjusted EPS grew 8.0 percent. Adjusted gross margin expanded, supported by transmission expansions, regulated infrastructure programs and natural gas growth. The Company also raised 2026 capital expenditure guidance and advanced the Florida Energy Pathway project.
Key metrics
as reported| Metric | Value | q/q | y/y |
|---|---|---|---|
| Net Income, three months ended June 30GAAP | $25.4 million | – | – |
| Adjusted Net Income, three months ended June 30non-GAAP | $25.4 million | – | – |
| Earnings Per Share - Diluted, three months ended June 30GAAP | $1.05 | – | – |
| Adjusted Earnings Per Share - Diluted, three months ended June 30non-GAAP | $1.05 | – | – |
| Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted, three months ended June 30other | 24,174 | – | – |
| Adjusted pre-tax income, three months ended June 30non-GAAP | $35.0 | – | – |
| Adjusted gross margin growth, three months ended June 30non-GAAP | $7.4 million | – | – |
| Capital investment, second quarter of 2026other | $139.7 million | – | – |
| Net Income, six months ended June 30GAAP | $84.7 million | – | – |
| Adjusted Net Income, six months ended June 30non-GAAP | $84.7 million | – | – |
| Earnings Per Share - Diluted, six months ended June 30GAAP | $3.51 | – | – |
| Adjusted Earnings Per Share - Diluted, six months ended June 30non-GAAP | $3.51 | – | 8.0 percent |
| Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted, six months ended June 30other | 24,115 | – | – |
| Adjusted pre-tax income, six months ended June 30non-GAAP | $115.7 | – | – |
| Adjusted gross margin growth, six months ended June 30non-GAAP | $31.2 million | – | 9.6 percent |
| Capital investment, year to dateother | $261.6 million | – | – |
2026 outlook
- NoteCapital expenditure guidance: $550 - $600 million
- NoteThe Company expects to achieve capital investment of approximately $1.4 billion through 2026.
- NoteTotal investment exceeding $2.2 billion for the five-year period ended 2028.
- Note2028 earnings guidance: $7.75 - $8.00 per share.
- NoteThe Company expects to provide a capital guidance range and EPS growth rate for the 2027 - 2031 period during its Full-Year 2026 earnings call in February 2027.
Capital returns
- The increase in shares outstanding due to 2025 and 2026 equity offerings reflects the impact of approximately 0.6 million common shares issued under the dividend reinvestment and direct stock purchase plan ("DRIP/DSPP") and at the market ("ATM") program.
What drove it
- Adjusted gross margin growth was driven largely by transmission expansion projects, regulatory initiatives and infrastructure programs, natural gas organic growth, and improved contributions from unregulated businesses.
- Second-quarter adjusted gross-margin variances included $4.9 million from natural gas transmission service expansions, including interim services, $3.2 million from regulated infrastructure programs, and $2.0 million from natural gas growth including conversions.
- Second-quarter adjusted gross-margin variances also included $1.5 million from increased propane margins and service fees, $0.4 million from increased Aspire Energy performance, and $0.3 million from off-system natural gas capacity sales.
- Interim rates of $16.2 million on an annualized basis, effective in July 2026, were approved by the Florida Public Service Commission in connection with the ongoing FCG rate case.
- The Florida Energy Pathway project is a $1.2 billion natural gas pipeline project in south Florida with approximately 250,000 Dts/d of committed capacity and a targeted in-service date in 2030.
Concerns
- Second-quarter adjusted gross-margin variances included a $1.0 million decrease in CNG/RNG/LNG services, a $1.9 million reduction from the absence of recovered costs associated with Hurricane Michael, and a $2.7 million reduction from changes in customer consumption.
- Second-quarter operating-expense variances included $3.5 million in depreciation, amortization and property taxes, $1.3 million in credit, collections and customer service costs, and $1.2 million in payroll, benefits and other employee-related expenses.
- Second-quarter interest charges increased by $0.6 million.
- The Company increased 2026 capital expenditure guidance by $100 million, driven primarily by increases in transmission, distribution and infrastructure investments.
What to watch
- Progress on the Florida Energy Pathway project, including discussions with potential partners and initial investments in the project.
- Execution against 2026 capital expenditure guidance of $550 - $600 million.
- The Florida City Gas rate case and the effect of interim rates of $16.2 million on an annualized basis, effective in July 2026.
- The Company’s expected long-term guidance update during its Full-Year 2026 earnings call in February 2027.
Balance sheet and cash flow
- Increased capacity under the Company’s revolving credit facility to $650 million to support capital investment growth.
- Capital investment of $139.7 million during the second quarter of 2026, bringing the year-to-date total to $261.6 million.
Analysis
Chesapeake Utilities reported second-quarter GAAP net income of $25.4 million and diluted GAAP EPS of $1.05, compared with $23.9 million and $1.02, respectively, in the prior-year quarter. Adjusted net income was also $25.4 million and Adjusted EPS was $1.05, versus $24.3 million and $1.04. For the six months ended June 30, GAAP net income was $84.7 million and GAAP diluted EPS was $3.51, compared with $74.8 million and $3.22. Year-to-date Adjusted EPS growth was 8.0 percent.
Management, verbatim
Our second quarter results demonstrate consistent operational and financial performance as we make substantial progress on transforming for the next phase of sustained enterprise growth,
Jeff Householder, Chair of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer
We are also excited to be moving forward with the Florida Energy Pathway infrastructure project. This represents a significant investment opportunity to bring capacity and reliability to south Florida and support long-term growth across the state.
Jeff Householder, Chair of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer
Not in the filing
stated, not guessed- Total operating revenue
- Prior-year total operating revenue
- Revenue growth rate
- Segment revenue and segment revenue comparisons
- GAAP gross margin
- Adjusted gross margin amount
- Operating income
- Operating margin
- Net income margin
- Cash from operating activities
- Free cash flow
- Cash balance
- Debt balance
- Dividend declaration or payment
- Share repurchases
- Revenue guidance
- Gross-margin guidance
- Operating-expense guidance
- Tax-rate guidance
- Prior-quarter comparisons for reported metrics
- Prior 2026 guidance range for capital expenditures
AlphaAI analysis generated from the company’s SEC earnings filing (Form 8-K Item 2.02, or Form 6-K for a foreign private issuer). Every figure was cross-checked against the filing text; consensus estimates, price targets and share-price reactions are not shown because they are not in the filing. AI-generated research, not investment advice.