CHESAPEAKE UTILITIES CORPORATION REPORTS FISCAL YEAR 2025 RESULTS

• Earnings per share ("EPS")* was $5.97 for the full year 2025 and $1.93 for the fourth quarter of 2025
• Adjusted EPS**, which excludes transaction and transition-related expenses attributable to the acquisition of Florida City Gas ("FCG") in late 2023, was $6.01 for the full year 2025 and $1.94 for the fourth quarter of 2025, representing annual growth of 11.5 percent compared to the prior year
• Adjusted gross margin** increased by $71.1 million during the year driven primarily by regulatory initiatives and infrastructure programs, natural gas organic growth, transmission expansion projects, and increased demand for Marlin's services
• Record capital spending for 2025 of $470.4 million which included more than $100 million that will contribute to earnings beginning in 2026 and beyond
• Equity to total capitalization ratio approximated 50 percent at December 31, 2025; returning to the Company's target capital structure ahead of its projections at the time of the FCG acquisition and despite increased capital spending
• The Company is initiating 2026 capital expenditure guidance of $450-$500 million and continues to affirm its 2024-2028 capital expenditure guidance of $1.5 - $1.8 billion and 2028 EPS guidance of $7.75 - $8.00

DOVER, Del., Feb. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (NYSE:CPK) ("Chesapeake Utilities" or the "Company") today announced financial results for the year and the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2025.

Net income was $140.3 million ($5.97 per share) in 2025 compared to $118.6 million ($5.26 per share) in 2024. Excluding transaction and transition-related expenses related to the acquisition of FCG, adjusted net income** was $141.1 million ($6.01 per share) compared with $121.5 million ($5.39 per share) in 2024.

In the fourth quarter of 2025, the Company's net income was $46.1 million ($1.93 per share) compared with $36.7 million ($1.60 per share) during the prior-year period. Excluding the transaction and transition-related expenses, adjusted net income was $46.2 million ($1.94 per share) compared with $37.3 million ($1.63 per share) during the fourth quarter of 2024.

2025 Highlights Driving Strong Growth and Performance**:

• Strong year-over-year residential customer growth of 4.1 percent in Delmarva and 2.8 percent in Florida
• 10 transmission capital projects brought online throughout 2024 and 2025, driving $18.8 million of incremental adjusted gross margin or $0.58 of incremental EPS
• $121.2 million of infrastructure capital investments, driving $13.8 million of incremental adjusted gross margin or $0.43 of incremental EPS
• Increased demand for CNG/LNG/RNG services driving $10.7 million of incremental adjusted gross margin or $0.33 of incremental EPS
• Completion of three rate cases in DE, MD and Florida Electric, driving $12.6 million of incremental adjusted gross margin or $0.39 of incremental EPS
• Higher customer consumption that added $9.5 million of incremental adjusted gross margin or $0.28 of incremental EPS
• Implemented the 1CX SAP Customer Billing Platform for FCG

"We started the year with a simple mission: deliver with purpose and reach new heights, so I'm proud that our full-year performance and results demonstrate exactly that: we provided safe and reliable energy to over 450 thousand customers, were active members of our communities, invested a record-breaking $470 million of capital and achieved nearly 12 percent year-over-year Adjusted EPS growth," said Jeff Householder, the Company's Chair of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer. "These achievements demonstrate our ongoing commitment to the goals we set upon acquiring FCG two years ago and are a testament to our dedicated teammates who consistently strive to provide high-quality service for our valued customers."

"Looking forward to 2026, I am excited about the opportunities ahead as we build on the blueprint we've established and leverage the capabilities of our team to continually transform the Company for future growth. As we tackle larger-scale capital projects, improve FCG's return profile and implement significant technology upgrades across our enterprise, we are positioning the Company for a new level of service, efficiency and growth, which will drive sustained value for all our stakeholders for years to come."

Capital Investment and Earnings Guidance

The Company's 2025 capital expenditures totaled $470.4 million which exceeded the top end of the 2025 capital guidance range by approximately $20 million. 

The Company continues to re-affirm its five-year (2024-2028) capital guidance range of $1.5 billion to $1.8 billion and projects capital expenditures of $450 million to $500 million for 2026. Additionally, the Company continues to re-affirm its 2028 EPS guidance range of $7.75 to $8.00 per share.

*  Unless otherwise noted, EPS and Adjusted EPS information is presented on a diluted basis.

** See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below for additional information and reconciliations.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

**This press release including the tables herein, include references to both Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") and non-GAAP financial measures, including Adjusted Gross Margin, Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS. A "non-GAAP financial measure" is generally defined as a numerical measure of a company's historical or future performance that includes or excludes amounts, or that is subject to adjustments, so as to be different from the most directly comparable measure calculated or presented in accordance with GAAP. Our management believes certain non-GAAP financial measures, when considered together with GAAP financial measures, provide information that is useful to investors in understanding period-over-period operating results separate and apart from items that may, or could, have a disproportionately positive or negative impact on results in any particular period.

The Company calculates Adjusted Gross Margin by deducting the purchased cost of natural gas, propane and electricity and the cost of labor spent on direct revenue-producing activities from operating revenues. The costs included in Adjusted Gross Margin exclude depreciation and amortization and certain costs presented in operations and maintenance expenses in accordance with regulatory requirements. The Company calculates Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS by deducting costs and expenses associated with significant acquisitions that may affect the comparison of period-over-period results. These non-GAAP financial measures are not in accordance with, or an alternative to, GAAP and should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, the comparable GAAP measures. The Company believes that these non-GAAP measures are useful and meaningful to investors as a basis for making investment decisions, and provide investors with information that demonstrates the profitability achieved by the Company under allowed rates for regulated energy operations and under the Company's competitive pricing structures for unregulated energy operations. The Company's management uses these non-GAAP financial measures in assessing a business unit's and the overall Company performance. Other companies may calculate these non-GAAP financial measures in a different manner.

The following tables reconcile Gross Margin, Net Income, and EPS, all as defined under GAAP, to our non-GAAP measures of Adjusted Gross Margin, Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS for each of the periods presented.

Adjusted Gross Margin

Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS

Operating Results for the Years Ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 

Consolidated Results

Operating income during 2025 was $255.9 million, an increase of $27.7 million compared to the prior year. Excluding transaction and transition-related expenses associated with the acquisition and integration of FCG, operating income increased $24.9 million or 10.7 percent compared to the prior year. The increase in adjusted gross margin during 2025 was driven by incremental margin from regulatory initiatives and infrastructure programs, pipeline expansion projects and natural gas organic growth, increased Marlin CNG, RNG and LNG services, and increased customer consumption resulting from the year-over-year colder temperatures in the Company's Ohio, Delmarva and Florida service territories. Higher operating expenses were driven largely by increased depreciation expense attributable to growth projects and the absence of an RSAM adjustment from FCG (which represented a $15.5 million benefit during 2024). Increased facilities, maintenance and outside services costs; payroll, benefits and other employee-related expenses; insurance-related costs; and credit, collections and customer service costs also contributed to the increase in operating expenses compared to 2024.

Regulated Energy Segment

The key components of the increase in adjusted gross margin** are shown below:

The key components of the increase in other operating expenses are as follows:

Unregulated Energy Segment

The key components of the increase in adjusted gross margin** are shown below:

The major components of the increase in other operating expenses are as follows:

Operating Results for the Quarters Ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 

Consolidated Results

Operating income for the fourth quarter of 2025 was $73.8 million, an increase of $6.9 million compared to the same period in 2024. Excluding transaction and transition-related expenses associated with the acquisition and integration of FCG, operating income increased $6.2 million or 9.1 percent compared to the same period in 2024. The increase in adjusted gross margin during the quarter was driven largely by pipeline expansion projects and organic growth, incremental margin from regulatory initiatives and infrastructure programs, increased customer consumption resulting from the period-over-period colder temperatures in the Company's Ohio, Delmarva and Florida service territories and increased Marlin CNG, RNG and LNG services. Higher operating expenses were driven largely by increased depreciation expense attributable to growth projects and the absence of an RSAM adjustment from FCG (which represented a $6.6 million benefit during the fourth quarter of 2024). Higher payroll, benefits and other employee-related expenses, credit, collections and customer service costs, and facilities, maintenance and outside services costs also contributed to the increase in operating expenses.

Regulated Energy Segment

The key components of the increase in adjusted gross margin** are shown below:

The major components of the increase in other operating expenses are as follows:

Unregulated Energy Segment

The major components of the increase in adjusted gross margin** are shown below:

The major components of the increase in other operating expenses are as follows:

Forward-Looking Statements

Matters included in this release may include forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Please refer to the Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements in the Company's 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information on the risks and uncertainties related to the Company's forward-looking statements.

Conference Call

Chesapeake Utilities (NYSE:CPK) will host a conference call on Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the Company's financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2025. To listen to the Company's conference call via live webcast, please visit the Events & Presentations section of the Investors page on www.chpk.com. For investors and analysts that wish to participate by phone for the question and answer portion of the call, please use the following dial-in information:

Toll-free: 800.245.3047

International: 203.518.9765

Conference ID: CPKQ425

A replay of the presentation will be made available on the previously noted website following the conclusion of the call.

About Chesapeake Utilities Corporation 

Chesapeake Utilities Corporation is a diversified energy delivery company, listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Chesapeake Utilities Corporation offers sustainable energy solutions through its natural gas transmission and distribution, electricity generation and distribution, propane gas distribution, mobile compressed natural gas utility services and solutions, and other businesses.

For more information, contact:

Beth W. Cooper

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Assistant Corporate Secretary

302.363.2467

Michael D. Galtman

Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer

302.217.7036

Lucia M. Dempsey

Head of Investor Relations

347.804.9067

Financial Summary Highlights 

Key variances in operations between 2024 and 2025 included:

Key variances between the fourth quarter of 2024 and the fourth quarter of 2025 included:

Recently Completed and Ongoing Major Projects and Initiatives

The Company continuously pursues and develops additional projects and consummates regulatory initiatives that support service to existing and new customers, grow its businesses and earnings, and drive shareholder value. The following table includes the major projects and initiatives that are currently underway or recently completed. The Company's practice is to add incremental margin associated with new projects and regulatory initiatives to this table once negotiations or details are substantially final and/or the associated earnings can be estimated. Major projects and initiatives that have generated consistent year-over-year adjusted gross margin contributions are removed from the table at the beginning of the next calendar year.

The related descriptions of projects and initiatives that accompany the table include only new items and/or items where there have been significant developments, as compared to the prior year. A comprehensive discussion of all projects and initiatives reflected in the table below can be found in the Company's 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Discussion of Major Projects and Initiatives

Pipeline Expansions

Worcester Resiliency Upgrade

In August 2023, Eastern Shore filed an application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC") requesting authorization to construct the Worcester Resiliency Upgrade, which consists of a mixture of storage and transmission facilities in Sussex County, Delaware and Wicomico, Worcester, and Somerset Counties in Maryland. The project will provide long-term incremental supply necessary to support the growing demand of the participating shippers. In January 2025, the FERC approved the project.

In June 2025, Eastern Shore filed a limited amended application with the FERC requesting revised initial transportation rates for the project. The revised rates reflected increased capital costs associated with unanticipated changes in global markets and supply chains, including the availability of skilled laborers with the requisite certifications to work on this project. Eastern Shore requested expedited action by the FERC in relation to this matter and an approved order was issued in July 2025. Construction is underway and the project is expected to be placed into service in mid-2026.

East Coast Reinforcement Projects (Boynton Beach and New Smyrna Beach)

In December 2023, Peninsula Pipeline filed a petition with the Florida Public Service Commission ("PSC") for approval of its Transportation Service Agreements with Florida Public Utilities Company ("FPU") for projects that will provide additional supply to coastal communities on the East Coast of Florida, which are experiencing significant population growth. Peninsula Pipeline proposed several pipeline extensions to support FPU's distribution system in the areas of Boynton Beach and New Smyrna Beach with an additional 15,000 Dts/day and 3,400 Dts/day, respectively. The Florida PSC approved the projects in March 2024. New Smyrna Beach was placed into service during May 2025, and construction is projected to be complete for Boynton Beach in the second quarter of 2026.

Central Florida Reinforcement Projects (Plant City and Lake Mattie)

In February 2024, Peninsula Pipeline filed a petition with the Florida PSC for approval of its Transportation Service Agreements with FPU for projects that will support additional supply to communities located in Central Florida which are also experiencing significant population growth. Peninsula Pipeline's extensions support FPU's distribution system around the Plant City and Lake Mattie areas of Florida with an additional 5,000 Dts/day and 8,700 Dts/day, respectively. The Florida PSC approved the projects in May 2024. The Plant City project was completed in the fourth quarter of 2024, and the Lake Mattie project went into service in July 2025.

Renewable Natural Gas Supply Projects

In February 2024, Peninsula Pipeline filed a petition with the Florida PSC for approval of Transportation Service Agreements with FCG for projects that will support the transportation of additional renewable energy supply to FCG. The projects, located in Florida's Brevard, Indian River and Miami-Dade counties, will bring renewable natural gas produced from local landfills into FCG's natural gas distribution system. Peninsula Pipeline will construct several pipeline extensions which will support FCG's distribution system in Brevard County, Indian River County, and Miami-Dade County. Benefits of these projects include increased gas supply to serve expected FCG growth, strengthened system reliability and additional system flexibility. The Florida PSC approved the petition at its July 2024 meeting. In October 2025, the Florida PSC approved amendments to the Transportation Service Agreements that were filed to include Peninsula Pipeline as a party to the related interconnection agreements. The projects are underway and are estimated to be completed in the second half of 2026.

Miami Inner Loop Pipeline Projects

In September 2024, Peninsula Pipeline filed a petition with the Florida PSC for approval of the Transportation Service Agreement with FCG for a series of projects that will enhance gas infrastructure in Miami-Dade County. The proposed expansion consists of the development of several pipeline projects to support growth and FCG's distribution system, as well as enhance FCG's access to obtain gas from various points in the Miami-Dade County area. The expansion was approved in February 2025 and interim services began in August 2025 with permanent facilities expected to be in service by the second quarter of 2026.

Duncan Plains Pipeline Project

In July 2025, Aspire Energy Express entered into an agreement with American Electric Power to construct and operate an intrastate natural gas pipeline in central Ohio to serve a new fuel-cell facility, which will provide on-site electric power to a data center. This new transmission infrastructure is expected to be in service in the first half of 2027.

Regulatory Initiatives

Maryland Natural Gas Rate Case

In January 2024, the Company's natural gas distribution businesses in Maryland, CUC-Maryland Division, Sandpiper Energy, Inc., and Elkton Gas Company (collectively, the "Maryland natural gas distribution businesses") filed a joint application for a natural gas rate case with the Maryland PSC. In connection with the application, the Company sought approval of the following: (i) permanent rate relief of approximately $6.9 million with a return on equity ("ROE") of 11.5 percent; (ii) authorization to make certain changes to tariffs to include a unified rate structure and to consolidate the Maryland natural gas distribution businesses; and (iii) authorization to establish a rider for recovery of the costs associated with the Company's new technology systems. In August 2024, the Maryland natural gas distribution businesses, the Maryland Office of People's Counsel (the "Maryland OPC") and PSC staff reached a settlement which provided for, among other things, an increase in annual base rates of $2.6 million. In September 2024, the Maryland Public Utility Judge issued an order approving the related settlement agreement in part. The $2.6 million increase in annual base rates was approved and the Company filed a Phase II filing in November 2024 to determine rate design across the Maryland natural gas distribution businesses, consolidation of the applicable tariffs and recovery of technology costs. The hearing was held in March 2025, during which Phase II was approved, including an additional $0.9 million in revenue requirement, for a total cumulative increase of $3.5 million. A final order was issued in April 2025 and included approval of the consolidation of the operations and the assets of CUC-Maryland Division, Sandpiper Energy, and Elkton Gas into one entity which was renamed and will operate as Chesapeake Utilities of Maryland, Inc.

Maryland Natural Gas Depreciation Study

In January 2024, the Company's Maryland natural gas distribution businesses filed a joint petition for approval of their proposed unified depreciation rates with the Maryland PSC. A settlement agreement between the Company, PSC staff and the OPC was reached and the final order approving the settlement agreement went into effect in July 2024, with new depreciation rates effective as of January 1, 2023. The approved depreciation rates resulted in an annual reduction in depreciation expense of approximately $1.2 million.

Delaware Natural Gas Rate Case

In August 2024, the Company's Delaware natural gas division filed an application for a natural gas rate case with the Delaware PSC seeking approval of the following: (i) permanent rate relief of approximately $12.1 million with a ROE of 11.5 percent; (ii) proposed changes to depreciation rates which were part of a depreciation study also submitted with the filing; and (iii) authorization to make certain changes to tariffs. Annualized interim rates were approved by the Delaware PSC in the amount of $2.5 million and became effective in October 2024. A settlement among the Company, PSC staff and the Delaware Division of the Public Advocate was reached and approved by the Delaware PSC in June 2025 providing an annual revenue increase of $6.1 million, as well as dividing the rate case into two phases. Rates set to recover the approved components of the increase were effective in March 2025. In October 2025, a settlement was reached for Phase II of the rate case addressing tariff-related changes including rate design and approved by the Delaware Public Service Commission with rates effective as of October 15, 2025.

FPU Electric Rate Case

In August 2024, the Company's Florida Electric division filed a petition with the Florida PSC seeking a general base rate increase of $12.6 million with a ROE of 11.3 percent based on a 2025 projected test year. Annualized interim rates of approximately $1.8 million were approved with an effective date of November 1, 2024. In March 2025, the Florida PSC approved the permanent rate increase, but the order was subsequently protested. In May 2025, the Company reached a settlement agreement with the interested parties to resolve all outstanding issues. This settlement, which was approved by the Florida PSC in July 2025, provides for a total base rate increase of approximately $8.6 million on an annual basis, with $1.0 million of the increase deferred from the first year's base rate increase and recovered over three years. A step-up rate increase was also approved for up to $0.7 million, upon completion of the purchase and refurbishment of certain substations, which is expected to be completed in December 2026.

Florida Mandatory Relocates

In October 2025, FPU and FCG filed a joint petition for approval to establish a recovery surcharge for actual, estimated and projected relocation costs pursuant to the Florida Administrative Code which enables companies to recover the costs associated with relocating or reconstructing facilities that have been required by governmental entities. The projected revenue requirement for 2026 is $0.5 million for FPU and $1.0 million for FCG. The Florida PSC approved the petition in February 2026, with the surcharge effective in March 2026.

Florida City Gas Rate Case

In February 2026, FCG provided notice to the Florida PSC of its intent to file a petition seeking a general rate base increase based on a 2027 projected test year. The rate case filing is expected to be submitted in April 2026 and the outcome of the application will be subject to review and approval by the Florida PSC.

FCG Depreciation Study

In February 2025, FCG filed a depreciation study with the Florida PSC. The application requested approval of revised annual depreciation rates, as well as a reduction related to a reserve imbalance that would be amortized over a two-year period. The outcome of the application was subject to review and approval by the Florida PSC. In February 2026, the Florida PSC approved a $6.8 million reserve imbalance to be amortized over the remaining life of the assets, with the revised depreciation rates effective as of January 1, 2025.

Other Major Factors Influencing Adjusted Gross Margin

Weather and Consumption

In 2025, increased customer consumption, which includes the effects of colder weather compared to the prior year, largely in the Company's Ohio, Delmarva and Florida service areas resulted in a $9.5 million increase in adjusted gross margin. The following table summarizes HDD and CDD variances from the 10-year average HDD/CDD ("Normal") for the year and quarter-to-date periods ended December 31, 2025 compared to the respective 2024 periods.

Natural Gas Distribution Growth

The average number of residential customers served by the Company on the Delmarva Peninsula, by FPU and by FCG increased by approximately 4.1 percent, 3.6 percent and 2.2 percent, respectively, during 2025. 

The increase in adjusted gross margin resulting from customer growth is provided in the following table:

Capital Investment Growth and Capital Structure Updates

The Company's capital expenditures were $470.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 and are provided by type in the following table:

The following table shows a range of the forecasted 2026 capital expenditures by type:

The capital expenditure projection is subject to continuous review and modification. Actual capital requirements may vary from the above estimates due to a number of factors, including changing economic conditions, supply chain disruptions, capital delays that are greater than currently anticipated, customer growth in existing areas, regulation, new growth and availability of capital. See "Capital Investment and Earnings Guidance" discussed above for additional information on our capital expenditure forecast. 

The Company's target ratio of equity to total capitalization, including short-term borrowings, is between 50 and 60 percent. The Company's equity to total capitalization ratio, including short-term borrowings, was approximately 50 percent as of December 31, 2025. The Company may, from time to time, allow its capital structure to fall below the target range to align the completion of large capital projects with the respective permanent financing.