CMS ENERGY CORP - CMS STOCK NEWS

Consumers Energy, the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy, has announced its quarterly dividend declaration on preferred stock. The Board of Directors has approved a dividend payment of $1.125 per share on the $4.50 preferred stock (NYSE: CMS_pb). The dividend will be paid on April 1, 2025, to shareholders of record as of March 3, 2025.

CMS Energy, based in Michigan, operates primarily through Consumers Energy and maintains independent power generation businesses. Shareholders can access additional dividend information, including tax status details, through the Tax Information section of CMS Energy's website.

CMS Energy has announced a dividend increase, raising its quarterly dividend from 51.50 cents to 54.25 cents per share. Based on the closing price of $67.12, this represents an annualized yield of 3.2%. The first quarter dividend is payable on February 28, 2025, to shareholders of record as of February 17, 2025.

The increase brings the annualized dividend to $2.17 per share, reflecting what CEO Garrick Rochow describes as strong commitment and execution of the company's strategy. CMS Energy, listed on NYSE under the symbol CMS, operates primarily through its electric and natural gas utility, Consumers Energy, and maintains independent power generation businesses.

CMS Energy reported strong financial results for 2024, with earnings per share reaching $3.33, up from $3.01 in 2023. Adjusted earnings per share were $3.34, compared to $3.11 in 2023.

The company increased its annual dividend by 11 cents to $2.17 for 2025, marking the 19th consecutive year of dividend increases. CMS Energy also raised its 2025 adjusted earnings guidance to $3.54-$3.60 per share and reaffirmed long-term adjusted EPS growth of 6-8%.

Operational highlights for 2024 include record investments in the electric grid through the Reliability Roadmap, improving power restoration times to over 93% of customers within 24 hours (up from 87% in 2023). The company also secured over 360 megawatts of new load through economic development efforts.

Consumers Energy and Hecate Energy have begun construction on the 360-megawatt Sunfish Solar 2 project in Lee Township, Michigan, with completion targeted for Q2 2026. The facility will power approximately 69,000 Michigan homes and marks progress toward Consumers Energy's goal of bringing 8,000 MW of solar online by 2040.

The project, being constructed by Bechtel, will create over 350 unionized construction jobs and generate approximately $225 million in economic impact. The development will contribute about $50 million in direct and indirect labor income to the local economy and provide long-term revenue for local services.

This is Consumers Energy's second large-scale solar project, following the Muskegon Solar Energy Center started in 2024. The project supports Michigan's goal of sourcing 50% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030 and will supply green electricity to commercial and residential customers enrolled in Consumers Energy's voluntary Renewable Energy Program.

Consumers Energy is highlighting its wildlife protection efforts on National Squirrel Day, addressing the fact that wildlife causes approximately 8% of power outages annually. The company has implemented nearly 600 animal mitigation projects since 2012, resulting in over 90% of their substations being fully protected against wildlife intrusion.

The company's Reliability Roadmap includes various protective measures such as gate foundations, polycarbonate barriers, bushing guards, and pole wraps. These initiatives have shown positive results, with customers experiencing an average reduction in power outage time of over 20 minutes last year. The company serves 6.8 million Michigan residents across 68 Lower Peninsula counties with natural gas and electricity services.

CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS) has announced it will present its 2024 year-end results along with business and financial outlook on Thursday, February 6, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. EST. The presentation will be accessible via webcast on the company's website, with an audio replay available approximately three hours after the event and archived for 30 days in the Investor Relations section.

CMS Energy is a Michigan-based energy company whose primary business is Consumers Energy, and it also operates independent power generation businesses.

Consumers Energy reported significant improvements in power reliability for its nearly 2 million customers in 2024. The company achieved a 21-minute reduction in average customer power outage duration compared to 2023, with over 93% of customers seeing power restored within 24 hours, up from 87% in 2023.

The average customer experienced 155 minutes without power in normal weather conditions in 2024, down from 176 minutes in 2023, marking a 12% improvement - the largest in the past decade. The company implemented over 1,350 major upgrades and cleared trees along 7,000 miles of electric lines as part of its Reliability Roadmap initiative.

The company's long-term goals include limiting major storm outages to no more than 100,000 customers and restoring all power within 24 hours. Improvements included new technology deployment, infrared cameras, durable iron poles, and robotic assistance.

Ashcor USA Inc., a subsidiary of Ashcor Technologies , and Consumers Energy have announced a project to extract and repurpose millions of tons of coal ash from the J.H. Campbell Generating Complex in Michigan, which is set to retire in May 2025.

This project, a first for Michigan, will transform stored coal ash into a high-grade cement substitute using Ashcor's patented Reclaimed Ash Management (RAM™) technology. The project aims to reduce global CO2 emissions by repurposing coal ash, which can replace up to 30% of traditional Portland cement.

The J.H. Campbell complex, capable of generating 1,500 megawatts of electricity, has been operational since the 1960s. The ash removal and processing operations are expected to begin by January 1, 2027, and will continue for about two decades.

This venture marks Ashcor's first coal ash harvesting project in the U.S., highlighting the company's expansion strategy and commitment to sustainable solutions. The RAM™ facility will be tailored to meet the market demands of the Great Lakes area, enhancing Ashcor's presence in the U.S. market.

Consumers Energy and Boyne Resorts have announced a significant partnership to power Boyne Mountain Resort and Bay Harbor Golf Club with clean energy through their Renewable Energy Program. Starting in 2028, the facilities will source renewable energy from new Michigan-based wind and solar projects, supporting Boyne Resorts' 'ForeverProject' commitment to achieve 100% clean electricity and Net Zero by 2030.

The partnership complements Boyne Mountain's existing clean electricity initiatives, including a solar farm and hydroelectric facility. Through this program, Boyne joins nearly 50 other businesses that have collectively committed to almost 700 megawatts of emission-free renewable energy, equivalent to powering 85,000 homes annually and reducing emissions comparable to removing 141,000 cars from the road.

Consumers Energy's Clean Energy Plan aims to eliminate coal by 2025, achieve net-zero carbon emissions, and meet 90% of customers' energy needs through clean sources.