California Water Service Group Board of Directors Declares 312th Consecutive Quarterly Dividend and 56th Consecutive Annual Dividend Increase

Rhea-AI Summary

The California Water Service Group (NYSE: CWT) has announced an increase in its annual dividend by $0.04, marking a 4.0% rise from $1.00 to $1.04 per share. This increase reflects the company's commitment to returning value to its shareholders, representing the 56th consecutive annual dividend increase. The next quarterly dividend of $0.26 will be paid on February 17, 2023, to stockholders recorded by February 6, 2023. California Water Service Group serves over 2 million customers across multiple states, including California and Texas, as a utility holding company.

Positive

• Annual dividend increased by 4.0%, from $1.00 to $1.04.
• 56th consecutive annual dividend increase.
• Quarterly dividend of $0.26 per share enhances shareholder returns.

Negative

• None.

SAN JOSE, Calif., Jan. 25, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- At its meeting today, the California Water Service Group (NYSE: CWT) Board of Directors declared the company's 312th consecutive quarterly dividend, increasing the annual dividend by $0.04, or 4.0%, from $1.00 to $1.04. This represents the company’s 56th consecutive annual dividend increase. The quarterly dividend of $0.26 per common share will be payable on February 17, 2023 to stockholders of record on February 6, 2023.

California Water Service Group is the parent company of regulated utilities California Water Service, Hawaii Water Service, New Mexico Water Service, Washington Water Service, and now Texas Water Service, a utility holding company. Together, these companies provide regulated and non-regulated water and wastewater service to more than 2 million people in California, Hawaii, New Mexico, Texas, and Washington. California Water Service Group’s common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CWT.” Additional information is available online at www.calwatergroup.com.

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 ("Act"). The forward-looking statements are intended to qualify under provisions of the federal securities laws for "safe harbor" treatment established by the Act. Forward-looking statements are based on currently available information, expectations, estimates, assumptions and projections, and management's judgment about the Company, the water utility industry and general economic conditions. Such words as will, would, expects, intends, plans, believes, may, estimates, assumes, anticipates, projects, progress, predicts, hopes, targets, forecasts or variations of such words or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. They are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may vary materially from what is contained in a forward-looking statement. Factors that may cause a result different than expected or anticipated include, but are not limited to: the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and related public health measures; our ability to invest or apply the proceeds from the issuance of common stock in an accretive manner; governmental and regulatory commissions' decisions, including decisions on proper disposition of property; consequences of eminent domain actions relating to our water systems; changes in regulatory commissions' policies and procedures, such as the CPUC’s decision in 2020 to preclude companies from proposing fully decoupled WRAMs in their next GRC filing (which impacted our 2021 GRC filing related to our operations commencing in 2023); the outcome and timeliness of regulatory commissions' actions concerning rate relief and other matters, including with respect to our 2021 GRC filing and our Cost of Capital filing; increased risk of inverse condemnation losses as a result of climate change and drought; our ability to renew leases to operate water systems owned by others on beneficial terms; changes in California State Water Resources Control Board water quality standards; changes in environmental compliance and water quality requirements; electric power interruptions, especially as a result of Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) programs ; housing and customer growth; the impact of opposition to rate increases; our ability to recover costs; availability of water supplies; issues with the implementation, maintenance or security of our information technology systems; civil disturbances or terrorist threats or acts; the adequacy of our efforts to mitigate physical and cyber security risks and threats; the ability of our enterprise risk management processes to identify or address risks adequately; labor relations matters as we negotiate with the unions; changes in customer water use patterns and the effects of conservation, including as a result of drought conditions; our ability to complete, in a timely manner or at all, successfully integrate and achieve anticipated benefits from announced acquisitions; the impact of weather, climate change, natural disasters, and actual or threatened public health emergencies, including disease outbreaks, on our operations, water quality, water availability, water sales and operating results and the adequacy of our emergency preparedness; restrictive covenants in or changes to the credit ratings on our current or future debt that could increase our financing costs or affect our ability to borrow, make payments on debt or pay dividends; risks associated with expanding our business and operations geographically; the impact of stagnating or worsening business and economic conditions, including inflationary pressures, general economic slowdown or a recession, increasing interest rates, and changes in monetary policy; and other risks and unforeseen events described in our SEC filings. When considering forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the cautionary statements included in this paragraph, as well as the Annual 10-K, Quarterly 10-Q, and other reports filed from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The Company assumes no obligation to provide public updates of forward-looking statements

Contact
Tom Smegal
408-367-8200 (analysts)

Shannon Dean
408-367-8243 (media)

FAQ

What is the new dividend amount for CWT in 2023?

The new annual dividend for California Water Service Group (CWT) is $1.04, which includes a quarterly payment of $0.26.

When will the next dividend for CWT be paid?

The next dividend for CWT will be paid on February 17, 2023.

What is the significance of the 56th consecutive annual dividend increase for CWT?

It demonstrates CWT's consistent commitment to providing value to shareholders through regular dividend growth.

Who is eligible to receive the next dividend from CWT?

Stockholders of record by February 6, 2023, will be eligible to receive the next dividend.

Why is the increase in dividend important for CWT shareholders?

The increase in dividend is important as it indicates the company's financial health and commitment to returning profits to shareholders.