Chemed (NYSE:CHE) authorized an additional $300 million for share repurchases under its existing program and will fund buybacks with cash from operations and its revolving credit facility. The Board also declared a $0.60 quarterly dividend payable March 13, 2026, to holders of record Feb 23, 2026.
This marks Chemed's 219th consecutive quarterly dividend over 54 years as a public company. Operations include VITAS Healthcare and Roto-Rooter.
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Positive
$300M additional share repurchase authorization
Quarterly dividend of $0.60 maintained
219 consecutive quarterly dividends over 54 years
Negative
Buybacks may use the revolving credit facility, increasing leverage
Key Figures
Buyback authorization:$300 millionQuarterly dividend:$0.60 per shareDividend payable date:March 13, 2026+4 more
7 metrics
Buyback authorization$300 millionAdditional stock repurchase under existing program
Quarterly dividend$0.60 per shareCash dividend declared, unchanged from December 2025
Dividend payable dateMarch 13, 2026Payment date for declared quarterly dividend
Record dateFebruary 23, 2026Shareholders of record eligible for dividend
Dividend streak219 consecutive quartersContinuous quarterly dividends as a public company
Public company tenure54 yearsYears as a public company
Subsidiaries2 subsidiariesVITAS Healthcare and Roto-Rooter
Market Reality Check
Price:$463.95Vol:Volume 176,514 is roughly...
normal vol
$463.95Last Close
VolumeVolume 176,514 is roughly in line with the 20-day average of 171,718.normal
TechnicalShares at $463.95 trade slightly below the 200-day MA of $469.79 and 25.6% below the 52-week high.
Peers on Argus
CHE was up 0.23% pre-news while peers were mixed: DVA up 3.9%, SGRY up 2.18%, EN...
1 Up
CHE was up 0.23% pre-news while peers were mixed: DVA up 3.9%, SGRY up 2.18%, ENSG up 0.6%, and OPCH/AMED down. This points to stock-specific factors over a broad sector move.
New $300M repurchase authorization and $0.50 quarterly dividend declaration.
Pattern Detected
Past buyback/dividend announcements were followed by positive one-day moves, suggesting the market has historically viewed these actions favorably.
Recent Company History
Over the past several quarters, CHE has repeatedly paired additional $300 million repurchase authorizations with steady dividend declarations, including increases from $0.50 to $0.60 per share. Prior buyback/dividend announcements on Nov 8, 2024 and Aug 1, 2025 produced modestly positive one-day reactions of 0.64% and 1.35%. Today’s news continues that pattern of shareholder returns, reinforcing the existing capital allocation strategy rather than signaling a new direction.
Historical Comparison
+1.0% avg move · Past buyback/dividend announcements under this tag saw average one-day moves of 1%, with consistentl...
buybacks,management,dividends
+1.0%
Average Historical Movebuybacks,management,dividends
Past buyback/dividend announcements under this tag saw average one-day moves of 1%, with consistently positive but modest reactions to similar capital return actions.
Capital returns progressed from a $0.50 dividend with a $300M buyback to a higher $0.60 dividend while maintaining additional $300M repurchase authorizations over successive announcements.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement combines an additional $300 million repurchase authorization with a steady $0.60 q...
Analysis
This announcement combines an additional $300 million repurchase authorization with a steady $0.60 quarterly dividend, extending CHE’s streak to 219 consecutive quarterly payouts over 54 years. Historically, similar capital return actions have coincided with modestly positive one-day stock moves. Investors may focus on how repurchases are funded, execution under the buyback program, and upcoming earnings results when evaluating the significance of this latest authorization and dividend declaration.
Key Terms
share repurchase program, revolving credit facility, quarterly cash dividend, capital stock, +1 more
5 terms
share repurchase programfinancial
"authorized an additional $300 million for stock repurchase under Chemed’s existing share repurchase program"
A share repurchase program is when a company buys back its own shares from the marketplace. This reduces the total number of shares available, which can increase the value of each remaining share and signal confidence in the company's prospects. For investors, it often suggests that the company believes its stock is undervalued or that it has extra cash to return to shareholders.
revolving credit facilityfinancial
"funded through a combination of cash generated from operations as well as utilization of its revolving credit facility"
A revolving credit facility is a type of loan that a business can borrow from whenever it needs money, up to a set limit. It’s like having a credit card for companies—allowing them to borrow, pay back, and borrow again as needed, providing flexibility for managing cash flow or funding short-term expenses.
quarterly cash dividendfinancial
"The Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of 60-cents per share"
A quarterly cash dividend is a payment made by a company to its shareholders four times a year, usually based on its profits. It is like a regular bonus or reward for owning the company's stock, providing shareholders with income. Many investors see these payments as a sign of the company's stability and its ability to generate consistent profits.
capital stockfinancial
"60-cents per share on the Company’s capital stock, payable on March 13, 2026"
Capital stock is the total set of shares that represent ownership in a company, including different classes such as common and preferred stock. Think of it as the number and types of slices in a company’s ownership pie: it matters to investors because it determines voting power, entitlement to dividends, and how a company’s value is divided per share, so changes in capital stock can dilute holdings or alter per‑share metrics.
forward-looking statementsregulatory
"Such statements are forward-looking statements and are based on present information"
Forward-looking statements are predictions or plans that companies share about what they expect to happen in the future, like estimating sales or profits. They matter because they help investors understand a company's outlook, but since they are based on guesses and assumptions, they can sometimes be wrong.
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
CINCINNATI, Feb. 13, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chemed Corporation (NYSE:CHE) announced today that the Board of Directors has formally authorized an additional $300 million for stock repurchase under Chemed’s existing share repurchase program. These share repurchases will be funded through a combination of cash generated from operations as well as utilization of its revolving credit facility.
The Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of 60-cents per share on the Company’s capital stock, payable on March 13, 2026, to shareholders of record as of February 23, 2026. This is equal to the dividend paid in December 2025. This represents the 219th consecutive quarterly dividend paid by Chemed in its 54 years as a public company.
Listed on the New York Stock Exchange and headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Chemed Corporation (www.chemed.com) operates two wholly owned subsidiaries: VITAS Healthcare and Roto-Rooter. VITAS is the nation's largest provider of end-of-life hospice care and Roto-Rooter is the nation’s leading provider of plumbing and drain cleaning services.
Statements in this press release or in other Chemed communications may relate to future events or Chemed's future performance. Such statements are forward-looking statements and are based on present information Chemed has related to its existing business circumstances. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risk that actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Further, investors are cautioned that Chemed does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements based on unanticipated events or changed expectations.
CONTACT: Michael D. Witzeman (513) 762-6714
FAQ
What did Chemed (CHE) announce about its share repurchase on February 13, 2026?
Chemed authorized an additional $300 million for share repurchases under its existing program. According to Chemed, repurchases will be funded by cash from operations and use of its revolving credit facility, indicating flexible funding sources for the program.
When is the Chemed (CHE) quarterly dividend payable and who is eligible?
The quarterly cash dividend of $0.60 per share is payable March 13, 2026. According to Chemed, shareholders of record as of February 23, 2026, will be eligible to receive this dividend, matching the prior December 2025 payment amount.
How long has Chemed (CHE) paid consecutive quarterly dividends?
Chemed has paid dividends for 219 consecutive quarters, spanning 54 years as a public company. According to Chemed, this reflects a long dividend history and continuity of shareholder distributions across multiple economic cycles.
Will Chemed (CHE) use debt to fund its $300 million repurchase authorization?
Chemed may use its revolving credit facility along with cash from operations to fund repurchases. According to Chemed, this implies potential incremental leverage depending on timing and amounts repurchased under the authorization.
What businesses does Chemed (CHE) operate that might affect dividend and buyback capacity?
Chemed operates VITAS Healthcare and Roto-Rooter, its two wholly owned businesses. According to Chemed, cash generated from these operations will be a source for the repurchase program and ongoing dividend payments.
Does the $300 million repurchase change Chemed's (CHE) existing share repurchase program?
The Board authorized an additional $300 million under Chemed's existing program rather than creating a new one. According to Chemed, this expands available capacity for future buybacks within the current program framework.