California Water Service Group Board of Directors Announces 59th Annual Dividend Increase and Declares 324th Consecutive Quarterly Dividend
Rhea-AI Summary
California Water Service Group (NYSE:CWT) declared its 324th consecutive quarterly dividend of $0.3350 per common share, payable February 20, 2026, to holders of record February 9, 2026.
The Board also announced an 8% annual dividend increase to $1.34 from $1.20 (plus a $0.04 special dividend in 2025) as part of the company’s Centennial Celebration.
Positive
- Declared 324th consecutive quarterly dividend of $0.3350 per share
- Board approved an 8% annual dividend increase to $1.34 per share
Negative
- Annual dividend rise equals $0.10 additional per share, modest near-term cash outflow
News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, CWT gained 1.95%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
CWT was up 0.07% with mixed peers: AWR and WTRG down, while ARIS, CPK, and MSEX gained. No momentum scanner flags and no same-day peer headlines suggest this move was stock-specific.
Previous Management,dividends Reports
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 29 | Dividend declaration | Positive | -4.8% | Declared 323rd consecutive quarterly dividend of $0.30 per share. |
| Jul 30 | Dividend declaration | Positive | +1.3% | Announced 322nd consecutive quarterly dividend of $0.30 per share. |
| Apr 30 | Dividend declaration | Positive | -0.8% | Declared 321st consecutive quarterly dividend of $0.30 per share. |
| Jan 29 | Dividend & special | Positive | +0.5% | Declared 320th dividend at $0.30 and a $0.04 one-time special dividend. |
| Oct 30 | Dividend declaration | Positive | +1.3% | Declared 319th consecutive quarterly dividend of $0.28 per share. |
Dividend announcements have produced mixed reactions: 3 aligned positive moves and 2 negative divergences, despite consistently stable payouts.
Recent history shows CWT emphasizing dividend consistency, with consecutive quarterly dividends progressing from $0.28 at the 319th payment in late 2024 to $0.30 through the 323rd in 2025, alongside a one-time $0.04 special dividend and the 58th straight year of increases. Price reactions around these announcements have been modest and mixed, indicating that dividend news alone has not consistently driven direction, which frames today’s 59th annual increase and higher quarterly rate.
Historical Comparison
Past management/dividend releases saw an average move of 1.74%. Today’s marginal 0.07% change sits at the low end of those historical reactions.
Dividend actions progressed from a $0.28 quarterly rate to $0.30 with a special $0.04, and now to a higher ongoing level, reinforcing a multi-year pattern of steady dividend growth.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement reinforces CWT’s income profile, with the Board targeting an annual dividend of $1.34 and extending its streak to a 59th consecutive annual increase and 324 straight quarterly payments. Historically, similar management/dividend news has produced modest, mixed price moves. Investors monitoring this story may focus on how future rate decisions, capital needs, and insider activity interact with the richer dividend payout over time.
Key Terms
special dividend financial
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
SAN JOSE, Calif., Jan. 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- To kick off its Centennial Celebration, California Water Service Group (NYSE:CWT) declared its 324th consecutive quarterly dividend in the amount of
“One of the many things we’ll be celebrating during our 100th anniversary is the value we’ve delivered to stockholders throughout our history. I’m proud of our strong dividend track record, and I know it’s something that is important to our stockholders,” said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Martin A. Kropelnicki.
About California Water Service Group
California Water Service Group is the parent company of regulated utilities California Water Service, Hawaii Water Service, New Mexico Water Service, and Washington Water Service, as well as Texas Water Service, a utility holding company. Together, these companies provide regulated and non-regulated water and wastewater service to more than 2.1 million people in California, Hawaii, New Mexico, Washington, and Texas. 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.
Forward Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (“PSLRA”). The forward-looking statements are intended to qualify under provisions of the federal securities laws for “safe harbor” treatment established by the PSLRA. Forward-looking statements in this news release are based on currently available information, expectations, estimates, assumptions and projections, and our management’s beliefs, assumptions, judgments and expectations about us, the water utility industry and general economic conditions. These statements are not statements of historical fact. When used in our documents, statements that are not historical in nature, including words like will, would, expects, intends, plans, believes, may, could, estimates, assumes, anticipates, projects, progress, predicts, hopes, targets, forecasts, should, seeks or variations of these words or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements describing Group’s expectations regarding the annual dividend, which remains subject to the Board’s approval and declaration of subsequent quarterly dividends during the year. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. They are based on numerous assumptions that we believe are reasonable, but they are open to a wide range of uncertainties and business risks. Consequently, actual results or outcomes may vary materially from what is contained in a forward-looking statement. Factors that may cause actual results or outcomes to be different than those expected or anticipated include but are not limited to those described under the section entitled “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and our other Securities and Exchange Commission filings. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this news release. We are not under any obligation, and we expressly disclaim any obligation, to update or alter any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Contact
James P. Lynch
408-367-8200
Shannon Dean
sdean@calwater.com
408-367-8243
FAQ
What dividend did California Water Service Group (CWT) declare for February 2026?
How much did CWT increase its annual dividend for 2026 and what is the new annual amount?
When will CWT shareholders receive the declared February 2026 dividend and who is eligible?
What does CWT’s 324th consecutive quarterly dividend indicate for long-term shareholders of CWT?
Did CWT reference any special dividend alongside the 2026 annual dividend change?
