WEC Energy Group announces plan to increase dividend by 6.7 percent
Rhea-AI Summary
WEC Energy Group (NYSE: WEC) said its board plans to raise the quarterly dividend to 95.25 cents per share in Q1 2026, a 6.7% increase (an additional 6.0 cents). The dividend equals an annual rate of $3.81 per share, payable March 1, 2026 to holders of record on Feb. 13, 2026, and expected to be declared at the board meeting in January.
The company provided 2026 earnings guidance of $5.51–$5.61 per share and reiterated a long‑term EPS growth target of 7–8% compound annually and a dividend payout target of 65–70% of earnings. WEC serves 4.7 million customers and reports about $49 billion of assets.
Positive
- Dividend +6.7% to 95.25 cents quarterly
- Annual dividend implied at $3.81 per share
- 2026 EPS guidance of $5.51–$5.61 per share
- Long‑term EPS growth target of 7–8% CAGR
- Target payout ratio of 65–70% of earnings
Negative
- Dividend increase raises cash payout by 6.0 cents per share
- High payout target (65–70%) may limit retained earnings
News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, WEC declined 0.54%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
Peers show mixed, mostly small moves today: ED (-0.03%), PCG (-1.79%), ETR (+0.37%), PEG (+0.46%), XEL (0.00%). This points to stock-specific trading in WEC.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 04 | Dividend hike, guidance | Positive | -0.5% | Announced 6.7% common dividend increase and 2026 EPS guidance range. |
| Nov 13 | Reliability award | Positive | -0.3% | We Energies received 2025 ReliabilityOne award for Upper Midwest service. |
| Oct 30 | Q3 2025 earnings | Positive | -1.7% | Reported Q3 and nine‑month 2025 results, revenue growth, and reaffirmed guidance. |
| Oct 23 | Earnings preview | Neutral | -1.3% | Announced schedule and access details for upcoming Q3 2025 earnings release. |
| Oct 16 | Preferred dividends | Neutral | -0.9% | Declared quarterly dividends on two series of Wisconsin Electric preferred stock. |
Recent news, including dividends and solid operating updates, has often coincided with modestly negative 1-day price moves, suggesting a tendency for muted or contrarian reactions to positive catalysts.
Over the last several months, WEC reported Q3 2025 results with net income of $271.3 million and nine‑month net income of $1.24 billion, reaffirming $5.17–$5.27 EPS guidance and paying a $0.8925 dividend. The company highlighted reliability recognition for We Energies and repeatedly declared both common and preferred dividends. Despite these generally constructive updates, 1‑day price reactions around these events often skewed slightly negative, framing today’s dividend‑increase and 2026 guidance news in a similar context.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement details a planned quarterly dividend increase to $0.9525 per share (annualized $3.81) and introduces 2026 EPS guidance of $5.51–$5.61, aligned with a 65–70% dividend payout target and 7–8% long-term EPS growth outlook. Investors may compare these figures with prior dividend levels and past guidance, while also monitoring future regulatory filings, capital‑raising activities, and sector conditions that could influence WEC’s growth and payout objectives.
Key Terms
dividend payout ratio financial
compound annual rate financial
earnings guidance financial
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
The directors expect to declare the new dividend at their regularly scheduled meeting in January. The dividend — which would be equivalent to an annual rate of
"The board's review today is consistent with our ongoing plan targeting a dividend payout ratio of 65 to 70 percent of earnings," said Scott Lauber, president and CEO. "The projected dividend for 2026 is in line with the company's objective to grow the dividend at a 6.5 to 7 percent compound annual rate."
In addition, the company introduced earnings guidance for 2026. Calendar year 2026 earnings are expected to be in a range of
WEC Energy Group (NYSE: WEC), based in
The company's principal utilities are We Energies, Wisconsin Public Service, Peoples Gas, North Shore Gas, Michigan Gas Utilities, Minnesota Energy Resources and Upper Michigan Energy Resources. Another major subsidiary, We Power, designs, builds and owns electric generating plants. In addition, WEC Infrastructure LLC owns a fleet of renewable generation facilities in states ranging from
WEC Energy Group (wecenergygroup.com) is a Fortune 500 company and a component of the S&P 500. The company has approximately 32,000 stockholders of record, 7,000 employees and more than
Forward-looking statements
Certain statements contained in this press release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements are based upon management's current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in the statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements concerning management's expectations and projections regarding earnings, earnings growth rates, dividend payments and future results. In some cases, forward-looking statements may be identified by reference to a future period or periods or by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "forecasts," "guidance," "intends," "may," "objectives," "plans," "possible," "potential," "projects," "should," "targets," "will" or similar terms or variations of these terms.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in any forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: general economic conditions, including business and competitive conditions in the company's service territories; timing, resolution and impact of rate cases and other regulatory decisions, including rider reconciliations; the company's ability to continue to successfully integrate the operations of its subsidiaries; availability of the company's generating facilities and/or distribution systems; unanticipated changes in fuel and purchased power costs; key personnel changes; unusual, varying or severe weather conditions; continued industry restructuring and consolidation; continued advances in, and adoption of, new technologies that produce power or reduce power consumption; energy and environmental conservation efforts; electrification initiatives, mandates and other efforts to reduce the use of natural gas; the company's ability to successfully acquire and/or dispose of assets and projects and to execute on its capital plan, including projects related to serving data centers and other large-scale customers; terrorist, physical or cyber-security threats or attacks and data security breaches; construction risks; labor disruptions; equity and bond market fluctuations; changes in the company's and its subsidiaries' ability to access the capital markets; changes in tax legislation or our ability to use certain tax benefits and carryforwards; changes in and uncertainty around federal, state, and local legislation and regulation, including changes in rate-setting policies or procedures and environmental standards, in the enforcement of these laws and regulations and in the interpretation of regulations or permit conditions by regulatory agencies; supply chain disruptions; inflation; political or geopolitical developments impacting the global economy, supply chain and fuel prices generally, including as a result of changes to
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SOURCE WEC Energy Group
FAQ
What dividend did WEC announce for Q1 2026?
When is the WEC dividend payable and what is the record date?
How much will WEC's annual dividend be after the increase?
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