WEC Energy Group raises quarterly dividend by 6.9 percent

Rhea-AI Summary

WEC Energy Group (NYSE: WEC) has announced a 6.9% increase in its quarterly cash dividend to 89.25 cents per share, up from the current 83.50 cents. This raises the annual dividend rate to $3.57 per share. The dividend will be payable on March 1, 2025, to stockholders of record as of February 14, 2025.

This marks the company's 330th consecutive quarterly dividend payment since 1942 and the 22nd consecutive year of dividend increases. The company maintains a target dividend payout ratio of 65-70% of earnings. WEC Energy Group serves 4.7 million customers across Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, and Minnesota through its principal utilities and maintains over $47 billion in assets with 7,000 employees.

Positive

• 6.9% increase in quarterly dividend to 89.25 cents per share
• 330 consecutive quarters of dividend payments since 1942
• 22 consecutive years of dividend increases
• Strong asset base of over $47 billion
• Large customer base of 4.7 million across four states

Negative

• High dividend payout ratio of 65-70% could limit future growth investments

MILWAUKEE, Jan. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The board of directors of WEC Energy Group (NYSE: WEC) today declared a quarterly cash dividend of 89.25 cents per share on the company's common stock, an increase of 6.9 percent over the current quarterly dividend of 83.50 cents per share. This raises the annual dividend rate to $3.57 per share.

The higher dividend is payable March 1, 2025, to stockholders of record on Feb. 14, 2025. This marks the 330^th consecutive quarter — dating back to 1942 — that the company will have paid a dividend to its stockholders.

"With today's action by our board, 2025 will be the 22^nd consecutive year of dividend increases for our stockholders," said Scott Lauber, president and CEO. "We continue to target a dividend payout of 65 to 70 percent of earnings."

WEC Energy Group (NYSE: WEC), based in Milwaukee, is one of the nation's premier energy companies, serving 4.7 million customers in Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan and Minnesota.

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 growing fleet of renewable generation facilities in states ranging from South Dakota to Texas.

WEC Energy Group (wecenergygroup.com) is a Fortune 500 company and a component of the S&P 500. The company has approximately 34,000 stockholders of record, 7,000 employees and more than $47 billion of assets.

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; 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 resulting from the new U.S. presidential administration, as well as in rate-setting policies or procedures and environmental standards, the enforcement of these laws and regulations and changes in the interpretation of regulations or permit conditions by regulatory agencies; supply chain disruptions; inflation; political or geopolitical developments, including impacts on the global economy, supply chain and fuel prices, generally, from ongoing, escalating, or expanding regional or international conflicts; the impact from any health crises, including epidemics and pandemics; current and future litigation and regulatory investigations, proceedings or inquiries; changes in accounting standards; the financial performance of American Transmission Company as well as projects in which the company's energy infrastructure business invests; the ability of the company to obtain additional generating capacity at competitive prices; goodwill and its possible impairment; and other factors described under the heading "Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources" in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and under the headings "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information" and "Risk Factors" contained in the company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and in subsequent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as may be required by law, the company expressly disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information.

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SOURCE WEC Energy Group

FAQ

What is WEC Energy Group's new quarterly dividend for 2025?

WEC Energy Group's new quarterly dividend is 89.25 cents per share, representing a 6.9% increase from the previous 83.50 cents per share.

When will WEC's increased dividend be payable?

The increased dividend will be payable on March 1, 2025, to stockholders of record as of February 14, 2025.

What is WEC Energy Group's new annual dividend rate for 2025?

WEC Energy Group's new annual dividend rate is $3.57 per share.

How long has WEC Energy Group been paying consecutive quarterly dividends?

WEC Energy Group has paid consecutive quarterly dividends for 330 quarters, dating back to 1942.

What is WEC Energy Group's target dividend payout ratio?

WEC Energy Group targets a dividend payout ratio of 65 to 70 percent of earnings.