📊 CPK Key Takeaways
Is Chesapeake Utilities Corp. (CPK) a Good Investment?
Chesapeake Utilities demonstrates operational strength with 18.3% net income growth and a healthy 28.2% operating margin despite flat revenue, indicating improving efficiency. However, significant concerns exist around negative free cash flow (-$23.9M), critically low current ratio (0.43x), and minimal cash reserves ($4.7M) relative to company size, suggesting potential liquidity constraints and refinancing risk in a capital-intensive business model.
Chesapeake Utilities shows solid underlying profitability, with strong operating margins and double-digit growth in net income and diluted EPS, which points to a healthy regulated utility earnings base. However, growth quality is constrained by very weak free cash flow, heavy capital spending, thin liquidity, and only moderate interest coverage, making the business fundamentally stable but balance-sheet-sensitive.
Chesapeake Utilities Corp. Key Strengths (CPK)
- Net income growth of 18.3% YoY and EPS growth of 13.5% despite flat revenue demonstrates operational leverage and improving efficiency
- Strong operating margin of 28.2% reflects effective cost management and pricing power in regulated utility environment
- Moderate debt-to-equity ratio of 0.91x and interest coverage of 5.3x indicate adequate debt servicing capability
- Operating margin of 27.5% and net margin of 15.1% indicate strong core profitability for a utility
- Net income grew 18.3% YoY and diluted EPS rose 13.5% YoY, showing continued earnings expansion
- Debt-to-equity of 0.94x is elevated but still manageable relative to the company's equity base and utility business model
CPK Stock Risks: Chesapeake Utilities Corp. Investment Risks
- Negative free cash flow (-$23.9M) indicates capex spending ($141.9M) exceeds operating cash generation ($118.0M), unsustainable without external financing
- Current ratio of 0.43x is critically low, signaling potential liquidity constraints and heavy reliance on refinancing or credit facilities
- Flat year-over-year revenue growth (0.0%) raises concerns about business expansion and market demand headwinds
- Extremely low cash position ($4.7M) relative to total assets ($4.1B) leaves minimal buffer for operational disruptions or debt maturities
- Very low return metrics (ROE: 3.6%, ROA: 1.4%) suggest suboptimal capital deployment despite high capex levels
- Free cash flow of -$214.9M shows the company is not self-funding its capital program
- Current and quick ratios of 0.45x indicate weak near-term liquidity
- Interest coverage of 3.5x suggests limited cushion if borrowing costs stay high or earnings soften
Key Metrics to Watch
- Free cash flow trend and path to positive FCF given high capex requirements
- Current ratio and overall liquidity position to assess refinancing dependency
- Revenue growth acceleration and customer base expansion
- Operating cash flow sustainability and capex-to-OCF ratio
- Debt refinancing costs and exposure to rising interest rate environment
- Free cash flow and capital expenditure intensity
- Interest coverage and short-term liquidity ratios
Chesapeake Utilities Corp. (CPK) Financial Metrics & Key Ratios
💡 AI Analyst Insight
The current ratio below 1.0x warrants monitoring of short-term liquidity.
CPK Profit Margin, ROE & Profitability Analysis
CPK vs Energy Sector: How Chesapeake Utilities Corp. Compares
How Chesapeake Utilities Corp. compares to Energy sector averages
Sector benchmarks are approximate industry averages. Actual sector performance may vary.
Is Chesapeake Utilities Corp. Stock Overvalued? CPK Valuation Analysis 2026
Based on fundamental analysis, Chesapeake Utilities Corp. has mixed fundamental signals relative to the Energy sector in 2026.
Note: This is a fundamental analysis based on SEC filings. For P/E ratio, price targets, and market-based valuation, consult financial data providers. This is not investment advice.
Chesapeake Utilities Corp. Balance Sheet: CPK Debt, Cash & Liquidity
CPK Revenue & Earnings Growth: 5-Year Financial Trend
5-Year Trend Summary: Chesapeake Utilities Corp.'s revenue has grown significantly by 63% over the 5-year period, indicating strong business expansion. The most recent EPS of $4.73 reflects profitable operations.
CPK Revenue Growth, EPS Growth & YoY Performance
CPK Quarterly Earnings & Performance
| Quarter | Revenue | Net Income | EPS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 2026 | $298.7M | $50.9M | $2.21 |
| Q3 2025 | $160.2M | $17.5M | $0.78 |
| Q2 2025 | $166.3M | $18.2M | $0.82 |
| Q1 2025 | $245.7M | $46.2M | $2.07 |
| Q3 2024 | $131.5M | $9.4M | $0.53 |
| Q2 2024 | $135.6M | $16.1M | $0.82 |
| Q1 2024 | $218.1M | $36.3M | $2.04 |
| Q3 2023 | $131.1M | $9.4M | $0.53 |
Data sourced from SEC EDGAR 10-Q quarterly filings. Figures may represent quarterly or cumulative values.
Chesapeake Utilities Corp. Dividends, Buybacks & Capital Allocation
CPK SEC Filings: Latest 10-K & 10-Q Analysis
Access official SEC EDGAR filings for Chesapeake Utilities Corp. (CIK: 0000019745)
📋 Recent SEC Filings
| Date | Form | Document | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 26, 2026 | 4 | xslF345X06/wk-form4_1779831644.xml | View → |
| May 21, 2026 | 4 | xslF345X06/wk-form4_1779395698.xml | View → |
| May 8, 2026 | 4 | xslF345X06/wk-form4_1778271989.xml | View → |
| May 8, 2026 | 4 | xslF345X06/wk-form4_1778271916.xml | View → |
| May 8, 2026 | 4 | xslF345X06/wk-form4_1778271828.xml | View → |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions about CPK
What is the AI rating for CPK?
Chesapeake Utilities Corp. (CPK) has a Combined AI Grade of B from Claude (B) and ChatGPT (B) with 74% combined confidence, based on fundamental analysis of SEC EDGAR filings.
What are CPK's key strengths?
Claude: Net income growth of 18.3% YoY and EPS growth of 13.5% despite flat revenue demonstrates operational leverage and improving efficiency. Strong operating margin of 28.2% reflects effective cost management and pricing power in regulated utility environment. ChatGPT: Operating margin of 27.5% and net margin of 15.1% indicate strong core profitability for a utility. Net income grew 18.3% YoY and diluted EPS rose 13.5% YoY, showing continued earnings expansion.
What are the risks of investing in CPK?
Claude: Negative free cash flow (-$23.9M) indicates capex spending ($141.9M) exceeds operating cash generation ($118.0M), unsustainable without external financing. Current ratio of 0.43x is critically low, signaling potential liquidity constraints and heavy reliance on refinancing or credit facilities. ChatGPT: Free cash flow of -$214.9M shows the company is not self-funding its capital program. Current and quick ratios of 0.45x indicate weak near-term liquidity.
What is CPK's revenue and growth?
Chesapeake Utilities Corp. reported revenue of $353.1M.
Does CPK pay dividends?
Chesapeake Utilities Corp. pays dividends, with $16.2M distributed to shareholders in the trailing twelve months.
Where can I find CPK SEC filings?
Official SEC filings for Chesapeake Utilities Corp. (CIK: 0000019745) including 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K reports are available on SEC EDGAR.
What is CPK's EPS?
Chesapeake Utilities Corp. has a diluted EPS of $2.47.
How is the AI analysis conducted?
Two independent AI systems — Claude (Anthropic) and ChatGPT (OpenAI) — analyze SEC EDGAR filings including 10-K annual reports and 10-Q quarterly reports. Each AI evaluates financial health, profitability ratios, balance sheet strength, and growth metrics. The combined grade reflects both perspectives for balanced insights.
What is CPK's fundamental grade?
Based on our AI fundamental analysis in June 2026, Chesapeake Utilities Corp. has a B grade with 74% confidence. Review the strengths and risks sections above for full context. This is not investment advice.
Is CPK stock overvalued or undervalued?
Valuation metrics for CPK: ROE of 3.6% (sector avg: 14%), net margin of 16.8% (sector avg: 12%). Compare these metrics with sector averages to assess valuation.
What is CPK's AI grade for 2026?
Our dual AI analysis gives Chesapeake Utilities Corp. a combined B grade for 2026. Revenue is data pending, with profitability above sector average. Always conduct your own research.
What is CPK's free cash flow?
Chesapeake Utilities Corp.'s operating cash flow is $118.0M, with capital expenditures of $141.9M. FCF margin is -6.8%.
How does CPK compare to other Energy stocks?
Vs Energy sector averages: Net margin 16.8% (avg: 12%), ROE 3.6% (avg: 14%), current ratio 0.43 (avg: 1.3).