Guggenheim Capital LLC Purchases 2,552 Shares of Chesapeake Utilities Co. (NYSE:CPK)

Guggenheim Capital LLC boosted its stake in shares of Chesapeake Utilities Co. (NYSE:CPK - Free Report) by 6.6% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 41,198 shares of the utilities provider's stock after acquiring an additional 2,552 shares during the quarter. Guggenheim Capital LLC owned approximately 0.18% of Chesapeake Utilities worth $4,999,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Walleye Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Chesapeake Utilities during the 4th quarter worth $337,000. Barclays PLC boosted its position in shares of Chesapeake Utilities by 5.5% during the fourth quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 39,078 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $4,742,000 after purchasing an additional 2,030 shares in the last quarter. Summit Investment Advisors Inc. boosted its position in shares of Chesapeake Utilities by 4.9% during the fourth quarter. Summit Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 2,313 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $281,000 after purchasing an additional 109 shares in the last quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Chesapeake Utilities by 805.2% during the fourth quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC now owns 697 shares of the utilities provider's stock worth $85,000 after purchasing an additional 620 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new position in shares of Chesapeake Utilities during the fourth quarter worth $5,110,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 83.11% of the company's stock.

Chesapeake Utilities Price Performance

NYSE CPK traded up $1.27 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $134.03. The company had a trading volume of 26,336 shares, compared to its average volume of 102,871. The company has a market capitalization of $3.08 billion, a PE ratio of 27.19 and a beta of 0.66. The company has a current ratio of 0.38, a quick ratio of 0.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $127.98 and a 200-day moving average price of $124.88. Chesapeake Utilities Co. has a twelve month low of $102.64 and a twelve month high of $136.73.

Chesapeake Utilities (NYSE:CPK - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 26th. The utilities provider reported $1.63 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.67 by ($0.04). The business had revenue of $215.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $237.84 million. Chesapeake Utilities had a net margin of 14.16% and a return on equity of 9.08%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.64 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that Chesapeake Utilities Co. will post 5.39 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Chesapeake Utilities Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, April 7th. Investors of record on Friday, March 14th were given a $0.64 dividend. This represents a $2.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.91%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 14th. Chesapeake Utilities's payout ratio is currently 48.58%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

CPK has been the topic of several research reports. StockNews.com cut shares of Chesapeake Utilities from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research report on Tuesday. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH raised shares of Chesapeake Utilities to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday. Finally, Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Chesapeake Utilities from $120.00 to $125.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Tuesday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $123.00.

Chesapeake Utilities Company Profile

Chesapeake Utilities Corporation operates as an energy delivery company. The company operates through two segments, Regulated Energy and Unregulated Energy. The Regulated Energy segment natural gas distribution operations in central and southern Delaware, Maryland's eastern shore, and Florida; regulated natural gas transmission in the Delmarva Peninsula, Ohio, and Florida; and regulated electric distribution in northeast and northwest Florida.