Lead, South Dakota--(Newsfile Corp. - July 29, 2026) - Dakota Gold Corp. (NYSE American: DC) ("Dakota Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce leadership changes designed to support the Company's next phase of growth as it advances the Richmond Hill Gold Project ("Richmond Hill" or the "Project") through development and toward production. Dr. Robert Quartermain, C.M., will retire as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) on August 18, 2026, after serving in the role since November 2024. Dr. Quartermain will continue to provide leadership and strategic guidance as Co-Chair and Director of Dakota Gold's Board of Directors. Jack Henris, who joined Dakota Gold a year ago as President and Chief Operating Officer (COO), will assume the role of CEO upon Dr. Quartermain's retirement.
"Since assuming the role of CEO in November 2024, Dakota Gold has achieved meaningful progress in advancing Richmond Hill to pre-feasibility stage and has secured the funding required to execute its planned programs through 2028. These were my two primary objectives when I assumed the role as CEO," commented Dr. Quartermain. "As Dakota Gold's largest shareholder, I remain highly supportive of Mr. Henris and the leadership team as they continue to advance Richmond Hill along its development path. I am excited about Dakota Gold's opportunities in the Homestake District, particularly at a time of strong gold prices and increasing investor awareness."
Stephen O'Rourke, Co-Chair of Dakota Gold's Board of Directors, commented, "On behalf of the Board, we thank Dr. Quartermain for stepping into the CEO role and helping position Dakota Gold for its next stage of growth. Under his leadership, the Company strengthened its financial position, reporting $107 million in cash in its March 2026 financial statements, while he worked closely with Mr. Henris to build the team required to execute on our Richmond Hill development plans. We look forward to Dr. Quartermain's continued guidance and insight as Co-Chair and Director, as Mr. Henris and the leadership team advance the Company's strategy."
"I am delighted to assume the role of CEO and to be supported by such a highly capable team at such an important and exciting time for Dakota Gold," said Jack Henris, President and COO. "Having started my career at the Homestake Mine in 1987, I have a deep appreciation for the district and the opportunity in front of us. With Richmond Hill, Dakota Gold has the potential to responsibly develop what could become the largest gold-producing mine in South Dakota. I look forward to continuing to work with Dr. Quartermain in his role on the Board, where his geological insights will be instrumental as we seek to identify additional value across our Maitland Gold Project and broader land position as the largest mineral land holder in the Homestake District."
To further support Mr. Henris in his role as CEO and strengthen Dakota Gold's development-focused leadership structure, Shawn Campbell will be appointed Chief Development Officer, with responsibility for ongoing shareholder engagement and sourcing construction financing for the development of Richmond Hill. Amy Koenig will continue in her role as SVP, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary. Drawing on her previous regulatory and litigation experience at Black Hills Energy (NYSE: BKH), Ms. Koenig will also manage the Company's permitting processes as Dakota Gold prepares to file its large-scale mine permit later this year.
About Dakota Gold Corp.
Dakota Gold is a responsible exploration and development company advancing the Richmond Hill Gold Project toward production as soon as 2029, while continuing to define and expand the high-grade underground gold resource potential at the Maitland Gold Project. Both projects are located on private land within the historic Homestake District of South Dakota, one of the most prolific gold mining regions in the United States.
Subscribe to Dakota Gold's e-mail list at www.dakotagoldcorp.com to receive the latest news and other Company updates.
Shareholder and Investor Inquiries
Forward-Looking Statements
This communication contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. When used in this communication, the words "plan," "target," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "intend," "potential," "will" and "expect" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Any express or implied statements contained in this communication that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: our expectations regarding additional drilling, metallurgy and modeling; our expectations for the improvement and growth of the mineral resources and potential for conversion of mineral resources into reserves; completion of a pre-feasibility study, a feasibility study, and/or permitting; and our overall expectation for the possibility of near-term production at the Richmond Hill project. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and expectations that may not be realized and are inherently subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from these statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others: the execution and timing of our planned exploration activities; our use and evaluation of historic data; our ability to achieve our strategic goals; the state of the economy and financial markets generally and the effect on our industry; and the market for our common stock. The foregoing list is not exhaustive. For additional information regarding factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in our forward-looking statements, we refer you to the risk factors included in Item 1A of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, as updated by annual, quarterly and current reports that we file with the SEC, which are available at www.sec.gov. We caution investors not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this communication. These statements speak only as of the date of this communication, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise these statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. We do not give any assurance that we will achieve our expectations.
All references to "$" in this communication are to U.S. dollars unless otherwise stated.
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/307167
Source: Dakota Gold Corp.
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RAPID CITY, S.D., July 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Black Hills Corp. (NYSE: BKH) today announced that its board of directors declared a quarterly dividend on the common stock at a meeting held July 28, 2026. Common shareholders of record at the close of business on Aug. 17, 2026, will receive $0.703 per share, payable Sept. 1, 2026.
The company also confirms that it will release its 2026 second-quarter earnings after the market closes Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, and will host a live conference call and webcast at 11 a.m. EDT on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, to discuss the company’s financial results.
To participate by phone and ask a question during the live broadcast, participants can access the event directly at Black Hills Corp. Conference Call. Please allow at least five minutes to register. Upon registration, dial-in information will be provided, including a personal identification number.
To access a listen-only webcast and view presentation slides, please register at Black Hills Corp. Webcast. At the conclusion of the call, a replay of the broadcast will be available at this link and at Black Hills’ investor relations website for up to one year.
Black Hills Corporation
Black Hills Corp. (NYSE: BKH) is a customer-focused, growth-oriented utility company with a tradition of improving life with energy and a vision to be the energy partner of choice. Based in Rapid City, South Dakota, the company serves 1.37 million natural gas and electric utility customers in eight states: Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming. More information is available at www.blackhillscorp.com.
Retirees and near-retirees are quietly rotating cash into a specific corner of the market: Dividend Kings, and long-tenured dividend growers, that still yield meaningfully more than the S&P 500 and even the 4.55% 10-year Treasury. The five names below are all sitting on multi-decade payout streaks, they cover four different sectors, and every one of them raised the dividend within the last twelve months. That combination of income, growth, and defensiveness is exactly what boomer portfolios are engineered to hold.
Altria Group Altria Group (NYSE:MO | MO Price Prediction) is the highest yielder in this group and the closest thing to a bond substitute in consumer staples. The current dividend yield sits at 5.96%, backed by a quarterly payout of $1.06 and a trailing 12-month total of $4.24 per share. Altria technically falls short of the classic 50-year Dividend King threshold, but the payout has been raised in every calendar year from 2000 through 2026, and management describes the latest hike as the 60th increase in the past 56 years.
Coverage looks solid on paper. Trailing EPS of $4.96 comfortably covers the $4.24 annual payout, and 2026 guidance calls for adjusted diluted EPS of $5.56 to $5.72. Altria paid out $7.0 billion in dividends in 2025 and still funded $1 billion in buybacks. The bull case for income is simple: pricing power on Marlboro, a shrinking share count, and one of the lowest betas in the market at 0.494. The caveat is real, though. Cigarette volumes fell roughly 10% in 2025, and the NJOY acquisition just absorbed a $2.2 billion impairment, so the dividend is riding on price hikes, not unit growth.
Universal Corporation Universal Corporation (NYSE:UVV) is the ultra-high-yield name in the bundle, offering a 6.47% dividend yield and confirmed Dividend King status. The company just raised its quarterly payout to $0.83 per share, marking its 56th consecutive year of increases. Universal is the world’s largest leaf-tobacco merchant, a boring, cash-generative middleman business that has funded that streak through commodity cycles most investors would rather forget.
Safety here is more nuanced than the streak suggests. Fiscal 2026 was ugly: adjusted diluted EPS of negative $0.46 in Q4, a $41.06 million goodwill impairment at Shank’s, and $52 million of inventory write-downs on dark air-cured tobacco. Full-year operating cash flow still came in at $129.1 million against capex of $48.8 million, so the dividend was covered on a cash basis, and the balance sheet still carries $1.46 billion in shareholders’ equity. The bull case for income investors: a 56-year track record that survived 2008, 2020, and 2025, plus a valuation at just 0.892 times book. The risk is that trailing EPS of $1.36 does not currently cover the $3.28 annual dividend, so investors are trusting management to work through the tobacco oversupply cycle without touching the payout.
Black Hills Corporation Black Hills Corporation (NYSE:BKH) is a regulated electric and natural gas utility with a 3.68% dividend yield and 56 consecutive years of annual dividend increases. The current quarterly payout of $0.703 was declared April 28, 2026, and the annualized dividend of $2.731 is covered by trailing EPS of $3.84.
Dividend safety here is grounded in a rate-regulated cash flow profile and a reaffirmed 2026 adjusted EPS guidance range of $4.25 to $4.45, implying roughly 6% growth off the 2025 base of $4.10. Management is running a $4.7 billion capital plan through 2030 with a targeted 4% to 6% long-term EPS growth rate, and it has a data center pipeline exceeding 3 gigawatts, including committed capacity with Microsoft and Meta. The pending all-stock merger with NorthWestern Energy would create an $11 billion combined rate base, expanding the regulated moat that supports the payout. One caveat: a mild winter reduced Q1 by $0.18 per share, and closing the merger in the second half of 2026 still faces regulatory approval risk that boomers should not ignore.
Act now: the analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks — and Altria didn't make the cut. Grab the names FREE today.
Northwest Natural Holding Company Northwest Natural Holding Company (NYSE:NWN) owns the longest dividend streak in this group at 70 consecutive years of increases, the longest in the natural gas utility industry. The stock yields 3.9%, paying a quarterly dividend of $0.4925 that annualizes to $1.97 per share.
Coverage is comfortable on an EPS basis. Trailing earnings of $2.92 per share back the $1.97 payout, and 2026 EPS guidance of $2.95 to $3.15 was reaffirmed after Q1 net income rose 10.89% to $97.5 million. Long-term targets call for 4% to 6% EPS growth and 6% to 8% rate base growth through 2030, driven partly by the roughly $300 million MX3 Mist gas storage expansion locked in at a fixed 12.5% ROE on 25-year contracts. The income thesis is defensive cash flow with an inflation-beating raise every single year, backed by roughly 985,000 customer meters that grew 2.8% over the last twelve months. The one caveat: heavy growth capex has pushed the common equity ratio down to 36.2% from 42.4%, and further equity issuance to fund the buildout is likely to weigh on per-share growth.
Federal Realty Investment Trust Federal Realty Investment Trust (NYSE:FRT) is the only REIT in the bundle and the only Dividend King in the entire REIT universe, with 58 consecutive years of dividend increases. The current quarterly dividend of $1.13 was paid on July 15, 2026, producing a 3.67% dividend yield on an annualized $4.52 per share.
Dividend safety looks strong when viewed against FFO rather than GAAP EPS. Q1 2026 Nareit FFO and Core FFO came in at $1.88 per diluted share, up 10.6% year over year, and management raised full-year Core FFO guidance to $7.46 to $7.55, implying 5.7% to 6.9% growth. Portfolio fundamentals are running hot: 93.8% occupancy, a 96.1% leased rate, and Q1 comparable leases signed at 13% cash rent spreads across 649,078 square feet. The revolving credit facility was extended to April 2030 at $1.4 billion, so refinancing risk is manageable. The caveat: Federal Realty trades at a forward P/E near 42 and a stretched premium to peers, so today’s buyer is paying up for that unmatched REIT streak.
The Bottom Line for Income Portfolios These five names give boomers something the broader market cannot: dividend streaks measured in decades, spread across tobacco, regulated utilities, and retail real estate. Universal delivers the ultra-high-yield leg at 6.47%, Altria adds a near-6% payout with the strongest earnings coverage in the group, and Black Hills, Northwest Natural, and Federal Realty combine mid-3% yields with reaffirmed 2026 guidance and multi-year growth plans. For a retirement portfolio built to spend the dividend rather than the principal, this is the profile that keeps the checks coming through cycles.
Act now: the analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks — and Altria didn't make the cut. Grab the names FREE today.
RAPID CITY, S.D., July 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Black Hills Corp. (NYSE: BKH) will announce its 2026 second-quarter earnings after the market closes Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, and will host a live conference call and webcast at 11 a.m. EDT on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, to discuss the company’s financial results.
To participate by phone and ask a question during the live broadcast, participants can access the event directly at Black Hills Corp. Conference Call. Please allow at least five minutes to register. Upon registration, dial-in information will be provided, including a personal identification number.
To access a listen-only webcast and view presentation slides, please register at Black Hills Corp. Webcast. At the conclusion of the call, a replay of the broadcast will be available at this link and at Black Hills’ investor relations website for up to one year.
About Black Hills Corporation
Black Hills Corp. (NYSE: BKH) is a customer-focused, growth-oriented utility company with a tradition of improving life with energy and a vision to be the energy partner of choice. Based in Rapid City, South Dakota, the company serves more than 1.37 million natural gas and electric utility customers in eight states: Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming. More information is available at www.blackhillscorp.com.
Lead, South Dakota--(Newsfile Corp. - July 6, 2026) - Dakota Gold Corp. (NYSE American: DC) ("Dakota Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to report additional assay results from its 2026 Drill Campaign at the Richmond Hill Oxide Heap Leach Gold Project ("Richmond Hill" or the "Project"). The 2026 Drill Campaign is now complete, and totalled 17,273 meters of infill, expansion, and geotechnical drilling across 112 holes. Results from the 2025 and 2026 drill campaigns at Richmond Hill are being incorporated into a Pre-Feasibility Study ("PFS") in the fourth quarter of 2026. This data will support an updated mineral resource estimate, refine the geo-metallurgical model, and deliver a single optimized mine plan with sequencing.
Highlights from this update include:
Expansion drill hole RH26C-432 intersected 11.36 grams per tonne gold (g/t Au) and 14.92 g/t silver (g/t Ag) over 26.3 meters (298 gram-meters Au), including 77.19 g/t Au and 63.12 g/t Ag over 3.2 meters (247 gram-meters Au) and RH26C-437 intersected 2.89 g/t Au and 8.18 g/t Ag over 38.0 meters (110 gram-meters Au) including 14.20 g/t Au and 12.90 g/t Ag over 1.5 meters (21 gram-meters Au). These results are another example of higher grades within the Deadwood Formation in the Northern Expansion area of Richmond Hill, where these trends have continued north from Chism Gulch, with highest grades continuous along structures.
Expansion drilling in the northeast Project area remains open in all directions and continues to return grades exceeding the 0.566 g/t Au average grade in the July 2025 Initial Assessment with Cash Flow ("IACF") measured and indicated mine plan. High-grade gold intercepts in RH26C-432 and RH26C-437 are located approximately 365 meters (1,170 feet) and 361 meters (1,185 feet), respectively, north of the current measured and indicated resource boundary ("M&I boundary") and represent meaningful step-outs. The 2025-2026 northeast expansion drill programs covered an area of 580 meters (1,903 feet) north - south and 730 meters (2,395 feet) east - west beyond the current M&I boundary.
The Company has advanced the Richmond Hill PFS sufficiently to identify critical long lead time items. The longest lead time item is an electrical substation, which the Company has successfully obtained a build slot through Black Hills Energy (NYSE: BKH), a South Dakota based company that provides electrical and natural gas power to customers across north central United States. The Company expects to secure further long lead time items ordered in 2027 and 2028 as the Company leverages the over $100 million dollars in treasury to maintain its construction schedule and reduce production startup risks.
Jack Henris, President and COO of Dakota Gold, said, "We are encouraged by the results of the northeast expansion drilling, which continues to identify higher-grade zones that complement the large heap-leachable resource at Richmond Hill outlined in the IACF. With the 2026 Drill Campaign complete, our focus is on integrating these new results into the resource model and advancing comprehensive metallurgical work and trade-off studies in support of our Pre-Feasibility Study. We commend our team and contractors for safely delivering the drill campaign on time and on budget. Supported by our $107 million cash position as of March 31, 2026, we are also pleased to announce we have secured the electrical substation build slot and are advancing engineering, site layout, and operational readiness along the project's critical path. This reflects the depth of our team's experience and reinforces our commitment to advancing Richmond Hill as the next gold mine in the Homestake District."
Figure 1. Plan Map showing location of Dakota Gold Corp. Richmond Hill drill results reported today in Table 1.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8218/303879_2b576e4e040b8bb8_002full.jpg
Figure 2. Plan Map showing northeast location of Dakota Gold Corp. Richmond Hill drill results beyond the current measured and indicated resource boundary.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8218/303879_2b576e4e040b8bb8_003full.jpg
Figure 3. 1,050-East-West field of view section map of Richmond Hill looking East.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8218/303879_2b576e4e040b8bb8_004full.jpg
Table 1. Richmond Hill drill results (Metric / Imperial)1,2,3,4
Hole #From (m)To
(m)Interval
(m)Grade Au (g/t)g x m
AuGrade Ag (g/t)g x m AgFrom
(ft)To
(ft)Interval (ft)Grade Au (oz/ton)RH26C-43274.7101.026.311.3629814.92392245.1331.386.20.331inc.79.182.33.277.1924763.12202259.5270.010.52.251RH26C-43414.119.14.91.1561.59846.462.516.10.034
69.473.23.81.90713.8953227.7240.312.60.056
78.689.010.40.7585.3956258.0292.134.10.022RH26C-435No significant interceptsRH26C-43615.119.03.90.7732.35949.562.212.70.022
119.7127.57.81.351019.33150392.7418.225.50.039RH26C-437144.9182.938.02.891108.18311475.5600.2124.70.084inc.164.5166.01.514.202112.9019539.7544.64.90.414RH26C-44096.3100.94.51.1053.8117316.0330.914.90.032
115.9128.212.31.151415.02185380.1420.640.50.033RH26C-441130.2135.14.90.5134.0220427.1443.316.20.015RH26C-44285.198.113.00.851125.99338279.2321.942.70.025
116.3143.627.20.77216.56179381.6471.089.40.023RH26C-443153.8157.03.21.6453.2410504.6515.210.60.048RH26C-4454.914.910.01.541561.2161416.149.032.90.045RH26C-4468.321.313.00.911253.9970427.270.042.80.026
30.833.93.00.94316.6751101.2111.210.00.027RH26C-4475.825.619.81.032025.4750519.084.065.00.030
50.659.38.71.66149.7084166.0194.428.40.049
68.973.24.34.882128.52122226.0240.014.00.142RH26C-44811.433.321.90.611355.85122637.3109.372.00.018RH26C-44966.776.29.51.461422.97218218.8250.031.20.042RH26C-45138.660.421.81.06235.86128126.5198.071.50.031RH26C-45279.295.516.31.632712.03196259.8313.253.40.048RH26C-45383.789.55.80.51320.43119274.6293.719.10.015The table may contain rounding errors.Abbreviations in the table include ounces per ton ("oz/ton"); grams per tonne ("g/t"); feet ("ft"); meter ("m"); gram meters ("g x m").True thickness unknown.Intervals calculated based on 0.5 g/t Au cut-off and maximum dilution of 3.05 meters.The July 7, 2025 Initial Assessment with Cash Flow has an open pit designed with 12.2m (40 ft) benches. The average grade for the Measured and Indicated mine plan is 0.566 g/t Au (0.017 oz/ton). A gram-meter of 7 and above has been highlighted in Table 1 based on the bench height and average grade. About Dakota Gold Corp.
Dakota Gold is expanding the legacy of the 145-year-old Homestake Gold Mining District by advancing the Richmond Hill Oxide Heap Leach Gold Project to commercial production as soon as 2029, and outlining a Tertiary maiden resource as well as a high-grade underground gold resource at the Maitland Gold Project, both located on private land in South Dakota.
Subscribe to Dakota Gold's e-mail list at www.dakotagoldcorp.com to receive the latest news and other Company updates.
Shareholder and Investor Inquiries
Qualified Person and S-K 1300 Disclosure
William Gehlen, a Certified Professional Geologist (CPG-10626) with the AIPG, American Institute of Professional Geologists, a Senior Fellow with the SEG, and Senior Manager - Geology of Dakota Gold Corp., is the Company's designated qualified person (as defined in Subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K) for this news release and has reviewed and approved its scientific and technical content.
Quality Assurance/Quality Control consists of regular insertion of certified reference materials, duplicate samples, and blanks into the sample stream. Samples are submitted to the ALS Geochemistry sample preparation facility in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Gold and multi-element analyses are performed at the ALS Geochemistry laboratory in Vancouver, British Columbia. ALS Minerals is an ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited lab. Check samples are submitted to Bureau Veritas, Vancouver B.C. as an umpire laboratory. Assay results are reviewed, and discrepancies are investigated prior to incorporation into the Company database.
Forward-Looking Statements
This communication contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. When used in this communication, the words "plan," "target," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "intend," "potential," "will" and "expect" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Any express or implied statements contained in this communication that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: our expectations regarding additional drilling, metallurgy and modeling; our expectations for the improvement and growth of the mineral resources and potential for conversion of mineral resources into reserves; completion of a pre-feasibility study, a feasibility study, and/or permitting; and our overall expectation for the possibility of near-term production at the Richmond Hill project. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and expectations that may not be realized and are inherently subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from these statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others: the execution and timing of our planned exploration activities; our use and evaluation of historic data; our ability to achieve our strategic goals; the state of the economy and financial markets generally and the effect on our industry; and the market for our common stock. The foregoing list is not exhaustive. For additional information regarding factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in our forward-looking statements, we refer you to the risk factors included in Item 1A of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, as updated by annual, quarterly and current reports that we file with the SEC, which are available at www.sec.gov. We caution investors not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this communication. These statements speak only as of the date of this communication, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise these statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. We do not give any assurance that we will achieve our expectations.
All references to "$" in this communication are to U.S. dollars unless otherwise stated.
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/303879
Source: Dakota Gold Corp.
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RAPID CITY, S.D., June 24, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Black Hills Corp. (NYSE: BKH) today announced the release of its 2025 Corporate Sustainability Report, highlighting continued progress toward emissions reduction goals, strategic infrastructure investments and innovative solutions to deliver safe, reliable and cost-effective energy across the communities it serves.
“For more than 140 years, we’ve delivered energy as a trusted partner to our customers and communities,” said Linn Evans, president and CEO of Black Hills Corp. “This year’s report reflects strong, measurable progress and our continued commitment to a balanced, forward-looking sustainability strategy.”
In 2025, the company achieved a 43% reduction in electric utility emissions intensity compared to 2005, driven by the addition of renewable and natural gas resources and the retirement of aging power plants. It also reduced natural gas utility emissions by 25% since 2022, including a 53% reduction from transfer stations, reflecting strong progress toward its net-zero by 2035 goal through expanded leak detection and repair efforts.
Additional highlights include:
Strengthening infrastructure: Completed the 260-mile Ready Wyoming transmission expansion project and invested approximately $900 million in system improvements and maintenanceDriving economic impact: Delivered an estimated $1.65 billion in direct economic impact across the communities servedAdvancing innovation: Continued progress on carbon capture and hydrogen initiatives at the Neil Simpson ComplexEnhancing system resilience: Launched a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) program and expanded advanced weather monitoring capabilitiesEmpowering customers: Energy efficiency programs helped conserve more than 13 million kilowatt-hours of electricity and 295,000 dekatherms of natural gas
Looking ahead
“We’re at an exciting moment in the energy industry,” said Evans. “As demand grows and expectations evolve, we’re focused on making thoughtful investments, advancing practical innovation and continuing to deliver value for our customers and communities.”
Black Hills Corp. remains committed to building a safer, more resilient, reliable and sustainable energy future while staying grounded in its mission of improving life with energy. To learn more about the company’s progress and sustainability commitments, visit blackhillsenergy.com/sustainability to view the full 2025 Corporate Sustainability Report.
About Black Hills Corp.
Black Hills Corp. (NYSE: BKH) is a customer-focused, growth-oriented utility company with a tradition of improving life with energy and a vision to be the energy partner of choice. Based in Rapid City, South Dakota, the company serves 1.37 million natural gas and electric utility customers in eight states: Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming. More information is available at www.blackhillscorp.com.
SummaryBlack Hills Corporation is reaffirmed as a Buy, trading at a 12% discount to a $82 fair value estimate.The merger with NorthWestern Energy is on track for 2026, enhancing BKH’s growth profile and asset footprint.BKH projects robust adjusted EPS growth of 6.3% annually, supported by secular demand drivers and a $4.7B capex plan.Dividend safety is strong, with a 3.9% yield, a 56-year growth streak, and a payout ratio in the mid-60% range.Looking for a portfolio of ideas like this one? Members of The Dividend Kings get exclusive access to our subscriber-only portfolios. Learn More »Sitewide Sale 2026: Get 20% Off AKart Design/iStock via Getty Images
Co-authored by Kody's Dividends
When a slow-and-steady utility transforms itself into a dynamic regional power player, alert income investors should take notice. A major all-stock utility combination recently cleared a hurdle, securing overwhelming approval from shareholders. In the
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Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of BKH either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.
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JPMorgan Chase and Co. increased its holdings in shares of Black Hills Corporation (NYSE: BKH) by 67.7% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 618,131 shares of the utilities provider's stock after acquiring an additional 249,640 shares during the quarter. JPMorgan
RAPID CITY, S.D. and BUTTE, Mont. and SIOUX FALLS, S.D., April 02, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Black Hills Corp. (NYSE: BKH) and NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. d/b/a NorthWestern Energy (Nasdaq: NWE) announced today that shareholders of each company voted to approve the proposed all-stock merger and other related shareholder proposals at their Special Shareholder Meetings held earlier today. The shareholder approvals represent a significant milestone toward the completion of the transaction, which was announced on Aug. 19, 2025. Upon closing of the merger, the two companies will combine to form Bright Horizon Energy Corporation, a premier regional regulated energy company serving customers across eight states.
“Shareholder approval underscores the compelling strategic rationale of this merger,” said Linn Evans, president and CEO of Black Hills Corp. “Together, we will have enhanced scale, financial strength, and growth opportunities to support safe, reliable, and affordable energy service.”
Brian Bird, president and CEO of NorthWestern Energy, added, “We appreciate the overwhelming support of our shareholders. This transaction will bring together two highly complementary utilities and positions the combined company to deliver long‑term value to customers, shareholders, and the communities we serve.”
The merger remains subject to the receipt of required federal (Hart-Scott-Rodino and FERC) and state (Montana, Nebraska, and South Dakota) regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. The companies continue to expect the transaction to close in the second half of 2026.
Additional information regarding the transaction is available in the joint proxy statement/prospectus filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Detailed shareholder voting results will be disclosed in Form 8-K filings with the SEC by each company.
About Black Hills Corp.
Black Hills Corp. (NYSE: BKH) is a customer-focused, growth-oriented utility company with a tradition of improving life with energy and a vision to be the energy partner of choice. Based in Rapid City, South Dakota, the company serves 1.35 million natural gas and electric utility customers in eight states: Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming. More information is available at www.blackhillscorp.com.
About NorthWestern Energy
NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc., doing business as NorthWestern Energy, provides essential energy infrastructure and valuable services that enrich lives and empower communities while serving as long-term partners to our customers and communities. We work to deliver safe, reliable, and innovative energy solutions that create value for customers, communities, employees, and investors. We do this by providing low-cost and reliable service performed by highly adaptable and skilled employees. We provide electricity and / or natural gas to approximately 850,300 customers in Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Yellowstone National Park. Our operations in Montana and Yellowstone National Park are conducted through our subsidiary, NW Corp, and our operations in South Dakota and Nebraska are conducted through our subsidiary, NWE Public Service. We have provided service in South Dakota and Nebraska since 1923 and in Montana since 2002.
Forward Looking Statements
Information in this communication, other than statements of historical facts, may constitute forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the benefits of the proposed transaction between Black Hills and NorthWestern Energy, including future financial and operating results (including the anticipated impact of the transaction on Black Hills’ and NorthWestern Energy’s respective earnings), statements related to the expected timing of the completion of the transaction, the plans, objectives, expectations and intentions of either company or of the combined company following the merger, anticipated future results of either company or of the combined company following the merger, the anticipated benefits and strategic and financial rationale of the merger, including estimated rate bases, investment opportunities, cash flows and capital expenditure rates and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements may be identified by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “targets,” “scheduled,” “plans,” “intends,” “goal,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “believes,” “forecasts,” “outlook,” “estimates,” “potential,” or “continue” or negatives of such terms or other comparable terminology. The forward-looking statements are based on Black Hills and NorthWestern Energy’s current expectations, plans and estimates. Black Hills and NorthWestern Energy believe these assumptions to be reasonable, but there is no assurance that they will prove to be accurate. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Black Hills or NorthWestern Energy to differ materially from any results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, (1) the risk of delays in consummating the potential transaction, including as a result of required regulatory approvals, which may not be obtained on the expected timeline, or at all, (2) the risk of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement, (3) the risk that required regulatory approvals are subject to conditions not anticipated by Black Hills and NorthWestern Energy, (4) the possibility that any of the anticipated benefits and projected synergies of the potential transaction will not be realized or will not be realized within the expected time period, (5) disruption to the parties’ businesses as a result of the announcement and pendency of the transaction, including potential distraction of management from current plans and operations of Black Hills or NorthWestern Energy and the ability of Black Hills or NorthWestern Energy to retain and hire key personnel, (6) reputational risk and the reaction of each company’s customers, suppliers, employees or other business partners to the transaction, (7) the possibility that the transaction may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events, (8) the outcome of any legal or regulatory proceedings that may be instituted against Black Hills or NorthWestern Energy related to the merger agreement or the transaction, (9) the risks associated with third party contracts containing consent and/or other provisions that may be triggered by the proposed transaction, (10) legislative, regulatory, political, market, economic and other conditions, developments and uncertainties affecting Black Hills’ or NorthWestern Energy’s businesses; (11) the evolving legal, regulatory and tax regimes under which Black Hills and NorthWestern Energy operate; (12) restrictions during the pendency of the proposed transaction that may impact Black Hills’ or NorthWestern Energy’s ability to pursue certain business opportunities or strategic transactions; and (13) unpredictability and severity of catastrophic events, including, but not limited to, extreme weather, natural disasters, acts of terrorism or outbreak of war or hostilities, as well as Black Hills’ and NorthWestern Energy’s response to any of the aforementioned factors.
Additional factors which could affect future results of Black Hills and NorthWestern Energy can be found in Black Hills’ Registration Statement on Form S-4 as well as its Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, and NorthWestern Energy’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, in each case filed with the SEC and available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Black Hills and NorthWestern Energy disclaim any obligation and do not intend to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this communication, which speak only as of the date hereof, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by federal securities laws.
No Offer or Solicitation
This document is for informational purposes only and is not intended to and shall not constitute an offer to buy or sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any securities, or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made, except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Black Hills Corp. ContactsNorthWestern Energy Contacts InvestorsInvestorsSal DiazTravis Meyer605-399-5079605-978-2967investorrelations@[email protected] MediaMedia24-Hour Media Relations LineJo Dee Black888-242-3969866-622-8081 [email protected]
RAPID CITY, S.D., April 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Black Hills Corp. (NYSE: BKH) will announce its 2026 first-quarter earnings after the market closes Wednesday, May 6, 2026, and will host a live conference call and webcast at 11 a.m. EDT on Thursday, May 7, 2026, to discuss the company’s financial results.
To participate by phone and ask a question during the live broadcast, participants can access the event directly at Black Hills Corp. Conference Call. Please allow at least five minutes to register. Upon registration, dial-in information will be provided, including a personal identification number.
To access a listen-only webcast and view presentation slides, please register at Black Hills Corp. Webcast. At the conclusion of the call, a replay of the broadcast will be available at this link and at Black Hills’ investor relations website for up to one year.
Black Hills Corporation
Black Hills Corp. (NYSE: BKH) is a customer-focused, growth-oriented utility company with a tradition of improving life with energy and a vision to be the energy partner of choice. Based in Rapid City, South Dakota, the company serves 1.37 million natural gas and electric utility customers in eight states: Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming. More information is available at www.blackhillscorp.com.
Most investors considering artificial intelligence (AI) stocks are looking for growth rather than income. Nevertheless, people looking for a new AI holding are coming across a surprising number of solid dividend payers. Here's a closer look at three of these names that can handle this double duty quite nicely.
Qualcomm Yes, Qualcomm (QCOM +4.28%) is in the artificial intelligence business. While it's not nearly the AI hardware powerhouse that Nvidia or Broadcom are, Qualcomm's newest Snapdragon mobile processors are purpose-built to make smartphones and laptops stand-alone, AI-capable devices. Interest has been tepid. A survey performed by CNET in the middle of last year indicates only 11% of smartphone owners living in the United States are upgrading their devices to gain access to new AI features, down from 2024's figure of 18%.
Give it time, though, just as you should give time to Qualcomm's move into the data center processor space with Snapdragon's power-efficient architecture. It won't easily push its way onto Nvidia's turf, but the industry is always looking for ways to lower its costs.
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And this is no minor initiative. Continued penetration of the nascent mobile AI processor market, along with its move into the AI data center business, puts Qualcomm into an AI processor industry that Precedence Research expects to grow an average of more than 26% per year through 2034.
This tailwind should extend Qualcomm's near streak of 23 consecutive years of dividend growth. (Although it didn't stop paying it then, the company didn't raise its dividend payment in 2019.) Newcomers will be plugging into a trailing dividend yield of 2.9%.
Oracle It's been a miserable past few months for Oracle (ORCL 0.05%) shareholders. The stock's now down more than 50% from its September peak.
Some of that sell-off is the response to the company's plan to spend $50 billion on capital expenditures this year, versus expected revenue of $67 billion. Much of this weakness, however, just reflects the malaise that most artificial intelligence stocks have suffered of late, now that once-euphoric investors are starting to question the actual marketable value of AI solutions.
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There's an ultimate upside to this pullback, though. That is, it's pumped Oracle stock's forward-looking dividend yield up to 1.4%. That's not huge. It's significant by technology stock standards though, and even more significant given that the company's quarterly per-share dividend payment has grown more than 130% over the course of the past 10 years.
Given the company's expectation that its annual top line will grow from $67 billion this fiscal year to $225 billion by fiscal 2030 -- with most of that growth being driven by its AI cloud infrastructure business -- the stock's previous red-hot dividend growth streak should remain similarly hot for the foreseeable future.
Image source: Getty Images.
Yes, Oracle is spending a fortune on infrastructure this year, with no guarantee it will achieve an adequate return on its investment -- particularly if the appeal of AI continues to lose its luster; it's not the panacea it was once believed to be.
Have some faith in the industry's designers and developers, though. Over time, they'll figure out how to best utilize its potential, and get more meaningful performance out of its underlying platforms.
Black Hills Last but not least, add Black Hills (BKH +2.40%) to your list of dividend stocks that have moved into the spotlight specifically because of the advent of artificial intelligence. It's a utility name, like Constellation Energy and Vistra, both of which have taken center stage because they're positioned to meet the rapidly growing electricity demand of AI data centers.
Black Hills is different in one key respect, though. That is, this stock hasn't soared -- at least not yet – in anticipation of uncharacteristically strong growth due to the rapid proliferation of data centers. This ultimately means its yield is still surprisingly high, currently near 4% on a forward-looking basis.
What gives? Much of this lack of investor interest can be chalked up to a sheer lack of awareness. With a market value of only a little over $5 billion, this small-cap name just doesn't get much attention.
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Don't be deterred by its small size, though. This company's got what it needs to be a reliable dividend stock for a somewhat unusual reason: its location. Its strong regional presence in Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, and a handful of surrounding states means it's ideally positioned geographically speaking.
The area has access to plenty of fiber-optic connectivity, energy sources, and relatively cool ambient air that makes the massive amount of heat artificial intelligence data centers produce not quite so much of a problem. That's why so many data center owners and operators are now choosing to establish sites served by Black Hills. This should certainly help the company extend its 56-year streak of uninterrupted annual dividend increases.
Just a heads-up here -- Black Hills and rival utility name NorthWestern Energy are going to be merging soon. This won't change the investment thesis, except perhaps to improve it by creating more scale, which tends to improve fiscal efficiency.
Utility stocks have mostly been viewed as safe, boring, reliable cash generators that offer portfolio protection during times of uncertainty. The trade-off for that reliability has been that, typically having regulated rate structures, utility companies need approval to increase prices, constraining revenue growth.
A shift is underway, however, as a new revenue catalyst is emerging, driven by the increasing energy and resource demands of data centers. That new revenue source for many utility providers could not only unlock stock price appreciation as more investors see sales increasing, but also allow companies to keep their dividend payouts intact and even grow them for years to come.
The companies to consider investing in for this shift include American Electric Power (AEP +0.58%), American Water Works (AWK +1.50%), and Black Hills (BKH +2.40%).
Image source: Getty Images.
American Electric Power American Electric Power does what its name says, generating electricity for over 5 million customers across 11 states. It's that type of reach that helps create consistent cash flow, and the company is spending $72 billion on infrastructure over five years to keep supporting its operations.
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The $72 billion is indeed a significant amount. Still, with Fortune Business Insights forecasting the global data center market will climb from around $300 billion in 2026 to roughly $699 billion by 2034, American Electric is positioning itself now to be a major player for the future. The company is partnering with the U.S. Department of Energy and SB Energy, a SoftBank Group subsidiary, to support a data center in Ohio.
For income generation, American Electric has paid a dividend each year since 1910, and it has offered consistent, consecutive dividend increases. Its payout is respectable, currently yielding around 2.8%.
American Water Works American Water Works was founded in 1886 and provides water and wastewater services across multiple states. That's an essential business in and of itself, but the company also has a new revenue catalyst thanks to data center demand. In addition to being power-hungry, data centers also need cooling and water treatment solutions.
American Water Works can meet that demand with its proposed merger with Essential Utilities. Essential is an investor in a data center facility in Pennsylvania, and it will provide water services to both the power plant and data center involved in the project.
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As a bonus, Essential Utilities also provides natural gas services. Through a subsidiary, Essential will engage in gas consulting and other services to the project mentioned above.
American Waterworks has a dividend payout that is yielding 2.5%, and when it combines with Essential Utilities, the new entity is expected to follow American Water's growth targets for dividend payouts.
Black Hills Black Hills operates natural gas and electricity segments, with over 1.3 million customers across eight states. It tapped into the data center boom early, partnering with Meta Platforms in 2014 to power a data center in Wyoming. On April 14, Microsoft also announced a utility partnership with Black Hills.
It also may soon have even more utility resources, thanks to a planned merger with NorthWestern Energy Group, which provides natural gas and electricity services to over 850,000 customers.
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If the merger is approved, the combined entity will be named Bright Horizon Energy, and it is expected to continue to pay dividends. That payout currently yields 3.7%, the largest yield of the three companies highlighted above.
RAPID CITY, S.D., April 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Black Hills Corp. (NYSE: BKH) today announced that its board of directors declared a quarterly dividend on the common stock at a meeting held April 28, 2026. Common shareholders of record at the close of business on May 15, 2026, will receive $0.703 per share, payable June 1, 2026.
The company also confirms that it will release its 2026 first-quarter earnings after the market closes Wednesday, May 6, 2026, and will host a live conference call and webcast at 11 a.m. EDT on Thursday, May 7, 2026, to discuss the company’s financial results.
To participate by phone and ask a question during the live broadcast, participants can access the event directly at Black Hills Corp. Conference Call. Please allow at least five minutes to register. Upon registration, dial-in information will be provided, including a personal identification number.
To access a listen-only webcast and view presentation slides, please register at Black Hills Corp. Webcast. At the conclusion of the call, a replay of the broadcast will be available at this link and at Black Hills’ investor relations website for up to one year.
Black Hills Corporation
Black Hills Corp. (NYSE: BKH) is a customer-focused, growth-oriented utility company with a tradition of improving life with energy and a vision to be the energy partner of choice. Based in Rapid City, South Dakota, the company serves 1.37 million natural gas and electric utility customers in eight states: Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming. More information is available at www.blackhillscorp.com.
Black Hills remains a "Buy," supported by a 56-year dividend growth streak and a BBB+ credit rating. BKH's merger with NorthWestern Energy is progressing, with closure expected by the end of 2026 and significant EPS growth catalysts from data center demand and rate recovery. Shares are trading at a 6% discount to fair value, with a projected 10% annual total return and a forward dividend yield of 3.7%.
The utility sector is changing. An increase in electricity demand is expected to drive faster growth for a sector traditionally seen as a slow-and-steady tortoise. That said, there are different ways to invest in the sector. Some might like historically growth-oriented companies like NextEra Energy (NEE +1.27%), while others may prefer a less exciting business like Black Hills (BKH +2.40%). Here's a comparison of both to help you decide.
NextEra Energy is two businesses in one NextEra Energy owns one of the largest regulated utilities in the United States. Its Florida Power & Light operation has long benefited from in-migration to the state. Still, it is a slow and steadily growing business. The utility's real growth engine is its unregulated clean energy business. NextEra Energy has built this division into one of the world's largest producers of solar and wind power.
Image source: Getty Images.
That growth engine has supported impressive dividend growth of around 10% a year over the past decade. Management believes that growth rate will slow down over the next few years to settle at roughly 6%, which is still an attractive number. Add in a well above market 2.6% yield, and more conservative dividend growth investors should probably take a deep dive.
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Black Hills is a more boring business If you are a conservative investor, however, the unregulated clean energy side of NextEra Energy might worry you. That's where a utility like Black Hills comes in, since it is just a boring regulated utility. What sets it apart is its status as a Dividend King, one of just six utilities to have achieved it. And it has a relatively attractive 3.7% dividend yield, compared with the average utility's yield of around 2.6%.
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Black Hills does actually come with its own risk, however, given that it is in the middle of a merger with NorthWestern Energy (NWE +2.29%). Shareholders have approved the deal, but it still requires regulatory approval. The merger, however, won't change the basic nature of the business, as both companies are fairly simple regulated utilities. It will just increase the scale and diversification of the combined company. It is still a worthwhile option for conservative investors looking for a high-yield utility stock.
What type of investor are you? NextEra Energy and Black Hills are both well-run companies, but they are appropriate for very different investors. If you are looking for a dividend growth stock, NextEra Energy is likely a better fit. If you are simply looking for a reliable dividend-paying utility, Dividend King Black Hills is probably the one you should consider.
RAPID CITY, S.D., May 06, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Black Hills Corp. (NYSE: BKH) today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026. Net income available for common stock and earnings per share, diluted (EPS) for the three months ended March 31, 2026, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2025, were:
MSA Safety Incorporporated (NYSE:MSA) CFO Acquires $71,093.12 in StockMarketBeat
MSA Safety Incorporporated (NYSE:MSA - Get Free Report) CFO Julie Beck bought 448 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 11th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $158.69 per share, with a total value of $71,093.12. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief financial officer owned 3,825 shares of the company's stock, valued at $606,989.25. This represents a 13.27% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link.
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With stubborn inflation, uncertainty around what will happen next with interest rates, and higher gas prices, some investors aren't buying into the recent stock market rally. That's understandable as no one wants to get caught flatfooted if momentum stalls and portfolios are left without any defensive positions.
To be clear, a defensive position doesn't mean market crash-proof, as all companies feel ripples from downturns in some shape or form. But there are companies that have proven they can bend but not break during severe market pullbacks and crashes.
Companies that fit that criteria are Dividend Kings, meaning they have increased their dividend payouts for 50 or more consecutive years, which is a sign of a strong business. No matter what's been happening in the economy and the broader world, those companies have always managed to keep boosting their dividend payouts.
Three companies that have hit that elite status are PepsiCo (PEP +0.38%), Black Hills (BKH +2.40%), and Colgate-Palmolive (CL +0.07%).
Image source: Getty Images.
1. Drinks and snacks help hike dividend payouts PepsiCo's rival, Coca-Cola, is also a Dividend King, with 63 years of consecutive dividend increases, and it leads Pepsi, which has increased its dividend payouts for 54 years. Coca-Cola is another quality dividend-paying stock, but I've included Pepsi on this list because it has its rival beat in terms of dividend payout, as many people will want to generate more income during a market downturn. Coca-Cola's dividend currently yields 2.6%, while PepsiCo's yields 3.9%.
Unlike Coca-Cola, PepsiCo also has a broader portfolio of products, including drinks and snacks; its snack division could experience meaningful revenue growth in the years ahead. Grand View Research forecasts the global snack market will climb in value from roughly $719 billion in 2024 to over $922 billion by 2030.
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During an economic downturn, people tend to cut back on expenses like vacations and big-ticket purchases, but snacks and drinks remain an affordable luxury. That helps PepsiCo keep its edge. That said, this isn't an investment to own for stock price appreciation, but it will pay you a dividend with a respectable yield, no matter what's happening in the economy.
2. The utility Dividend King This list primarily consists of consumer goods stocks, but I added Black Hills to offer some variety, as utility providers have critical services people will always need.
The company's subsidiary, Black Hills Energy, provides electric utilities and natural gas to over 1 million customers. It also has a utility partnership with Microsoft in Wyoming, and its energy assets and customer base could also soon expand, as it's in a definitive agreement to merge with NorthWestern Energy Group. Together, the combined company would have over 2 million customers across eight states.
To earn the Dividend King title, Black Hills has increased its payout for 56 consecutive years, with that dividend yielding 3.7%. If the NorthWestern merger is approved, the combined company plans to continue paying dividends.
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3. From toothpaste to dog food Rounding out this list is Colgate-Palmolive, which has a huge portfolio of products that people will always buy. It makes Colgate toothpaste, Irish Spring soap, and Palmolive dishwashing liquid, and it owns the pet prescription food company, Hill's Pet Nutrition.
The company recently posted strong 2026 first-quarter results, with $5.3 billion in net sales, marking the fourth consecutive quarter of record net sales for Colgate-Palmolive. However, the company issued some warnings for the rest of the year. It expects packaging and material costs to rise and shared a few scenarios in which it could incur additional costs.
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Still, the company has been around long enough to handle plenty of uncertainty and has still increased its dividend payout for 63 consecutive years. That dividend payout currently yields 2.3%.
On June 09, 2026, Black Hills Corp BKH shares fell 6.1% to a current price of $67.78, marking a decline of 9.0% over the past month and a year-to-date change of -0.5%. The stock has traded within a 52-week range of $55.49 to $78.69.
GF Value™ verdict: Current price is $67.78, compared to GF Value™ of $58.48, indicating the stock is 15.9% overvalued.GF Score™: 75/100, which suggests the stock is above average in quality.Most notable signal: Insider activity shows that insiders sold $0.3M in the last 3 months with no buying reported. Is BKH Overvalued or Undervalued? Black Hills Corp BKH currently trades at $67.78, which is significantly above its GF Value™ of $58.48. This indicates that the stock is 15.9% overvalued, suggesting that there may be limited upside potential at the current price level. The GF Valuation label categorizes the stock as "Modestly Overvalued," which implies a certain level of risk for investors. If the stock price does not adjust downward to align with its intrinsic value, it may face downward pressure in the future.
GF Value™ is GuruFocus' proprietary measure of intrinsic value, calculated from historical trading multiples, past business growth, and future performance estimates. In this context, the current valuation reflects a lack of margin of safety for potential investors, as purchasing shares at this price may not provide a sufficient return on investment.
How Does BKH's Valuation Compare to Its History? Metric Current Historical P/E (TTM) 17.6x 16.2x Forward P/E 15.7x N/A Currently, Black Hills Corp trades at a P/E (TTM) of 17.6x, which is 9% above its 5-year median P/E of 16.2x. The forward P/E ratio is 15.7x, suggesting that expected earnings growth may be built into the current valuation. This P/E analysis aligns with the GF Value™ verdict of overvaluation, indicating that the stock is trading above its historical valuation levels.
What Does BKH's GF Score™ Tell Us? Metric Rating GF Score™ 75 Financial Strength 4/10 Profitability 7/10 Growth 5/10 Valuation 5/10 Momentum 10/10 The GF Score™ of 75/100 indicates that Black Hills Corp is rated above average in terms of quality. The strongest area is its Momentum rank of 10/10, suggesting a strong recent price performance relative to its peers. However, the Financial Strength rank of 4/10 is the weakest aspect, indicating potential concerns about the company's financial stability. Profitability and Growth ranks of 7/10 and 5/10 respectively show a moderate level of operational efficiency and growth potential, which are important for long-term performance.
What Are Insiders Doing with BKH Stock? Recent insider activity for Black Hills Corp has shown that insiders sold $0.3 million worth of shares over the past three months, with no insider purchases reported during this period. This pattern of selling without any buying could suggest a lack of confidence among insiders regarding the stock's current valuation or future performance.
The absence of insider buying might raise concerns for potential investors, as insider confidence can often be an indicator of a company's future prospects. When insiders are selling their shares, it may reflect their belief that the stock is overvalued or that they anticipate challenges ahead.
What This Means for Investors Based on the analysis, Black Hills Corp BKH is currently overvalued according to the GF Value™ of $58.48 compared to its current price of $67.78. This suggests that the stock may not provide adequate returns at this valuation level, especially considering the modestly overvalued status and the recent insider selling.
For the complete analysis, visit the Black Hills Corp BKH stock page. You can also explore the GF Value™ page for detailed valuation methodology, or use the GuruFocus Stock Screener to find similar opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions What is BKH's GF Score™?
BKH has a GF Score™ of 75/100, indicating that it is rated above average in terms of quality based on five key aspects: Financial Strength, Profitability, Growth, Valuation, and Momentum.
Is BKH overvalued or undervalued?
BKH is considered overvalued, as indicated by its current price of $67.78 compared to the GF Value™ of $58.48, suggesting limited upside potential.
What is BKH's P/E ratio?
BKH's P/E (TTM) ratio is 17.6x, which is 9% above its 5-year median P/E of 16.2x, indicating that the stock is trading at a premium compared to its historical valuation.
This stock alert was generated using automated technology and GuruFocus financial data to provide readers with timely and accurate market reporting. This content was reviewed by GuruFocus editorial team prior to publication. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].
Continues to advance the project and is working directly with the hyperscaler customer Continues to advance the project and is working directly with the hyperscaler customer
The centralized electrical grid is struggling to keep pace with the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution.
As hyperscalers race to deploy massive data centers to train the next generation of large language models, they are hitting a physical wall. Artificial intelligence is no longer constrained by the supply of advanced semiconductors, but it is fundamentally bottlenecked by the availability of raw electricity.
In May 2026, William Blair downgraded its broader data center and power index score from 78 to 75, directly citing severe power supply constraints, local grid connection limits, and mounting municipal opposition to new data center construction.
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The numbers reveal a structural crisis. The planned artificial intelligence data center capacity is expanding to 109 gigawatts, pushing the projected U.S. data center power deficit to 28 gigawatts by 2030. When zooming out to the broader macroeconomic picture, the total national power supply and demand deficit currently stands at a staggering 127 gigawatts.
Bypassing Bottlenecks With Behind-the-Meter PowerFor the tech conglomerates building these facilities, waiting years in a municipal interconnection queue is a non-starter. The time-to-market for new artificial intelligence models is measured in billions of dollars.
Because legacy grids cannot support this rapid expansion, capital is aggressively rotating out of semiconductor sector pure-plays and into independent power infrastructure. Hyperscalers are increasingly exploring on-site power generation, effectively building dedicated power plants to bypass transmission bottlenecks when traditional grid access is too slow or unreliable.
Black Hills' $200M Power Play: Hyperscalers Pay to Plug InTo understand the sheer desperation for energy capacity, investors need to look no further than the regulated utility sector.
Black Hills Today
$73.36 +1.58 (+2.19%)
As of 03:59 PM Eastern
This is a fair market value price provided by Massive. Learn more.
52-Week Range$55.49▼
$78.69Dividend Yield3.83%
P/E Ratio19.10
Price Target$81.17
Black Hills Corp. NYSE: BKH recently validated the extreme premium placed on tangible power generation by advancing a massive 1.8-gigawatt data center load in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Initially, Black Hills Corp. worked with development partner Crusoe Energy. At an undisclosed hyperscale customer's request, Crusoe Energy paused its operations on the project, allowing Black Hills Corp. to cut out the middleman and deal directly with the end user.
To secure the long lead-time generation equipment required for the planned 2028 service date, the hyperscaler provided over $200 million in refundable upfront contributions directly to the utility.
This transaction illustrates grid exhaustion and how constrained power access has become for large data center projects. Tech sector giants are effectively acting as banks for utility monopolies, fronting hundreds of millions in CapEx just to secure a place in line for dedicated generation equipment.
Black Hills Corp., currently trading just over $70 with a reliable 3.91% dividend yield and a forward P/E multiple of about 16.5, demonstrates how localized utility monopolies with confirmed load agreements reap massive benefits from this infrastructure supercycle.
Black Hills Corporation (BKH) Price Chart for Friday, June, 12, 2026
Pocket Nukes for Big Data: Oklo's Colocation CatalystWhile regional utilities solve part of the equation, the ultimate solution for gigawatt-scale data centers is true decentralization. This is triggering a massive reappraisal of next-generation nuclear technology, specifically companies capable of providing carbon-free baseload generation directly at the server farm.
Oklo Today
$57.40 -0.47 (-0.80%)
As of 03:59 PM Eastern
This is a fair market value price provided by Massive. Learn more.
52-Week Range$44.88▼
$193.84Price Target$82.78
Oklo Inc. NYSE: OKLO recently secured a major federal victory that could de-risk the commercial deployment of off-grid nuclear power.
On June 11, 2026, the U.S. Department of Energy approved the Preliminary Documented Safety Analysis for Oklo's Aurora powerhouse microreactor at the Idaho National Laboratory. The milestone is not just a localized win; it helps establish a federally validated regulatory blueprint for deploying liquid-metal cooled fast reactors. This approval signals the federal government's willingness to advance first-of-a-kind fast-fission reactor projects through a structured safety review process, which could support future customer confidence if Oklo continues to hit deployment milestones.
However, navigating early-stage infrastructure requires acknowledging the technical friction.
Oklo operates pre-revenue, reporting a Q1 2026 net loss of 19 cents per share. It also carries a heavy short interest of 19.4% of the float, creating the potential for rapid short squeezes as fundamental catalysts materialize. Heavy insider distribution remains an overhead supply risk, with insiders liquidating over $55.6 million in shares over the past three months.
Volatility will remain elevated, but the regulatory momentum confirms that the market is willing to bid up microreactor technologies that offer immediate, tangible bypasses to grid constraints.
Oklo Inc. (OKLO) Price Chart for Friday, June, 12, 2026
NuScale's Power Failure: When a Hot Thesis Goes ColdA rising tide does not lift all boats in the energy transition. The market can still penalize companies that that struggle to convert nuclear demand into firm commercial revenue.
NuScale Power Today
SMR
NuScale Power
$9.88 +0.32 (+3.29%)
As of 03:59 PM Eastern
This is a fair market value price provided by Massive. Learn more.
52-Week Range$8.85▼
$57.42Price Target$15.92
NuScale Power NYSE: SMR is a stark reminder that legacy design approvals cannot mask poor balance sheet management.
Despite holding a first-mover advantage with early design approvals from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, NuScale Power has yet to demonstrate a steady commercial revenue base from firm deployment contracts.
The fundamentals reflect severe margin compression and equity devaluation. Shares were recently trading below $10 after a sharp 25% pullback over a single week, underscoring how quickly speculative nuclear enthusiasm can reverse.
NuScale Power posted Q1 2026 revenues of just $565,000 against a net loss of $46.7 million, causing institutional patience to wear thin. Fluor Corporation is systematically unloading its remaining 40 million NuScale Power shares, and Citi recently downgraded its price target to $7 and maintained its Sell rating, citing diminished upside and heightened volatility.
With a recently filed Form S-1 indicating a possible secondary share offering, immediate dilution risks loom over current shareholders. First-mover advantage holds zero premium if a company cannot execute commercial deployment.
NuScale Power Corporation (SMR) Price Chart for Friday, June, 12, 2026
Plugging Into Profits: Playing the Great Grid ShortageThe infrastructure supercycle is actively reshaping capital allocation. Investors need to recognize that the expansion of artificial intelligence relies entirely on the physical electrical grid, and the grid is currently failing to meet demand.
Investors with a higher risk tolerance might add Oklo to their watchlist to capitalize on localized microreactor momentum and regulatory breakouts, keeping the heavy short interest in mind. Cautious investors seeking stability may prefer to analyze regulated utilities like Black Hills Corp., which offer steady dividend yields and direct, heavily funded partnerships with hyperscalers.
For the broader sector, selectivity matters: companies with funded customers, visible deployment timelines, and real power assets may deserve more attention than nuclear or energy-transition stories trading solely on future promises.
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RAPID CITY, S.D., June 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Black Hills Corp. (NYSE: BKH) today announced that its Colorado electric utility has filed a rate review application with the Colorado Public Utilities Commission requesting recovery of the necessary capital infrastructure and operational costs required to deliver safe, reliable electric service to over 102,000 customers in Southern Colorado.
The company is seeking $26.7 million in new annual revenue for recovery of approximately $184 million of critical investments since its last rate review and including additions in 2024 to improve reliability, strengthen the electric grid, and extend the life of key generation infrastructure.
“As we deliver on our responsibility to provide safe and reliable energy to improve the lives and livelihoods of our customers and communities, this request supports our ability to make the required investments to maintain our electric system,” said Linn Evans, president and CEO of Black Hills Corp. “As a result of investments to replace aging infrastructure and enhance our system, our customers in Colorado are experiencing fewer interruptions and less disruption to homes and businesses.”
The request is based on a capital structure of 51.02% equity and 48.98% debt and a return on equity of 10.5%. The company is seeking to implement new rates in the first quarter of 2027.
About Black Hills Corp.
Black Hills Corp. (NYSE: BKH) is a customer-focused, growth-oriented utility company with a tradition of improving life with energy and a vision to be the energy partner of choice. Based in Rapid City, South Dakota, the company serves 1.37 million natural gas and electric utility customers in eight states: Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming. More information is available at www.blackhillscorp.com.
