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CPK vs NJR
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (CPK) vs. New Jersey Resources Corporation (NJR) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- CPK and NJR are both well-established regulated energy utilities, but they differ significantly in scale, diversification, and growth strategy.
- CPK posted adjusted EPS (earnings per share) of $6.01 in fiscal 2025, reflecting 11.5% annual growth, and has reaffirmed a 2028 EPS target of $7.75–$8.00, signaling confidence in its multiyear infrastructure investment plan.
- NJR delivered NFEPS (net financial earnings per share) of $3.29 in fiscal 2025, also representing 11.5% year-over-year growth, and has guided for 7–9% long-term annual NFEPS growth with a diversified business model spanning natural gas, clean energy, and energy services.
- Year-to-date, NJR has significantly outperformed CPK in terms of share price appreciation, rising over 30% compared to CPK's roughly 10% gain, though CPK trades at a higher valuation multiple.
- NJR offers a higher dividend yield (approximately 3.16% vs. 2.17%) and carries a lower beta, which may appeal to income-oriented and risk-conscious investors.
- Both companies are executing sizable capital expenditure programs, but CPK is more concentrated in regulated natural gas distribution and transmission, while NJR benefits from a more diversified portfolio including solar, storage, and wholesale energy services.
Introduction
Investors evaluating utility stocks often face a choice between pure-play regulated operators and more diversified energy holding companies. This comparison between Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (CPK) and New Jersey Resources Corporation (NJR) highlights that exact trade-off. Both companies operate in the natural gas distribution space and have delivered double-digit earnings growth in their most recent fiscal years, yet their business models, market positioning, and recent stock performance diverge in meaningful ways. This analysis is designed for traders and long-term investors who want to understand how these two mid-cap energy utilities stack up in the current market environment, based on observable fundamentals and recent market activity.
CPK Overview and Recent Performance
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (CPK) is a diversified energy delivery company headquartered in Dover, Delaware, with operations spanning regulated natural gas distribution and transmission, electric distribution, propane delivery, and unregulated energy services including compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), and renewable natural gas (RNG). The company serves customers across Delaware, Maryland, Florida, and Ohio. In recent months, CPK's stock has traded in a range between approximately $119 and $137, with a 52-week high near $141 reached in late 2025. The company reported full-year fiscal 2025 adjusted EPS of $6.01, an 11.5% increase over the prior year, driven by regulatory rate case outcomes, customer growth of 4.1% in its Delmarva region and 2.8% in Florida, and 10 transmission capital projects brought online. Record capital spending of $470 million in 2025, including more than $100 million directed toward earnings-generating assets beginning in 2026, underscores management's commitment to the company's three growth pillars: organic expansion, regulatory initiatives, and business transformation. CPK has also reaffirmed its ambitious 2028 EPS guidance of $7.75–$8.00, implying a compound annual growth trajectory that has attracted attention from growth-oriented utility investors.
NJR Overview and Recent Performance
New Jersey Resources Corporation (NJR) is a diversified energy services holding company based in Wall, New Jersey. Its primary subsidiary, New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG), is a regulated utility that accounts for approximately 65% of total earnings. Beyond its core utility operations, NJR maintains a clean energy ventures segment (CEV) that invests in and operates commercial solar projects, a storage and transportation segment (S&T) with natural gas storage assets including Leaf River Energy Center, an energy services segment (ES) that manages wholesale natural gas transportation and storage, and a home services business. In recent months, NJR's stock has surged, reaching new 52-week highs above $60 and delivering a year-to-date return exceeding 30%—a standout performance in the utility sector. The company reported fiscal 2025 NFEPS of $3.29, hitting the high end of its guidance range and marking the fifth consecutive year it has outperformed initial annual guidance. Key operating milestones included a record 93 megawatts of solar capacity placed in service, record investment of $98 million in NJNG's energy efficiency program, a settlement with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for the Adelphia Gateway pipeline, and total capital expenditures of $850 million. NJR initiated fiscal 2026 NFEPS guidance of $3.03–$3.18, reflecting its long-term growth target of 7–9% annually.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
When comparing CPK and NJR, several structural differences emerge. CPK is a smaller company, with a market capitalization of approximately $3.3 billion, compared to NJR's roughly $6.1 billion. CPK operates with a heavier emphasis on regulated natural gas distribution and transmission, deriving the majority of its earnings from rate-regulated assets across the Mid-Atlantic and Florida. NJR, by contrast, maintains a more balanced portfolio that includes a substantial regulated utility alongside meaningful unregulated businesses in solar energy, wholesale energy services, and natural gas storage—segments that can introduce more earnings variability but also provide diversification benefits.
On valuation, CPK trades at a trailing P/E (price-to-earnings) ratio of approximately 21.8, while NJR trades at a lower multiple of roughly 17.8, reflecting the market's differing growth expectations and risk assessments. CPK's higher multiple may be justified by its aggressive 2028 EPS target, which implies faster forward earnings growth than NJR's 7–9% long-term trajectory. However, NJR's year-to-date price momentum has been decisively stronger, with the stock up more than 30% versus CPK's approximately 10% gain.
From an income perspective, NJR offers a dividend yield of approximately 3.16%, notably higher than CPK's roughly 2.17%. NJR also has a lower beta of approximately 0.51 compared to CPK's 0.70, suggesting it has been less volatile relative to the broader market. Risk factors for CPK include execution risk around its ambitious capital program and geographic concentration in the Delmarva and Florida regions. For NJR, key risks include exposure to commodity price sensitivity through its energy services segment, regulatory risk in New Jersey, and the inherent intermittency and policy-dependence of its solar investments.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable market data and trend characteristics, Tickeron's AI analytical framework would likely find compelling arguments for both stocks but might tilt its preference toward NJR in the current environment. The factors supporting this probabilistic assessment include NJR's stronger year-to-date price momentum and a multi-month uptrend that has carried the stock to fresh 52-week highs, its more attractive dividend yield, a lower valuation multiple that suggests potential room for continued appreciation, and a diversified business model that provides multiple avenues for earnings growth. CPK, with its higher growth ambitions, leaner valuation on a forward basis, and concentrated regulated utility profile, remains a strong candidate—particularly for investors who prioritize long-term earnings visibility through rate-regulated infrastructure investment. Ultimately, the AI-driven assessment reflects the current trend consistency and relative positioning of both stocks, with NJR showing marginally stronger near-term momentum characteristics while CPK presents a compelling longer-duration growth narrative. Neither assessment should be treated as a definitive forecast of future performance.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is CPK is a Hold and NJR is a StrongBuy.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
CPK’s FA Score shows that 0 FA rating(s) are green whileNJR’s FA Score has 3 green FA rating(s).
- CPK’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 red.
- NJR’s FA Score: 3 green, 2 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
CPK’s TA Score shows that 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while NJR’s TA Score has 5 bullish TA indicator(s).
- CPK’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 5 bearish.
- NJR’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 5 bearish.
Price Growth
CPK (@Gas Distributors) experienced а +0.93% price change this week, while NJR (@Gas Distributors) price change was +1.05% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Gas Distributors industry was +0.06%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -2.37%, and the average quarterly price growth was -4.23%.
Reported Earning Dates
CPK is expected to report earnings on Nov 04, 2026.
NJR is expected to report earnings on Nov 12, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Gas Distributors (+0.06% weekly)Gas distributors are involved in moving and selling gas – from wellheads or over-distribution systems operated by other firms – to residential and non-residential customers. These companies perform tasks such as the gathering and processing of gas, intrastate and interstate transport, and delivery to the customer. Some of the biggest gas distributing companies in the U.S. include Sempra Energy, Avangrid Inc and Atmos Energy Corporation.
| CPK | NJR | CPK / NJR | |
| Capitalization | 3.26B | 5.64B | 58% |
| EBITDA | 384M | 760M | 51% |
| Gain YTD | 9.510 | 22.679 | 42% |
| P/E Ratio | 21.58 | 15.40 | 140% |
| Revenue | 984M | 2.18B | 45% |
| Total Cash | N/A | N/A | - |
| Total Debt | 1.67B | 3.77B | 44% |
CPK | NJR | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 69 | 63 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 75 Overvalued | 21 Undervalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 70 | 29 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 73 | 62 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 50 | 56 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 53 | 24 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
NJR's Valuation (21) in the Gas Distributors industry is somewhat better than the same rating for CPK (75). This means that NJR’s stock grew somewhat faster than CPK’s over the last 12 months.
NJR's Profit vs Risk Rating (29) in the Gas Distributors industry is somewhat better than the same rating for CPK (70). This means that NJR’s stock grew somewhat faster than CPK’s over the last 12 months.
NJR's SMR Rating (62) in the Gas Distributors industry is in the same range as CPK (73). This means that NJR’s stock grew similarly to CPK’s over the last 12 months.
CPK's Price Growth Rating (50) in the Gas Distributors industry is in the same range as NJR (56). This means that CPK’s stock grew similarly to NJR’s over the last 12 months.
NJR's P/E Growth Rating (24) in the Gas Distributors industry is in the same range as CPK (53). This means that NJR’s stock grew similarly to CPK’s over the last 12 months.
| CPK | NJR | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 70% | 1 day ago 48% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 60% | 1 day ago 63% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 61% | 1 day ago 53% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 46% | 1 day ago 52% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 53% | 1 day ago 53% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 47% | 1 day ago 40% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 49% | 1 day ago 49% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 15 days ago 52% | 10 days ago 42% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 67% | 1 day ago 63% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 45% | 1 day ago 58% |
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CPK and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, CPK has been closely correlated with OGS. These tickers have moved in lockstep 77% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if CPK jumps, then OGS could also see price increases.
NJR and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, NJR has been closely correlated with OGS. These tickers have moved in lockstep 70% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if NJR jumps, then OGS could also see price increases.