FirstEnergy Raises Quarterly Dividend 5.6% to $0.465, Plans $1.86 Annual Payout
FirstEnergy Corp declared a quarterly dividend increase to $0.465 per share for 2026, up from $0.4425 in the prior period. The utility plans to declare four quarterly dividends totaling $1.86 per share this year.
FirstEnergy Corp (NYSE: FE) announced its board approved a quarterly dividend increase to $0.465 per share, marking a 5.6% rise from the previous quarterly rate of $0.4425. The Akron, Ohio-based electric utility plans to declare four quarterly dividends of $0.465 per share during 2026, bringing the total annual payout to $1.86 per share. Read more dividend announcements.
The increased dividend represents 4.5% growth compared to 2025's declared dividends of $1.78 per share. The company's dividend payout ratio is expected to reach approximately 68% of core earnings in 2026, down from 70% in 2025.
FirstEnergy's dividend yield stood at approximately 4% as of December 31, 2025. The company has established a targeted dividend payout ratio of 60-70% of core earnings going forward.
| Dividend Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Amount | $0.465 per share |
| Previous Amount | $0.4425 per share |
| Increase | 5.6% |
| Frequency | Quarterly |
| Annual Total (2026) | $1.86 per share |
| Record Date | To be announced |
| Ex-Dividend Date | To be announced |
| Payment Date | To be announced |
The dividend increase accompanies FirstEnergy's announcement of a $36 billion capital investment program through 2030, a nearly 30% increase from its previous five-year plan. The company reported 2025 core earnings of $2.55 per share, representing 7.6% growth over 2024's core earnings of $2.37 per share.
Chairman, President and CEO Brian X. Tierney stated the increased dividend reflects momentum and confidence in the company's transformation. FirstEnergy reaffirmed its 2026 core earnings guidance range of $2.62 to $2.82 per share.
Financial Performance
FirstEnergy reported 2025 GAAP earnings of $1.02 billion, or $1.77 per diluted share, on revenue of $15.1 billion. The results included the impact of Ohio regulatory orders in the fourth quarter. Core earnings reached $2.55 per share, landing at the top end of the company's revised guidance range of $2.50 to $2.56 per share.
The company deployed $5.6 billion in system investments during 2025, nearly 25% higher than 2024 and approximately 12% above the original 2025 plan of $5.0 billion. FirstEnergy's rate base is expected to grow by approximately 7% in 2026 to $29.4 billion.
For the five-year period from 2026 to 2030, FirstEnergy projects 10% compounded annual rate base growth and core earnings per share growth near the top end of its 6-8% target range. The company plans to invest $6 billion in 2026, with more than $19 billion in total transmission investments planned through 2030.
The financing plan includes a strategic mix of cash from operations, debt and up to $2 billion in equity and equity-like content to fund the growth program. FirstEnergy is targeting consolidated returns on equity of 9.5% to 10% and expects operating and maintenance expense growth of 1% to 1.5% annually through cost discipline and continuous improvement initiatives.