Costamare Declares Dividend, Signaling Confidence in Shipping Market

MONACO – January 02, 2026 – Costamare Inc., a global leader in containership chartering, today declared its regular quarterly cash dividends for both its common and preferred stock, signaling sustained confidence in its financial health and the robustness of the international shipping market. The move reinforces the company's long-standing policy of delivering consistent returns to its investors.

The board of directors announced a quarterly dividend of $0.115 per share on its common stock for the quarter ended December 31, 2025. Concurrently, it declared dividends for its three series of Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock: $0.476563 per share for Series B, $0.531250 for Series C, and $0.546875 for Series D. The common stock dividend is payable on February 5, 2026, while the preferred stock dividends will be paid on January 15, 2026.

This routine declaration is more than just a procedural announcement; it serves as a barometer of the company's stability and optimistic outlook. It comes at a time when the global shipping industry continues to navigate economic uncertainties and geopolitical shifts, making Costamare's steady performance a notable indicator of its strategic positioning and operational excellence.

A Foundation of Financial Strength

The dividend announcement is underpinned by a year of impressive financial results in 2025. Throughout the year, Costamare consistently reported strong earnings and robust cash flow from its continuing operations, which now focus exclusively on its core containership and maritime leasing businesses. This strategic clarity follows the successful spin-off of its dry bulk division in May 2025, a move that has allowed the company to concentrate on its most profitable sectors.

In the third quarter of 2025, ending September 30, the company posted an adjusted net income of $98.0 million, or $0.81 per share, handily beating analyst consensus estimates. Revenue for the same period reached $225.17 million, also surpassing market expectations. This performance was not an isolated event; it followed strong first and second quarters, building a solid financial foundation for the year. By the end of Q3, the company's liquidity stood at a healthy $569.6 million.

A key driver of this financial success has been the company's highly effective fleet management. Its containership fleet achieved 100% employment throughout 2025, a significant accomplishment in a dynamic market. This high utilization rate ensures a steady and predictable stream of revenue, which is crucial for maintaining shareholder payouts.

Charting a Course of Consistent Returns

For investors, the latest dividend declaration is a continuation of a well-established pattern. Costamare has an unbroken record of paying dividends for 15 consecutive years, a testament to its disciplined financial management and resilience through various market cycles. This consistency makes it an attractive stock for income-focused investors.

The company's capital structure is designed to appeal to a diverse investor base. The dividends on its Series B, C, and D preferred stocks provide a fixed, reliable income stream, making them a popular choice for those seeking stability. The yields on these preferred issues are set at 7.625%, 8.50%, and 8.75%, respectively, offering competitive returns.

Meanwhile, the dividend on the common stock, while subject to more variability based on company performance, represents a direct share in the firm's profitability. The consistent payment of $0.115 per share each quarter throughout 2025 signals the board's confidence that current earnings and cash flow can comfortably support these returns without compromising the company's long-term growth initiatives.

Riding the Tides of a Robust Market

Costamare's strong performance is not happening in a vacuum. It is buoyed by favorable conditions across the containership charter market. Despite broader economic headwinds, the demand for containerships has remained firm. The commercially idle fleet has hovered below 1%, indicating that virtually every available vessel is actively employed.

This tight supply-and-demand balance has kept charter rates stable and at profitable levels. Industry analysts point to sustained demand from e-commerce and the build-out of data centers as contributing factors. Furthermore, recent positive developments in US-China trade discussions and the delay of certain port fees are expected to support global trade flows, further bolstering the sector.

Costamare's strategic focus on securing long-term charters has insulated it from short-term market volatility. As of its latest report, the company had secured approximately $2.6 billion in contracted revenues with a remaining average charter duration of 3.2 years. This high degree of revenue visibility provides a solid footing for financial planning and shareholder distributions.

Building for the Future: Fleet Expansion and Leasing

While capitalizing on current market strength, Costamare is also actively investing in its future. The company is in the process of a strategic fleet expansion, with six newbuild 3,100 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) containerships under construction. These modern, efficient vessels are already secured with 8-year charters to a leading liner company, which will commence upon their delivery between 2027 and early 2028. These contracts alone are expected to add over $310 million to the company's backlog of contracted revenue.

In addition to its core chartering business, Costamare is expanding its footprint in the maritime leasing space through its 91.1% controlling interest in Neptune Maritime Leasing. This platform has grown significantly, with over $650 million invested or committed across 50 shipping assets. The leasing business is already contributing positively to the bottom line, with income from leaseback vessels growing to $9.3 million in Q3 2025, a substantial increase from the previous year.

This dual strategy of modernizing its charter fleet and growing its leasing platform demonstrates a forward-looking approach aimed at creating diverse and resilient revenue streams. These investments are crucial for ensuring that Costamare can continue to generate strong earnings and support its dividend policy long into the future. This strategic foresight, combined with a robust balance sheet, positions Costamare to continue navigating the complex currents of global trade with a steady hand.