Analyzing Essential Utilities (NYSE:WTRG) and Two Rivers Water & Farming (OTCMKTS:TURV)

Essential Utilities (NYSE:WTRG) and Two Rivers Water & Farming (OTCMKTS:TURV) are both utilities companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, risk, analyst recommendations, dividends, valuation, profitability and institutional ownership.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

74.8% of Essential Utilities shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.2% of Essential Utilities shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 19.6% of Two Rivers Water & Farming shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Profitability

This table compares Essential Utilities and Two Rivers Water & Farming’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Essential Utilities	27.62%	10.10%	3.56%
Two Rivers Water & Farming	N/A	N/A	N/A

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent ratings and target prices for Essential Utilities and Two Rivers Water & Farming, as reported by MarketBeat.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Essential Utilities	0	2	5	0	2.71
Two Rivers Water & Farming	0	0	0	0	0.00

Essential Utilities currently has a consensus target price of $44.50, indicating a potential upside of 12.53%. Given Essential Utilities’ stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, research analysts plainly believe Essential Utilities is more favorable than Two Rivers Water & Farming.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Essential Utilities and Two Rivers Water & Farming”s gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Essential Utilities	$2.09 billion	5.32	$595.31 million	$2.33	16.97
Two Rivers Water & Farming	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Essential Utilities has higher revenue and earnings than Two Rivers Water & Farming.

Summary

Essential Utilities beats Two Rivers Water & Farming on 8 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Essential Utilities

Essential Utilities, Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates regulated utilities that provide water, wastewater, or natural gas services in the United States. The company operates through Regulated Water and Regulated Natural Gas segments. It offers water services through operating and maintenance contract with municipal authorities and other parties. In addition, the company provides utility service line protection solutions and repair services to households. It serves approximately 5.5 million residential water, commercial water, fire protection, industrial water, wastewater, and other water and utility customers in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas, Illinois, North Carolina, New Jersey, Indiana, Virginia, and Kentucky under the Aqua and Peoples brands. The company was formerly known as Aqua America, Inc. and changed its name to Essential Utilities, Inc. in February 2020. Essential Utilities, Inc. was founded in 1886 and is headquartered in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.

About Two Rivers Water & Farming

Two Rivers Water & Farming Company owns a portfolio of water rights in the Arkansas River Basin in southeastern Colorado. It operates through Greenhouse and Water segments. As of December 31, 2018, the company managed a total of 6,265 acres of land. It also develops and leases greenhouses and warehouses. The company was formerly known as Two Rivers Water Company and changed its name to Two Rivers Water & Farming Company in December 2012. Two Rivers Water & Farming Company was founded in 2002 and is headquartered in Aurora, Colorado.