Essential Utilities Inc. (NYSE:WTRG – Free Report) – Research analysts at Zacks Research increased their Q2 2026 earnings per share estimates for shares of Essential Utilities in a report issued on Thursday, April 16th. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the company will earn $0.34 per share for the quarter, up from their prior forecast of $0.33. The consensus estimate for Essential Utilities’ current full-year earnings is $1.99 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Essential Utilities’ FY2026 earnings at $2.24 EPS.
A number of other brokerages have also recently commented on WTRG. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of Essential Utilities in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Argus raised Essential Utilities to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Monday, March 23rd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has issued a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Essential Utilities has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $43.20.
Essential Utilities Stock Performance
Shares of WTRG stock opened at $38.98 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.18, a current ratio of 0.80 and a quick ratio of 0.65. The stock has a market cap of $11.04 billion, a PE ratio of 17.64 and a beta of 0.78. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $39.90 and a 200-day moving average of $39.42. Essential Utilities has a one year low of $36.32 and a one year high of $42.37.
Essential Utilities (NYSE:WTRG – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 26th. The company reported $0.47 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.36 by $0.11. The company had revenue of $699.11 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $611.60 million. Essential Utilities had a return on equity of 9.18% and a net margin of 24.91%.Essential Utilities’s revenue was up 15.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.67 EPS.
Essential Utilities Announces Dividend
The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 1st. Investors of record on Tuesday, May 12th will be paid a dividend of $0.3426 per share. This represents a $1.37 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, May 12th. Essential Utilities’s dividend payout ratio is presently 61.99%.
Institutional Trading of Essential Utilities
Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. GoalVest Advisory LLC bought a new stake in Essential Utilities during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. American National Bank & Trust acquired a new position in Essential Utilities during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Fideuram Asset Management Ireland dac acquired a new position in Essential Utilities during the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp boosted its position in Essential Utilities by 1,163.8% during the 3rd quarter. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp now owns 733 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 675 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd acquired a new position in Essential Utilities during the 4th quarter worth approximately $32,000. 74.78% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.
Essential Utilities Company Profile
Essential Utilities, Inc, formerly known as Aqua America, is a publicly traded water and natural gas utility holding company. Through its regulated water and wastewater subsidiaries, the company provides essential water services to residential, commercial and industrial customers. In addition, Essential Utilities delivers natural gas distribution services in Pennsylvania through its Peoples Gas subsidiary, offering integrated utility solutions under a unified corporate framework.
The company traces its roots to the Philadelphia Suburban Water Company, founded in 1886 to serve growing communities outside Philadelphia.
Further Reading
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