Zacks Investment Research·Sep 3, 2026
Essential Utilities (WTRG) Up 5% Since Last Earnings Report: Can It Continue?Essential Utilities (WTRG) reported earnings 30 days ago. What's next for the stock?
Essential Utilities is executing a robust capital investment program, with net PPE expanding 12.1% from $13.2B in 2024Q4 to $14.8B in 2026Q2, driving rate base growth that should support future revenue and EPS. However, the company faces rising leverage (D/E u...
Price trend, volume and key moving averages
Start with the evidence for owning the stock and the risks that can break the thesis.
Revenue grew 3.1% in 2026Q2 with operating margin stable at 36.4%, but net margin compressed to 19.9% and EPS declined 2.6%, reflecting regulatory lag and rising costs.
Essential Utilities operates in the regulated water and natural gas sector, providing a predictable revenue stream and stable growth. Analysts expect the company to continue generating 5% to 7% annual adjusted EPS growth.
The company has a long history of dividend payments, consistently raising its dividend for 34 years. It offers a dividend yield of approximately 3.46%, with an annual dividend of $1.37 per share.
The pending merger with American Water Works Company, Inc. (AWK) is a significant catalyst that could accelerate EPS and dividend growth. The merger is expected to close by the end of the first quarter of 2027, creating a larger entity with increased scale and operating leverage.
Trailing total returns as of 9/24/2026, which may include dividends or other distributions. Benchmark is S&P 500 (^GSPC).
Check whether operating performance supports the current valuation.
Recent results and news deserve attention only when they alter the forward view.
| Quarter | EPS (Act vs Est) | Revenue (Act vs Est) |
|---|---|---|
Q3 2026Latest Aug 4, 2026 | $0.38+2.3% vs $0.37 | $531M-1.5% vs $539M |
Q2 2026 May 7, 2026 | $0.83-8.3% vs $0.91 | $862M+10.1% vs $783M |
Q2 2026 May 6, 2026 | $0.83-8.3% vs $0.91 | $862M+10.1% vs $783M |
Q1 2026 Feb 25, 2026 | $0.47+30.6% vs $0.36 | $699M+14.3% vs $612M |
Essential Utilities (WTRG) reported earnings 30 days ago. What's next for the stock?
WTRG's expanding customer base, acquisitions and infrastructure spending support its long-term earnings growth potential.
Bank of New York Mellon Corp purchased a new stake in shares of Essential Utilities Inc. (NYSE: WTRG) in the undefined quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 2,413,662 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $92,467,000. Bank of New
Deutsche Bank AG bought a new stake in shares of Essential Utilities Inc. (NYSE: WTRG) in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund bought 170,133 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $6,518,000. Deutsche Bank AG owned approximately 0.06% of Essential Utilities
Benchmark WTRG against direct peers instead of judging its metrics in isolation.
Key metrics vs top competitors for Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG)
| Company | Price | Market Cap | P/E Ratio | Rev Growth (1Y) | Net Margin | ROE | Div Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40.18 | $11.4B | 18.26 | 18.62% | 24.91% | 9.44% | 3.32% | |
| $83.24 | $3.26B | 24.70 | 10.52% | 20.52% | 13.5% | — | |
| $53.65 | $999.19M | 22.73 | 1.47% | 23.26% | 9.57% | — | |
| $30.93 | $501.35M | 22.25 | 3.37% | 401.03% | 9.38% | — | |
| $33.75 | $348.45M | 15.27 | 4.62% | 20.18% | 9.37% | — | |
| $28.09 | $449.45M | 24.64 | -1.41% | 12.88% | 7.2% | — |
Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG) vs competitors — business, growth, and fundamentals comparison against the closest industry rivals.
Verify the primary filings, follow material updates, and answer the remaining questions.
Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG) SEC filings — annual & quarterly reports (10-K, 10-Q)
Aug 5, 2026·SEC
May 15, 2026·SEC
May 8, 2026·SEC
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Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG) stock FAQ — growth, dividends, profitability & financials explained
Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG) reported $2.57B in revenue for fiscal year 2025. This represents a 1997% increase from $122.5M in 1996.
Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG) grew revenue by 18.6% over the past year. This is strong growth.
Yes, Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG) is profitable, generating $554.9M in net income for fiscal year 2025 (24.9% net margin).
Yes, Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG) pays a dividend with a yield of 3.32%. This makes it attractive for income-focused investors.
Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG) has a return on equity (ROE) of 9.4%. This is below average, suggesting room for improvement.
Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG) had negative free cash flow of $510.4M in fiscal year 2025, likely due to heavy capital investments.
Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG) has a dividend payout ratio of 61%. This suggests the dividend is well-covered and sustainable.
