Essential Utilities' regulated water and gas platform is compounding its rate base, with PPE net rising from $12.6B in 2024Q2 to $15.1B in 2026Q3, which suggests a durable long-term growth runway.
Price trend, volume and key moving averages
Start with the evidence for owning the stock and the risks that can break the thesis.
Revenue growth has been lumpy, swinging between 3.1% and 18.5% year over year, while operating margin held in a 32.5% to 43.2% band, suggesting regulatory timing rather than steady volume drives reported results.
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 11/8/2026, 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) |
|---|---|---|
Q4 2026Latest Nov 3, 2026 | $0.38+13.7% vs $0.33 | $508M+12.8% vs $450M |
Q3 2026 Aug 4, 2026 | $0.38+2.3% vs $0.37 | $531M-1.5% vs $539M |
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 |
Water utilities operate as legal monopolies with state regulators controlling every rate increase, yet four of them have quietly raised their dividends for decades. The question is which one actually protects your income when the bills come due.
About the Utility-Water Supply Industry
We believe Bentley Systems is attractive due to its strong free cash flow, high customer retention, and durable competitive advantages trading at a discount to our estimates of its long-term intrinsic value. We believe U.S. Physical Therapy may benefit from an aging population, increasing demand for outpatient rehabilitation services, and continued market consolidation. We exited the Essential Utilities position as the share price appreciated reducing the stock's potential upside and made its risk/reward profile less compelling redeploying the capital into what we view as higher conviction opportunities.
BRYN MAWR, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The board of directors of Essential Utilities Inc. (NYSE: WTRG) today declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.3606 per share, payable December 1, 2026, to all shareholders of record on November 10, 2026. Essential Utilities has paid consecutive quarterly cash dividends for over 80 years and has increased the dividend 36 times in the last 35 years. About Essential Essential Utilities, Inc. (NYSE: WTRG) delivers safe, clean, reliable services that improve quality.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $45.45 | $12.89B | 22.86 | 18.62% | 21.79% | 8.12% | 2.93% | |
| $89.98 | $3.53B | 24.81 | 10.52% | 20.39% | 13.19% | 2.15% | |
| $59.87 | $1.12B | 21.90 | 1.47% | 24.5% | 10.06% | 2.29% | |
| $32.62 | $528.75M | 20.40 | 3.37% | — | 9.45% | 2.69% | |
| $34.39 | $355.06M | 15.05 | 4.62% | 20.18% | 9.37% | 3.57% | |
| $27.22 | $435.53M | 26.68 | -1.41% | 12.88% | 7.2% | 1.82% |
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)
Nov 5, 2026·SEC
Nov 5, 2026·SEC
Nov 4, 2026·SEC
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Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG) stock FAQ — growth, dividends, profitability & financials explained
Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG) reported $2.60B in revenue over the trailing twelve months. Revenue was $2.47B in fiscal year 2025. That is 1920% more than the $122.5M of fiscal year 1996.
Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG) grew revenue by 9.2% over the trailing twelve months, compared with the twelve months before.
Yes. Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG) earned $566.6M in net income over the trailing twelve months (a 21.8% net margin).
Yes. Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG) pays a dividend that yields 2.93% at the current price, a moderate yield.
Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG) had a return on equity (ROE) of 8.1% over the trailing twelve months. That is below the market's typical 10-15%.
Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG) had negative free cash flow of $520.3M over the trailing twelve months.
Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG) has a dividend payout ratio of 61%. This suggests the dividend is well-covered and sustainable.
