Zacks Research Issues Negative Outlook for WTRG Earnings

Essential Utilities, Inc. (NYSE:WTRG - Free Report) - Equities researchers at Zacks Research dropped their Q2 2025 EPS estimates for shares of Essential Utilities in a note issued to investors on Monday, March 17th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now expects that the company will post earnings of $0.32 per share for the quarter, down from their previous forecast of $0.34. The consensus estimate for Essential Utilities' current full-year earnings is $1.99 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Essential Utilities' Q4 2025 earnings at $0.66 EPS, FY2025 earnings at $2.10 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $0.39 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $0.70 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $2.39 EPS.

Essential Utilities (NYSE:WTRG - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 26th. The company reported $0.67 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.66 by $0.01. Essential Utilities had a net margin of 27.84% and a return on equity of 7.89%. The firm had revenue of $604.38 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $698.77 million.

A number of other analysts have also issued reports on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of Essential Utilities from $39.00 to $41.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 27th. Evercore ISI lifted their price target on shares of Essential Utilities from $45.00 to $46.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 5th. UBS Group dropped their price target on shares of Essential Utilities from $45.00 to $42.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, January 14th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of Essential Utilities from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $41.00 price target for the company in a research note on Tuesday, January 28th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $43.50.

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Essential Utilities Stock Down 1.2 %

Essential Utilities stock traded down $0.47 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $38.39. 3,719,878 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,370,989. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.17, a current ratio of 0.55 and a quick ratio of 0.39. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $36.61 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $37.83. The firm has a market cap of $10.55 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.20, a P/E/G ratio of 2.57 and a beta of 0.79. Essential Utilities has a 1 year low of $33.18 and a 1 year high of $41.78.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in WTRG. CIBC Asset Management Inc grew its position in shares of Essential Utilities by 1.8% during the third quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc now owns 14,243 shares of the company's stock worth $549,000 after acquiring an additional 250 shares during the last quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC grew its position in Essential Utilities by 6.0% in the 3rd quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC now owns 66,382 shares of the company's stock worth $2,560,000 after purchasing an additional 3,761 shares during the last quarter. Quest Partners LLC bought a new position in Essential Utilities in the 3rd quarter worth about $630,000. Lindenwold Advisors INC grew its position in Essential Utilities by 4.8% in the 3rd quarter. Lindenwold Advisors INC now owns 7,930 shares of the company's stock worth $306,000 after purchasing an additional 364 shares during the last quarter. Finally, B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. Holding AG bought a new position in Essential Utilities in the 3rd quarter worth about $219,000. 74.78% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Essential Utilities Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 2nd. Investors of record on Tuesday, May 13th will be issued a $0.3255 dividend. This represents a $1.30 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.39%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, May 13th. Essential Utilities's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 59.91%.

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.