Essential Utilities, Inc. (NYSE:WTRG) Shares Acquired by Toth Financial Advisory Corp

Toth Financial Advisory Corp increased its stake in shares of Essential Utilities, Inc. (NYSE:WTRG - Free Report) by 18.2% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 86,756 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 13,362 shares during the quarter. Toth Financial Advisory Corp's holdings in Essential Utilities were worth $3,151,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Brighton Jones LLC purchased a new stake in Essential Utilities during the fourth quarter worth about $638,000. Secure Asset Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Essential Utilities by 12.2% during the 4th quarter. Secure Asset Management LLC now owns 45,332 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,646,000 after acquiring an additional 4,920 shares during the period. Red Door Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Essential Utilities during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $491,000. Cetera Trust Company N.A boosted its stake in shares of Essential Utilities by 41.7% during the 4th quarter. Cetera Trust Company N.A now owns 6,325 shares of the company's stock worth $230,000 after acquiring an additional 1,860 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Nisa Investment Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Essential Utilities by 3.1% in the 4th quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 50,150 shares of the company's stock worth $1,821,000 after acquiring an additional 1,490 shares during the period. 74.78% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Essential Utilities Stock Down 0.3 %

Shares of NYSE WTRG traded down $0.11 during trading on Friday, reaching $33.49. 1,653,544 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,111,297. The company has a market capitalization of $9.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.75, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.40 and a beta of 0.86. The business's 50-day moving average price is $37.09 and its 200 day moving average price is $38.58. The company has a quick ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 0.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.17. Essential Utilities, Inc. has a twelve month low of $33.18 and a twelve month high of $41.78.

Essential Utilities (NYSE:WTRG - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 4th. The company reported $0.25 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.24 by $0.01. Essential Utilities had a return on equity of 7.89% and a net margin of 27.84%. The business had revenue of $435.30 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $416.95 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.30 earnings per share. The company's revenue was up 5.8% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Essential Utilities, Inc. will post 1.99 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Essential Utilities Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 3rd. Investors of record on Monday, February 10th will be paid a $0.3255 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, February 10th. This represents a $1.30 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.89%. Essential Utilities's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 65.00%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have issued reports on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company lowered shares of Essential Utilities from an "overweight" rating to an "equal weight" rating and lowered their price target for the company from $43.00 to $39.00 in a research report on Tuesday, January 7th. UBS Group lowered their target price on Essential Utilities from $45.00 to $42.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, January 14th. Robert W. Baird boosted their price target on Essential Utilities from $45.00 to $46.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, November 6th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group lowered Essential Utilities from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating and decreased their price objective for the company from $44.00 to $41.00 in a research note on Thursday, November 7th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $43.00.

Essential Utilities Company Profile

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.