Essential Utilities (WTRG) Projected to Post Quarterly Earnings on Wednesday

Essential Utilities (NYSE:WTRG - Get Free Report) is expected to be posting its quarterly earnings results after the market closes on Wednesday, February 26th. Analysts expect Essential Utilities to post earnings of $0.66 per share and revenue of $698.77 million for the quarter. Individual interested in participating in the company's earnings conference call can do so using this link.

Essential Utilities Stock Up 1.7 %

Shares of Essential Utilities stock traded up $0.62 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $36.58. 1,842,619 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,425,513. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $35.58 and a 200-day simple moving average of $37.94. The company has a quick ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 0.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.17. The company has a market cap of $10.04 billion, a PE ratio of 18.29, a PEG ratio of 2.54 and a beta of 0.86. Essential Utilities has a twelve month low of $33.18 and a twelve month high of $41.78.

Essential Utilities Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 2nd. Investors of record on Tuesday, May 13th will be paid a $0.3255 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, May 13th. This represents a $1.30 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.56%. Essential Utilities's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 65.00%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts recently commented on WTRG shares. UBS Group decreased their price target on Essential Utilities from $45.00 to $42.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, January 14th. Robert W. Baird lifted their price target on Essential Utilities from $45.00 to $46.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 6th. Wells Fargo & Company downgraded Essential Utilities from an "overweight" rating to an "equal weight" rating and decreased their price target for the stock from $43.00 to $39.00 in a research note on Tuesday, January 7th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group upgraded 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 equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently 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.