What is Seaport Res Ptn's Estimate for WTRG FY2025 Earnings?

Essential Utilities, Inc. (NYSE:WTRG - Free Report) - Stock analysts at Seaport Res Ptn lifted their FY2025 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of Essential Utilities in a research note issued on Monday, January 6th. Seaport Res Ptn analyst A. Storozynski now anticipates that the company will post earnings per share of $2.09 for the year, up from their prior forecast of $2.08. The consensus estimate for Essential Utilities' current full-year earnings is $2.01 per share. Seaport Res Ptn also issued estimates for Essential Utilities' FY2026 earnings at $2.22 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $2.37 EPS.

Several other equities research analysts also recently issued reports on WTRG. Bank of America reiterated a "buy" rating and set a $45.00 price target on shares of Essential Utilities in a report on Friday, September 20th. Wells Fargo & Company downgraded shares of Essential Utilities from an "overweight" rating to an "equal weight" rating and lowered their target price for the company from $43.00 to $39.00 in a report on Tuesday. Jefferies Financial Group cut shares of Essential Utilities from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating and cut their price target for the stock from $44.00 to $41.00 in a report on Thursday, November 7th. Finally, Robert W. Baird lifted their target price on shares of Essential Utilities from $45.00 to $46.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, Essential Utilities currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $43.20.

Essential Utilities Stock Down 0.8 %

WTRG stock traded down $0.27 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $35.00. 1,577,220 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,185,958. The stock has a market cap of $9.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.50, a P/E/G ratio of 3.06 and a beta of 0.86. Essential Utilities has a fifty-two week low of $33.57 and a fifty-two week high of $41.78. The firm's 50 day moving average price is $38.29 and its 200 day moving average price is $38.86. 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 (NYSE:WTRG - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 4th. The company reported $0.25 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.24 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $435.30 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $416.95 million. Essential Utilities had a net margin of 27.84% and a return on equity of 7.89%. The business's quarterly revenue was up 5.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.30 earnings per share.

Institutional Trading of Essential Utilities

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC boosted its holdings in Essential Utilities by 4,309.4% in the 3rd quarter. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC now owns 1,255,483 shares of the company's stock worth $48,424,000 after buying an additional 1,227,010 shares during the period. Boston Trust Walden Corp boosted its holdings in shares of Essential Utilities by 117.3% in the third quarter. Boston Trust Walden Corp now owns 1,962,692 shares of the company's stock worth $75,701,000 after acquiring an additional 1,059,320 shares during the period. Nordea Investment Management AB grew its position in shares of Essential Utilities by 16.7% in the fourth quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 6,811,851 shares of the company's stock valued at $247,134,000 after purchasing an additional 972,803 shares in the last quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. bought a new stake in shares of Essential Utilities during the 3rd quarter valued at $30,842,000. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its holdings in Essential Utilities by 33.1% during the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 953,984 shares of the company's stock worth $36,795,000 after purchasing an additional 237,096 shares in the last quarter. 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, March 3rd. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 10th will be paid a dividend of $0.3255 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, February 10th. This represents a $1.30 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.72%. Essential Utilities's payout ratio is currently 65.00%.

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.