Zacks Research Issues Optimistic Forecast for WTRG Earnings

Essential Utilities, Inc. (NYSE:WTRG - Free Report) - Investment analysts at Zacks Research boosted their FY2025 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for Essential Utilities in a note issued to investors on Wednesday, October 16th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now forecasts that the company will earn $2.11 per share for the year, up from their previous forecast of $2.10. The consensus estimate for Essential Utilities' current full-year earnings is $1.99 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Essential Utilities' Q2 2026 earnings at $0.44 EPS and Q3 2026 earnings at $0.36 EPS.

Other equities research analysts have also issued reports about the company. Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on Essential Utilities in a research report on Monday, October 7th. They set a "buy" rating and a $44.00 target price for the company. Bank of America reaffirmed a "buy" rating and issued a $45.00 price objective on shares of Essential Utilities in a research report on Friday, September 20th. Evercore ISI increased their target price on shares of Essential Utilities from $42.00 to $45.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Thursday, August 8th. Robert W. Baird upped their price target on Essential Utilities from $43.00 to $45.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 7th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on Essential Utilities from $42.00 to $45.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 31st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $44.80.

Essential Utilities Stock Performance

Essential Utilities stock traded up $0.47 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $40.55. 1,412,835 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,537,529. The business's fifty day simple moving average is $39.02 and its 200 day simple moving average is $38.29. The company has a quick ratio of 0.44, a current ratio of 0.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.14. Essential Utilities has a one year low of $32.42 and a one year high of $41.78. The firm has a market capitalization of $11.10 billion, a PE ratio of 19.78, a P/E/G ratio of 3.46 and a beta of 0.84.

Essential Utilities (NYSE:WTRG - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Monday, August 5th. The company reported $0.28 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.30 by ($0.02). The firm had revenue of $434.40 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $442.76 million. Essential Utilities had a return on equity of 8.16% and a net margin of 28.74%. Essential Utilities's quarterly revenue was down .5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.34 EPS.

Essential Utilities Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 3rd. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 12th were issued a $0.3255 dividend. This is a positive change from Essential Utilities's previous quarterly dividend of $0.31. This represents a $1.30 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.21%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 12th. Essential Utilities's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 63.41%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in WTRG. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Essential Utilities by 3.0% in the fourth quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 27,992,080 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,045,504,000 after acquiring an additional 823,495 shares during the period. CWM LLC boosted its holdings in Essential Utilities by 6.4% in the 1st quarter. CWM LLC now owns 10,604 shares of the company's stock valued at $393,000 after purchasing an additional 640 shares during the period. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV grew its position in shares of Essential Utilities by 112.8% during the 1st quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 1,513 shares of the company's stock valued at $56,000 after purchasing an additional 802 shares in the last quarter. First Affirmative Financial Network increased its holdings in shares of Essential Utilities by 5.1% in the first quarter. First Affirmative Financial Network now owns 7,910 shares of the company's stock worth $293,000 after purchasing an additional 386 shares during the period. Finally, Folger Nolan Fleming Douglas Capital Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Essential Utilities by 3.7% in the first quarter. Folger Nolan Fleming Douglas Capital Management Inc. now owns 193,838 shares of the company's stock worth $7,182,000 after buying an additional 6,916 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 74.78% of the company's stock.

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.