What is Zacks Research's Estimate for WTRG FY2025 Earnings?

Essential Utilities, Inc. (NYSE:WTRG - Free Report) - Analysts at Zacks Research decreased their FY2025 earnings per share estimates for shares of Essential Utilities in a research report issued on Wednesday, January 15th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now expects that the company will earn $2.11 per share for the year, down from their previous forecast of $2.12. 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 $0.39 EPS.

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 (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 during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $416.95 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.30 EPS. The business's quarterly revenue was up 5.8% compared to the same quarter last year.

A number of other equities analysts have also 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 target price for the stock from $43.00 to $39.00 in a research report on Tuesday, January 7th. UBS Group reduced their price objective 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 target price on Essential Utilities from $45.00 to $46.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 6th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group cut 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 research note on Thursday, November 7th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $43.00.

Essential Utilities Stock Down 0.2 %

Shares of NYSE WTRG traded down $0.07 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $35.07. The company had a trading volume of 1,524,066 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,176,979. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $37.56 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $38.71. Essential Utilities has a 52-week low of $33.18 and a 52-week high of $41.78. The company has a current ratio of 0.55, a quick ratio of 0.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.17. The stock has a market cap of $9.63 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.54, a PEG ratio of 2.44 and a beta of 0.86.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Essential Utilities

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of WTRG. Secure Asset Management LLC grew its position in shares of Essential Utilities by 12.2% in the fourth quarter. Secure Asset Management LLC now owns 45,332 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,646,000 after purchasing an additional 4,920 shares during the period. Red Door Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Essential Utilities in the 4th quarter worth about $491,000. Cetera Trust Company N.A grew its holdings in Essential Utilities by 41.7% in the 4th quarter. Cetera Trust Company N.A now owns 6,325 shares of the company's stock valued at $230,000 after buying an additional 1,860 shares during the period. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Essential Utilities by 3.1% during the 4th quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 50,150 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,821,000 after acquiring an additional 1,490 shares during the last quarter. Finally, HB Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Essential Utilities by 8.5% during the 4th quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC now owns 10,919 shares of the company's stock worth $397,000 after acquiring an additional 856 shares during the period. 74.78% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Essential Utilities Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 3rd. Investors of record on Monday, February 10th will be paid a dividend of $0.3255 per share. This represents a $1.30 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.71%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, February 10th. 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.