NYSE: WTRG
Essential Utilities, Inc.
Utilities · Regulated Water
After hours: $40.20(-0.37%) · as of 8:00 PM ET
Market Cap
$11.44B
52w High
$42.37
52w Low
$36.11
P/E
20.66
Volume
1.19M
Outstanding Shares
283.63M
Performance
Return analysis
Price vs Fundamentals
Why The Stock Is Moving
What changed
The stock rose 4.37% over the last year. Revenue grew 9.86% over the trailing twelve months. Operating margin moved from 38.74% to 35.06%. Free cash flow declined 2.22% over the trailing twelve months.
What the market seems to be pricing
The stock has moved higher against modestly improving underlying metrics. The operating data does not yet tell a clear story — the move may reflect sentiment, sector rotation, or macro factors rather than company-specific earnings power.
What would invalidate this read
Operating margin currently stands at 35.06%. A decisive move in revenue — currently up 9.86% — would be the clearest signal to resolve the ambiguity.
Company profile
Essential Utilities, Inc. is a diversified utility enterprise that, through its various operating units, delivers vital water, wastewater, and natural gas services within the United States.
Valuation
Stock splits
Every 4 shares became 5
Every 3 shares became 4
Every 4 shares became 5
Every 4 shares became 5
Every 4 shares became 5
Every 3 shares became 4
Every 2 shares became 3
Every 2 shares became 3
Profitability & growth
Analyst consensus
10
Buy
7
Hold
1
Sell
Analyst ratings tend to be lagging indicators. Use as one signal among many.
Earnings
Full quarter-by-quarter history of actuals vs estimates. Switch into compare mode to inspect one metric year-over-year.
Next report
Nov 3, 2026
Q4 FY26 · EPS est $0.35 · Revenue est $506.3M
View
Dividends
$1.39/shareQuarterlyDividend Aristocrat · 38yrAt RiskWTRG pays a dividend with a 3.44% dividend yield, 38 consecutive years of growth, growing at 6.35% annually, covered -1.1× by free cash flow.
Dividend Yield
3.44%
Annual Div / Share
$1.39
5yr CAGR
+6.35%
Doubles every ~11.3yr
Payout Ratio
69.8%
At Risk
Dividend Growth Rate
3yr CAGR
+5.93%
5yr CAGR
+6.35%
10yr CAGR
+6.71%
Dividend History
Annualized dividend cycles per share
Income Projection
Today
$3/mo
In 5 yrs
$4/mo
In 10 yrs
$5/mo
| Today | In 5 yrs | In 10 yrs |
|---|---|---|
$34/yr $3/mo | $47/yr+36% $4/mo | $64/yr+85% $5/mo |
Yield-on-cost grows from 3.44% → 6.37% over 10yr
Analysis
Dividend Strengths
Dividend Aristocrat
WTRG has raised its dividend for 38 consecutive years — qualifying as a Dividend Aristocrat, demonstrating long-term commitment to shareholder income.
Strong dividend growth rate
The 5-year CAGR of 6.35% meaningfully outpaces inflation, compounding real income growth for long-term holders.
Risks to Watch
Dividend exceeds free cash flow
Free cash flow covers only -1.12× the dividend. The company is paying out more than it generates in cash, which is unsustainable without borrowing or asset sales.