Reading the tape
NYSE: WTRG
Essential Utilities, Inc.
Utilities · Regulated Water
Market Cap
$10.62B
52w High
$42.37
52w Low
$36.32
P/E
17.21
Volume
1.56M
Outstanding Shares
283.30M
Price vs Fundamentals
Why The Stock Is Moving
Mixed / unclearLow confidence
Note: The most recent financial data is over 3 months old. Metrics shown may not reflect the latest reporting period.
1Y Price: -7.73%Revenue (TTM): 18.62%FCF (TTM): 18.49%P/E: 8th pct
What changed
The stock fell 7.73% over the last year. Revenue grew 18.62% over the trailing twelve months. Operating margin moved from 36.32% to 37.22%. Free cash flow grew 18.49% over the trailing twelve months.
What the market seems to be pricing
The stock has moved lower 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 37.22%. A decisive move in revenue — currently up 18.62% — would be the clearest signal to resolve the ambiguity.
Company profile
Essential Utilities, Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates regulated utilities that provide water, wastewater, or natural gas services in the United States.
CEOChristopher H. Franklin
SectorUtilities
IndustryRegulated Water
Employees3,291
IPO dateMar 17, 1980
Valuation
Forward P/E—
EV/EBITDA13.94
Enterprise value$19.04B
Stock splits
Sep 3, 2013↑ Forward
Every 4 shares became 5
Dec 2, 2005↑ Forward
Every 3 shares became 4
Dec 2, 2003↑ Forward
Every 4 shares became 5
Dec 3, 2001↑ Forward
Every 4 shares became 5
Dec 4, 2000↑ Forward
Every 4 shares became 5
Jan 13, 1998↑ Forward
Every 3 shares became 4
Jul 11, 1996↑ Forward
Every 2 shares became 3
Sep 3, 1986↑ Forward
Every 2 shares became 3
Profitability & growth
Revenue growth15.67%
Gross margin53.48%▼30.06%vs FY2024
Operating margin37.22%▲2.47%vs FY2024
ROE8.99%▼6.41%vs FY2024
Analyst consensus
RatingBuy
Target price$40.00▲6.70%
9
Buy
8
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
May 7, 2026
Q2 FY26 · EPS est $0.91 · Revenue est $782.9M
View
Dividends
$1.37/shareQuarterlyDividend Aristocrat · 38yrEx-div May 12, 2026 · in 7dAt RiskWTRG pays a dividend with a 3.66% declared yield, 38 consecutive years of growth, growing at 6.45% annually, covered -1.1× by free cash flow.
Declared Yield
3.66%
Annual Div / Share
$1.37
5yr CAGR
+6.45%
Doubles every ~11.1yr
Payout Ratio
60.65%
At Risk
Dividend Growth Rate
3yr CAGR
+6.08%
5yr CAGR
+6.45%
10yr CAGR
+6.77%
Dividend Safety
2/10At Risk
Dividend History
Annualized dividend cycles per share
YearAnnual DivYoY
2026$1.37+5.3%
2025$1.30+6.0%
2024$1.23+7.0%
2023$1.15+7.0%
2022$1.07+7.0%
2021$1.00+7.0%
2020$0.94+7.0%
Income Projection
Invest
$
Growth rate:
Reinvest dividends
Today
$37/yr
$3/mo
In 5 yrs
$50/yr+37%
$4/mo
In 10 yrs
$68/yr+87%
$6/mo
| Today | In 5 yrs | In 10 yrs |
|---|---|---|
$37/yr $3/mo | $50/yr+37% $4/mo | $68/yr+87% $6/mo |
Yield-on-cost grows from 3.66% → 6.83% 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 6.45% 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.