Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC Grows Stock Position in Essential Utilities, Inc. (NYSE:WTRG)

Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC grew its stake in Essential Utilities, Inc. (NYSE:WTRG - Free Report) by 35.1% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 63,630 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 16,543 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC's holdings in Essential Utilities were worth $2,311,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. VSM Wealth Advisory LLC purchased a new position in shares of Essential Utilities during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. IFP Advisors Inc boosted its holdings in Essential Utilities by 75.0% during the 4th quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 1,104 shares of the company's stock valued at $40,000 after acquiring an additional 473 shares during the period. Orion Capital Management LLC bought a new position in Essential Utilities in the 4th quarter valued at $41,000. New Age Alpha Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Essential Utilities in the fourth quarter worth $45,000. Finally, Siemens Fonds Invest GmbH bought a new stake in shares of Essential Utilities during the fourth quarter worth $49,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 74.78% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts recently commented on the stock. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Essential Utilities from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Sunday, April 20th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of Essential Utilities from $39.00 to $41.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 27th. Robert W. Baird lowered their price target on Essential Utilities from $47.00 to $46.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, May 13th. Finally, Evercore ISI raised their price objective on Essential Utilities from $45.00 to $46.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, March 5th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $43.50.

Essential Utilities Stock Down 0.0%

NYSE:WTRG traded down $0.01 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $37.65. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,313,631 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,495,211. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $39.35 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $37.95. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.17, a quick ratio of 0.39 and a current ratio of 0.55. The company has a market capitalization of $10.55 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.83, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.57 and a beta of 0.81. Essential Utilities, Inc. has a 12 month low of $33.18 and a 12 month high of $41.78.

Essential Utilities (NYSE:WTRG - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, May 12th. The company reported $1.03 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.80 by $0.23. The firm had revenue of $783.63 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $713.80 million. Essential Utilities had a return on equity of 7.89% and a net margin of 27.84%. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 28.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.97 EPS. Equities analysts predict that Essential Utilities, Inc. will post 1.99 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Essential Utilities 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.