Zacks Research Issues Pessimistic Forecast for WTRG Earnings

Essential Utilities, Inc. (NYSE:WTRG - Free Report) - Equities research analysts at Zacks Research lowered their Q2 2025 earnings estimates for Essential Utilities in a report issued on Thursday, May 29th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now expects that the company will post earnings per share of $0.25 for the quarter, down from their previous estimate of $0.32. The consensus estimate for Essential Utilities' current full-year earnings is $1.99 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Essential Utilities' Q3 2025 earnings at $0.24 EPS, FY2025 earnings at $2.11 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $0.41 EPS and Q1 2027 earnings at $0.68 EPS.

A number of other equities analysts have also issued reports on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on shares of Essential Utilities from $39.00 to $41.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Thursday, February 27th. Evercore ISI upped 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. Robert W. Baird lowered their target price on Essential Utilities from $47.00 to $46.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, May 13th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded Essential Utilities from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Sunday, April 20th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $43.50.

Essential Utilities Price Performance

NYSE:WTRG traded down $0.08 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $38.48. 1,143,578 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,628,522. The company has a quick ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 0.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.17. The stock has a market cap of $10.79 billion, a PE ratio of 19.24, a PEG ratio of 2.57 and a beta of 0.85. Essential Utilities has a 12 month low of $33.18 and a 12 month high of $41.78. The company has a fifty day moving average of $39.43 and a 200 day moving average of $37.96.

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

Institutional Trading of Essential Utilities

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of WTRG. Bfsg LLC grew its holdings in Essential Utilities by 22.1% during the first quarter. Bfsg LLC now owns 1,453 shares of the company's stock valued at $57,000 after purchasing an additional 263 shares during the period. Blair William & Co. IL boosted its position in shares of Essential Utilities by 1.2% during the fourth quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 24,652 shares of the company's stock worth $895,000 after purchasing an additional 285 shares in the last quarter. Nations Financial Group Inc. IA ADV grew its holdings in shares of Essential Utilities by 4.8% in the 4th quarter. Nations Financial Group Inc. IA ADV now owns 6,342 shares of the company's stock valued at $230,000 after buying an additional 289 shares during the period. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System increased its position in shares of Essential Utilities by 0.4% in the 4th quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 70,100 shares of the company's stock valued at $2,546,000 after buying an additional 300 shares in the last quarter. Finally, New Age Alpha Advisors LLC raised its stake in Essential Utilities by 24.7% during the 1st quarter. New Age Alpha Advisors LLC now owns 1,531 shares of the company's stock worth $61,000 after buying an additional 303 shares during the period. 74.78% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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.