Zacks Research Analysts Reduce Earnings Estimates for WTRG

Essential Utilities, Inc. (NYSE:WTRG - Free Report) - Investment analysts at Zacks Research dropped their Q1 2025 earnings estimates for Essential Utilities in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday, April 23rd. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now expects that the company will post earnings of $0.79 per share for the quarter, down from their prior forecast of $0.80. The consensus estimate for Essential Utilities' current full-year earnings is $1.99 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Essential Utilities' Q4 2025 earnings at $0.67 EPS, Q2 2026 earnings at $0.37 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $0.72 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $2.23 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $0.70 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $2.38 EPS.

Essential Utilities (NYSE:WTRG - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 26th. The company reported $0.67 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.66 by $0.01. Essential Utilities had a return on equity of 7.89% and a net margin of 27.84%. The company had revenue of $604.38 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $698.77 million.

Several other analysts also recently weighed in on the company. Evercore ISI upped their price objective on Essential Utilities from $45.00 to $46.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 5th. Wells Fargo & Company upped 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 report on Thursday, February 27th. UBS Group dropped their price objective on Essential Utilities from $45.00 to $42.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, January 14th. StockNews.com raised Essential Utilities from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Sunday, April 20th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of Essential Utilities from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $41.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Tuesday, January 28th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $43.50.

Essential Utilities Price Performance

WTRG traded up $0.25 during trading on Friday, hitting $41.02. 426,170 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,458,106. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $39.11 and a 200 day moving average price of $37.99. The company has a market cap of $11.30 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.51, a PEG ratio of 2.57 and a beta of 0.80. Essential Utilities has a twelve month low of $33.18 and a twelve month high of $41.78. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.17, a current ratio of 0.55 and a quick ratio of 0.39.

Essential Utilities Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 2nd. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, May 13th will be paid a dividend of $0.3255 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, May 13th. This represents a $1.30 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.17%. Essential Utilities's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 59.91%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. VSM Wealth Advisory LLC bought a new position in Essential Utilities during the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Valley National Advisers Inc. purchased a new position in Essential Utilities during the first quarter worth about $33,000. American National Bank & Trust bought a new stake in Essential Utilities in the 1st quarter worth about $35,000. CX Institutional purchased a new stake in Essential Utilities in the 1st quarter valued at about $42,000. Finally, IFP Advisors Inc lifted its position in shares of Essential Utilities by 75.0% during the 4th quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 1,104 shares of the company's stock worth $40,000 after buying an additional 473 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 74.78% of the company's stock.

Essential Utilities Company 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.