Top-Rated Dividend StocksTop-Rated DividendNYSE:WTRG Essential Utilities (WTRG) Stock Price, News & Analysis → [URGENT] DO NOT Touch These AI Stocks! (From Weiss Ratings) (Ad) Free WTRG Stock Alerts $38.67 +0.37 (+0.97%) (As of 05/7/2024 ET) Add Compare Share Share Today's Range$38.23▼$38.8350-Day Range$33.88▼$38.6752-Week Range$32.07▼$43.74Volume1.95 million shsAverage Volume1.80 million shsMarket Capitalization$10.58 billionP/E Ratio18.33Dividend Yield3.18%Price Target$43.00 Stock AnalysisStock AnalysisAnalyst ForecastsChartCompetitorsDividendEarningsFinancialsHeadlinesInsider TradesOptions ChainOwnershipSEC FilingsShort InterestSocial MediaSustainabilityStock AnalysisAnalyst ForecastsChartCompetitorsDividendEarningsFinancialsHeadlinesInsider TradesOptions ChainOwnershipSEC FilingsShort InterestSocial MediaSustainability Get Essential Utilities alerts: Email Address Essential Utilities MarketRank™ Stock AnalysisAnalyst RatingBuy3.00 Rating ScoreUpside/Downside11.2% Upside$43.00 Price TargetShort InterestHealthy1.96% of Shares Sold ShortDividend StrengthStrongBased on Four FactorsSustainability-2.18Upright™ Environmental ScoreNews Sentiment0.38Based on 21 Articles This WeekInsider TradingSelling Shares$281,035 Sold Last QuarterProj. Earnings Growth5.50%From $2.00 to $2.11 Per ShareSee Full Details Hide Full Details Overall MarketRank™New Rank-Based ScoringMarketRank™ is calculated by averaging available category scores (with extra weight given to analysis and valuation), then ranking the company's weighted average against that of other companies.4.81 out of 5 starsUtilities Sector4th out of 89 stocksWater Supply Industry1st out of 11 stocks 2.5 Analyst's Opinion Consensus RatingEssential Utilities has received a consensus rating of Buy. The company's average rating score is 3.00, and is based on 5 buy ratings, no hold ratings, and no sell ratings.Amount of Analyst CoverageEssential Utilities has only been the subject of 2 research reports in the past 90 days.Read more about Essential Utilities' stock forecast and price target. Previous Next 5.0 Short Interest Percentage of Shares Shorted1.96% of the outstanding shares of Essential Utilities have been sold short.Short Interest Ratio / Days to CoverEssential Utilities has a short interest ratio ("days to cover") of 3, which is generally considered an acceptable ratio of short interest to trading volume.Change versus previous monthShort interest in Essential Utilities has recently decreased by 18.64%, indicating that investor sentiment is improving significantly. Previous Next 4.2 Dividend Strength Dividend YieldEssential Utilities pays a meaningful dividend of 3.25%, higher than the bottom 25% of all stocks that pay dividends.Dividend GrowthEssential Utilities has been increasing its dividend for 31 years.Dividend CoverageThe dividend payout ratio of Essential Utilities is 58.29%. This payout ratio is at a healthy, sustainable level, below 75%.Dividend SustainabilityBased on earnings estimates, Essential Utilities will have a dividend payout ratio of 58.29% next year. This indicates that Essential Utilities will be able to sustain or increase its dividend.Read more about Essential Utilities' dividend. Previous Next 3.1 Sustainability and ESG Overall ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) ScoreEssential Utilities has received a 30.22% net impact score from Upright. The largest positive contribution comes from its "Societal infrastructure" impact, which is mostly driven by its "Natural gas distribution services", "Drinking water distribution services", and "Drinking water treatment services" products. See details.Environmental SustainabilityThe Environmental Impact score for Essential Utilities is -2.18. Previous Next 2.4 News and Social Media Coverage News SentimentEssential Utilities has a news sentiment score of 0.38. This score is calculated as an average of sentiment of articles about the company over the last seven days and ranges from 2 (good news) to -2 (bad news). This news sentiment score is similar to the average news sentiment of Utilities companies.News Coverage This WeekMarketBeat has tracked 21 news articles for Essential Utilities this week, compared to 5 articles on an average week.Search InterestOnly 9 people have searched for WTRG on MarketBeat in the last 30 days. This is a decrease of 0% compared to the previous 30 days.MarketBeat Follows9 people have added Essential Utilities to their MarketBeat watchlist in the last 30 days. This is an increase of 29% compared to the previous 30 days. Previous Next 2.5 Company Ownership Insider Buying vs. Insider SellingIn the past three months, Essential Utilities insiders have sold more of their company's stock than they have bought. Specifically, they have bought $0.00 in company stock and sold $281,035.00 in company stock.Percentage Held by InsidersOnly 0.21% of the stock of Essential Utilities is held by insiders.Percentage Held by Institutions74.78% of the stock of Essential Utilities is held by institutions. High institutional ownership can be a signal of strong market trust in this company.Read more about Essential Utilities' insider trading history. Previous Next 1.9 Earnings and Valuation Earnings GrowthEarnings for Essential Utilities are expected to grow by 5.50% in the coming year, from $2.00 to $2.11 per share.Price to Earnings Ratio vs. the MarketThe P/E ratio of Essential Utilities is 18.33, which means that it is trading at a less expensive P/E ratio than the market average P/E ratio of about 140.43.Price to Earnings Ratio vs. SectorThe P/E ratio of Essential Utilities is 18.33, which means that it is trading at a less expensive P/E ratio than the Utilities sector average P/E ratio of about 83.51.Price to Earnings Growth RatioEssential Utilities has a PEG Ratio of 3.29. PEG Ratios above 1 indicate that a company could be overvalued.Price to Book Value per Share RatioEssential Utilities has a P/B Ratio of 1.79. P/B Ratios below 3 indicates that a company is reasonably valued with respect to its assets and liabilities.Read more about Essential Utilities' valuation and earnings. Previous Next See Top Rated MarketRank™ Stocks Here Ad Unstoppable ProsperityRSVP: Charles Payne’s Cash Flow WorkshopAre you ready to find untapped value in the stocks you already own… Without selling a single share… Then you need to know these Cash Flow Trade Strategies.Register For Free Now! About Essential Utilities Stock (NYSE:WTRG)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. In addition, the company provides utility service line protection solutions and repair services to households. It serves approximately 5.5 million residential water, commercial water, fire protection, industrial water, wastewater, and other water and utility customers in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas, Illinois, North Carolina, New Jersey, Indiana, Virginia, and Kentucky under the Aqua and Peoples brands. The company was formerly known as Aqua America, Inc. and changed its name to Essential Utilities, Inc. in February 2020. Essential Utilities, Inc. was founded in 1886 and is headquartered in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.Read More WTRG Stock Price History View Price History Chart DataSkip Price History Chart 30 days | 90 days | 365 days | Advanced Chart WTRG Stock News HeadlinesMay 5, 2024 | insidertrades.comRobert A. Rubin Sells 2,023 Shares of Essential Utilities, Inc. (NYSE:WTRG) StockMay 7, 2024 | finance.yahoo.comWhat You Need To Know About The Essential Utilities, Inc. (NYSE:WTRG) Analyst Downgrade TodayMay 8, 2024 | Crypto 101 Media (Ad)Incredible Opportunity to Retire FAST!A brand-new guide from the host of one of the world's largest cryptocurrency podcasts lays out an action plan that could help you retire quickly and comfortably in today's crypto market.May 5, 2024 | finance.yahoo.comResults: Essential Utilities, Inc. Beat Earnings Expectations And Analysts Now Have New ForecastsMay 5, 2024 | seekingalpha.comEssential Utilities: A Quality Company With A Favorable ValuationMay 4, 2024 | finance.yahoo.comEssential Utilities Inc (WTRG) Q1 2024 Earnings Call Transcript Highlights: Robust Growth Amid ...May 4, 2024 | finance.yahoo.comQ1 2024 Essential Utilities Inc Earnings CallMay 3, 2024 | finance.yahoo.comEssential Utilities Inc (WTRG) Surpasses Q1 Earnings Expectations with Strategic Sales and ...May 8, 2024 | Crypto 101 Media (Ad)Incredible Opportunity to Retire FAST!A brand-new guide from the host of one of the world's largest cryptocurrency podcasts lays out an action plan that could help you retire quickly and comfortably in today's crypto market.May 3, 2024 | finance.yahoo.comAqua Texas Begins $4M Main Replacement Project in Wimberley ValleyMay 2, 2024 | investorplace.comWTRG Stock Earnings: Essential Utilities Beats EPS, Misses Revenue for Q1 2024May 2, 2024 | businesswire.comEssential Utilities Reports Financial Results for Q1 2024May 2, 2024 | businesswire.comEssential Utilities Announces Election of Christopher Bruner and Tamara Linde to Board of DirectorsApril 29, 2024 | nasdaq.comWTRG Quantitative Stock Analysis - Peter LynchApril 29, 2024 | americanbankingnews.comEssential Utilities, Inc. (NYSE:WTRG) to Post FY2024 Earnings of $1.98 Per Share, Seaport Res Ptn ForecastsApril 28, 2024 | investorplace.com7 Utility Stocks Built to Withstand Market MayhemApril 25, 2024 | businesswire.comEssential Utilities Donated $5.5 Million in 2023 to Strengthen Communities Across Service TerritoryApril 23, 2024 | msn.comEssential Utilities Inc. Appoints Natalie Chesko as President of Aqua New JerseyApril 20, 2024 | seekingalpha.com8 Stocks I'm Buying Amid The Dividend Stock SelloffApril 18, 2024 | businesswire.comEssential Utilities Names Natalie Chesko as New President of Aqua New JerseyApril 17, 2024 | finance.yahoo.comAqua Virginia Earns State Excellence Award for 19th Consecutive YearApril 17, 2024 | businesswire.comAqua New Jersey Celebrates Completion of Newest PFAS Treatment Facility at its Green Avenue Well Station in Lawrence TownshipApril 17, 2024 | finance.yahoo.comEssential Utilities Launches Third Annual Earth Day CelebrationApril 15, 2024 | finance.yahoo.com5.3% earnings growth over 3 years has not materialized into gains for Essential Utilities (NYSE:WTRG) shareholders over that periodApril 14, 2024 | investorplace.com3 Stocks That Thrive in Turbulent Times: Buy Now for Massive GainsApril 14, 2024 | investorplace.comGoldilocks Investing: 7 Mid-Cap Stocks That Are Just RightApril 10, 2024 | businesswire.comEssential Utilities Releases Comment on EPA Promulgation of PFAS Maximum Contaminant LevelSee More Headlines Receive WTRG Stock News and Ratings via Email Sign-up to receive the latest news and ratings for Essential Utilities and its competitors with MarketBeat's FREE daily newsletter. Email Address Company Calendar Ex-Dividend for 3/1 Dividend2/08/2024Last Earnings2/23/2024Dividend Payable3/01/2024Today5/08/2024Ex-Dividend for 6/1 Dividend5/09/2024Dividend Payable6/01/2024Next Earnings (Estimated)8/05/2024Fiscal Year End12/31/2024Get Stock AlertsIndustry, Sector and Symbol Stock ExchangeNYSE SectorUtilities Industry Water supply Sub-IndustryN/A Current SymbolNYSE:WTRG CUSIPN/A CIK78128 Webwww.essential.co Phone(610) 527-8000Fax610-645-1061Employees3,258Year FoundedN/APrice Target and Rating Average Stock Price Target$43.00 High Stock Price Target$45.00 Low Stock Price Target$42.00 Potential Upside/Downside+11.2%Consensus RatingBuy Rating Score (0-4)3.00 Research Coverage5 Analysts Profitability EPS (Most Recent Fiscal Year)$2.11 Trailing P/E Ratio18.33 Forward P/E Ratio19.34 P/E Growth3.29Net Income$498.23 million Net Margins29.52% Pretax Margin27.18% Return on Equity8.62% Return on Assets3.05% Debt Debt-to-Equity Ratio1.13 Current Ratio0.62 Quick Ratio0.48 Sales & Book Value Annual Sales$2.05 billion Price / Sales5.15 Cash Flow$3.15 per share Price / Cash Flow12.26 Book Value$21.58 per share Price / Book1.79Miscellaneous Outstanding Shares273,520,000Free Float272,942,000Market Cap$10.58 billion OptionableOptionable Beta0.80 Ten Starter Stocks For Beginners to Buy NowJust getting into the stock market? These 10 simple stocks can help beginning investors build long-term wealth without knowing options, technicals, or other advanced strategies.Get This Free Report Key ExecutivesMr. Christopher H. Franklin (Age 59)Chairman, President & CEO Comp: $2.44MMr. Daniel J. Schuller Ph.D. (Age 54)Executive VP & CFO Comp: $1MMr. Christopher Paul Luning (Age 56)Executive VP & General Counsel Comp: $824.8kMr. Matthew R. Rhodes (Age 46)Executive Vice President of Strategy & Corporate Development Comp: $922.71kMs. Christina KellySenior VP & Chief Human Resources OfficerMs. Colleen M. Arnold (Age 53)President of Aqua Water Comp: $592.55kMr. Robert A. Rubin (Age 61)Senior VP, Controller & Chief Accounting Officer Mr. Sumit NairVP & Chief Information OfficerMs. Whitney S. KellettSenior Vice President & Chief Administrative OfficerMr. Brian DingerdissenVice President of Investor Relations & TreasurerMore ExecutivesKey CompetitorsCompanhia de Saneamento Básico do Estado de São Paulo - SABESPNYSE:SBSCalifornia Water Service GroupNYSE:CWTAmerican States WaterNYSE:AWRAmerican Water WorksNYSE:AWKPinnacle West CapitalNYSE:PNWView All CompetitorsInsiders & InstitutionsBernardo Wealth Planning LLCSold 289 shares on 5/7/2024Ownership: 0.008%Smithfield Trust CoBought 500 shares on 5/7/2024Ownership: 0.006%Horizon Investment Services LLCBought 1,220 shares on 5/7/2024Ownership: 0.003%Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.Bought 889 shares on 5/7/2024Ownership: 0.003%Meeder Advisory Services Inc.Bought 339 shares on 5/7/2024Ownership: 0.002%View All Insider TransactionsView All Institutional Transactions WTRG Stock Analysis - Frequently Asked Questions Should I buy or sell Essential Utilities stock right now? 5 Wall Street research analysts have issued "buy," "hold," and "sell" ratings for Essential Utilities in the last year. There are currently 5 buy ratings for the stock. The consensus among Wall Street research analysts is that investors should "buy" WTRG shares. View WTRG analyst ratings or view top-rated stocks. What is Essential Utilities' stock price target for 2024? 5 analysts have issued twelve-month price targets for Essential Utilities' shares. Their WTRG share price targets range from $42.00 to $45.00. On average, they anticipate the company's stock price to reach $43.00 in the next year. This suggests a possible upside of 11.2% from the stock's current price. View analysts price targets for WTRG or view top-rated stocks among Wall Street analysts. How have WTRG shares performed in 2024? Essential Utilities' stock was trading at $37.35 at the start of the year. Since then, WTRG shares have increased by 3.5% and is now trading at $38.67. View the best growth stocks for 2024 here. Are investors shorting Essential Utilities? Essential Utilities saw a drop in short interest in the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totaling 5,370,000 shares, a drop of 18.6% from the March 31st total of 6,600,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 1,790,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.0 days. View Essential Utilities' Short Interest. When is Essential Utilities' next earnings date? The company is scheduled to release its next quarterly earnings announcement on Monday, August 5th 2024. View our WTRG earnings forecast. How were Essential Utilities' earnings last quarter? Essential Utilities, Inc. (NYSE:WTRG) posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February, 23rd. The company reported $0.50 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.49 by $0.01. The company earned $479.40 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $708.50 million. Essential Utilities had a trailing twelve-month return on equity of 8.62% and a net margin of 29.52%. The business's quarterly revenue was down 32.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.44 earnings per share. How often does Essential Utilities pay dividends? What is the dividend yield for Essential Utilities? Essential Utilities announced a quarterly dividend on Wednesday, February 21st. Investors of record on Friday, May 10th will be paid a dividend of $0.3071 per share on Saturday, June 1st. This represents a $1.23 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.18%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 9th. This is a positive change from the stock's previous quarterly dividend of $0.31. Read our dividend analysis for WTRG. Is Essential Utilities a good dividend stock? Essential Utilities (NYSE:WTRG) pays an annual dividend of $1.23 per share and currently has a dividend yield of 3.25%. The company has been increasing its dividend for 31 consecutive years, indicating the company has a strong committment to maintain and grow its dividend. The dividend payout ratio is 58.29%. This payout ratio is at a healthy, sustainable level, below 75%. Based on earnings estimates, WTRG will have a dividend payout ratio of 58.29% next year. This indicates that the company will be able to sustain or increase its dividend. Read our dividend analysis for WTRG. What ETFs hold Essential Utilities' stock? ETFs with the largest weight of Essential Utilities (NYSE:WTRG) stock in their portfolio include Macquarie Global Listed Infrastructure ETF (BILD), Global X Clean Water ETF (AQWA), Invesco S&P Global Water Index ETF (CGW), Invesco Real Assets ESG ETF (IVRA), iShares Environmental Infrastructure and Industrials ETF (EFRA), First Trust Water ETF (FIW), Invesco Water Resources ETF (PHO) and Ecofin Global Water ESG Fund (EBLU). What guidance has Essential Utilities issued on next quarter's earnings? Essential Utilities issued an update on its FY 2024 earnings guidance on Friday, May, 3rd. The company provided EPS guidance of 2.000- for the period, compared to the consensus estimate of 1.980. The company issued revenue guidance of -. Who are Essential Utilities' major shareholders? Essential Utilities' stock is owned by many different institutional and retail investors. Top institutional shareholders include Nordea Investment Management AB (1.25%), Tandem Investment Advisors Inc. (0.74%), Principal Financial Group Inc. (0.41%), Swiss National Bank (0.28%), Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. (0.20%) and Retirement Systems of Alabama (0.13%). Insiders that own company stock include Chris Franklin, Colleen Arnold, Daniel Schuller, Ellen T Ruff and Robert A Rubin. View institutional ownership trends. How do I buy shares of Essential Utilities? Shares of WTRG stock can be purchased through any online brokerage account. Popular online brokerages with access to the U.S. stock market include Charles Schwab, E*TRADE, Fidelity, and Vanguard Brokerage Services. Compare Top Brokerages Here. This page (NYSE:WTRG) was last updated on 5/8/2024 by MarketBeat.com Staff From Our PartnersShocking: One AI startup's revenue could surge 4,735%Manward PressThe Department of Defense Has a New Drone ContractorThe Tomorrow InvestorGold Set to EXPLODE!Gold Safe ExchangeConflict In Israel Sends Gold Soaring ???? 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