Essential Utilities, Inc.(WTRG)Earnings, Financials & Key Ratios

WTRG•NYSE•Utilities

$39.08

17.8× P/E·Price updated Jul 7, 2026

SectorUtilities IndustryWater Utilities Sub-IndustryMulti-Utility Regulated Water Providers

AboutEssential Utilities, Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates regulated utilities that provide water, wastewater, or natural gas services in the United States. It offers water services through operating and maintenance contract with municipal authorities and other parties. The company also provides non-utility raw water supply services for firms in the natural gas drilling industry; and water and sewer line protection solutions, and repair services to households through a third-party. It serves approximately 7.5 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, West 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.Show more

Revenue$2.47B+18.6%
EBITDA$1.34B+18.7%
Net Income$616M+3.5%
Free Cash Flow-$420M+25.0%
EBITDA Margin54.09%
Net Margin24.91%-12.7%
ROE9.44%-4.1%
Interest Coverage2.88-0.4%
Debt/Equity1.22-2.5%

WTRG Price & Volume

Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG) stock price & volume — 10-year historical chart

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Aggressive Infrastructure Expansion Drives Regulated Rate Growth

Investment Thesis • Updated 2026Q1

VerdictNeutral

Growth:Mixed

Profitability:Stable

Financial:Strained

Cash Flow:Burning

Primary Risk:Regulatory acquisition rule changes

Key Thesis Takeaways

Essential Utilities continues to prioritize long-term rate base expansion, evidenced by net PPE growth from $12.1 billion in 2023Q4 to $14.5 billion in 2026Q1.
While this strategy supports future earnings potential, the company faces persistent regulatory and financing risks, characterized by a debt-to-equity ratio consistently exceeding 1.15.
Investors should monitor the sustainability of this capital-intensive model, as the reliance on external financing to cover negative free cash flow, such as the $240.8 million deficit in 2025Q4, may compress future returns.

Verdict Logic

while the 3.4% dividend yield provides income, the company's consistent negative free cash flow and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.22 in 2026Q1 warrant caution regarding the long-term sustainability of its aggressive capital expenditure program.

WTRG Growth Metrics

Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG) revenue, earnings & EPS growth — 3, 5 & 10-year CAGR

Revenue CAGR

10 Years11.76%

5 Years11.09%

3 Years2.65%

TTM13.07%

Profit CAGR

10 Years11.81%

5 Years16.69%

3 Years9.83%

TTM-9.19%

EPS CAGR

10 Years6.8%

5 Years14.46%

3 Years7.52%

TTM-11.66%

Return on Capital

10 Years4.81%

5 Years4.65%

3 Years4.72%

Last Year5.09%

WTRG Recent Earnings

Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG) EPS & revenue vs analyst estimates — last 4 quarters

Full history →

●Beat EPS 7/12 qtrs (58%)●Beat Revenue 6/12 qtrs (50%)

Q2 2026Latest

May 7, 2026

Metric

Actual

Est

EPS

$0.83-8.3%

$0.91

Rev

$862M+10.1%

$783M

Q2 2026

May 6, 2026

Metric

Actual

Est

EPS

$0.83-8.3%

$0.91

Rev

$862M+10.1%

$783M

Q1 2026

Feb 25, 2026

Metric

Actual

Est

EPS

$0.47+30.6%

$0.36

Rev

$699M+14.3%

$612M

Q4 2025

Nov 4, 2025

Metric

Actual

Est

EPS

$0.33+16.5%

$0.28

Rev

$477M+1.0%

$472M

Quarter	Date	EPS (Act vs Est)	Revenue (Act vs Est)
Q2 2026Latest	May 7, 2026	$0.83vs $0.91-8.3%	$862Mvs $783M+10.1%
Q2 2026	May 6, 2026	$0.83vs $0.91-8.3%	$862Mvs $783M+10.1%
Q1 2026	Feb 25, 2026	$0.47vs $0.36+30.6%	$699Mvs $612M+14.3%
Q4 2025	Nov 4, 2025	$0.33vs $0.28+16.5%	$477Mvs $472M+1.0%

Based on last 12 quarters of dataView full earnings history →

Latest WTRG News

Recent stock market news and headlines for Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG)

Seeking Alpha·Jun 27, 2026

Essential Utilities: Snatch Up This Dividend Champion Now

After the upcoming dividend reset in its ongoing merger with American Water Works, Essential Utilities' dividend growth will accelerate well beyond what it was doing independently. Joining forces with AWK, Essential Utilities will emerge as the most dominant regulated water utility in the United States. The company's S&P credit rating is set to improve from A- with a positive outlook (considering the merger) to an A grade with a stable outlook.

PRNewsWire·Jun 22, 2026

American Water and Essential Utilities Proposed Merger Progresses with Approval from the Virginia State Corporation Commission

CAMDEN, N.J. and BRYN MAWR, Pa.

Peers Comparison

Key metrics vs top competitors for Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG)

Full Screener →

Company	Price	Market Cap	P/E Ratio	Rev Growth (1Y)	Net Margin	ROE	Div Yield
WTRGEssential Utilities, Inc.Current	$39.08	$11.08B	17.76	18.62%	24.91%	9.44%	3.41%
AWRAmerican States Water Company	$83.18	$3.26B	24.68	10.52%	19.66%	13.06%	—
MSEXMiddlesex Water Company	$55.82	$1.04B	23.65	1.47%	22.07%	9.07%	—
YORWThe York Water Company	$30.51	$439.71M	21.95	3.37%	—	8.89%	—
ARTNAArtesian Resources Corporation	$34.13	$352.37M	15.44	4.62%	20.31%	9.36%	—
CWCOConsolidated Water Co. Ltd.	$28.67	$458.73M	25.15	-1.41%	13.5%	7.67%	—

Compare WTRG vs Peers

Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG) vs competitors — business, growth, and fundamentals comparison against the closest industry rivals.

Closest Rival

vs AWR

Most directly comparable listed peer for WTRG.

Scale Benchmark

vs NEE

Larger-name benchmark to compare WTRG against a more recognizable public peer.

Peer Set

Compare Top 5

vs AWR, MSEX, YORW, ARTNA

WTRG SEC Filings & Documents

Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG) SEC filings — annual & quarterly reports (10-K, 10-Q)

8-K Announcements

Material company update

May 15, 2026·SEC

Material company update

May 8, 2026·SEC

Material company update

May 7, 2026·SEC

10-K Annual Reports

FY 2026

Feb 26, 2026·SEC

FY 2025

Feb 27, 2025·SEC

FY 2024

Feb 29, 2024·SEC

10-Q Quarterly Reports

FY 2026

May 7, 2026·SEC

FY 2025

Nov 5, 2025·SEC

FY 2025

Aug 4, 2025·SEC

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WTRG Frequently Asked Questions

Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG) stock FAQ — growth, dividends, profitability & financials explained

Growth & Financials

What is Essential Utilities, Inc.'s revenue?

Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG) reported $2.55B in revenue for fiscal year 2025. This represents a 1984% increase from $122.5M in 1996.

How fast is Essential Utilities, Inc. growing?

Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG) grew revenue by 18.6% over the past year. This is strong growth.

Is WTRG profitable?

Yes, Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG) is profitable, generating $557.0M in net income for fiscal year 2025 (24.9% net margin).

Dividend & Returns

Does WTRG pay dividends?

Yes, Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG) pays a dividend with a yield of 3.41%. This makes it attractive for income-focused investors.

What is WTRG's return on equity?

Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG) has a return on equity (ROE) of 9.4%. This is below average, suggesting room for improvement.

What is Essential Utilities, Inc.'s free cash flow?

Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG) had negative free cash flow of $507.0M in fiscal year 2025, likely due to heavy capital investments.

Industry Metrics

Is WTRG's dividend sustainable?

Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG) has a dividend payout ratio of 61%. This suggests the dividend is well-covered and sustainable.

What if you invested $1,000 in WTRG back in 1996?

Total return calculator · dividends reinvested · 30+ years of data

See returns →

Quarter

Date

EPS (Act vs Est)

Revenue (Act vs Est)

Q2 2026Latest

May 7, 2026

$0.83vs $0.91-8.3%

$862Mvs $783M+10.1%

Q2 2026

May 6, 2026

$0.83vs $0.91-8.3%

$862Mvs $783M+10.1%

Q1 2026

Feb 25, 2026

$0.47vs $0.36+30.6%

$699Mvs $612M+14.3%

Q4 2025

Nov 4, 2025

$0.33vs $0.28+16.5%

$477Mvs $472M+1.0%

Company

Price

Market Cap

P/E Ratio

Rev Growth (1Y)

Net Margin

ROE

Div Yield

WTRGEssential Utilities, Inc.Current

$39.08

$11.08B

17.76

18.62%

24.91%

9.44%

3.41%

AWRAmerican States Water Company

$83.18

$3.26B

24.68

10.52%

19.66%

13.06%

—

MSEXMiddlesex Water Company

$55.82

$1.04B

23.65

1.47%

22.07%

9.07%

—

YORWThe York Water Company

$30.51

$439.71M

21.95

3.37%

—

8.89%

—

ARTNAArtesian Resources Corporation

$34.13

$352.37M

15.44

4.62%

20.31%

9.36%

—

CWCOConsolidated Water Co. Ltd.

$28.67

$458.73M

25.15

-1.41%

13.5%

7.67%

—