What is Zacks Research’s Estimate for WTRG Q2 Earnings?

Essential Utilities, Inc. (NYSE:WTRG) – Stock analysts at Zacks Research decreased their Q2 2025 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of Essential Utilities in a research note issued on Monday, November 25th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now anticipates that the company will post earnings per share of $0.35 for the quarter, down from their prior forecast of $0.38. The consensus estimate for Essential Utilities’ current full-year earnings is $2.01 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Essential Utilities’ Q4 2025 earnings at $0.63 EPS and Q3 2026 earnings at $0.37 EPS.

Essential Utilities (NYSE:WTRG) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 4th. The company reported $0.25 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.24 by $0.01. Essential Utilities had a return on equity of 7.89% and a net margin of 27.84%. The business had revenue of $435.30 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $416.95 million. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.30 EPS. The business’s revenue was up 5.8% on a year-over-year basis.

A number of other research analysts have also weighed in on the company. Jefferies Financial Group lowered Essential Utilities from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and reduced their target price for the company from $44.00 to $41.00 in a report on Thursday, November 7th. Bank of America reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $45.00 price target on shares of Essential Utilities in a research report on Friday, September 20th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on Essential Utilities from $45.00 to $43.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. Robert W. Baird lifted their price target on Essential Utilities from $45.00 to $46.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th. Finally, Evercore ISI lifted their price target on Essential Utilities from $42.00 to $45.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, August 8th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Essential Utilities has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $44.00.

Essential Utilities Trading Up 0.6 %

Shares of Essential Utilities stock opened at $40.29 on Wednesday. Essential Utilities has a 1 year low of $33.57 and a 1 year high of $41.78. The firm has a market cap of $11.06 billion, a PE ratio of 20.14, a P/E/G ratio of 3.17 and a beta of 0.84. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $39.10 and a 200-day moving average price of $38.87. 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 Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 2nd. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, November 12th will be paid a $0.3255 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, November 12th. This represents a $1.30 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.23%. Essential Utilities’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 65.00%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Essential Utilities

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in WTRG. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC increased its stake in shares of Essential Utilities by 4,309.4% during the third quarter. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC now owns 1,255,483 shares of the company’s stock valued at $48,424,000 after buying an additional 1,227,010 shares during the period. Boston Trust Walden Corp grew its stake in Essential Utilities by 117.3% in the third quarter. Boston Trust Walden Corp now owns 1,962,692 shares of the company’s stock worth $75,701,000 after purchasing an additional 1,059,320 shares during the period. Point72 Asset Management L.P. purchased a new stake in Essential Utilities in the third quarter worth $30,842,000. AMF Tjanstepension AB purchased a new stake in Essential Utilities in the second quarter worth $11,853,000. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its stake in Essential Utilities by 18.6% in the second quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,500,150 shares of the company’s stock worth $56,002,000 after purchasing an additional 234,857 shares during the period. 74.78% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other 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.