Zacks Research Issues Positive Estimate for WTRG Earnings

Essential Utilities, Inc. (NYSE:WTRG) – Equities researchers at Zacks Research boosted their Q4 2024 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of Essential Utilities in a note issued to investors on Wednesday, January 15th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now expects that the company will earn $0.53 per share for the quarter, up from their prior estimate of $0.51. The consensus estimate for Essential Utilities’ current full-year earnings is $1.99 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Essential Utilities’ Q2 2025 earnings at $0.34 EPS, Q4 2025 earnings at $0.65 EPS and Q4 2026 earnings at $0.65 EPS.

Essential Utilities (NYSE:WTRG) last issued its earnings results on Monday, November 4th. The company reported $0.25 earnings per share for the quarter, topping 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 firm had revenue of $435.30 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $416.95 million. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.30 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.8% on a year-over-year basis.

Several other equities research analysts have also commented on WTRG. Jefferies Financial Group lowered shares of Essential Utilities from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and dropped their price target for the company from $44.00 to $41.00 in a research note on Thursday, November 7th. UBS Group lowered their target price on Essential Utilities from $45.00 to $42.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday. 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 cut Essential Utilities from an “overweight” rating to an “equal weight” rating and decreased their price target for the stock from $43.00 to $39.00 in a research note on Tuesday, January 7th. Finally, Robert W. Baird lifted their price objective on shares of Essential Utilities from $45.00 to $46.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 6th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $43.00.

Essential Utilities Stock Down 0.2 %

WTRG stock opened at $35.07 on Friday. 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 firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $37.65 and its 200 day simple moving average is $38.70. The stock has a market cap of $9.63 billion, a PE ratio of 17.54, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.44 and a beta of 0.86. Essential Utilities has a fifty-two week low of $33.18 and a fifty-two week high of $41.78.

Institutional Trading of Essential Utilities

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of WTRG. Friedenthal Financial acquired a new position in Essential Utilities during the third quarter worth about $25,000. Brooklyn Investment Group bought a new position in shares of Essential Utilities during the 3rd quarter valued at about $26,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Essential Utilities in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $28,000. First Horizon Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Essential Utilities by 61.4% in the 3rd quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 773 shares of the company’s stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 294 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Truvestments Capital LLC bought a new stake in shares of Essential Utilities in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $42,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.78% of the company’s stock.

Essential Utilities Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 3rd. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 10th will be given a dividend of $0.3255 per share. This represents a $1.30 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.71%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, February 10th. Essential Utilities’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 65.00%.

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.