Zacks Research Issues Pessimistic Forecast for WTRG Earnings

Essential Utilities, Inc. (NYSE:WTRG) – Equities research analysts at Zacks Research lowered their FY2025 EPS estimates for Essential Utilities in a research report issued to clients and investors on Monday, November 25th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now expects that the company will earn $2.10 per share for the year, down from their previous estimate of $2.11. The consensus estimate for Essential Utilities’ current full-year earnings is $2.01 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Essential Utilities’ Q1 2026 earnings at $0.82 EPS, Q2 2026 earnings at $0.40 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $2.23 EPS.

Essential Utilities (NYSE:WTRG) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 4th. The company reported $0.25 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.24 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 $435.30 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $416.95 million. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.30 EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.8% on a year-over-year basis.

WTRG has been the subject of several other research reports. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on shares of Essential Utilities from $45.00 to $43.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, November 5th. Jefferies Financial Group lowered Essential Utilities from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and lowered their price objective for the company from $44.00 to $41.00 in a report on Thursday, November 7th. Evercore ISI increased their target price on Essential Utilities from $42.00 to $45.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, August 8th. Bank of America reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $45.00 price target on shares of Essential Utilities in a report on Friday, September 20th. Finally, Robert W. Baird upped their price objective on Essential Utilities from $45.00 to $46.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 6th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $44.00.

Essential Utilities Price Performance

Essential Utilities stock opened at $40.29 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.17, a current ratio of 0.55 and a quick ratio of 0.39. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $39.10 and a 200-day simple moving average of $38.87. Essential Utilities has a 12 month low of $33.57 and a 12 month high of $41.78. The stock has a market capitalization of $11.06 billion, a PE ratio of 20.14, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.17 and a beta of 0.84.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Essential Utilities

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Friedenthal Financial acquired a new stake in Essential Utilities in the third quarter valued at $25,000. Brooklyn Investment Group acquired a new stake in Essential Utilities in the 3rd quarter valued at about $26,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Essential Utilities during the 3rd quarter valued at about $28,000. First Horizon Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in Essential Utilities by 61.4% during the 3rd quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 773 shares of the company’s stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 294 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Voisard Asset Management Group Inc. acquired a new position in Essential Utilities during the second quarter worth about $37,000. 74.78% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Essential Utilities Announces Dividend

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