What is Zacks Research’s Estimate for WTRG Q4 Earnings?

Essential Utilities, Inc. (NYSE:WTRG) – Stock analysts at Zacks Research raised their Q4 2024 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for Essential Utilities in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday, December 19th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now expects that the company will post earnings per share of $0.51 for the quarter, up from their previous forecast of $0.50. 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 $0.64 EPS.

WTRG has been the topic of several other reports. Jefferies Financial Group cut Essential Utilities from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and lowered their price objective for the stock from $44.00 to $41.00 in a report on Thursday, November 7th. Bank of America reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $45.00 price target on shares of Essential Utilities in a research note on Friday, September 20th. Robert W. Baird boosted their price target on Essential Utilities from $45.00 to $46.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on Essential Utilities from $45.00 to $43.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Essential Utilities presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $44.00.

Essential Utilities Stock Performance

Shares of WTRG stock opened at $36.36 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 0.55, a quick ratio of 0.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.17. Essential Utilities has a 12-month low of $33.57 and a 12-month high of $41.78. The business’s 50 day moving average is $39.19 and its two-hundred day moving average is $38.93. The company has a market capitalization of $9.98 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.18, a P/E/G ratio of 3.06 and a beta of 0.85.

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

Essential Utilities Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 3rd. Investors of record on Monday, February 10th will be given a dividend of $0.3255 per share. This represents a $1.30 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.58%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, February 10th. Essential Utilities’s payout ratio is 65.00%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Essential Utilities

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

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.