Essential Utilities, Inc. (NYSE:WTRG – Free Report) – Equities researchers at Zacks Research decreased their Q1 2026 EPS estimates for Essential Utilities in a research report issued to clients and investors on Monday, March 17th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now expects that the company will earn $0.75 per share for the quarter, down from their previous estimate of $0.83. The consensus estimate for Essential Utilities’ current full-year earnings is $1.99 per share.
Essential Utilities (NYSE:WTRG – Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, February 26th. The company reported $0.67 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.66 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 $604.38 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $698.77 million.
Check Out Our Latest Analysis on WTRG
Essential Utilities Stock Performance
Shares of WTRG opened at $39.14 on Thursday. Essential Utilities has a 12 month low of $33.18 and a 12 month high of $41.78. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $36.44 and a 200 day simple moving average of $37.84. The stock has a market capitalization of $10.76 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.57, a PEG ratio of 2.57 and a beta of 0.79. 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 Dividend Announcement
The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 2nd. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, May 13th will be given a $0.3255 dividend. This represents a $1.30 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.33%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, May 13th. Essential Utilities’s payout ratio is presently 59.91%.
Hedge Funds Weigh In On Essential Utilities
Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Brooklyn Investment Group bought a new position in shares of Essential Utilities in the third quarter valued at about $26,000. VSM Wealth Advisory LLC bought a new position in shares of Essential Utilities in the fourth quarter valued at about $26,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Essential Utilities in the third quarter valued at about $28,000. First Horizon Advisors Inc. raised its position in shares of Essential Utilities by 61.4% in the third quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 773 shares of the company’s stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 294 shares during the period. Finally, Truvestments Capital LLC bought a new position in Essential Utilities during the third quarter worth about $42,000. 74.78% of the stock is owned by 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.
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