ESSENTIAL UTILITIES INC (WTRG) Fundamental Analysis & Valuation
NYSE:WTRG • US29670G1022
Current stock price
40.17 USD
-0.16 (-0.4%)
Last:
This WTRG fundamental analysis includes valuation metrics, fair value assessment, financial health analysis, profitability trends, growth metrics and dividend sustainability analysis.
1. WTRG Profitability Analysis
1.1 Basic Checks
- In the past year WTRG was profitable.
- In the past year WTRG had a positive cash flow from operations.
- In the past 5 years WTRG has always been profitable.
- Each year in the past 5 years WTRG had a positive operating cash flow.
1.2 Ratios
- WTRG's Return On Assets of 3.17% is fine compared to the rest of the industry. WTRG outperforms 71.43% of its industry peers.
- WTRG has a better Return On Equity (8.99%) than 64.29% of its industry peers.
- Looking at the Return On Invested Capital, with a value of 3.86%, WTRG is in the better half of the industry, outperforming 64.29% of the companies in the same industry.
- The Average Return On Invested Capital over the past 3 years for WTRG is in line with the industry average of 4.59%.
- The last Return On Invested Capital (3.86%) for WTRG is above the 3 year average (3.57%), which is a sign of increasing profitability.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ROA | 3.17% | ||
| ROE | 8.99% | ||
| ROIC | 3.86% |
ROA(3y)3.14%
ROA(5y)3.07%
ROE(3y)9.01%
ROE(5y)8.8%
ROIC(3y)3.57%
ROIC(5y)3.52%
1.3 Margins
- Looking at the Profit Margin, with a value of 24.91%, WTRG belongs to the top of the industry, outperforming 85.71% of the companies in the same industry.
- WTRG's Profit Margin has improved in the last couple of years.
- The Operating Margin of WTRG (37.22%) is better than 92.86% of its industry peers.
- In the last couple of years the Operating Margin of WTRG has grown nicely.
- WTRG's Gross Margin of 83.68% is amongst the best of the industry. WTRG outperforms 92.86% of its industry peers.
- WTRG's Gross Margin has been stable in the last couple of years.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| OM | 37.22% | ||
| PM (TTM) | 24.91% | ||
| GM | 83.68% |
OM growth 3Y8.8%
OM growth 5Y2.62%
PM growth 3Y7%
PM growth 5Y5.05%
GM growth 3Y4.33%
GM growth 5Y-1.15%
2. WTRG Health Analysis
2.1 Basic Checks
- With a Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) below the Cost of Capital (WACC), WTRG is destroying value.
- The number of shares outstanding for WTRG has been increased compared to 1 year ago.
- The number of shares outstanding for WTRG has been increased compared to 5 years ago.
- Compared to 1 year ago, WTRG has an improved debt to assets ratio.
2.2 Solvency
- Based on the Altman-Z score of 0.98, we must say that WTRG is in the distress zone and has some risk of bankruptcy.
- The Altman-Z score of WTRG (0.98) is comparable to the rest of the industry.
- WTRG has a Debt/Equity ratio of 1.20. This is a high value indicating a heavy dependency on external financing.
- Looking at the Debt to Equity ratio, with a value of 1.20, WTRG is in line with its industry, outperforming 42.86% of the companies in the same industry.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Debt/Equity | 1.2 | ||
| Debt/FCF | N/A | ||
| Altman-Z | 0.98 |
ROIC/WACC0.57
WACC6.76%
2.3 Liquidity
- WTRG has a Current Ratio of 0.80. This is a bad value and indicates that WTRG is not financially healthy enough and could expect problems in meeting its short term obligations.
- The Current ratio of WTRG (0.80) is comparable to the rest of the industry.
- A Quick Ratio of 0.65 indicates that WTRG may have some problems paying its short term obligations.
- The Quick ratio of WTRG (0.65) is worse than 64.29% of its industry peers.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio | 0.8 | ||
| Quick Ratio | 0.65 |
3. WTRG Growth Analysis
3.1 Past
- The Earnings Per Share has been growing slightly by 1.84% over the past year.
- WTRG shows a small growth in Earnings Per Share. Measured over the last years, the EPS has been growing by 6.94% yearly.
- WTRG shows quite a strong growth in Revenue. In the last year, the Revenue has grown by 18.62%.
- The Revenue has been growing by 11.09% on average over the past years. This is quite good.
EPS 1Y (TTM)1.84%
EPS 3Y7.68%
EPS 5Y6.94%
EPS Q2Q%-29.85%
Revenue 1Y (TTM)18.62%
Revenue growth 3Y2.65%
Revenue growth 5Y11.09%
Sales Q2Q%15.67%
3.2 Future
- WTRG is expected to show a small growth in Earnings Per Share. In the coming years, the EPS will grow by 5.31% yearly.
- WTRG is expected to show a small growth in Revenue. In the coming years, the Revenue will grow by 4.60% yearly.
EPS Next Y4.31%
EPS Next 2Y5.86%
EPS Next 3Y5.86%
EPS Next 5Y5.31%
Revenue Next Year10.17%
Revenue Next 2Y8.73%
Revenue Next 3Y7.65%
Revenue Next 5Y4.6%
3.3 Evolution
- When comparing the EPS growth rate of the last years to the growth rate of the upcoming years, we see that the growth is decreasing.
- The Revenue growth rate is decreasing: in the next years the growth will be less than in the last years.
4. WTRG Valuation Analysis
4.1 Price/Earnings Ratio
- The Price/Earnings ratio is 18.18, which indicates a rather expensive current valuation of WTRG.
- Based on the Price/Earnings ratio, WTRG is valued cheaper than 85.71% of the companies in the same industry.
- When comparing the Price/Earnings ratio of WTRG to the average of the S&P500 Index (27.47), we can say WTRG is valued slightly cheaper.
- Based on the Price/Forward Earnings ratio of 17.43, the valuation of WTRG can be described as rather expensive.
- WTRG's Price/Forward Earnings ratio is rather cheap when compared to the industry. WTRG is cheaper than 85.71% of the companies in the same industry.
- When comparing the Price/Forward Earnings ratio of WTRG to the average of the S&P500 Index (22.62), we can say WTRG is valued slightly cheaper.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| PE | 18.18 | ||
| Fwd PE | 17.43 |
4.2 Price Multiples
- Based on the Enterprise Value to EBITDA ratio, WTRG is valued a bit cheaper than the industry average as 78.57% of the companies are valued more expensively.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| P/FCF | N/A | ||
| EV/EBITDA | 14.59 |
4.3 Compensation for Growth
- The high PEG Ratio(NY), which compensates the Price/Earnings for growth, indicates an expensive valuation of the company.
- WTRG has an outstanding profitability rating, which may justify a higher PE ratio.
PEG (NY)4.22
PEG (5Y)2.62
EPS Next 2Y5.86%
EPS Next 3Y5.86%
5. WTRG Dividend Analysis
5.1 Amount
- WTRG has a Yearly Dividend Yield of 3.55%. Purely for dividend investing, there may be better candidates out there.
- Compared to an average industry Dividend Yield of 3.01, WTRG pays a bit more dividend than its industry peers.
- Compared to an average S&P500 Dividend Yield of 1.81, WTRG pays a better dividend.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield | 3.55% |
5.2 History
- On average, the dividend of WTRG grows each year by 6.07%, which is quite nice.
- WTRG has been paying a dividend for at least 10 years, so it has a reliable track record.
- WTRG has not decreased their dividend for at least 10 years, which is a reliable track record.
Dividend Growth(5Y)6.07%
Div Incr Years34
Div Non Decr Years34
5.3 Sustainability
- 60.65% of the earnings are spent on dividend by WTRG. This is not a sustainable payout ratio.
- The dividend of WTRG is growing, but the earnings are growing slower. This means the dividend growth is not sustainable.
DP60.65%
EPS Next 2Y5.86%
EPS Next 3Y5.86%
WTRG Fundamentals: All Metrics, Ratios and Statistics
NYSE:WTRG (4/24/2026, 11:56:07 AM)
40.17
-0.16 (-0.4%)
Chartmill FA Rating
GICS SectorUtilities
GICS IndustryGroupUtilities
GICS IndustryWater Utilities
Earnings (Last)02-25 2026-02-25/amc
Earnings (Next)05-11 2026-05-11
Inst Owners83.22%
Inst Owner Change0%
Ins Owners0.24%
Ins Owner Change8.88%
Market Cap11.38B
Revenue(TTM)2.47B
Net Income(TTM)616.37M
Analysts73.85
Price Target42.77 (6.47%)
Short Float %1.79%
Short Ratio1.95
Dividend
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield | 3.55% |
Yearly Dividend1.34
Dividend Growth(5Y)6.07%
DP60.65%
Div Incr Years34
Div Non Decr Years34
Ex-Date05-12 2026-05-12 (0.3426)
Surprises & Revisions
EPS beat(2)2
Avg EPS beat(2)12.28%
Min EPS beat(2)10.83%
Max EPS beat(2)13.72%
EPS beat(4)4
Avg EPS beat(4)17.74%
Min EPS beat(4)10.83%
Max EPS beat(4)24.54%
EPS beat(8)6
Avg EPS beat(8)10.65%
EPS beat(12)7
Avg EPS beat(12)6.78%
EPS beat(16)9
Avg EPS beat(16)5.76%
Revenue beat(2)1
Avg Revenue beat(2)5.53%
Min Revenue beat(2)-1.01%
Max Revenue beat(2)12.07%
Revenue beat(4)3
Avg Revenue beat(4)7.14%
Min Revenue beat(4)-1.01%
Max Revenue beat(4)12.07%
Revenue beat(8)4
Avg Revenue beat(8)-0.07%
Revenue beat(12)5
Avg Revenue beat(12)-4.18%
Revenue beat(16)9
Avg Revenue beat(16)-0.23%
PT rev (1m)0%
PT rev (3m)-1.8%
EPS NQ rev (1m)-0.48%
EPS NQ rev (3m)4.53%
EPS NY rev (1m)0.19%
EPS NY rev (3m)0.94%
Revenue NQ rev (1m)0%
Revenue NQ rev (3m)4.25%
Revenue NY rev (1m)0%
Revenue NY rev (3m)4.21%
Valuation
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| PE | 18.18 | ||
| Fwd PE | 17.43 | ||
| P/S | 4.6 | ||
| P/FCF | N/A | ||
| P/OCF | 11.26 | ||
| P/B | 1.66 | ||
| P/tB | 2.53 | ||
| EV/EBITDA | 14.59 |
EPS(TTM)2.21
EY5.5%
EPS(NY)2.31
Fwd EY5.74%
FCF(TTM)-1.48
FCFYN/A
OCF(TTM)3.57
OCFY8.88%
SpS8.73
BVpS24.21
TBVpS15.91
PEG (NY)4.22
PEG (5Y)2.62
Graham Number34.6933 (-13.63%)
Profitability
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ROA | 3.17% | ||
| ROE | 8.99% | ||
| ROCE | 4.92% | ||
| ROIC | 3.86% | ||
| ROICexc | 3.87% | ||
| ROICexgc | 4.42% | ||
| OM | 37.22% | ||
| PM (TTM) | 24.91% | ||
| GM | 83.68% | ||
| FCFM | N/A |
ROA(3y)3.14%
ROA(5y)3.07%
ROE(3y)9.01%
ROE(5y)8.8%
ROIC(3y)3.57%
ROIC(5y)3.52%
ROICexc(3y)3.57%
ROICexc(5y)3.52%
ROICexgc(3y)4.13%
ROICexgc(5y)4.12%
ROCE(3y)4.56%
ROCE(5y)4.5%
ROICexgc growth 3Y2.07%
ROICexgc growth 5Y4.86%
ROICexc growth 3Y3.36%
ROICexc growth 5Y6.16%
OM growth 3Y8.8%
OM growth 5Y2.62%
PM growth 3Y7%
PM growth 5Y5.05%
GM growth 3Y4.33%
GM growth 5Y-1.15%
F-Score5
Asset Turnover0.13
Health
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Debt/Equity | 1.2 | ||
| Debt/FCF | N/A | ||
| Debt/EBITDA | 6.17 | ||
| Cap/Depr | 342.53% | ||
| Cap/Sales | 57.79% | ||
| Interest Coverage | 2.96 | ||
| Cash Conversion | 75.5% | ||
| Profit Quality | N/A | ||
| Current Ratio | 0.8 | ||
| Quick Ratio | 0.65 | ||
| Altman-Z | 0.98 |
F-Score5
WACC6.76%
ROIC/WACC0.57
Cap/Depr(3y)350.42%
Cap/Depr(5y)344.93%
Cap/Sales(3y)59.97%
Cap/Sales(5y)56.14%
Profit Quality(3y)N/A
Profit Quality(5y)N/A
High Growth Momentum
Growth
EPS 1Y (TTM)1.84%
EPS 3Y7.68%
EPS 5Y6.94%
EPS Q2Q%-29.85%
EPS Next Y4.31%
EPS Next 2Y5.86%
EPS Next 3Y5.86%
EPS Next 5Y5.31%
Revenue 1Y (TTM)18.62%
Revenue growth 3Y2.65%
Revenue growth 5Y11.09%
Sales Q2Q%15.67%
Revenue Next Year10.17%
Revenue Next 2Y8.73%
Revenue Next 3Y7.65%
Revenue Next 5Y4.6%
EBIT growth 1Y21.55%
EBIT growth 3Y11.68%
EBIT growth 5Y14%
EBIT Next Year57.67%
EBIT Next 3Y23.24%
EBIT Next 5Y17.45%
FCF growth 1Y25.01%
FCF growth 3YN/A
FCF growth 5YN/A
OCF growth 1Y31.17%
OCF growth 3Y18.95%
OCF growth 5Y14.74%
ESSENTIAL UTILITIES INC / WTRG Fundamental Analysis FAQ
Can you provide the ChartMill fundamental rating for ESSENTIAL UTILITIES INC?
ChartMill assigns a fundamental rating of 4 / 10 to WTRG.
Can you provide the valuation status for ESSENTIAL UTILITIES INC?
ChartMill assigns a valuation rating of 4 / 10 to ESSENTIAL UTILITIES INC (WTRG). This can be considered as Fairly Valued.
What is the profitability of WTRG stock?
ESSENTIAL UTILITIES INC (WTRG) has a profitability rating of 8 / 10.
What are the PE and PB ratios of ESSENTIAL UTILITIES INC (WTRG) stock?
The Price/Earnings (PE) ratio for ESSENTIAL UTILITIES INC (WTRG) is 18.18 and the Price/Book (PB) ratio is 1.66.
What is the financial health of ESSENTIAL UTILITIES INC (WTRG) stock?
The financial health rating of ESSENTIAL UTILITIES INC (WTRG) is 1 / 10.