ESSENTIAL UTILITIES INC (WTRG) Fundamental Analysis & Valuation
NYSE:WTRG • US29670G1022
Current stock price
39.55 USD
-0.04 (-0.1%)
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
- WTRG had positive earnings in the past year.
- In the past year WTRG had a positive cash flow from operations.
- Each year in the past 5 years WTRG has been profitable.
- WTRG had a positive operating cash flow in each of the past 5 years.
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.
- With a decent Return On Equity value of 8.99%, WTRG is doing good in the industry, outperforming 64.29% of the companies in the same industry.
- WTRG has a Return On Invested Capital of 3.86%. This is in the better half of the industry: WTRG outperforms 64.29% of its industry peers.
- Measured over the past 3 years, the Average Return On Invested Capital for WTRG is in line with the industry average of 4.53%.
- The 3 year average ROIC (3.57%) for WTRG is below the current ROIC(3.86%), indicating increased profibility in the last year.
| 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.
- With an excellent Operating Margin value of 37.22%, WTRG belongs to the best of the industry, outperforming 92.86% of the companies in the same industry.
- In the last couple of years the Operating Margin of WTRG has grown nicely.
- The Gross Margin of WTRG (83.68%) is better than 92.86% of its industry peers.
- In the last couple of years the Gross Margin of WTRG has remained more or less at the same level.
| 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
- The Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) is below the Cost of Capital (WACC), so WTRG is destroying value.
- WTRG has more shares outstanding than it did 1 year ago.
- WTRG has more shares outstanding than it did 5 years ago.
- The debt/assets ratio for WTRG has been reduced compared to a year ago.
2.2 Solvency
- Based on the Altman-Z score of 0.97, we must say that WTRG is in the distress zone and has some risk of bankruptcy.
- The Altman-Z score of WTRG (0.97) is comparable to the rest of the industry.
- A Debt/Equity ratio of 1.20 is on the high side and indicates that WTRG has dependencies on debt financing.
- WTRG has a Debt to Equity ratio of 1.20. This is comparable to the rest of the industry: WTRG outperforms 42.86% of its industry peers.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Debt/Equity | 1.2 | ||
| Debt/FCF | N/A | ||
| Altman-Z | 0.97 |
ROIC/WACC0.55
WACC7%
2.3 Liquidity
- A Current Ratio of 0.80 indicates that WTRG may have some problems paying its short term obligations.
- WTRG has a Current ratio (0.80) which is in line with its industry peers.
- A Quick Ratio of 0.65 indicates that WTRG may have some problems paying its short term obligations.
- WTRG has a Quick ratio of 0.65. This is in the lower half of the industry: WTRG underperforms 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
- WTRG shows a small growth in Earnings Per Share. In the last year, the EPS has grown by 1.84%.
- Measured over the past 5 years, WTRG shows a small growth in Earnings Per Share. The EPS has been growing by 6.94% on average per year.
- Looking at the last year, WTRG shows a quite strong growth in Revenue. The Revenue has grown by 18.62% in the last year.
- 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
- Based on estimates for the next years, WTRG will show a small growth in Earnings Per Share. The EPS will grow by 5.31% on average per year.
- Based on estimates for the next years, WTRG will show a small growth in Revenue. The Revenue will grow by 4.60% on average per year.
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
- The EPS growth rate is decreasing: in the next years the growth will be less than in the last years.
- When comparing the Revenue growth rate of the last years to the growth rate of the upcoming years, we see that the growth is decreasing.
4. WTRG Valuation Analysis
4.1 Price/Earnings Ratio
- WTRG is valuated rather expensively with a Price/Earnings ratio of 17.90.
- Compared to the rest of the industry, the Price/Earnings ratio of WTRG indicates a rather cheap valuation: WTRG is cheaper than 85.71% of the companies listed in the same industry.
- WTRG's Price/Earnings ratio indicates a valuation a bit cheaper than the S&P500 average which is at 27.18.
- With a Price/Forward Earnings ratio of 17.16, WTRG is valued on the expensive side.
- 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 (37.96), we can say WTRG is valued rather cheaply.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| PE | 17.9 | ||
| Fwd PE | 17.16 |
4.2 Price Multiples
- 78.57% of the companies in the same industry are more expensive than WTRG, based on the Enterprise Value to EBITDA ratio.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| P/FCF | N/A | ||
| EV/EBITDA | 14.43 |
4.3 Compensation for Growth
- The high PEG Ratio(NY), which compensates the Price/Earnings for growth, indicates an expensive valuation of the company.
- The excellent profitability rating of WTRG may justify a higher PE ratio.
PEG (NY)4.15
PEG (5Y)2.58
EPS Next 2Y5.86%
EPS Next 3Y5.86%
5. WTRG Dividend Analysis
5.1 Amount
- WTRG has a Yearly Dividend Yield of 3.34%.
- Compared to an average industry Dividend Yield of 2.92, WTRG pays a bit more dividend than its industry peers.
- WTRG's Dividend Yield is rather good when compared to the S&P500 average which is at 1.82.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield | 3.34% |
5.2 History
- The dividend of WTRG is nicely growing with an annual growth rate of 6.07%!
- WTRG has been paying a dividend for at least 10 years, so it has a reliable track record.
- WTRG has not decreased its dividend for at least 10 years, so it has a reliable track record of non decreasing dividend.
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 (4/14/2026, 3:48:59 PM)
39.55
-0.04 (-0.1%)
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 Change0.03%
Ins Owners0.24%
Ins Owner Change8.88%
Market Cap11.20B
Revenue(TTM)2.47B
Net Income(TTM)616.37M
Analysts73.85
Price Target42.77 (8.14%)
Short Float %1.79%
Short Ratio1.95
Dividend
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield | 3.34% |
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)3.09%
Revenue NY rev (3m)4.21%
Valuation
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| PE | 17.9 | ||
| Fwd PE | 17.16 | ||
| P/S | 4.53 | ||
| P/FCF | N/A | ||
| P/OCF | 11.09 | ||
| P/B | 1.63 | ||
| P/tB | 2.49 | ||
| EV/EBITDA | 14.43 |
EPS(TTM)2.21
EY5.59%
EPS(NY)2.31
Fwd EY5.83%
FCF(TTM)-1.48
FCFYN/A
OCF(TTM)3.57
OCFY9.02%
SpS8.73
BVpS24.21
TBVpS15.91
PEG (NY)4.15
PEG (5Y)2.58
Graham Number34.69
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 | 0.97 |
F-Score5
WACC7%
ROIC/WACC0.55
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 17.9 and the Price/Book (PB) ratio is 1.63.
What is the financial health of ESSENTIAL UTILITIES INC (WTRG) stock?
The financial health rating of ESSENTIAL UTILITIES INC (WTRG) is 1 / 10.