ESSENTIAL UTILITIES INC (WTRG) Stock Fundamental Analysis
NYSE:WTRG • US29670G1022
39.09 USD
+0.13 (+0.33%)
At close: Feb 19, 2026
39.09 USD
0 (0%)
After Hours: 2/19/2026, 8:04:00 PM
We assign a fundamental rating of 4 out of 10 to WTRG. WTRG was compared to 14 industry peers in the Water Utilities industry. WTRG scores excellent on profitability, but there are concerns on its financial health. WTRG has a correct valuation and a medium growth rate. Finally WTRG also has an excellent dividend rating.
1. Profitability
1.1 Basic Checks
- In the past year WTRG was profitable.
- WTRG had a positive operating cash flow in the past year.
- In the past 5 years WTRG has always been profitable.
- In the past 5 years WTRG always reported a positive cash flow from operatings.
1.2 Ratios
- WTRG has a better Return On Assets (3.54%) than 71.43% of its industry peers.
- WTRG has a better Return On Equity (9.81%) than 78.57% of its industry peers.
- WTRG has a Return On Invested Capital of 3.98%. This is in the better half of the industry: WTRG outperforms 64.29% of its industry peers.
- WTRG had an Average Return On Invested Capital over the past 3 years of 3.45%. This is in line with the industry average of 4.99%.
- The last Return On Invested Capital (3.98%) for WTRG is above the 3 year average (3.45%), which is a sign of increasing profitability.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ROA | 3.54% | ||
| ROE | 9.81% | ||
| ROIC | 3.98% |
ROA(3y)3.07%
ROA(5y)2.85%
ROE(3y)8.9%
ROE(5y)8.22%
ROIC(3y)3.45%
ROIC(5y)3.32%
1.3 Margins
- WTRG has a better Profit Margin (28.09%) than 92.86% of its industry peers.
- In the last couple of years the Profit Margin of WTRG has grown nicely.
- WTRG's Operating Margin of 38.68% is amongst the best of the industry. WTRG outperforms 92.86% of its industry peers.
- WTRG's Operating Margin has been stable in the last couple of years.
- WTRG's Gross Margin of 84.94% is amongst the best of the industry. WTRG outperforms 92.86% of its industry peers.
- In the last couple of years the Gross Margin of WTRG has grown nicely.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| OM | 38.68% | ||
| PM (TTM) | 28.09% | ||
| GM | 84.94% |
OM growth 3Y4.21%
OM growth 5Y-1.02%
PM growth 3Y7.49%
PM growth 5Y2.49%
GM growth 3Y1.93%
GM growth 5YN/A
2. Health
2.1 Basic Checks
- WTRG has a Return on Invested Capital (ROIC), which is below the Cost of Capital (WACC), which means it is destroying value.
- WTRG has more shares outstanding than it did 1 year ago.
- Compared to 5 years ago, WTRG has more shares outstanding
- The debt/assets ratio for WTRG is higher compared to a year ago.
2.2 Solvency
- WTRG has an Altman-Z score of 0.98. This is a bad value and indicates that WTRG is not financially healthy and even has some risk of bankruptcy.
- WTRG has a Altman-Z score of 0.98. This is comparable to the rest of the industry: WTRG outperforms 42.86% of its industry peers.
- WTRG has a Debt/Equity ratio of 1.14. This is a high value indicating a heavy dependency on external financing.
- WTRG has a Debt to Equity ratio (1.14) which is in line with its industry peers.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Debt/Equity | 1.14 | ||
| Debt/FCF | N/A | ||
| Altman-Z | 0.98 |
ROIC/WACC0.51
WACC7.82%
2.3 Liquidity
- A Current Ratio of 0.60 indicates that WTRG may have some problems paying its short term obligations.
- WTRG has a worse Current ratio (0.60) than 71.43% of its industry peers.
- WTRG has a Quick Ratio of 0.60. 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 Quick ratio of WTRG (0.43) is worse than 78.57% of its industry peers.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio | 0.6 | ||
| Quick Ratio | 0.43 |
3. Growth
3.1 Past
- WTRG shows a strong growth in Earnings Per Share. In the last year, the EPS has been growing by 20.80%, which is quite impressive.
- WTRG shows quite a strong growth in Earnings Per Share. Measured over the last years, the EPS has been growing by 8.10% yearly.
- Looking at the last year, WTRG shows a very strong growth in Revenue. The Revenue has grown by 21.35%.
- Measured over the past years, WTRG shows a quite strong growth in Revenue. The Revenue has been growing by 18.58% on average per year.
EPS 1Y (TTM)20.8%
EPS 3Y9.12%
EPS 5Y8.1%
EPS Q2Q%32%
Revenue 1Y (TTM)21.35%
Revenue growth 3Y3.56%
Revenue growth 5Y18.58%
Sales Q2Q%9.58%
3.2 Future
- The Earnings Per Share is expected to grow by 4.33% on average over the next years.
- WTRG is expected to show a small growth in Revenue. In the coming years, the Revenue will grow by 5.72% yearly.
EPS Next Y0.22%
EPS Next 2Y2.85%
EPS Next 3Y4.17%
EPS Next 5Y4.33%
Revenue Next Year7.57%
Revenue Next 2Y6.9%
Revenue Next 3Y6.86%
Revenue Next 5Y5.72%
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. Valuation
4.1 Price/Earnings Ratio
- Based on the Price/Earnings ratio of 16.22, the valuation of WTRG can be described as correct.
- Based on the Price/Earnings ratio, WTRG is valued cheaper than 85.71% of the companies in the same industry.
- WTRG's Price/Earnings ratio indicates a valuation a bit cheaper than the S&P500 average which is at 27.09.
- With a Price/Forward Earnings ratio of 17.03, WTRG is valued on the expensive side.
- 85.71% of the companies in the same industry are more expensive than WTRG, based on the Price/Forward Earnings ratio.
- The average S&P500 Price/Forward Earnings ratio is at 27.98. WTRG is valued slightly cheaper when compared to this.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| PE | 16.22 | ||
| Fwd PE | 17.03 |
4.2 Price Multiples
- WTRG's Enterprise Value to EBITDA ratio is a bit cheaper when compared to the industry. WTRG is cheaper than 71.43% of the companies in the same industry.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| P/FCF | N/A | ||
| EV/EBITDA | 14.2 |
4.3 Compensation for Growth
- The high PEG Ratio(NY), which compensates the Price/Earnings for growth, indicates WTRG does not grow enough to justify the current Price/Earnings ratio.
- The excellent profitability rating of WTRG may justify a higher PE ratio.
PEG (NY)73.75
PEG (5Y)2
EPS Next 2Y2.85%
EPS Next 3Y4.17%
5. Dividend
5.1 Amount
- WTRG has a Yearly Dividend Yield of 3.58%.
- WTRG's Dividend Yield is rather good when compared to the industry average which is at 2.97. WTRG pays more dividend than 85.71% of the companies in the same industry.
- Compared to an average S&P500 Dividend Yield of 1.85, WTRG pays a better dividend.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield | 3.58% |
5.2 History
- The dividend of WTRG has a limited annual growth rate of 5.99%.
- 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)5.99%
Div Incr Years33
Div Non Decr Years34
5.3 Sustainability
- WTRG pays out 54.79% of its income as dividend. This is a bit on the high side, but may be sustainable.
- WTRG's earnings are growing slower than its dividend. This means the dividend growth is not sustainable.
DP54.79%
EPS Next 2Y2.85%
EPS Next 3Y4.17%
39.09
+0.13 (+0.33%)
Chartmill FA Rating
GICS SectorUtilities
GICS IndustryGroupUtilities
GICS IndustryWater Utilities
Earnings (Last)11-04 2025-11-04/amc
Earnings (Next)02-25 2026-02-25/amc
Inst Owners85.54%
Inst Owner Change-1.44%
Ins Owners0.2%
Ins Owner Change6.17%
Market Cap11.06B
Revenue(TTM)2.38B
Net Income(TTM)668.45M
Analysts74.67
Price Target42.78 (9.44%)
Short Float %2.04%
Short Ratio2.95
Dividend
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield | 3.58% |
Yearly Dividend1.26
Dividend Growth(5Y)5.99%
DP54.79%
Div Incr Years33
Div Non Decr Years34
Ex-Date02-09 2026-02-09 (0.3426)
Surprises & Revisions
EPS beat(2)2
Avg EPS beat(2)17.79%
Min EPS beat(2)13.72%
Max EPS beat(2)21.86%
EPS beat(4)3
Avg EPS beat(4)14.72%
Min EPS beat(4)-1.24%
Max EPS beat(4)24.54%
EPS beat(8)5
Avg EPS beat(8)8.98%
EPS beat(12)6
Avg EPS beat(12)5.6%
EPS beat(16)8
Avg EPS beat(16)5.05%
Revenue beat(2)1
Avg Revenue beat(2)3.52%
Min Revenue beat(2)-1.01%
Max Revenue beat(2)8.05%
Revenue beat(4)2
Avg Revenue beat(4)2.15%
Min Revenue beat(4)-7.87%
Max Revenue beat(4)9.45%
Revenue beat(8)3
Avg Revenue beat(8)-5.79%
Revenue beat(12)5
Avg Revenue beat(12)-3.46%
Revenue beat(16)9
Avg Revenue beat(16)-0.62%
PT rev (1m)-1.78%
PT rev (3m)-5.38%
EPS NQ rev (1m)5.3%
EPS NQ rev (3m)2.04%
EPS NY rev (1m)0.63%
EPS NY rev (3m)0.63%
Revenue NQ rev (1m)3.08%
Revenue NQ rev (3m)3.08%
Revenue NY rev (1m)-0.3%
Revenue NY rev (3m)-0.3%
Valuation
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| PE | 16.22 | ||
| Fwd PE | 17.03 | ||
| P/S | 4.65 | ||
| P/FCF | N/A | ||
| P/OCF | 11.62 | ||
| P/B | 1.62 | ||
| P/tB | 2.48 | ||
| EV/EBITDA | 14.2 |
EPS(TTM)2.41
EY6.17%
EPS(NY)2.3
Fwd EY5.87%
FCF(TTM)-1.51
FCFYN/A
OCF(TTM)3.36
OCFY8.61%
SpS8.41
BVpS24.09
TBVpS15.78
PEG (NY)73.75
PEG (5Y)2
Graham Number36.14
Profitability
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ROA | 3.54% | ||
| ROE | 9.81% | ||
| ROCE | 5.07% | ||
| ROIC | 3.98% | ||
| ROICexc | 3.98% | ||
| ROICexgc | 4.57% | ||
| OM | 38.68% | ||
| PM (TTM) | 28.09% | ||
| GM | 84.94% | ||
| FCFM | N/A |
ROA(3y)3.07%
ROA(5y)2.85%
ROE(3y)8.9%
ROE(5y)8.22%
ROIC(3y)3.45%
ROIC(5y)3.32%
ROICexc(3y)3.45%
ROICexc(5y)3.32%
ROICexgc(3y)4.04%
ROICexgc(5y)3.94%
ROCE(3y)4.42%
ROCE(5y)4.24%
ROICexgc growth 3Y-0.42%
ROICexgc growth 5Y1.31%
ROICexc growth 3Y0.8%
ROICexc growth 5Y-1.43%
OM growth 3Y4.21%
OM growth 5Y-1.02%
PM growth 3Y7.49%
PM growth 5Y2.49%
GM growth 3Y1.93%
GM growth 5YN/A
F-Score7
Asset Turnover0.13
Health
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Debt/Equity | 1.14 | ||
| Debt/FCF | N/A | ||
| Debt/EBITDA | 5.87 | ||
| Cap/Depr | 339.6% | ||
| Cap/Sales | 58% | ||
| Interest Coverage | 250 | ||
| Cash Conversion | 71.75% | ||
| Profit Quality | N/A | ||
| Current Ratio | 0.6 | ||
| Quick Ratio | 0.43 | ||
| Altman-Z | 0.98 |
F-Score7
WACC7.82%
ROIC/WACC0.51
Cap/Depr(3y)346.54%
Cap/Depr(5y)341.43%
Cap/Sales(3y)56.19%
Cap/Sales(5y)56.01%
Profit Quality(3y)N/A
Profit Quality(5y)N/A
High Growth Momentum
Growth
EPS 1Y (TTM)20.8%
EPS 3Y9.12%
EPS 5Y8.1%
EPS Q2Q%32%
EPS Next Y0.22%
EPS Next 2Y2.85%
EPS Next 3Y4.17%
EPS Next 5Y4.33%
Revenue 1Y (TTM)21.35%
Revenue growth 3Y3.56%
Revenue growth 5Y18.58%
Sales Q2Q%9.58%
Revenue Next Year7.57%
Revenue Next 2Y6.9%
Revenue Next 3Y6.86%
Revenue Next 5Y5.72%
EBIT growth 1Y30.58%
EBIT growth 3Y7.93%
EBIT growth 5Y17.37%
EBIT Next Year57.12%
EBIT Next 3Y23.8%
EBIT Next 5Y18.28%
FCF growth 1Y-29.02%
FCF growth 3YN/A
FCF growth 5YN/A
OCF growth 1Y7.5%
OCF growth 3Y6.12%
OCF growth 5Y17.88%
ESSENTIAL UTILITIES INC / WTRG 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.
Can you provide the profitability details for ESSENTIAL UTILITIES INC?
ESSENTIAL UTILITIES INC (WTRG) has a profitability rating of 8 / 10.
Can you provide the financial health for WTRG stock?
The financial health rating of ESSENTIAL UTILITIES INC (WTRG) is 0 / 10.
How sustainable is the dividend of ESSENTIAL UTILITIES INC (WTRG) stock?
The dividend rating of ESSENTIAL UTILITIES INC (WTRG) is 7 / 10 and the dividend payout ratio is 54.79%.