ESSENTIAL UTILITIES INC (WTRG) Fundamental Analysis & Valuation
NYSE:WTRG • US29670G1022
Current stock price
39.93 USD
-0.54 (-1.33%)
At close:
39.93 USD
0 (0%)
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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.
- WTRG had positive earnings in each of the past 5 years.
- WTRG had a positive operating cash flow in each of the past 5 years.
1.2 Ratios
- The Return On Assets of WTRG (3.17%) is better than 71.43% of its industry peers.
- WTRG has a Return On Equity of 8.99%. This is in the better half of the industry: WTRG outperforms 64.29% of its industry peers.
- 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 4.55%.
- 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
- The Profit Margin of WTRG (24.91%) is better than 85.71% of its industry peers.
- WTRG's Profit Margin has improved in the last couple of years.
- WTRG's Operating Margin of 37.22% is amongst the best of the industry. WTRG outperforms 100.00% of its industry peers.
- In the last couple of years the Operating Margin of WTRG has grown nicely.
- WTRG has a Gross Margin of 83.68%. This is amongst the best in 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
- WTRG has a Return on Invested Capital (ROIC), which is below the Cost of Capital (WACC), which means it is destroying value.
- The number of shares outstanding for WTRG has been increased compared to 1 year ago.
- WTRG has more shares outstanding than it did 5 years ago.
- WTRG has a better debt/assets ratio than last year.
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.
- With a Altman-Z score value of 0.98, WTRG perfoms like the industry average, outperforming 42.86% of the companies in the same industry.
- WTRG has a Debt/Equity ratio of 1.20. This is a high value indicating a heavy dependency on external financing.
- With a Debt to Equity ratio value of 1.20, WTRG perfoms like the industry average, 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/WACC0.51
WACC7.57%
2.3 Liquidity
- A Current Ratio of 0.80 indicates that WTRG may have some problems paying its short term obligations.
- Looking at the Current ratio, with a value of 0.80, WTRG is in line with its industry, outperforming 57.14% of the companies in the same industry.
- A Quick Ratio of 0.65 indicates that WTRG may have some problems paying its short term obligations.
- WTRG's Quick ratio of 0.65 is in line compared to the rest of the industry. WTRG outperforms 42.86% 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%.
- The Earnings Per Share has been growing slightly by 6.94% on average over the past years.
- The Revenue has grown by 18.62% in the past year. This is quite good.
- WTRG shows quite a strong growth in Revenue. Measured over the last years, the Revenue has been growing by 11.09% yearly.
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
- The Earnings Per Share is expected to grow by 5.31% on average over the next years.
- The Revenue is expected to grow by 4.60% on average over the next years.
EPS Next Y4.11%
EPS Next 2Y5.53%
EPS Next 3Y5.43%
EPS Next 5Y5.31%
Revenue Next Year6.86%
Revenue Next 2Y6.74%
Revenue Next 3Y6.19%
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 18.07.
- 85.71% of the companies in the same industry are more expensive than WTRG, based on the Price/Earnings ratio.
- When comparing the Price/Earnings ratio of WTRG to the average of the S&P500 Index (25.23), we can say WTRG is valued slightly cheaper.
- WTRG is valuated rather expensively with a Price/Forward Earnings ratio of 17.35.
- WTRG's Price/Forward Earnings ratio is a bit cheaper when compared to the industry. WTRG is cheaper than 78.57% of the companies in the same industry.
- The average S&P500 Price/Forward Earnings ratio is at 23.28. WTRG is valued slightly cheaper when compared to this.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| PE | 18.07 | ||
| Fwd PE | 17.35 |
4.2 Price Multiples
- Based on the Enterprise Value to EBITDA ratio, WTRG is valued a bit cheaper than the industry average as 64.29% of the companies are valued more expensively.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| P/FCF | N/A | ||
| EV/EBITDA | 14.61 |
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)4.4
PEG (5Y)2.6
EPS Next 2Y5.53%
EPS Next 3Y5.43%
5. WTRG Dividend Analysis
5.1 Amount
- With a Yearly Dividend Yield of 3.58%, WTRG has a reasonable but not impressive dividend return.
- Compared to an average industry Dividend Yield of 2.94, WTRG pays a bit more dividend than its industry peers.
- Compared to an average S&P500 Dividend Yield of 1.91, WTRG pays a better dividend.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield | 3.58% |
5.2 History
- On average, the dividend of WTRG grows each year by 6.07%, which is quite nice.
- WTRG has paid a dividend for at least 10 years, which is 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 Years33
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.
- WTRG's earnings are growing slower than its dividend. This means the dividend growth is not sustainable.
DP60.65%
EPS Next 2Y5.53%
EPS Next 3Y5.43%
WTRG Fundamentals: All Metrics, Ratios and Statistics
39.93
-0.54 (-1.33%)
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 Owners83.41%
Inst Owner Change-1.09%
Ins Owners0.22%
Ins Owner Change8.88%
Market Cap11.30B
Revenue(TTM)2.47B
Net Income(TTM)616.37M
Analysts73.85
Price Target42.77 (7.11%)
Short Float %2.78%
Short Ratio3.02
Dividend
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield | 3.58% |
Yearly Dividend1.34
Dividend Growth(5Y)6.07%
DP60.65%
Div Incr Years33
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)-0.02%
PT rev (3m)-3.22%
EPS NQ rev (1m)5.03%
EPS NQ rev (3m)5.03%
EPS NY rev (1m)0.23%
EPS NY rev (3m)0.7%
Revenue NQ rev (1m)4.25%
Revenue NQ rev (3m)4.25%
Revenue NY rev (1m)0.6%
Revenue NY rev (3m)1.08%
Valuation
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| PE | 18.07 | ||
| Fwd PE | 17.35 | ||
| P/S | 4.57 | ||
| P/FCF | N/A | ||
| P/OCF | 11.19 | ||
| P/B | 1.65 | ||
| P/tB | 2.51 | ||
| EV/EBITDA | 14.61 |
EPS(TTM)2.21
EY5.53%
EPS(NY)2.3
Fwd EY5.76%
FCF(TTM)-1.48
FCFYN/A
OCF(TTM)3.57
OCFY8.94%
SpS8.74
BVpS24.22
TBVpS15.92
PEG (NY)4.4
PEG (5Y)2.6
Graham Number34.7
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
WACC7.57%
ROIC/WACC0.51
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 Y4.11%
EPS Next 2Y5.53%
EPS Next 3Y5.43%
EPS Next 5Y5.31%
Revenue 1Y (TTM)18.62%
Revenue growth 3Y2.65%
Revenue growth 5Y11.09%
Sales Q2Q%15.67%
Revenue Next Year6.86%
Revenue Next 2Y6.74%
Revenue Next 3Y6.19%
Revenue Next 5Y4.6%
EBIT growth 1Y21.55%
EBIT growth 3Y11.68%
EBIT growth 5Y14%
EBIT Next Year54.85%
EBIT Next 3Y21.97%
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.
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 1 / 10.
How sustainable is the dividend of ESSENTIAL UTILITIES INC (WTRG) stock?
The dividend rating of ESSENTIAL UTILITIES INC (WTRG) is 6 / 10 and the dividend payout ratio is 60.65%.