ESSENTIAL UTILITIES INC (WTRG) Stock Fundamental Analysis

NYSE:WTRG • US29670G1022

38.96 USD
-0.64 (-1.62%)
At close: Feb 18, 2026
38.96 USD
0 (0%)
After Hours: 2/18/2026, 6:40:00 PM
Overview Stock Chart Technical Analysis Fundamental Analysis Analyst Ratings Earnings Estimates Financials Ownership News
Fundamental Rating

5

We assign a fundamental rating of 5 out of 10 to WTRG. WTRG was compared to 14 industry peers in the Water Utilities industry. WTRG has an excellent profitability rating, but there are concerns on its financial health. WTRG is not valued too expensively and it also shows a decent growth rate. Finally WTRG also has an excellent dividend rating.


Dividend Valuation Growth Profitability Health

8

1. Profitability

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.
  • Each year in the past 5 years WTRG had a positive operating cash flow.
WTRG Yearly Net Income VS EBIT VS OCF VS FCFWTRG Yearly Net Income VS EBIT VS OCF VS FCFYearly Net Income VS EBIT VS OCF VS FCF 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 0 500M -500M

1.2 Ratios

  • WTRG's Return On Assets of 3.54% is fine compared to the rest of the industry. WTRG outperforms 71.43% of its industry peers.
  • The Return On Equity of WTRG (9.81%) is better 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.
  • The Average Return On Invested Capital over the past 3 years for WTRG 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 RankSector 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%
WTRG Yearly ROA, ROE, ROICWTRG Yearly ROA, ROE, ROICYearly ROA, ROE, ROIC 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2 4 6 8 10

1.3 Margins

  • With an excellent Profit Margin value of 28.09%, WTRG belongs to the best of the industry, outperforming 92.86% of the companies in the same industry.
  • WTRG's Profit Margin has improved in the last couple of years.
  • The Operating Margin of WTRG (38.68%) is better than 92.86% of its industry peers.
  • In the last couple of years the Operating Margin of WTRG has remained more or less at the same level.
  • The Gross Margin of WTRG (84.94%) is better than 92.86% of its industry peers.
  • WTRG's Gross Margin has improved in the last couple of years.
Industry RankSector 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
WTRG Yearly Profit, Operating, Gross MarginsWTRG Yearly Profit, Operating, Gross MarginsYearly Profit, Operating, Gross Margins 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 20 40 60 80

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ROAROEROICOperating and Profit MarginShow most profitable peers

0

2. Health

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.
  • Compared to 5 years ago, WTRG has more shares outstanding
  • The debt/assets ratio for WTRG is higher compared to a year ago.
WTRG Yearly Shares OutstandingWTRG Yearly Shares OutstandingYearly Shares Outstanding 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 50M 100M 150M 200M 250M
WTRG Yearly Total Debt VS Total AssetsWTRG Yearly Total Debt VS Total AssetsYearly Total Debt VS Total Assets 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 5B 10B 15B

2.2 Solvency

  • WTRG has an Altman-Z score of 0.99. 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 (0.99) which is in line with its industry peers.
  • A Debt/Equity ratio of 1.14 is on the high side and indicates that WTRG has dependencies on debt financing.
  • The Debt to Equity ratio of WTRG (1.14) is comparable to the rest of the industry.
Industry RankSector Rank
Debt/Equity 1.14
Debt/FCF N/A
Altman-Z 0.99
ROIC/WACC0.51
WACC7.8%
WTRG Yearly LT Debt VS Equity VS FCFWTRG Yearly LT Debt VS Equity VS FCFYearly LT Debt VS Equity VS FCF 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 0 2B 4B 6B

2.3 Liquidity

  • WTRG has a Current 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.
  • WTRG has a worse Current ratio (0.60) than 71.43% of its industry peers.
  • A Quick Ratio of 0.43 indicates that WTRG may have some problems paying its short term obligations.
  • WTRG has a worse Quick ratio (0.43) than 78.57% of its industry peers.
Industry RankSector Rank
Current Ratio 0.6
Quick Ratio 0.43
WTRG Yearly Current Assets VS Current LiabilitesWTRG Yearly Current Assets VS Current LiabilitesYearly Current Assets VS Current Liabilites 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 500M 1B 1.5B 2B

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WACCDebt/EquityHow to determine the health of a companyAltman-Z scoreShow peers with great health

5

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.
  • Measured over the past years, WTRG shows a quite strong growth in Earnings Per Share. The EPS has been growing by 8.10% on average per year.
  • The Revenue has grown by 21.35% in the past year. This is a very strong growth!
  • WTRG shows quite a strong growth in Revenue. Measured over the last years, the Revenue has been growing by 18.58% yearly.
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

  • WTRG is expected to show a small growth in Earnings Per Share. In the coming years, the EPS will grow by 4.33% yearly.
  • The Revenue is expected to grow by 5.72% on average over the next years.
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.
  • The Revenue growth rate is decreasing: in the next years the growth will be less than in the last years.
WTRG Yearly Revenue VS EstimatesWTRG Yearly Revenue VS EstimatesYearly Revenue VS Estimates 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 500M 1B 1.5B 2B 2.5B
WTRG Yearly EPS VS EstimatesWTRG Yearly EPS VS EstimatesYearly EPS VS Estimates 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5

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Find the best growth stocksShow best growing peers

5

4. Valuation

4.1 Price/Earnings Ratio

  • With a Price/Earnings ratio of 16.17, WTRG is valued correctly.
  • WTRG's Price/Earnings ratio is rather cheap when compared to the industry. WTRG is cheaper than 85.71% of the companies in the same industry.
  • The average S&P500 Price/Earnings ratio is at 27.27. WTRG is valued slightly cheaper when compared to this.
  • A Price/Forward Earnings ratio of 16.97 indicates a correct valuation of WTRG.
  • Compared to the rest of the industry, the Price/Forward Earnings ratio of WTRG indicates a rather cheap valuation: WTRG is cheaper than 85.71% of the companies listed in the same industry.
  • When comparing the Price/Forward Earnings ratio of WTRG to the average of the S&P500 Index (28.16), we can say WTRG is valued slightly cheaper.
Industry RankSector Rank
PE 16.17
Fwd PE 16.97
WTRG Price Earnings VS Forward Price EarningsWTRG Price Earnings VS Forward Price Earnings ChartPrice Earnings - Forward Price Earnings PE FPE 5 10 15 20 25

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 RankSector Rank
P/FCF N/A
EV/EBITDA 14.34
WTRG Per share dataWTRG EPS, Sales, OCF, FCF, BookValue per sharePer Share Data Per Share 0 5 10 15 20

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)73.5
PEG (5Y)2
EPS Next 2Y2.85%
EPS Next 3Y4.17%

More info and screens

Price/EarningsPrice/FCFFCF per shareEV/EBITDAPEG RATIOShow best valued peers

7

5. Dividend

5.1 Amount

  • With a Yearly Dividend Yield of 3.58%, WTRG has a reasonable but not impressive dividend return.
  • 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.
  • WTRG's Dividend Yield is rather good when compared to the S&P500 average which is at 1.84.
Industry RankSector Rank
Dividend Yield 3.58%

5.2 History

  • The dividend of WTRG has a limited annual growth rate of 5.99%.
  • 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)5.99%
Div Incr Years33
Div Non Decr Years34
WTRG Yearly Dividends per shareWTRG Yearly Dividends per shareYearly Dividends per share 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1

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%
WTRG Yearly Income VS Free CF VS DividendWTRG Yearly Income VS Free CF VS DividendYearly Income VS Free CF VS Dividend 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 0 200M -200M 400M -400M
WTRG Dividend Payout.WTRG Dividend Payout, showing the Payout Ratio.WTRG Dividend Payout.PayoutRetained Earnings

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Find the best dividend stocksShow peers with best dividend

ESSENTIAL UTILITIES INC

NYSE:WTRG (2/18/2026, 6:40:00 PM)

After market: 38.96 0 (0%)

38.96

-0.64 (-1.62%)

Chartmill FA Rating
GICS SectorUtilities
GICS IndustryGroupUtilities
GICS IndustryWater Utilities
Earnings (Last)11-04
Earnings (Next)02-25
Inst Owners85.54%
Inst Owner Change-1.44%
Ins Owners0.2%
Ins Owner Change6.17%
Market Cap11.02B
Revenue(TTM)2.38B
Net Income(TTM)668.45M
Analysts74.67
Price Target42.78 (9.8%)
Short Float %2.04%
Short Ratio2.95
Dividend
Industry RankSector 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
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 RankSector Rank
PE 16.17
Fwd PE 16.97
P/S 4.63
P/FCF N/A
P/OCF 11.58
P/B 1.62
P/tB 2.47
EV/EBITDA 14.34
EPS(TTM)2.41
EY6.19%
EPS(NY)2.3
Fwd EY5.89%
FCF(TTM)-1.51
FCFYN/A
OCF(TTM)3.36
OCFY8.64%
SpS8.41
BVpS24.09
TBVpS15.78
PEG (NY)73.5
PEG (5Y)2
Graham Number36.14
Profitability
Industry RankSector 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 RankSector 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 0.99
F-Score7
WACC7.8%
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 5 / 10 to WTRG.


Can you provide the valuation status for ESSENTIAL UTILITIES INC?

ChartMill assigns a valuation rating of 5 / 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%.