WTRG
UtilitiesEssential Utilities, Inc. · Regulated Water · $11B
What is Essential Utilities, Inc.?
Essential Utilities operates regulated water, wastewater, and natural gas utilities across ten U.S. states, serving roughly 7.5 million customers under the Aqua and Peoples brands.
The company earns revenue through state-regulated utility rates for water, wastewater, and natural gas distribution. It also provides operating and maintenance contracts with municipal authorities, raw water supply services to natural gas drillers, and residential water and sewer line protection programs through third-party partnerships.
Founded in 1886 and headquartered in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, the company rebranded from Aqua America to Essential Utilities in February 2020.
- Regulated water and wastewater services
- Regulated natural gas distribution
- Municipal operating and maintenance contracts
- Residential water and sewer line protection
Is WTRG a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates WTRG as Below Average overall.
The Moat pillar stands out as the clearest positive — regulated utility franchises create high barriers to entry and predictable service territories. Quality and Growth both register as Neutral, reflecting the steady but modest nature of regulated utility economics.
The Risk pillar is rated Weak, which warrants attention given the company's capital-intensive structure and regulatory dependencies.
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Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does WTRG pay dividends?
Yes — Essential Utilities, Inc. pays a dividend.
Essential Utilities pays a regular dividend, consistent with the capital-return tradition common among regulated utilities. The predictable rate-base revenue model supports ongoing distributions to shareholders. Investors focused on income often look to regulated utilities like WTRG for dividend continuity.
When does WTRG report earnings?
Essential Utilities reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, typical for U.S.-listed equities.
As a regulated utility, revenue and earnings tend to move gradually, shaped more by rate case outcomes and capital investment cycles than by quarter-to-quarter swings. Regulatory approvals across its operating states are a key driver of financial results.
For the most recent quarter's results, visit Essential Utilities' investor relations page directly.
WTRG Price History
-5.4% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in Essential Utilities, Inc.?
Based on Essential Utilities, Inc.'s historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Essential Utilities do?
Essential Utilities provides regulated water, wastewater, and natural gas services to approximately 7.5 million customers across ten U.S. states. It operates under the Aqua and Peoples brands and also holds municipal service contracts and residential line protection programs.
Does WTRG pay dividends?
Yes, Essential Utilities pays a regular dividend. Regulated utilities commonly return cash to shareholders given their stable, rate-based revenue streams. For current yield and payment schedule details, check the company's investor relations page.
When does WTRG report earnings?
Essential Utilities follows a standard quarterly reporting schedule. For confirmed dates, refer to the company's investor relations page, as our data source does not cover upcoming earnings dates.
Is WTRG a good stock to buy?
The UQS Score rates WTRG as Below Average, with a Weak Risk pillar offsetting a Good Moat rating. Whether it fits your portfolio depends on your income goals and risk tolerance. The full pillar breakdown is available to Pro members.
Is WTRG overvalued?
The Valuation pillar for WTRG is rated Neutral, suggesting the market is pricing the stock in line with its fundamental profile rather than at a clear premium or discount. View the complete valuation metrics with a Pro account.
Is WTRG a long-term quality indicator?
As a long-term quality indicator, WTRG shows a mixed picture. The Good Moat score reflects durable regulatory franchises, but the Weak Risk rating and Below Average overall UQS Score suggest investors should weigh structural risks carefully before committing long-term capital.
What sector does WTRG belong to?
Essential Utilities belongs to the Utilities sector, specifically regulated water and natural gas distribution. Utilities are generally characterized by stable revenues, high capital requirements, and returns governed by state regulatory commissions.
What is WTRG's market cap bracket?
WTRG is classified as a large-cap stock, placing it among the more established names in the regulated utilities space.
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Pro Analysis
WTRG — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 21, 2026 | 47.4 | 46.6 | 61.0 | 47.5 | 17.1 | 56.2 | +2.0 |
| May 9, 2026 | 45.4 | 46.6 | 61.0 | 39.3 | 17.1 | 54.1 | -1.0 |
| May 8, 2026 | 46.4 | 33.3 | 61.0 | 40.3 | 39.9 | 58.2 | +0.7 |
| May 7, 2026 | 45.7 | 47.7 | 61.0 | 40.3 | 15.9 | 53.5 | +0.1 |
| May 3, 2026 | 45.6 | 47.7 | 61.0 | 40.3 | 15.9 | 52.9 | +0.3 |
| Apr 26, 2026 | 45.3 | 47.7 | 61.0 | 40.3 | 15.9 | 51.0 | -0.1 |
| Apr 19, 2026 | 45.4 | 47.7 | 61.0 | 40.3 | 15.9 | 51.6 | +0.1 |
| Apr 18, 2026 | 45.3 | 47.7 | 61.0 | 40.3 | 15.9 | 51.2 | -0.6 |
| Apr 14, 2026 | 45.9 | 47.7 | 61.0 | 40.3 | 15.9 | 55.3 | +0.3 |
| Apr 12, 2026 | 45.6 | 47.7 | 61.0 | 40.3 | 15.9 | 53.2 | +0.1 |
WTRG — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 46.6/100 (25%)Essential Utilities, Inc. has average quality metrics, with room for improvement in margins or capital efficiency.
How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 47.5/100 (20%)Essential Utilities, Inc. shows steady but unspectacular growth, typical for mature companies.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.
Risk
— 17.1/100 (15%)Essential Utilities, Inc. presents elevated risk with concerns around leverage or financial stability.
Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 54.6/100 (15%)Essential Utilities, Inc. has a mixed valuation — some metrics suggest fair value while others appear stretched.
Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.
P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.
Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.
Moat
— 61/100 (25%)Essential Utilities, Inc. has meaningful competitive advantages that should protect its market position. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for WTRG.
Score Composition
Financial Data
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How is the WTRG UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Essential Utilities, Inc. is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses Essential Utilities, Inc.'s competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether Essential Utilities, Inc. is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.