What is Zacks Research’s Forecast for WTRG Q2 Earnings?

Essential Utilities, Inc. (NYSE:WTRG) – Stock analysts at Zacks Research dropped their Q2 2025 earnings per share estimates for Essential Utilities in a research note issued on Monday, March 17th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now expects that the company will post earnings of $0.32 per share for the quarter, down from their prior estimate of $0.34. The consensus estimate for Essential Utilities’ current full-year earnings is $1.99 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Essential Utilities’ Q4 2025 earnings at $0.66 EPS, FY2025 earnings at $2.10 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $0.39 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $0.70 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $2.39 EPS.

WTRG has been the subject of several other research reports. UBS Group dropped their target price on shares of Essential Utilities from $45.00 to $42.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, January 14th. Evercore ISI boosted their price objective on Essential Utilities from $45.00 to $46.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, March 5th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on Essential Utilities from $39.00 to $41.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Thursday, February 27th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group upgraded Essential Utilities from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $41.00 price target for the company in a report on Tuesday, January 28th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Essential Utilities presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $43.50.

Essential Utilities Stock Down 0.8 %

Shares of NYSE:WTRG opened at $38.82 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $10.67 billion, a PE ratio of 19.41, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.57 and a beta of 0.79. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $36.52 and a 200 day simple moving average of $37.85. The company has a current ratio of 0.55, a quick ratio of 0.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.17. Essential Utilities has a 12-month low of $33.18 and a 12-month high of $41.78.

Essential Utilities (NYSE:WTRG) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 26th. The company reported $0.67 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.66 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $604.38 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $698.77 million. Essential Utilities had a return on equity of 7.89% and a net margin of 27.84%.

Essential Utilities Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 2nd. Investors of record on Tuesday, May 13th will be issued a $0.3255 dividend. This represents a $1.30 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.35%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, May 13th. Essential Utilities’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 59.91%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. CIBC Asset Management Inc grew its position in shares of Essential Utilities by 1.8% during the third quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc now owns 14,243 shares of the company’s stock worth $549,000 after acquiring an additional 250 shares during the last quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Essential Utilities by 6.0% during the 3rd quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC now owns 66,382 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,560,000 after purchasing an additional 3,761 shares during the period. Quest Partners LLC bought a new position in Essential Utilities in the 3rd quarter worth about $630,000. Lindenwold Advisors INC increased its stake in shares of Essential Utilities by 4.8% in the third quarter. Lindenwold Advisors INC now owns 7,930 shares of the company’s stock valued at $306,000 after purchasing an additional 364 shares during the period. Finally, B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. Holding AG acquired a new stake in shares of Essential Utilities in the third quarter valued at approximately $219,000. 74.78% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Essential Utilities Company Profile

Essential Utilities, Inc, through its subsidiaries, operates regulated utilities that provide water, wastewater, or natural gas services in the United States. The company operates through Regulated Water and Regulated Natural Gas segments. It offers water services through operating and maintenance contract with municipal authorities and other parties.