WTRG icon

Essential Utilities

38.31 USD
+0.07
0.18%
At close Updated Sep 12, 4:00 PM EDT
Pre-market
After hours
38.31
0.00
0%
1 day
0.18%
5 days
-2.39%
1 month
-1.21%
3 months
-0.13%
6 months
-0.62%
Year to date
6.3%
1 year
-0.39%
5 years
-3.79%
10 years
51.96%
 

About: Essential Utilities is a Pennsylvania-based holding company for US water, wastewater, and natural gas distribution utilities. The company's water business serves 3 million people in eight states. Its largest service territory is in Pennsylvania, primarily suburban Philadelphia. Its Peoples subsidiary serves more than 740,000 gas distribution customers in Pennsylvania and Kentucky. It completed the sale of its West Virginia gas utility and the bulk of its nonregulated assets in 2024.

Employees: 3,291

0
Funds holding %
of 7,462 funds
Analysts bullish %

Fund manager confidence

Based on 2025 Q2 regulatory disclosures by fund managers ($100M+ AUM)

156% more call options, than puts

Call options by funds: $14.5M | Put options by funds: $5.67M

40% more repeat investments, than reductions

Existing positions increased: 278 | Existing positions reduced: 199

20% more first-time investments, than exits

New positions opened: 77 | Existing positions closed: 64

0% more funds holding

Funds holding: 671 [Q1] → 671 (+0) [Q2]

1.47% less ownership

Funds ownership: 79.91% [Q1] → 78.44% (-1.47%) [Q2]

6% less capital invested

Capital invested by funds: $8.7B [Q1] → $8.17B (-$531M) [Q2]

50% less funds holding in top 10

Funds holding in top 10: 2 [Q1] → 1 (-1) [Q2]

Research analyst outlook

2 Wall Street Analysts provided 1 year price targets over the past 3 months

Low target
$47
23% upside
Avg. target
$47
23% upside
High target
$47
23% upside

2 analyst ratings

positive
100%
neutral
0%
negative
0%
UBS
Gregg Orrill
$47
Buy
Maintained
15 Aug 2025
Baird
Ben Kallo
$47
Outperform
Maintained
4 Aug 2025

Financial journalist opinion

Based on 10 articles about WTRG published over the past 30 days

Neutral
Business Wire
5 days ago
Essential Utilities Names Sadzi Martha Oliva as President of Aqua Indiana
BRYN MAWR, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Essential Utilities Inc. (NYSE: WTRG) today announced the appointment of Sadzi Martha Oliva as the new President of Aqua Indiana. Oliva, most recently Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Community at United Scrap Metal, will lead Aqua Indiana's water and wastewater operations, overseeing capital investment, regulatory compliance and customer service across the state. Her appointment, effective September 2, 2025, reflects Essential's commitment to l.
Essential Utilities Names Sadzi Martha Oliva as President of Aqua Indiana
Positive
Morningstar
11 days ago
Three Dividend Funds with Foreign Flair
This month's trio includes an unofficial dividend aristocrat.
Three Dividend Funds with Foreign Flair
Positive
Zacks Investment Research
12 days ago
Are You Looking for a High-Growth Dividend Stock?
Dividends are one of the best benefits to being a shareholder, but finding a great dividend stock is no easy task. Does Essential Utilities (WTRG) have what it takes?
Are You Looking for a High-Growth Dividend Stock?
Positive
Zacks Investment Research
15 days ago
Essential Utilities (WTRG)'s Technical Outlook is Bright After Key Golden Cross
Essential Utilities Inc. (WTRG) is looking like an interesting pick from a technical perspective, as the company reached a key level of support. Recently, WTRG's 50-day simple moving average crossed above its 200-day simple moving average, known as a "golden cross.
Essential Utilities (WTRG)'s Technical Outlook is Bright After Key Golden Cross
Neutral
Business Wire
17 days ago
Essential Utilities to Invest $26 Million in Major Data Center in Western Pennsylvania
BRYN MAWR, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Essential Utilities (NYSE: WTRG) today announced an agreement with International Electric Power III, LLC (IEP), to become an investor in a 1,400 acre, data center facility in Greene County, Pennsylvania. Based on the agreement, Essential Utilities, through its subsidiary Aqua, plans to design, build, and operate an 18 million gallons per day (MGD) water treatment plant to service the power plant and data center. Using raw water from the adjacent Monongahela Rive.
Essential Utilities to Invest $26 Million in Major Data Center in Western Pennsylvania
Neutral
Business Wire
17 days ago
Essential Utilities to Invest in $26 Million Major Data Center in Western Pennsylvania
BRYN MAWR, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Essential Utilities (NYSE: WTRG) today announced an agreement with International Electric Power III, LLC (IEP), to become an investor in a 1,400 acre, data center facility in Greene County, Pennsylvania. Based on the agreement, Essential Utilities, through its subsidiary Aqua, plans to design, build, and operate an 18 million gallons per day (MGD) water treatment plant to service the power plant and data center. Using raw water from the adjacent Monongahela Rive.
Essential Utilities to Invest in $26 Million Major Data Center in Western Pennsylvania
Positive
MarketBeat
17 days ago
Overlooked Analyst-Approved Dividend Plays You Can Count On
Stability is at the top of the list of traits investors look for in dividend stocks, regardless of the sector or industry. The go-to dividend plays of long-term buy-and-hold strategists are not flashy companies or those in red-hot industries, but rather "boring" firms with a proven track record of consistency, even in difficult markets or economic climates.
Overlooked Analyst-Approved Dividend Plays You Can Count On
Positive
Zacks Investment Research
23 days ago
Reasons to Add Essential Utilities Stock to Your Portfolio Right Now
WTRG boosts growth with acquisitions, strong returns, steady dividends and rising customer demand.
Reasons to Add Essential Utilities Stock to Your Portfolio Right Now
Positive
Seeking Alpha
23 days ago
Artesian Resources Vs. Essential Utilities: Both Look Appealing
I rate both ARTNA and WTRG a Buy, citing attractive valuations versus peers and catalysts that could increase their rate bases. ARTNA has the more conservative, low-leverage profile with potential upside if the Delaware rate case is approved, making its current discount appealing. WTRG's scale and acquisition pipeline justify an upgrade; its valuation also looks attractive ahead of potential interest rate cuts.
Artesian Resources Vs. Essential Utilities: Both Look Appealing
Positive
Zacks Investment Research
29 days ago
Why Essential Utilities (WTRG) is a Great Dividend Stock Right Now
Dividends are one of the best benefits to being a shareholder, but finding a great dividend stock is no easy task. Does Essential Utilities (WTRG) have what it takes?
Why Essential Utilities (WTRG) is a Great Dividend Stock Right Now
Charts implemented using Lightweight Charts™