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

Essential Utilities, Inc. (NYSE:WTRG) – Investment analysts at Zacks Research lowered their Q2 2025 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for Essential Utilities in a note issued to investors on Monday, November 25th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now expects that the company will post earnings of $0.35 per share for the quarter, down from their previous estimate of $0.38. The consensus estimate for Essential Utilities’ current full-year earnings is $2.01 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Essential Utilities’ Q4 2025 earnings at $0.63 EPS and Q3 2026 earnings at $0.37 EPS.

A number of other research analysts also recently weighed in on the company. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on Essential Utilities from $45.00 to $43.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Jefferies Financial Group cut Essential Utilities from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and reduced their price target for the stock from $44.00 to $41.00 in a research report on Thursday, November 7th. Robert W. Baird upped their price target on Essential Utilities from $45.00 to $46.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th. Evercore ISI upped their price target on Essential Utilities from $42.00 to $45.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, August 8th. Finally, Bank of America restated a “buy” rating and issued a $45.00 price target on shares of Essential Utilities in a research report on Friday, September 20th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $44.00.

Essential Utilities Trading Up 0.6 %

Shares of NYSE:WTRG opened at $40.29 on Wednesday. The company has a market cap of $11.06 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.14, a PEG ratio of 3.17 and a beta of 0.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.17, a current ratio of 0.55 and a quick ratio of 0.39. Essential Utilities has a 1 year low of $33.57 and a 1 year high of $41.78. The stock’s fifty day moving average price is $39.10 and its 200-day moving average price is $38.87.

Essential Utilities (NYSE:WTRG) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 4th. The company reported $0.25 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.24 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $435.30 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $416.95 million. Essential Utilities had a return on equity of 7.89% and a net margin of 27.84%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 5.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.30 earnings per share.

Institutional Trading of Essential Utilities

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Friedenthal Financial bought a new stake in Essential Utilities in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Brooklyn Investment Group bought a new stake in Essential Utilities in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $26,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Essential Utilities in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $28,000. First Horizon Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Essential Utilities by 61.4% in the 3rd quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 773 shares of the company’s stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 294 shares during the period. Finally, Voisard Asset Management Group Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Essential Utilities in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $37,000. Institutional investors own 74.78% of the company’s stock.

Essential Utilities Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 2nd. Investors of record on Tuesday, November 12th will be given a dividend of $0.3255 per share. This represents a $1.30 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.23%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, November 12th. Essential Utilities’s dividend payout ratio is currently 65.00%.

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.