Essential Utilities, Inc.

NYSE:WTRG Stock Report

Market Cap: US$10.8b

Essential Utilities Future Growth

Future criteria checks 1/6

Essential Utilities is forecast to grow earnings and revenue by 5.7% and 4% per annum respectively. EPS is expected to grow by 4.8% per annum. Return on equity is forecast to be 9.5% in 3 years.

Key information

5.7%

Earnings growth rate

4.84%

EPS growth rate

Water Utilities earnings growth9.8%
Revenue growth rate4.0%
Future return on equity9.52%
Analyst coverage

Low

Last updated24 Apr 2026

Recent future growth updates

Results: Essential Utilities, Inc. Exceeded Expectations And The Consensus Has Updated Its Estimates

Aug 06
Results: Essential Utilities, Inc. Exceeded Expectations And The Consensus Has Updated Its Estimates

Recent updates

WTRG: Updated Fair Value And P/E Assumptions Will Guide Balanced Outlook

Analysts have nudged their price target on Essential Utilities higher from $40.60 to $41.20, reflecting updated assumptions for fair value, discount rate, revenue growth, profit margin and future P/E that slightly adjust their overall outlook. Valuation Changes Fair Value: Adjusted slightly from $40.60 to $41.20, indicating a modest upward revision in the estimated share value.

WTRG: Pending Merger Approval Will Shape Risk Balance And Support Fair Value

Analysts have maintained Essential Utilities' fair value estimate at $40.60. Recent commentary notes that although the potential merger path is described as long, it could address key bear-case concerns if it is ultimately approved.

Essential Utilities: Not Too Late To Buy Now

Apr 04

WTRG: Pending Merger Path And 2026 Vote Will Shape Risk Balance

Analysts have adjusted their price target on Essential Utilities to $40.60, reflecting updated views on profit margins and P/E assumptions, with some pointing to potential benefits if the proposed merger with American Water gains approval. Analyst Commentary Bullish Takeaways Bullish analysts view the proposed merger path as a potential way to address prior concerns around valuation, with the combined platform seen as better positioned to support the current P/E assumptions behind the updated US$40.60 target.

WTRG: Pending Merger And 2026 Vote Will Frame Balanced Risk Outlook

Analysts have trimmed their price target on Essential Utilities to about $40.60 from roughly $41.40, citing updated assumptions for revenue growth, profit margins and future P/E multiples, while monitoring how the potential merger outcome could influence the bear case on the stock. Analyst Commentary Recent research on American Water highlights how the proposed merger with Essential Utilities could reshape the risk and reward conversation for Essential shareholders, even though the approval process is expected to be lengthy.

WTRG: Pending Merger And 2026 Meeting Will Shape Balanced Risk Profile

Analysts have trimmed their average price target for Essential Utilities to about $41.40, roughly $0.77 lower than before. They are factoring in updated fair value estimates and the potential impact of the proposed merger, which has influenced views across the water utility group.

WTRG: Pending Merger And Special Meeting Will Shape Bullish Return Profile

Analysts have lowered their price target on Essential Utilities to about US$42.17 from US$43.00. This change reflects updated assumptions for slightly different fair value, discount rate, growth, and margin profiles in light of the potential merger impact highlighted in recent research.

WTRG: All Stock Merger And Neutral Views Will Shape Future Return Profile

Analysts have maintained their fair value estimate for Essential Utilities at $43.00 as they weigh the modest merger premium, the all-stock structure, and the long timeline to potential regulatory approval highlighted in recent research. Analyst Commentary Bullish Takeaways Bullish analysts see the merger structure as a potential way to address prior concerns around the combined company, arguing that if the deal is approved it could be harder for skeptics to challenge the investment case.

WTRG: All Stock Merger Terms Will Support Long Term Upside Potential

Analysts now see fair value for Essential Utilities at about $43.00 per share, broadly in line with recent price targets clustered around $43 to $46. This reflects a reset in expectations after the announced all stock merger with American Water.

WTRG: All Stock Merger Premium Will Drive Long Term Upside Outlook

We trim our analyst price target for Essential Utilities to $43.00 from $43.71 as analysts recalibrate expectations following multiple downgrades tied to the announced all stock merger with American Water. Despite solid long term fundamentals, the deal is viewed as offering a relatively modest headline premium and a more balanced near term risk reward profile.

WTRG: Modest Merger Premium Will Shape Long Term Upside Potential

Analysts have lowered their price targets on Essential Utilities by a few dollars into the low to mid $40s. This reflects a more cautious stance on the announced all stock merger with American Water and its relatively modest implied premium.

WTRG: Merger Closing Delay And Modest Premium Will Shape Shareholder Outlook

Analysts have reduced their price targets for Essential Utilities, with average targets now ranging from $43 to $46. This follows the company's announced merger with American Water, as analysts cite a relatively modest premium and new merger dynamics.

WTRG: All-Stock Merger Will Shape Earnings Outlook Amid Downgrades

Analysts have reduced their average price target for Essential Utilities to approximately $44 from prior levels near $47. They cite the company's recently announced all-stock merger with American Water as the primary driver behind the downgrade.

Merger And Sector Downgrades Will Shift Water Demand Outlook Forward

Analysts have lowered their average price target for Essential Utilities from $45.75 to $43.71 per share, citing the announced merger with American Water as well as recent downgrades across the sector. Analyst Commentary Following the announced merger with American Water, analyst sentiment on Essential Utilities has shifted, with perspectives ranging from cautious to selectively optimistic.

Infrastructure Investments And Urbanization Will Drive Water Demand

Essential Utilities' analyst price target has been revised downward from $46.38 to $45.75 per share. This reflects analyst views that, while the company's growth prospects and industry positioning remain solid, updated valuation assumptions modestly temper expectations.

Infrastructure Investments And Urbanization Will Drive Water Demand

Analysts maintained a positive outlook on Essential Utilities, citing reaffirmed EPS growth guidance, strong sector positioning, and consistent execution, resulting in an unchanged consensus price target of $46.38. Analyst Commentary Management's reaffirmation of long-term annual EPS growth guidance of 5%-7%.

Results: Essential Utilities, Inc. Exceeded Expectations And The Consensus Has Updated Its Estimates

Aug 06
Results: Essential Utilities, Inc. Exceeded Expectations And The Consensus Has Updated Its Estimates

Essential Utilities (NYSE:WTRG) Has Announced That It Will Be Increasing Its Dividend To $0.3426

Aug 03
Essential Utilities (NYSE:WTRG) Has Announced That It Will Be Increasing Its Dividend To $0.3426

Calculating The Intrinsic Value Of Essential Utilities, Inc. (NYSE:WTRG)

Jul 14
Calculating The Intrinsic Value Of Essential Utilities, Inc. (NYSE:WTRG)

We Think Essential Utilities (NYSE:WTRG) Is Taking Some Risk With Its Debt

Jun 29
We Think Essential Utilities (NYSE:WTRG) Is Taking Some Risk With Its Debt

Risks To Shareholder Returns Are Elevated At These Prices For Essential Utilities, Inc. (NYSE:WTRG)

May 29
Risks To Shareholder Returns Are Elevated At These Prices For Essential Utilities, Inc. (NYSE:WTRG)

Essential Utilities' Secret Growth Engine: PFAS Rules Fuel Expansion

Mar 10

Essential Utilities: A SWAN Utility That Screens Cheap

Dec 29

Essential Utilities: Undervalued In A Defensive Sector

Nov 25

Essential Utilities: Buy This Dividend Compounder On Sale Now

Sep 15
User avatar

Innovative Strategies And Environmental Initiatives Propel Growth Amid Regulatory Changes

Implementation of weather normalization and regulatory approval process reform in Pennsylvania are expected to stabilize earnings and support revenue growth through acquisitions.

Essential Utilities: A Solid Replacement For T-Bills And Money Markets

Jul 16

Essential Utilities: Why I'm Going To Be Buying More

May 23

Essential Utilities: A Quality Company With A Favorable Valuation

May 05

Essential Utilities: A High-Quality Dividend Grower To Buy At A Discount

Mar 29

Earnings and Revenue Growth Forecasts

NYSE:WTRG - Analysts future estimates and past financials data (USD Millions)
DateRevenueEarningsFree Cash FlowCash from OpAvg. No. Analysts
12/31/20282,757753-4501,2453
12/31/20272,599708-5391,1563
12/31/20262,529654-6321,0632
12/31/20252,475616-4201,010N/A
9/30/20252,380668-428952N/A
6/30/20252,338646-478916N/A
3/31/20252,258613-518829N/A
12/31/20242,086595-559770N/A
9/30/20241,961546-506752N/A
6/30/20241,937557-462739N/A
3/31/20241,939573-436773N/A
12/31/20232,054498-266934N/A
9/30/20232,280478-332886N/A
6/30/20232,303466-380805N/A
3/31/20232,315457-432691N/A
12/31/20222,288465-462600N/A
9/30/20222,118467-462602N/A
6/30/20222,046449-392648N/A
3/31/20221,994447-326700N/A
12/31/20211,878432-376645N/A
9/30/20211,816418-308649N/A
6/30/20211,803423-271676N/A
3/31/20211,791417-227668N/A
12/31/20201,463285-328508N/A
9/30/20201,215246-172531N/A
6/30/20201,110279-78496N/A
3/31/2020944259-180355N/A
12/31/2019890225-212339N/A
9/30/2019869157N/A306N/A
6/30/2019852146N/A286N/A
3/31/2019845158N/A359N/A
12/31/2018838192N/A369N/A
9/30/2018836249N/A390N/A
6/30/2018825247N/A394N/A
3/31/2018816242N/A388N/A
12/31/2017810240N/A381N/A
9/30/2017803236N/A390N/A
6/30/2017815233N/A376N/A
3/31/2017815232N/A383N/A
12/31/2016820234N/A396N/A
9/30/2016820213N/A377N/A
6/30/2016815207N/A391N/A
3/31/2016816205N/A376N/A
12/31/2015814202N/A371N/A
9/30/2015809222N/A372N/A
6/30/2015798223N/A367N/A

Analyst Future Growth Forecasts

Earnings vs Savings Rate: WTRG's forecast earnings growth (5.7% per year) is above the savings rate (3.4%).

Earnings vs Market: WTRG's earnings (5.7% per year) are forecast to grow slower than the US market (16% per year).

High Growth Earnings: WTRG's earnings are forecast to grow, but not significantly.

Revenue vs Market: WTRG's revenue (4% per year) is forecast to grow slower than the US market (11.1% per year).

High Growth Revenue: WTRG's revenue (4% per year) is forecast to grow slower than 20% per year.

Earnings per Share Growth Forecasts

Future Return on Equity

Future ROE: WTRG's Return on Equity is forecast to be low in 3 years time (9.5%).

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Company Analysis and Financial Data Status

DataLast Updated (UTC time)
Company Analysis2026/05/04 09:40
End of Day Share Price 2026/05/01 00:00
Earnings2025/12/31
Annual Earnings2025/12/31

Data Sources

The data used in our company analysis is from S&P Global Market Intelligence LLC. The following data is used in our analysis model to generate this report. Data is normalised which can introduce a delay from the source being available.

PackageDataTimeframeExample US Source *
Company Financials10 years
  • Income statement
  • Cash flow statement
  • Balance sheet
Analyst Consensus Estimates+3 years
  • Forecast financials
  • Analyst price targets
Market Prices30 years
  • Stock prices
  • Dividends, Splits and Actions
Ownership10 years
  • Top shareholders
  • Insider trading
Management10 years
  • Leadership team
  • Board of directors
Key Developments10 years
  • Company announcements

* Example for US securities, for non-US equivalent regulatory forms and sources are used.

Unless specified all financial data is based on a yearly period but updated quarterly. This is known as Trailing Twelve Month (TTM) or Last Twelve Month (LTM) Data. Learn more.

Analysis Model and Snowflake

Details of the analysis model used to generate this report is available on our Github page, we also have guides on how to use our reports and tutorials on Youtube.

Learn about the world class team who designed and built the Simply Wall St analysis model.

Industry and Sector Metrics

Our industry and section metrics are calculated every 6 hours by Simply Wall St, details of our process are available on Github.

Analyst Sources

Essential Utilities, Inc. is covered by 20 analysts. 4 of those analysts submitted the estimates of revenue or earnings used as inputs to our report. Analysts submissions are updated throughout the day.

AnalystInstitution
Jacob KilsteinArgus Research Company
Davis SunderlandBaird
Daniel FordBarclays