Essential Utilities Management
Management criteria checks 3/4
Essential Utilities' CEO is Chris Franklin, appointed in Jul 2015, has a tenure of 10.83 years. total yearly compensation is $9.21M, comprised of 12% salary and 88% bonuses, including company stock and options. directly owns 0.12% of the company’s shares, worth $13.01M. The average tenure of the management team and the board of directors is 8 years and 4.8 years respectively.
Key information
Chris Franklin
Chief executive officer
US$9.2m
Total compensation
| CEO salary percentage | 11.98% |
| CEO tenure | 10.8yrs |
| CEO ownership | 0.1% |
| Management average tenure | 8yrs |
| Board average tenure | 4.8yrs |
Recent management updates
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 04WTRG: 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
Essential Utilities (NYSE:WTRG) Has Announced That It Will Be Increasing Its Dividend To $0.3426
Aug 03Calculating The Intrinsic Value Of Essential Utilities, Inc. (NYSE:WTRG)
Jul 14We Think Essential Utilities (NYSE:WTRG) Is Taking Some Risk With Its Debt
Jun 29Risks To Shareholder Returns Are Elevated At These Prices For Essential Utilities, Inc. (NYSE:WTRG)
May 29Essential Utilities' Secret Growth Engine: PFAS Rules Fuel Expansion
Mar 10Essential Utilities: A SWAN Utility That Screens Cheap
Dec 29Essential Utilities: Undervalued In A Defensive Sector
Nov 25Essential Utilities: Buy This Dividend Compounder On Sale Now
Sep 15
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 16Essential Utilities: Why I'm Going To Be Buying More
May 23Essential Utilities: A Quality Company With A Favorable Valuation
May 05Essential Utilities: A High-Quality Dividend Grower To Buy At A Discount
Mar 29CEO Compensation Analysis
| Date | Total Compensation | Salary | Company Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 31 2025 | US$9m | US$1m | US$616m |
| Sep 30 2025 | n/a | n/a | US$668m |
| Jun 30 2025 | n/a | n/a | US$646m |
| Mar 31 2025 | n/a | n/a | US$613m |
| Dec 31 2024 | US$6m | US$1m | US$595m |
| Sep 30 2024 | n/a | n/a | US$546m |
| Jun 30 2024 | n/a | n/a | US$557m |
| Mar 31 2024 | n/a | n/a | US$573m |
| Dec 31 2023 | US$8m | US$986k | US$498m |
| Sep 30 2023 | n/a | n/a | US$478m |
| Jun 30 2023 | n/a | n/a | US$466m |
| Mar 31 2023 | n/a | n/a | US$457m |
| Dec 31 2022 | US$5m | US$939k | US$465m |
| Sep 30 2022 | n/a | n/a | US$467m |
| Jun 30 2022 | n/a | n/a | US$449m |
| Mar 31 2022 | n/a | n/a | US$447m |
| Dec 31 2021 | US$5m | US$900k | US$432m |
| Sep 30 2021 | n/a | n/a | US$418m |
| Jun 30 2021 | n/a | n/a | US$423m |
| Mar 31 2021 | n/a | n/a | US$417m |
| Dec 31 2020 | US$7m | US$859k | US$285m |
| Sep 30 2020 | n/a | n/a | US$246m |
| Jun 30 2020 | n/a | n/a | US$279m |
| Mar 31 2020 | n/a | n/a | US$259m |
| Dec 31 2019 | US$6m | US$793k | US$225m |
Compensation vs Market: Chris's total compensation ($USD9.21M) is below average for companies of similar size in the US market ($USD14.60M).
Compensation vs Earnings: Chris's compensation has increased by more than 20% in the past year.
CEO
Chris Franklin (62 yo)
10.8yrs
Tenure
US$9,212,815
Compensation
Mr. Christopher H. Franklin, also known as Chris, serves as Independent Director at CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp. since 2022 and serves as its Lead Director since 2025. He serves as Lead Independent D...
Leadership Team
| Name | Position | Tenure | Compensation | Ownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chairman | 10.8yrs | US$9.21m | 0.12% $ 13.0m | |
| Executive VP & CFO | 7.6yrs | US$2.42m | 0.027% $ 2.9m | |
| Executive VP | 14.1yrs | US$2.97m | 0.028% $ 3.0m | |
| President of Aqua Water | 10.7yrs | US$1.23m | 0.0064% $ 692.8k | |
| President of Peoples Natural Gas | no data | US$1.21m | 0.0063% $ 675.5k | |
| VP & Chief Accounting Officer | less than a year | no data | no data | |
| VP & Chief Information Officer | 3.5yrs | no data | no data | |
| Senior Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer | no data | no data | no data | |
| Vice President of Financial Planning & Analysis | 3.8yrs | no data | no data | |
| Vice President of Public Affairs | no data | no data | no data | |
| Senior VP & Chief Human Resources Officer | 8yrs | US$105.00k | no data | |
| Chief Environmental | 9.9yrs | no data | no data |
8.0yrs
Average Tenure
56yo
Average Age
Experienced Management: WTRG's management team is seasoned and experienced (8 years average tenure).
Board Members
| Name | Position | Tenure | Compensation | Ownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chairman | 10.6yrs | US$9.21m | 0.12% $ 13.0m | |
| Lead Independent Director | 8.9yrs | US$290.01k | 0.012% $ 1.3m | |
| Independent Director | 4.8yrs | US$260.01k | 0.0046% $ 499.9k | |
| Independent Director | 7.8yrs | US$260.01k | 0.0081% $ 873.8k | |
| Independent Director | 2yrs | US$245.01k | 0.0024% $ 260.7k | |
| Independent Director | 2yrs | US$265.01k | 0.0024% $ 260.7k | |
| Independent Director | 3.6yrs | US$245.01k | 0.0037% $ 393.3k |
4.8yrs
Average Tenure
62yo
Average Age
Experienced Board: WTRG's board of directors are considered experienced (4.8 years average tenure).
Company Analysis and Financial Data Status
| Data | Last Updated (UTC time) |
|---|---|
| Company Analysis | 2026/05/04 03:31 |
| End of Day Share Price | 2026/05/01 00:00 |
| Earnings | 2025/12/31 |
| Annual Earnings | 2025/12/31 |
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.
| Package | Data | Timeframe | Example US Source * |
|---|---|---|---|
| Company Financials | 10 years |
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| Analyst Consensus Estimates | +3 years |
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| Market Prices | 30 years |
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| Ownership | 10 years |
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| Management | 10 years |
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| Key Developments | 10 years |
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* 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.
| Analyst | Institution |
|---|---|
| Jacob Kilstein | Argus Research Company |
| Davis Sunderland | Baird |
| Daniel Ford | Barclays |