Essential Utilities (WTRG)
Operates regulated Aqua water systems and Peoples natural-gas distribution networks.
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Provides regulated water, wastewater and natural-gas services through Aqua and Peoples, with operations concentrated in the United States and especially Pennsylvania. Revenue is split between the Regulated Water and Regulated Natural Gas segments, while rates and acquisitions require utility-commission approval.
Provides regulated drinking water, wastewater collection and treatment, and natural-gas distribution through two reportable segments: Regulated Water and Regulated Natural Gas. Aqua and Peoples remain the customer-facing brands, alongside municipal operations-and-maintenance contracts and service-line protection programs.
Operates entirely in the United States, with the customer base concentrated in Pennsylvania. Water and wastewater systems span multiple states, while the gas network is centered in western Pennsylvania and Kentucky. Acquiring municipal systems has been a recurring way to expand the utility footprint.
Execution depends on infrastructure replacement, reliable service, environmental compliance, and public-utility commission approval of rates and acquisitions. A proposed merger into American Water remains pending and requires additional regulatory and antitrust clearances.
Company facts
Target rangeAs of Sep 22, 2026
Latest analyst notes
| Date | Firm | Action | Prior | Current |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 10, 2026 | UBS | Reiterate | Rating: —Target: $46 | Target: $49 |
| Jul 15, 2026 | Barclays | Reiterate | Rating: —Target: $38 | Target: $40 |
| Jul 2, 2026 | UBS | Reiterate | Rating: —Target: $43 | Target: $46 |
| May 29, 2026 | UBS | Upgrade | Target: $41 | Target: $43 |
| May 7, 2026 | UBS | Target | Target: $45 | Target: $41 |
EPSReportedEstimate
RevenueReportedEstimate
Balance sheet, Jun 30, 2026Cash & short-term investments $8.6M · Total debt $8.52B · Total assets $19.94B · Shareholders' equity $7.02B
- Revenue
- $530.9M
- Operating income
- $193.3M
- Net income
- $105.7M
HistoryDividendAnnual yield
| Institutions | 79.54% | 225.73M shares | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 706 holders · as of Jun 30, 2026 | |||
| Insiders | 0.27% | 757.0K shares | |
| 13 holders · as of Aug 11, 2026 | |||
| Other | 20.19% | 57.30M shares | |
| remainder | |||
283.78M company shares as of Sep 22, 2026 · institutions as of Jun 30, 2026 · holders as of their latest filing
Top shareholders13F · 13D/G · Form 4
| Holder | Stake | Shares | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
BlackRock, Inc.Institution | 11.78% | 33.43M | as of Jun 30, 2026 |
Vanguard Portfolio Management LLCInstitution | 5.76% | 16.34M | as of Jun 30, 2026 |
State Street CorpInstitution | 4.62% | 13.12M | as of Jun 30, 2026 |
Vanguard Capital Management LLCInstitution | 4.50% | 12.78M | as of Jun 30, 2026 |
Norges BankInstitution | 2.29% | 6.49M | as of Jun 30, 2026 |
Insider tradesForm 4
| Date | Insider | Role | Shares | Avg price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 7, 2026 | Colleen Arnold | officer: President - Aqua | −2,855 | $39.55 |
- American Water Works
Largest water/wastewater overlap and municipal-acquisition rival
- UGI
Pennsylvania gas-distribution peer with a similar regulated utility base
- National Fuel Gas
Western Pennsylvania gas utility with the closest geographic overlap
- H2O America
Texas water and wastewater overlap with an active acquisition strategy
- Middlesex Water
Focused New Jersey water utility with wastewater and contract overlap
CompareAfter hours
| Company | Price | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essential Utilities | $40.38 | −0.05% | $11.48B | 20.7 | 17.5 | 4.5 | +3.1% |
| American Water Works | $133.82 | −0.01% | $26.62B | 23.2 | 21.9 | 5.0 | +6.2% |
| UGI | $36.85 | −0.04% | $7.98B | 12.5 | 12.7 | 1.1 | −4.5% |
| National Fuel Gas | $80.00 | 0.00% | $7.60B | 11.1 | 10.8 | 3.0 | +1.1% |
| H2O America | $62.92 | −0.05% | $2.62B | 22.0 | 23.0 | 3.2 | +6.2% |
| Middlesex Water | $54.92 | +0.07% | $1.04B | 21.2 | 20.9 | 5.0 | +14.3% |
| Median | 21.2 | 20.9 | 3.2 | +6.2% |