Essential Utilities, Inc. WTRG 85.99
Utilities · NYSE · Data as of 2026-08-05
Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG) has delivered +15.8% annualized revenue growth, +14.6% earnings growth, and +13.5% dividend growth over 10 years of data. Ranked #39 of 1968 stocks overall and #2 of 87 in the Utilities sector by Steady Score.
About Essential Utilities, Inc.
Company Overview
Essential Utilities is a regulated utility holding company providing water, wastewater and natural gas service under the Aqua and Peoples brands. Aqua utilities deliver drinking water and wastewater service across several U.S. states, while Peoples distributes natural gas mainly in western Pennsylvania and Kentucky. The company owns treatment plants, wells, pipelines, storage and distribution networks that serve residential, commercial, industrial and public customers.
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Business Model & Revenue
Revenue is earned through regulated customer rates designed to recover operating costs and provide a return on approved utility investment. Water usage, customer growth, weather and authorized rates affect Aqua revenue; Peoples revenue also reflects gas volumes and pass-through fuel costs. Capital spending on mains, treatment facilities and gas infrastructure expands rate base after regulatory approval. Smaller non-regulated operations offer service-line protection and related utility services.
Key Facts & Market Position
Essential reports Regulated Water and Regulated Natural Gas as its two main segments, with Pennsylvania holding most utility assets. In October 2025 it agreed to merge with American Water Works, with Essential becoming an American Water subsidiary. The transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals and other closing conditions and was expected to close in the first quarter of 2027.