Essential Utilities (WTRG) Upgraded to Buy: What Does It Mean for the Stock?
Essential Utilities (WTRG) might move higher on growing optimism about its earnings prospects, which is reflected by its upgrade to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
WTRG - Essential Utilities, Inc.
Price:
--
--
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CONSENSUS:
Buy
DETAILS
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PRICE TARGET:
$44.50
DETAILS
HIGH:
$49.00
LOW:
$40.00
MEDIAN:
$44.50
CONSENSUS:
$44.50
UPSIDE:
14.16%
Stock News
Brad Nielsen Named Future President of Pennsylvania American Water
CAMDEN, N.J., Oct. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- American Water (NYSE: AWK) announced today that Brad Nielsen will become President of Pennsylvania American Water upon the closing of American Water's proposed merger with Essential Utilities (NYSE: WTRG).
Essential Utilities Recognizes Fire Prevention Week by Highlighting Partnership and Support for Local Departments
BRYN MAWR, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Essential Utilities Inc. (NYSE: WTRG) joins the nation in raising awareness for fire prevention and thanking those who put their lives on the line to protect our communities during emergencies. Today, as we recognize Fire Prevention Week, the company is also highlighting its support of these brave men and women. In 2026, Essential, and its subsidiaries Aqua Water and Peoples Natural Gas, donated $94,500 to benefit 38 volunteer fire departments across our 9-state.
WTRG's Aqua Pennsylvania Acquires Ulster Municipal Water Systems
Essential Utilities' Aqua Pennsylvania unit acquired Ulster's water assets for $0.5 million, adding 180 customers and planning $2 million in upgrades over five years.
Essential Utilities Inc. (NYSE:WTRG) Stock Has Average Target Price of $43.75
Shares of Essential Utilities Inc. (NYSE: WTRG - Get Free Report) have received a consensus recommendation of "Moderate Buy" from the nine ratings firms that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, three have given a buy rating
Aqua Pennsylvania Acquires Ulster Municipal Authority Water System in Bradford County
BRYN MAWR, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Essential Utilities, Inc. (NYSE: WTRG) announced today its Aqua Pennsylvania subsidiary has finalized its $450,000 purchase of the water system assets of the Ulster Municipal Authority in Bradford County. The system serves approximately 180 customers in Ulster Township. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) approved the sale on August 27, 2026.“We welcome our new customers in Ulster Township to the Essential family,” said Essential Utilities Chairman &.
AWK vs. WTRG: One Dividend Champion Will Emerge From This $63 Billion Consolidation
A $63 billion water utility merger puts two dividend stocks on a collision course, and the one that looks weaker on paper may actually be the smarter retirement hold heading into the deal's close.
State Street Corp Has $502.60 Million Position in Essential Utilities Inc. $WTRG
State Street Corp raised its position in Essential Utilities Inc. (NYSE: WTRG) by 5.5% in the undefined quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 13,119,170 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 687,688 shares during the period. State Street Corp owned approximately
Essential Utilities (WTRG) Up 5% Since Last Earnings Report: Can It Continue?
Essential Utilities (WTRG) reported earnings 30 days ago. What's next for the stock?
Will Customer Growth Support Essential Utilities ' Long-Term Earnings?
WTRG's expanding customer base, acquisitions and infrastructure spending support its long-term earnings growth potential.
2,413,662 Shares in Essential Utilities Inc. $WTRG Bought by Bank of New York Mellon Corp
Bank of New York Mellon Corp purchased a new stake in shares of Essential Utilities Inc. (NYSE: WTRG) in the undefined quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 2,413,662 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $92,467,000. Bank of New
170,133 Shares in Essential Utilities Inc. $WTRG Acquired by Deutsche Bank AG
Deutsche Bank AG bought a new stake in shares of Essential Utilities Inc. (NYSE: WTRG) in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund bought 170,133 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $6,518,000. Deutsche Bank AG owned approximately 0.06% of Essential Utilities
BlackRock Inc. Purchases New Shares in Essential Utilities Inc. $WTRG
BlackRock Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Essential Utilities Inc. (NYSE: WTRG) during the undefined quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 33,433,285 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,280,829,000. BlackRock Inc. owned about 11.79% of Essential Utilities
Aurora Investment Counsel Acquires New Shares in Essential Utilities Inc. $WTRG
Aurora Investment Counsel acquired a new position in Essential Utilities Inc. (NYSE: WTRG) in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 68,633 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,629,000. Essential Utilities makes up approximately 1.4% of Aurora Investment
American Water and Essential Utilities Announce Expiration of Hart-Scott-Rodino Waiting Period for Proposed Merger
CAMDEN, N.J. and BRYN MAWR, Pa.
Essential Utilities Q2 Earnings Call Highlights
Essential Utilities (NYSE: WTRG) reported second-quarter 2026 GAAP earnings of $0.37 per share, compared with $0.38 per share in the prior-year quarter, as higher regulatory recoveries and water volumes were offset by lower gas volumes, increased operating expenses, depreciation and interest costs. Excluding approximately $0.01 per share of merger-related expenses, the company reported adjusted non-GAAP earnings
Before You Dig a Hole, Make 811 Your Goal: Essential Utilities Recognizes 811 Day and the Importance of Safe Digging
With construction season at its summertime peak, [url="]Essential Utilities[/url] and its subsidiaries, [url="]Aqua Water[/url] and [url="]Peoples Natural Gas[/
Before You Dig a Hole, Make 811 Your Goal: Essential Utilities Recognizes 811 Day and the Importance of Safe Digging
BRYN MAWR, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- #811--With construction season at its summertime peak, Essential Utilities and its subsidiaries, Aqua Water and Peoples Natural Gas, urge customers and contractors to recognize 811 Day and take great care with all digging and excavation practices. Tuesday, August 11 (8-11) brings a clear reminder of the importance of a simple and safety-first call to 811, the national number to report projects involving excavation and request utilities like Peoples and Aqua mark nearb.
Essential Utilities Q2 Earnings Call Highlights
Essential Utilities NYSE: WTRG reported second-quarter 2026 GAAP earnings of $0.37 per share, compared with $0.38 per share in the prior-year quarter, as higher regulatory recoveries and water volumes were offset by lower gas volumes, increased operating expenses, depreciation and interest costs.
WTRG Q2 Earnings Meet Estimates, Revenues Beat on Water Growth
WTRG's Q2 revenues rise 3.1% and beat estimates as water sales climb 7.6%, while merger costs and interest weigh on profit.
Price Targets
Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG) PT Raised to $49 at UBS
$49.00
(was $42.00)
Gregg Orrill
·
UBS
Essential Utilities price target raised to $40 from $38 at Barclays
$40.00
(was $38.59)
Barclays
Essential Utilities price target raised to $46 from $43 at UBS
$46.00
(was $38.03)
UBS
Essential Utilities upgraded to Buy from Neutral at UBS
$43.00
(was $36.69)
Gregg Orrill
·
UBS
Essential Utilities price target lowered to $41 from $45 at UBS
$41.00
(was $37.09)
UBS
Essential Utilities downgraded to Underweight from Overweight at Barclays
$38.00
(was $38.31)
Nicholas Campanella
·
Barclays
Essential Utilities upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Northcoast
$42.00
(was $38.85)
Ryan Connors
·
Northcoast Research
Essential Utilities downgraded to Hold from Buy at Jefferies
$44.00
(was $40.38)
Jefferies
UBS Downgrades Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG) to Neutral
$45.00
(was $40.63)
Gregg Orrill
·
UBS
Essential Utilities downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Northcoast
$46.00
(was $41.21)
Northcoast Research
Essential Utilities price target raised to $43 from $42 at Barclays
$43.00
(was $40.47)
Barclays
Essential Utilities initiated with an Overweight at Barclays
$42.00
(was $38.82)
Barclays
Essential Utilities price target raised to $47 from $42 at UBS
$47.00
(was $39.34)
Gregg Orrill
·
UBS
Essential Utilities price target lowered to $42 from $45 at UBS
$42.00
(was $33.74)
Gregg Orrill
·
UBS
Essential Utilities downgraded to Equal Weight from Overweight at Wells Fargo
$39.00
(was $35.27)
Jonathan Reeder
·
Wells Fargo
BofA Securities Reinstates Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG) at Buy
$45.00
(was $38.32)
Ross Fowler
·
Bank of America Securities
Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG) PT Lowered to $43 at Baird
$43.00
(was $37.78)
Davis Sunderland
·
Robert W. Baird
Wall Street's Most Accurate Analysts Say Buy These 3 Utilities Stocks With Over 3% Dividend Yields
$54.00
(was $36.03)
Shelby Tucker
·
RBC Capital
Baird Maintains Outperform on Essential Utilities, Raises Price Target to $54
$54.00
(was $51.56)
Robert W. Baird
Wells Fargo Maintains Overweight on Essential Utilities, Raises Price Target to $53
$53.00
(was $48.98)
Wells Fargo