Essential Utilities (WTRG)
NYSE:WTRG
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Earnings Data
Report Date
Aug 10, 2026After Close (Confirmed)
Period Ending
2026 (Q2)Consensus EPS Forecast
0.4Last Year’s EPS
0.38Same Quarter Last Year
Based on 3 Analysts Ratings
Earnings Call Summary
Earnings Call Sentiment|Positive
The call presented a mix of clear strategic progress and near-term operational and financial headwinds. Positive long‑term developments include strong merger milestones (95% shareholder approval and Kentucky regulatory approval), a sizable acquisition pipeline (~400k customers), active environmental remediation work (PFAS projects) and a reaffirmed 5%–7% EPS growth target. Near-term challenges included a Q1 EPS decline (~23% vs prior Q1) driven by nonrecurring comparisons, merger-related costs (~$16.3M), weather-driven incremental expenses (~$3M) and regulatory uncertainty in Pennsylvania (pending large rate cases and political focus on affordability). Management expressed confidence in meeting full‑year capital and EPS goals, and emphasized operational resilience and continued investment, which suggests the negatives are viewed as temporary and manageable.Company Guidance
Merger Progress and Shareholder Approval
Kentucky Public Service Commission approved the merger and both companies' shareholders previously approved the transaction by 95%; merger still on track to close by end of 2027, creating a combined company serving >4.7M water/wastewater and >740K gas customers.
Earnings and Adjusted EPS
Reported Q1 2026 GAAP EPS of $0.79; adjusted non-GAAP EPS excluding merger-related costs of $0.83 (difference ≈ $0.04). Management reaffirmed 5%–7% annual EPS growth target versus 2024 adjusted base EPS of $1.97 through 2027.
Large Capital Investment Program
Invested $269 million in Q1 across water, wastewater and gas; full-year plan to invest $1.7 billion in regulated infrastructure (on track).
Operational Performance Metrics Largely Strong
Water division tracks 15 metrics with 12 green and 3 yellow; gas division tracks 16 metrics with all but 3 green. Management expects most yellow metrics to be green by year-end.
Environmental and Safety Project Momentum
PFAS program: 5 PFAS projects completed YTD, 45 under construction, on track for 106 PFAS project completions this year; continuing Intellis gas meter rollout (71k installed last year, target ≥80k this year).
Regulatory Recoveries and Active Rate Case Pipeline
Completed regulatory recoveries totaling $15.1 million of annualized revenue YTD. Water/wastewater pipeline has pending cases ~ $102M annualized; gas base rate case pending in PA for $163.2M to support infrastructure plan.
Acquisition Growth and Pipeline
Closed Greenville Water acquisition (March) and earlier Greenville Wastewater; signed purchase agreements adding ~201k customers for ~$285M in purchase price; overall acquisition pipeline ~400k customers.
Capital Markets Activity and Financial Priorities
Completed $500 million debt offering earlier in the year; will continue equity issuances via ATM as opportunistic. Reaffirmed focus on strong balance sheet, improving cash, and dividend growth with target payout ratio 60%–65%.
WTRG Earnings History
The table shows recent earnings report dates and whether the forecast was beat or missed. See the change in forecast and EPS from the previous year.
Beat
Missed
WTRG Earnings-Related Price Changes
Report Date | Price 1 Day Before | Price 1 Day After | Percentage Change |
|---|---|---|---|
May 06, 2026 | $37.20 | $37.36 | +0.43% |
Feb 25, 2026 | $39.54 | $39.42 | -0.30% |
Nov 04, 2025 | $37.37 | $38.62 | +3.33% |
Jul 31, 2025 | $35.50 | $36.83 | +3.75% |
Earnings announcements can affect a stock’s price. This table shows the stock's price the day before and the day after recent earnings reports, including the percentage change.
FAQ
When does Essential Utilities (WTRG) report earnings?
Essential Utilities (WTRG) is schdueled to report earning on Aug 10, 2026, After Close (Confirmed).
What is Essential Utilities (WTRG) earnings time?
Essential Utilities (WTRG) earnings time is at Aug 10, 2026, After Close (Confirmed).
Where can I see when companies are reporting earnings?
You can see which companies are reporting today on our designated earnings calendar.
What companies are reporting earnings today?
You can see a list of the companies which are reporting today on TipRanks earnings calendar.
What is WTRG EPS forecast?
WTRG EPS forecast for the fiscal quarter 2026 (Q2) is 0.4.