WTRG — Essential Utilities, Inc. Stock Price, Chart & AI Report

Positive Feb 19, 2026 • 17:20 UTC The Motley Fool • Motley Fool Transcribing

American Water Works (AWK) Earnings Transcript

American Water Works reported 2025 adjusted EPS of $5.64, up 8.9% year-over-year, near the upper end of guidance. The company affirmed 2026 EPS guidance of $6.02-$6.12 (8% growth) and maintained its 7-9% long-term growth target. AWK deployed $3.2 billion in capital investments and has 104,000 customer connections under agreement. The company is progressing toward closing its merger with Essential Utilities by end of Q1 2027, with regulatory approvals underway for the Nexus Water Group acquisition expected to close by August 2026.

AWK WTRG earnings EPS growth capital investment rate cases merger acquisition

Sentiment note

Definitive merger agreement with American Water Works reached shareholder approval on February 10, 2026, with closure targeted by end of Q1 2027. The merger is expected to create a leading water and wastewater utility company with combined benefits for customers and shareholders.

Neutral Feb 17, 2026 • 00:30 UTC The Motley Fool • Thomas Niel

3 Magnificent Stocks to Buy That Are Near 52-Week Lows

The article identifies three stocks trading near 52-week lows that appear oversold: Automatic Data Processing (a dividend aristocrat in payroll processing), American Water Works (a utility facing merger uncertainty), and PayPal (a fintech company with new leadership). Each stock is presented as a potential buying opportunity with catalysts for recovery, despite recent market pessimism.

ADP AWK PYPL WTRG 52-week lows market sell-off AI disruption concerns dividend stocks

Sentiment note

Mentioned as merger partner with American Water Works. No independent analysis provided; sentiment tied to merger outcome.

Negative Dec 20, 2025 • 16:34 UTC GlobeNewswire Inc. • Halper Sadeh Llc

Halper Sadeh LLC Encourages AWK, WTRG, SEMR, MBCN Shareholders to Contact the Firm to Discuss Their Rights

Halper Sadeh LLC, an investor rights law firm, is investigating four companies for potential violations of federal securities laws and breaches of fiduciary duties related to proposed mergers and acquisitions. The investigations involve American Water Works' merger with Essential Utilities, Semrush's sale to Adobe, and Middlefield Banc's sale to Farmers National Banc. The firm is seeking increased consideration for shareholders and additional disclosures.

AWK WTRG SEMR MBCN securities law violations fiduciary duty breach mergers and acquisitions shareholder rights

Sentiment note

Under investigation for potential securities law violations related to its sale to American Water Works, indicating possible concerns about deal fairness or shareholder disclosure.

Neutral Dec 9, 2025 • 18:05 UTC The Motley Fool • William Dahl

Is American Water Works a Quiet Millionaire-Maker Stock?

American Water Works, the largest public water utility in the US, has delivered an impressive 11.6% average annualized return over 15 years. The company plans to merge with Essential Utilities, expanding its customer base and infrastructure while maintaining steady growth targets of 7-9% for earnings and dividends.

AWK WTRG water utility infrastructure dividend growth merger utility stocks

Sentiment note

Mentioned as merger partner, bringing additional infrastructure and customer connections to American Water Works

Neutral Nov 22, 2025 • 10:34 UTC GlobeNewswire Inc. • Halper Sadeh Llc

Halper Sadeh LLC Encourages WTRG, RNA, TCBX Shareholders to Contact the Firm to Discuss Their Rights

Law firm Halper Sadeh LLC is investigating potential securities law violations and fiduciary duty breaches for several companies involving mergers and acquisitions.

WTRG RNA TCBX securities law merger acquisition shareholder rights

Sentiment note

Potential sale to American Water Works Company with stock exchange ratio, under investigation for possible legal issues

Neutral Nov 22, 2025 • 10:18 UTC GlobeNewswire Inc. • Halper Sadeh Llc

Halper Sadeh LLC Encourages AWK, MOFG, NIC Shareholders to Contact the Firm to Discuss Their Rights

Law firm Halper Sadeh LLC is investigating potential securities law violations and fiduciary duty breaches for several companies involving mergers and acquisitions.

AWK MOFG NIC WTRG merger acquisition securities law shareholder rights

Sentiment note

Mentioned in merger context, no specific negative or positive indicators

Positive Oct 27, 2025 • 16:13 UTC Benzinga • Akanksha Bakshi

American Water, Essential Utilities Unite In Major Deal To Reshape US Water Market

American Water Works and Essential Utilities have agreed to an all-stock, tax-free merger creating a $40 billion water and wastewater utility serving 4.7 million connections across 17 states, with the deal expected to close by Q1 2027.

AWK WTRG PNR XYL merger water utility infrastructure acquisition

Sentiment note

Receiving 10% premium in stock swap, gaining enhanced scale and operational efficiency

Positive Aug 27, 2025 • 19:17 UTC Investing.com • Nathan Reiff

Overlooked Analyst-Approved Dividend Plays You Can Count On

The article highlights three dividend stocks with strong analyst ratings: Essential Utilities, Globe Life, and NetEase, each offering unique dividend characteristics and potential for steady income.

WTRG GL GLPD NTES dividend stocks utilities insurance online gaming

Sentiment note

Strong earnings performance, 35% YOY EPS increase, 5.25% dividend increase, competitive 3.50% dividend yield, and sustainable 58.8% payout ratio

Positive May 4, 2025 • 09:30 UTC The Motley Fool • The Motley Fool

3 Dividend Stocks You Can Be Comfortable Buying and Holding, Even in a Recession

Visa, Kenvue, and Essential Utilities are three dividend stocks that can perform well even if economic conditions worsen. Visa's resilient business model, Kenvue's value opportunity in its skin health segment, and Essential Utilities' regulated water and wastewater services make them attractive options for recession-wary investors.

V KVUE WTRG dividend stocks economic conditions Visa Kenvue Essential Utilities

Sentiment note

Essential Utilities' regulated water and wastewater services, steady dividend growth, and reliable cash flows make it a suitable investment for recession-wary investors.

Positive Apr 30, 2025 • 10:50 UTC The Motley Fool • The Motley Fool

As the Market Fluctuates in Response to President Donald Trump's Tariffs, What Stocks Are Safe?

The article discusses three stocks that are relatively insulated from the impact of President Trump's trade war: Netflix, Walmart, and Essential Utilities. It suggests these companies are less vulnerable to tariffs due to their business models and the essential nature of their products.

NFLX WMT WTRG stocks trade war tariffs Netflix Walmart

Sentiment note

As a water and natural gas utility, Essential Utilities provides essential services that people cannot go without, even in tough economic times. This makes the company relatively insulated from the impacts of tariffs.

Positive Jan 8, 2025 • 12:30 UTC The Motley Fool • The Motley Fool

3 Dividend Stocks That Are Too Cheap to Ignore and Worth Buying in 2025

The article highlights three dividend stocks to consider buying in 2025: 3M, Essential Utilities, and Equinor. It provides an analysis of each company's growth prospects, valuation, and dividend potential.

MMM WTRG EQNR dividend stocks 3M Essential Utilities Equinor

Sentiment note

The article highlights Essential Utilities' attractive 3.6% forward dividend yield, its consistent dividend growth, and its discounted valuation compared to its historical cash flow multiple. The company's regulated water and wastewater operations provide stability and growth potential.

Positive Nov 21, 2024 • 10:30 UTC The Motley Fool • The Motley Fool

3 Dirt-Cheap Dividend Stocks to Buy and Hold

The article highlights three dividend stocks - Essential Utilities, Deere, and Owens Corning - that are trading at reasonable valuations despite the broader market being near all-time highs. The companies offer growing payouts and compelling valuations, making them attractive options for income investors.

WTRG DE OC dividend stocks value stocks essential utilities deere owens corning

Sentiment note

The article highlights Essential Utilities as a bargain for income investors, trading at a discount to its historical valuation metrics and offering a 3.4% dividend yield with a 33-year streak of annual dividend increases.