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Upturn AI SWOT - About
WTRG 
Essential Utilities Inc (WTRG)
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Upturn Advisory Summary
08/28/2025: WTRG (1-star) has a low Upturn Star Rating. Not recommended to BUY.
Upturn Star Rating
Not Recommended Performance
These Stocks/ETFs, based on Upturn Advisory, consistently fall short of market performance, signaling caution before investing.
Number of Analysts
11 Analysts rated it
Moderately tracked stock, growing coverage, gaining market and investor attention.
1 Year Target Price $46.38
1 Year Target Price $46.38
| 8 | Strong Buy |
| 1 | Buy |
| 2 | Hold |
| 0 | Sell |
| 0 | Strong Sell |
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit -17.35% | Avg. Invested days 32 | Today’s Advisory Consider higher Upturn Star rating |
Upturn Star Rating | Upturn Advisory Performance  3.0 | Stock Returns Performance  1.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 08/28/2025 |
Key Highlights
Company Size Large-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 11.08B USD | Price to earnings Ratio 16.96 | 1Y Target Price 46.38 |
Price to earnings Ratio 16.96 | 1Y Target Price 46.38 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 11 | Beta 0.76 | 52 Weeks Range 32.31 - 40.94 | Updated Date 08/30/2025 |
52 Weeks Range 32.31 - 40.94 | Updated Date 08/30/2025 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) 3.28% | Basic EPS (TTM) 2.33 |
Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth
Revenue by Products
Product revenue - Year on Year
Revenue by Geography
Earnings Date
Report Date 2025-07-31 | When - | Estimate 0.29 | Actual 0.38 |
Profitability
Profit Margin 27.62% | Operating Margin (TTM) 35.92% |
Management Effectiveness
Return on Assets (TTM) 3.14% | Return on Equity (TTM) 10.03% |
Valuation
Trailing PE 16.96 | Forward PE 18.87 | Enterprise Value 18853900112 | Price to Sales(TTM) 4.74 |
Enterprise Value 18853900112 | Price to Sales(TTM) 4.74 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 8.06 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA 14.21 | Shares Outstanding 280468992 | Shares Floating 279587997 |
Shares Outstanding 280468992 | Shares Floating 279587997 | ||
Percent Insiders 0.18 | Percent Institutions 82.37 |
Upturn AI SWOT
Essential Utilities Inc
Company Overview
History and Background
Essential Utilities Inc. (formerly Aqua America) traces its roots back to 1886. Founded as a water company, it expanded through acquisitions and organic growth. Significant milestones include diversifying into natural gas distribution and rebranding to Essential Utilities in 2020 to reflect its broader utility portfolio.
Core Business Areas
- Regulated Water: Provides water and wastewater services to residential, commercial, and industrial customers. This is the largest and most mature business segment.
- Regulated Natural Gas: Distributes natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers in several states.
Leadership and Structure
Christopher Franklin serves as the Chairman and CEO. The company has a traditional corporate structure with various executive vice presidents overseeing different business units and functional areas.
Top Products and Market Share
Key Offerings
- Water Services: Provision of potable water to approximately 3 million people. Market share is regionally concentrated, not a national leader, but strong presence in specific states. Competitors include American Water Works (AWK), California Water Service Group (CWT), and other municipal water systems.
- Wastewater Services: Collection and treatment of wastewater. Similar market share dynamics as water services, focused on specific regions. Competitors include American Water Works (AWK), California Water Service Group (CWT), and other municipal wastewater systems.
- Natural Gas Distribution: Delivery of natural gas to homes and businesses. Market share is regional and depends on the service area. Competitors include National Fuel Gas (NFG), UGI Corporation (UGI) and other regional natural gas distributors.
Market Dynamics
Industry Overview
The US water and wastewater industry is highly fragmented, with many small municipal systems. The natural gas distribution industry is more consolidated. Both sectors are characterized by regulated pricing and essential services.
Positioning
Essential Utilities is a consolidator in the fragmented water and wastewater market. Its competitive advantage lies in its operational efficiency, regulatory expertise, and ability to invest in infrastructure upgrades. It benefits from the predictable nature of regulated utility revenues.
Total Addressable Market (TAM)
The TAM for water and wastewater services in the US is estimated to be in the hundreds of billions of dollars. For natural gas distribution TAM is about 100B, with Essential Utilities Inc. positioned to increase market share through acquisitions and infrastructure investment in both sectors. Total TAM roughly 400-500B
Upturn SWOT Analysis
Strengths
- Stable and predictable revenue streams
- Strong regulatory relationships
- Proven track record of acquisitions
- Essential service provider
- Geographic Diversification
Weaknesses
- High capital expenditures
- Exposure to regulatory risk
- Dependence on acquisitions for growth
- Interest rate risk
- Weather dependent revenues
Opportunities
- Further consolidation of fragmented water and wastewater market
- Investment in aging infrastructure
- Expansion into new geographic areas
- Adoption of advanced technologies
- Leveraging government funding opportunities
Threats
- Increased regulatory scrutiny
- Rising interest rates
- Water scarcity and environmental concerns
- Cybersecurity risks
- Climate change impacts
Competitors and Market Share
Key Competitors
- AWK
- CWT
- WTRG
Competitive Landscape
Essential Utilities competes with larger and smaller players in the fragmented water and wastewater market. Its advantage lies in its operational expertise and acquisition capabilities. The natural gas segment is less competitive but faces regulatory hurdles.
Major Acquisitions
Peoples Gas
- Year: 2020
- Acquisition Price (USD millions): 4275
- Strategic Rationale: Diversified revenue stream, increased scale in natural gas distribution, expansion into new geographic markets.
Growth Trajectory and Initiatives
Historical Growth: Growth has been driven by acquisitions and organic rate base expansion.
Future Projections: Analysts project continued growth driven by acquisitions and infrastructure investments. Expected revenue growth of 5-7% annually.
Recent Initiatives: Recent initiatives include acquisitions of smaller water and wastewater systems and investments in pipeline upgrades.
Summary
Essential Utilities is a stable utility company with predictable revenues and a history of dividend growth. Its growth strategy relies heavily on acquisitions, which poses a risk if interest rates rise or regulatory approvals are delayed. The company's diversification into natural gas distribution provides some insulation from water scarcity concerns. Overall, Essential Utilities is a solid long-term investment, but investors should monitor interest rates and regulatory trends.
Peer Comparison
Sources and Disclaimers
Data Sources:
- Company Filings (10-K, 10-Q)
- Investor Presentations
- Analyst Reports
- Industry Research Reports
Disclaimers:
The information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Investment decisions should be based on individual circumstances and consultation with a qualified financial advisor. Market share data is approximate and based on available information.
AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.
Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.
Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.
AI-generated summaries may have inaccuracies (hallucinations). Please verify the information before taking action.
About Essential Utilities Inc
Exchange NYSE | Headquaters Bryn Mawr, PA, United States | ||
IPO Launch date 1987-12-30 | Chairman, President & CEO Mr. Christopher H. Franklin | ||
Sector Utilities | Industry Utilities - Regulated Water | Full time employees 3291 | Website https://www.essential.co |
Full time employees 3291 | Website https://www.essential.co | ||
Essential Utilities, Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates regulated utilities that provide water, wastewater, and natural gas services in the United States. It operates through Regulated Water; and Regulated Natural Gas segments. The company offers water services through operating and maintenance contracts with municipal authorities and other parties. It also provides utility service line protection solutions and repair services to households; and natural gas distribution services. The company serves approximately 5.5 million residential water, commercial water, fire protection, industrial water, wastewater, and other water and utility customers in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas, Illinois, North Carolina, New Jersey, Indiana, Virginia, and Kentucky under the Aqua and Peoples brands. The company was formerly known as Aqua America, Inc. and changed its name to Essential Utilities, Inc. in February 2020. Essential Utilities, Inc. was founded in 1886 and is headquartered in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.
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