Essential Utilities (WTRG) stock: analyst price target and their real reliability
Live quote · data updated Aug 28, 2026
Essential Utilities · Utilities · ref. ETF XLU · 50 calls · price $40.55
What the company does: Essential Utilities, Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates regulated utilities that provide water, wastewater, and natural gas services in the United States.
📈 Essential Utilities (WTRG) stock price
$40.55+2.2% over range
Aug 28, 25low $36.25 · high $41.93Aug 27, 26
📏 Click 2 points (left → right) to measure the change · click again to clear.
SellBuy
Hold
50% recommend buying · 2 analysts
📊 JPI status : Essential Utilities has never appeared in a JPI ranking (Fair or Risk +) — our methods haven't picked it to date. See the selected stocks →
🎯 WTRG price target & analyst consensus — price $40.55
The price target · all analysts combined (2 targets)
Highest target · 1 firm of 2$46+13.4%
Median target · of 2 targets$43+6.0%
Lowest target · 1 firm of 2$40-1.4%
Current price$40.55
⭐ What the most reliable analysts say
· those who beat their sector, targets replayed on real prices
⭐ The most reliable of them, either direction: UBS — 67% of its targets hit on this sector (39 calls tested). It aims for $46 (+13 %), call made on July 3, 2026, maturing on July 3, 2027 (56 d ago).
The 2 reliable analysts
$43+6.0 %
How to read it: the 2 reliable firms are not filtered by optimism — 1 aim above the price, 1 below, hence their $43 median.
The consensus · 2 ratings (last 6 months)
Strong Buy00%
Buy150%
Hold00%
Sell150%
Strong Sell00%
Go deeper on the analysts
🎯 WTRG price target all
All 50 calls, one by one, with our verdict on each firm.
→ See all 50 targets, analyst by analyst💡 The best analysts on WTRG most reliable
Their real reliability on WTRG, firm by firm: who was right, who was wrong.
→ See their reliability on WTRGAll analysts (the consensus) · vs · the best (those who've been right)
💬 A question about Essential Utilities? The JPI assistant answers using our backtest data.
💰 Essential Utilities dividend: yield, history & growth › open the full page
3.61%annual yield
🏆 Aristocrat — 37 yrs of consecutive dividend increases
That's ~$1.37 per share per year.
📈 Essential Utilities fundamentals: valuation, margins & growth › open the full page
P/E 20.9Net margin 21.6 %Revenue growth +3.1 %Average P/E
Revenue, net income and margin per year
Revenue Net income · hover a bar for details
2022
marg. 20 %
2023
Rev −10%Profit +7%
2024
Rev +2%Profit +19%
2025
Rev +19%Profit +4%
🔎 Detailed analyses
✅ Historical analyst reliability on WTRG
Hit rate measured on targets already matured (12 months), replayed against real prices. Click a header to sort.
| Firm ↕ | % right i ↕ | Gain vs sector i ↕ | Calls i ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferies ↗ | 100% | +6.9% | 2 |
| UBS ↗ | 75% | +2.2% | 4 |
| Baird ↗ | 56% | -0.8% | 9 |
| Evercore ISI Group ↗ | 50% | +0.4% | 4 |
| RBC Capital ↗ | 50% | -3.8% | 2 |
| Wells Fargo ↗ | 17% | -5.0% | 6 |
| Barclays ↗ | 0% | -8.8% | 3 |
📊 What $1,000 invested in Essential Utilities would be worth › open the full page
In short — $1,000 invested in Essential Utilities 10 years ago would be worth $1,253 today, i.e. +2%/yr on average. Best year: 2019 (+20%), worst: 2023 (-19%). Price performance, excluding dividends.
If I'd invested $1,000 in Essential Utilities
| Investment | Worth today | Gain |
|---|---|---|
| 1 years ago | $1,009 | +1% |
| 3 years ago | $896 | -10% |
| 5 years ago | $911 | -9% |
Return by year (Essential Utilities)
| Year | Return | $1,000 invested at year start |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (YTD) | -4% | $958 (-4%) |
| 2025 | +5% | $1,009 (+1%) |
| 2024 | +9% | $1,101 (+10%) |
⚠️ Past performance, not predictive nor advice. Prices in $, excluding dividends. Yahoo Finance data.
📰 Recent news on Essential Utilities
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📋 All analyst calls on WTRG
Filtered on — · ✕ show all
▼ Underweight · 🎯$40
Price at call : $37.93 — upside +5%
Today : $40.55 — upside -1%
🎯 on WTRG : 0% (3 calls matureds) · 📊 on Utilities : 64.2% · +10.1% (67 calls)
in progress (365j)
matures : Jul 15, 27
matures : Jul 15, 27
▲ Buy · 🎯$46
Price at call : $39.38 — upside +17%
Today : $40.55 — upside +13%
🎯 on WTRG : 75% (4 calls matureds) · 📊 on Utilities : 46.2% · +3.6% (39 calls)
in progress (365j)
matures : Jul 2, 27
matures : Jul 2, 27
▲ Buy · 🎯$43
Price at call : $36.25 — upside +19%
Today : $40.55 — upside +6%
🎯 on WTRG : 75% (4 calls matureds) · 📊 on Utilities : 46.2% · +3.6% (39 calls)
in progress (365j)
matures : May 29, 27
matures : May 29, 27
▼ Underweight · 🎯$38
Price at call : $38.67 — upside -2%
Today : $40.55 — upside -6%
🎯 on WTRG : 0% (3 calls matureds) · 📊 on Utilities : 64.2% · +10.1% (67 calls)
in progress (365j)
matures : Dec 17, 26
matures : Dec 17, 26
■ Hold neutral · not a buy · 🎯$44
Price at call : $39.17 — gap to target +12%
Today : $40.55 — gap to target +9%
🎯 on WTRG : 100% (2 calls matureds) · 📊 on Utilities : 51.5% · +5.8% (33 calls)
in progress (365j)
matures : Oct 28, 26
matures : Oct 28, 26
■ Neutral neutral · not a buy · 🎯$45
Price at call : $40.55 — gap to target +11%
Today : $40.55 — gap to target +11%
🎯 on WTRG : 75% (4 calls matureds) · 📊 on Utilities : 46.2% · +3.6% (39 calls)
in progress (365j)
matures : Oct 28, 26
matures : Oct 28, 26
Janney Montgomery Scott
Oct 27, 25
■ Neutral neutral · not a buy
🎯 on WTRG : no call matured yet · 📊 unranked overall
in progress (365j)
matures : Oct 27, 26
matures : Oct 27, 26
▲ Overweight · 🎯$43
Price at call : $39.78 — upside +8%
Today : $40.55 — upside +6%
🎯 on WTRG : 0% (3 calls matureds) · 📊 on Utilities : 64.2% · +10.1% (67 calls)
in progress (365j)
matures : Oct 10, 26
matures : Oct 10, 26
See the other 42 calls, newest to oldest
▲ Buy · 🎯$47
Price at call : $39.78 — upside +18%
Today : $40.55 — upside +16%
🎯 on WTRG : 100% (2 calls matureds) · 📊 on Utilities : 51.5% · +5.8% (33 calls)
in progress (365j)
matures : Oct 10, 26
matures : Oct 10, 26
▲ Overweight · 🎯$42
Price at call : $38.57 — upside +9%
Today : $40.55 — upside +4%
🎯 on WTRG : 0% (3 calls matureds) · 📊 on Utilities : 64.2% · +10.1% (67 calls)
in progress (365j)
matures : Oct 2, 26
matures : Oct 2, 26
▲ Buy · 🎯$47
Price at call : $38.66 — upside +22%
Today : $40.55 — upside +16%
Expected +22% · Actual +3% · Reason (≥ +15%) : ✗ No
🎯 on WTRG : 75% (4 calls matureds) · 📊 on Utilities : 46.2% · +3.6% (39 calls)
+2.9%
stock +3% · XLU +4%
matured Aug 15, 26
▲ Outperform · 🎯$47
Price at call : $38.33 — upside +23%
Today : $40.55 — upside +16%
Expected +23% · Actual +3% · Reason (≥ +15%) : ✗ No
🎯 on WTRG : 63% (8 calls matureds) · 📊 on Utilities : 45.5% · -6.1% (11 calls)
+3.2%
stock +3% · XLU +1%
matured Aug 4, 26
▲ Outperform · 🎯$46
Price at call : $37.42 — upside +23%
Today : $40.55 — upside +13%
Expected +23% · Actual +1% · Reason (≥ +15%) : ✗ No
🎯 on WTRG : 63% (8 calls matureds) · 📊 on Utilities : 45.5% · -6.1% (11 calls)
+1.3%
stock +1% · XLU +12%
matured May 13, 26
▲ Outperform · 🎯$47
Price at call : $39.56 — upside +19%
Today : $40.55 — upside +16%
Expected +19% · Actual +3% · Reason (≥ +15%) : ✗ No
🎯 on WTRG : 63% (8 calls matureds) · 📊 on Utilities : 45.5% · -6.1% (11 calls)
+3.4%
stock +3% · XLU +24%
matured Apr 4, 26
Evercore ISI Group ↗
Mar 5, 25
▲ Outperform · 🎯$46
Price at call : $38.45 — upside +20%
Today : $40.55 — upside +13%
Expected +20% · Actual +5% · Reason (≥ +15%) : ✗ No
🎯 on WTRG : 50% (4 calls matureds) · 📊 on Utilities : 36.4% · -5.6% (11 calls)
+4.9%
stock +5% · XLU +23%
matured Mar 5, 26
Wells Fargo ↗
Feb 27, 25
■ Equal-Weight neutral · not a buy · 🎯$41
Price at call : $37.98 — gap to target +8%
Today : $40.55 — gap to target +1%
🎯 on WTRG : 17% (6 calls matureds) · 📊 on Utilities : 40% · -2.4% (40 calls)
in progress (365j)
matures : Feb 27, 26
matures : Feb 27, 26
▲ Buy · 🎯$41
Price at call : $35.71 — upside +15%
Today : $40.55 — upside +1%
Expected +15% · Actual +7% · Reason (≥ +15%) : ✗ No
🎯 on WTRG : 100% (2 calls matureds) · 📊 on Utilities : 51.5% · +5.8% (33 calls)
+6.7%
stock +7% · XLU +13%
matured Jan 28, 26
▲ Buy · 🎯$42
Price at call : $34.11 — upside +23%
Today : $40.55 — upside +4%
Expected +23% · Actual +16% · Reason (≥ +15%) : ✓ Yes
🎯 on WTRG : 75% (4 calls matureds) · 📊 on Utilities : 46.2% · +3.6% (39 calls)
+16.4%
stock +16% · XLU +14%
matured Jan 14, 26
Wells Fargo ↗
Jan 7, 25
■ Equal-Weight neutral · not a buy · 🎯$39
Price at call : $35.27 — gap to target +11%
Today : $40.55 — gap to target -4%
🎯 on WTRG : 17% (6 calls matureds) · 📊 on Utilities : 40% · -2.4% (40 calls)
in progress (365j)
matures : Jan 7, 26
matures : Jan 7, 26
■ Hold neutral · not a buy · 🎯$41
Price at call : $39.1 — gap to target +5%
Today : $40.55 — gap to target +1%
🎯 on WTRG : 100% (2 calls matureds) · 📊 on Utilities : 51.5% · +5.8% (33 calls)
in progress (365j)
matures : Nov 7, 25
matures : Nov 7, 25
▲ Outperform · 🎯$46
Price at call : $40.35 — upside +14%
Today : $40.55 — upside +13%
Expected +14% · Actual -2% · Reason (≥ +15%) : ✗ No
🎯 on WTRG : 63% (8 calls matureds) · 📊 on Utilities : 45.5% · -6.1% (11 calls)
-2.1%
stock -2% · XLU +14%
matured Nov 6, 25
Wells Fargo ↗
Nov 5, 24
▲ Overweight · 🎯$43
Price at call : $40.35 — upside +7%
Today : $40.55 — upside +6%
Expected +7% · Actual -2% · Reason (≥ +15%) : ✗ No
🎯 on WTRG : 17% (6 calls matureds) · 📊 on Utilities : 40% · -2.4% (40 calls)
-2.1%
stock -2% · XLU +14%
matured Nov 5, 25
▲ Buy · 🎯$44
Price at call : $38.3 — upside +15%
Today : $40.55 — upside +9%
Expected +15% · Actual +7% · Reason (≥ +15%) : ✗ No
🎯 on WTRG : 100% (2 calls matureds) · 📊 on Utilities : 51.5% · +5.8% (33 calls)
+7.1%
stock +7% · XLU +14%
matured Oct 7, 25
Evercore ISI Group ↗
Aug 8, 24
▲ Outperform · 🎯$45
Price at call : $39.98 — upside +13%
Today : $40.55 — upside +11%
Expected +13% · Actual -3% · Reason (≥ +15%) : ✗ No
🎯 on WTRG : 50% (4 calls matureds) · 📊 on Utilities : 36.4% · -5.6% (11 calls)
-3.0%
stock -3% · XLU +17%
matured Aug 8, 25
▲ Outperform · 🎯$45
Price at call : $39.98 — upside +13%
Today : $40.55 — upside +11%
Expected +13% · Actual -3% · Reason (≥ +15%) : ✗ No
🎯 on WTRG : 63% (8 calls matureds) · 📊 on Utilities : 45.5% · -6.1% (11 calls)
-3.0%
stock -3% · XLU +17%
matured Aug 7, 25
Wells Fargo ↗
Jul 31, 24
▲ Overweight · 🎯$45
Price at call : $41.1 — upside +9%
Today : $40.55 — upside +11%
Expected +9% · Actual -7% · Reason (≥ +15%) : ✗ No
🎯 on WTRG : 17% (6 calls matureds) · 📊 on Utilities : 40% · -2.4% (40 calls)
-7.1%
stock -7% · XLU +16%
matured Jul 31, 25
▲ Outperform · 🎯$43
Price at call : $38.3 — upside +12%
Today : $40.55 — upside +6%
Expected +12% · Actual +8% · Reason (≥ +15%) : ✗ No
🎯 on WTRG : 63% (8 calls matureds) · 📊 on Utilities : 45.5% · -6.1% (11 calls)
+8.1%
stock +8% · XLU +17%
matured May 6, 25
Evercore ISI Group ↗
Mar 4, 24
▲ Outperform · 🎯$42
Price at call : $34.55 — upside +22%
Today : $40.55 — upside +4%
Expected +22% · Actual +11% · Reason (≥ +15%) : ✗ No
🎯 on WTRG : 50% (4 calls matureds) · 📊 on Utilities : 36.4% · -5.6% (11 calls)
+11.4%
stock +11% · XLU +24%
matured Mar 4, 25
Edward Jones
Nov 3, 23
▲ Buy
Actual +8% · Reason (≥ +15%) : ✗ No
🎯 on WTRG : 100% (1 call matured) · 📊 unranked overall
+7.8%
stock +8% · XLU +25%
matured Nov 2, 24
▲ Buy · 🎯$45
Price at call : $33.37 — upside +35%
Today : $40.55 — upside +11%
Expected +35% · Actual +15% · Reason (≥ +15%) : ✗ No
🎯 on WTRG : 75% (4 calls matureds) · 📊 on Utilities : 46.2% · +3.6% (39 calls)
+14.6%
stock +15% · XLU +44%
matured Oct 3, 24
Northcoast Research
Sep 28, 23
▲ Buy · 🎯$42
Price at call : $34.04 — upside +23%
Today : $40.55 — upside +4%
Expected +23% · Actual +13% · Reason (≥ +15%) : ✗ No
🎯 on WTRG : 100% (1 call matured) · 📊 unranked overall
+12.8%
stock +13% · XLU +37%
matured Sep 27, 24
Northcoast Research
May 18, 23
■ Neutral neutral · not a buy
🎯 on WTRG : 100% (1 call matured) · 📊 unranked overall
in progress (365j)
matures : May 17, 24
matures : May 17, 24
Wells Fargo ↗
May 10, 23
▲ Overweight · 🎯$50
Price at call : $42.97 — upside +16%
Today : $40.55 — upside +23%
Expected +16% · Actual -10% · Reason (≥ +15%) : ✗ No
🎯 on WTRG : 17% (6 calls matureds) · 📊 on Utilities : 40% · -2.4% (40 calls)
-9.8%
stock -10% · XLU +3%
matured May 9, 24
RBC Capital ↗
Mar 16, 23
▲ Outperform · 🎯$54
Price at call : $43.08 — upside +25%
Today : $40.55 — upside +33%
Expected +25% · Actual -16% · Reason (≥ +15%) : ✗ No
🎯 on WTRG : 0% (1 call matured) · 📊 on Utilities : 50% · +23.0% (6 calls)
-16.4%
stock -16% · XLU -6%
matured Mar 15, 24
Wells Fargo ↗
Feb 28, 23
▲ Overweight · 🎯$52
Price at call : $42.78 — upside +22%
Today : $40.55 — upside +28%
Expected +22% · Actual -19% · Reason (≥ +15%) : ✗ No
🎯 on WTRG : 17% (6 calls matureds) · 📊 on Utilities : 40% · -2.4% (40 calls)
-18.6%
stock -19% · XLU -4%
matured Feb 28, 24
▲ Buy · 🎯$55
Price at call : $47.46 — upside +16%
Today : $40.55 — upside +36%
Expected +16% · Actual -25% · Reason (≥ +15%) : ✗ No
🎯 on WTRG : 75% (4 calls matureds) · 📊 on Utilities : 46.2% · +3.6% (39 calls)
-25.1%
stock -25% · XLU -12%
matured Feb 6, 24
■ Neutral neutral · not a buy · 🎯$52
Price at call : $47.05 — gap to target +11%
Today : $40.55 — gap to target +28%
🎯 on WTRG : 75% (4 calls matureds) · 📊 on Utilities : 46.2% · +3.6% (39 calls)
in progress (365j)
matures : Nov 29, 23
matures : Nov 29, 23
B of A Securities ↗
Sep 9, 22
■ Neutral neutral · not a buy · 🎯$52
Price at call : $48.3 — gap to target +8%
Today : $40.55 — gap to target +28%
🎯 on WTRG : no call matured yet · 📊 on Utilities : 45.6% · -1.6% (57 calls)
in progress (365j)
matures : Sep 9, 23
matures : Sep 9, 23
▲ Buy · 🎯$57
Price at call : $52.29 — upside +9%
Today : $40.55 — upside +41%
Expected +9% · Actual -28% · Reason (≥ +15%) : ✗ No
🎯 on WTRG : 0% (1 call matured) · 📊 overall : 40.7% · -0.1% (27 calls)
-28.3%
stock -28% · XLU -18%
matured Aug 18, 23
▲ Outperform · 🎯$54
Price at call : $50.73 — upside +6%
Today : $40.55 — upside +33%
Expected +6% · Actual -19% · Reason (≥ +15%) : ✗ No
🎯 on WTRG : 63% (8 calls matureds) · 📊 on Utilities : 45.5% · -6.1% (11 calls)
-19.3%
stock -19% · XLU -14%
matured Aug 5, 23
▲ Overweight · 🎯$51
Price at call : $46.89 — upside +9%
Today : $40.55 — upside +26%
Expected +9% · Actual -13% · Reason (≥ +15%) : ✗ No
🎯 on WTRG : 0% (3 calls matureds) · 📊 on Utilities : 64.2% · +10.1% (67 calls)
-12.9%
stock -13% · XLU -5%
matured Jul 18, 23
▲ Outperform · 🎯$50
Price at call : $42.26 — upside +18%
Today : $40.55 — upside +23%
Expected +18% · Actual +2% · Reason (≥ +15%) : ✗ No
🎯 on WTRG : 63% (8 calls matureds) · 📊 on Utilities : 45.5% · -6.1% (11 calls)
+1.7%
stock +2% · XLU -2%
matured May 10, 23
Wells Fargo ↗
Apr 19, 22
▲ Overweight · 🎯$53
Price at call : $49.23 — upside +8%
Today : $40.55 — upside +31%
Expected +8% · Actual -12% · Reason (≥ +15%) : ✗ No
🎯 on WTRG : 17% (6 calls matureds) · 📊 on Utilities : 40% · -2.4% (40 calls)
-11.9%
stock -12% · XLU -9%
matured Apr 19, 23
■ Hold neutral · not a buy · 🎯$53
Price at call : $51.47 — gap to target +3%
Today : $40.55 — gap to target +31%
🎯 on WTRG : 0% (1 call matured) · 📊 overall : 40.7% · -0.1% (27 calls)
in progress (365j)
matures : Apr 8, 23
matures : Apr 8, 23
▲ Overweight · 🎯$52
Price at call : $47.54 — upside +9%
Today : $40.55 — upside +28%
Expected +9% · Actual -9% · Reason (≥ +15%) : ✗ No
🎯 on WTRG : 0% (3 calls matureds) · 📊 on Utilities : 64.2% · +10.1% (67 calls)
-9.0%
stock -9% · XLU -6%
matured Mar 15, 23
Evercore ISI Group ↗
Mar 10, 22
▲ Outperform · 🎯$53
Price at call : $47.15 — upside +12%
Today : $40.55 — upside +31%
Expected +12% · Actual -12% · Reason (≥ +15%) : ✗ No
🎯 on WTRG : 50% (4 calls matureds) · 📊 on Utilities : 36.4% · -5.6% (11 calls)
-11.6%
stock -12% · XLU -9%
matured Mar 10, 23
▲ Overweight · 🎯$56
Price at call : $50.51 — upside +11%
Today : $40.55 — upside +38%
Expected +11% · Actual -4% · Reason (≥ +15%) : ✗ No
🎯 on WTRG : 0% (3 calls matureds) · 📊 on Utilities : 64.2% · +10.1% (67 calls)
-4.5%
stock -4% · XLU +3%
matured Dec 8, 22
■ Equal-Weight neutral · not a buy · 🎯$55
Price at call : $45.46 — gap to target +21%
Today : $40.55 — gap to target +36%
🎯 on WTRG : 0% (3 calls matureds) · 📊 on Utilities : 64.2% · +10.1% (67 calls)
in progress (365j)
matures : Jan 22, 22
matures : Jan 22, 22
Wells Fargo ↗
Sep 14, 20
▲ Overweight · 🎯$45
Price at call : $39.82 — upside +13%
Today : $40.55 — upside +11%
Expected +13% · Actual +20% · Reason (≥ +15%) : ✓ Yes
🎯 on WTRG : 17% (6 calls matureds) · 📊 on Utilities : 40% · -2.4% (40 calls)
+19.6%
stock +20% · XLU +14%
matured Sep 14, 21
Frequently asked questions
Should I buy Essential Utilities stock?
This isn't buy advice. For Essential Utilities, the analyst consensus is "Hold", with an average price target of $43.00 (+6% vs the current price). What matters is their past reliability on this stock: the most reliable one is right 100% of the time (2 calls tracked on Essential Utilities). We show the numbers — you decide.
Is it too late to buy Essential Utilities? How high can it go?
The most bullish analyst target on Essential Utilities is $46.00 (+13% above today's price); the average is $43.00. That's the upside they see. Check how reliable those analysts have actually been on Essential Utilities on our site before trusting it.
Is Essential Utilities still a good buy?
The most useful "opinion" isn't an opinion — it's a track record: 7 analysts have a real record on Essential Utilities, the best hitting 100% over 2 calls. Current consensus: "Hold". Make your call on data, not noise.
What has Essential Utilities's past performance been?
Historical returns and a "how much if I had invested" calculator: WTRG performance & returns.
Does Essential Utilities pay a dividend?
Yield, consistency and growth history of the dividend: WTRG's dividend.
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