As of Thursday close, Essential Utilities Inc.’s (NYSE:WTRG) stock was down -$0.62, moving down -1.67 percent to $36.40. The average number of shares traded per day over the past five days has been 1,448,500 shares. 1 time new highs have been achieved over the past 5 days, with a -$1.76 fall in that time frame. In the last twenty days, the average volume was 1,404,925, while in the previous 50 days, it was 1,244,336.
Since last month, WTRG stock retreated -1.60%. Shares of the company fell to $35.44 on 09/07/23, the lowest level in the past month. A 52-week high of $49.89 was reached on 01/12/23 after having rallying from a 52-week low of $35.44. Since the beginning of this year, WTRG’s stock price has dropped by -23.74% or -$11.33, and marked a new high 4 times. However, the stock has declined by -27.04% since its 52-week high.
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WTRG stock investors should be aware that Essential Utilities Inc. (WTRG) stock had its last reported insider trading activity 100 days ago on Jun 14. Arnold Colleen, the President of the company, disposed of 1,244 shares for $41.84 on Jun 14. It resulted in a $52,049 divestment by the insider. Franklin Chris added 37,245 shares at an average price of $40.70 on Mar 08. The insider now owns 37,245 shares following the transaction. On Nov 28, Director Ruff Ellen T sold 8,560 shares at $47.96 apiece. The transaction was valued at $410,503.
Valuation Metrics
Right now, Essential Utilities Inc. (WTRG) has a P/E ratio of about 21.00. The stock’s beta is 0.78. Besides these, the trailing price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of 4.23, the price-to-book (PB) ratio of 1.71.
The latest dividend of $0.3071 per share was paid out, which is 7.0% more than last year’s $0.2870. On Tuesday August 1 2023, a $0.0201 dividend increase was announced.
Financial Health
In the three months ended June 29, Essential Utilities Inc.’s quick ratio stood at 0.40, while its current ratio was 0.50, showing that the company is not able to pay off its debt. According to company report, the long-term debt-to-equity ratio for the quarter ending June 29 was 1.18, and the total debt-to-equity ratio was 1.22. On the profitability front, the trailing twelve-month gross margin is 74.10% percent. In the year ended June 29, EBITDA margin amounted to 42.93%, whereas operating margins totaled 29.40%. Based on annual data, WTRG earned $661.19 million in gross profit and brought in $2.29 billion in revenue.
A company’s management is another factor that investors consider when determining the profitability of an investment. In the past year, return on investment (ROI) was 5.50%. Return on equity (ROE) for the past 12 months was 8.50%.
In Essential Utilities Inc.’s quarter-end financial report for June 29, it reported total debt of $6.62 billion. According to the earnings report, the company had a lower net income in the recent quarter than it did in the previous quarter. WTRG’s revenue fell -2.76% to $726.45 million during the quarter, while net income inched up to $436.7 million. While analysts expected Essential Utilities Inc. to report $0.34 quarterly earnings, the actual figure was $0.34 per share. During the quarter, the company generated $240.91 million in EBITDA. The liabilities of Essential Utilities Inc. were 10.49 billion at the end of its most recent quarter ended June 29, and its total debt was $6.93 billion. The value of shareholders’ equity is $264.51 million.
Technical Picture
This quick technical analysis looks at Essential Utilities Inc.’s (WTRG) price momentum. With a historical volatility rate of 16.78%, the RSI 9-day stood at 36.10% on 21 September.
With respect to its five-day moving average, the current Essential Utilities Inc. price is down by -4.61% percent or -$1.76. At present, WTRG shares trade -1.70% below its 20-day simple moving average and -14.75% percent below its 100-day simple moving average. However, the stock is currently trading approximately -10.30% below its SMA50 and -24.67% below its SMA200.
Stochastic coefficient K was 51.42% and Stochastic coefficient D was 63.59%, while ATR was 0.64. Given the Stochastic reading of 33.75% for the 14-day period, the RSI (14) reading has been calculated as 37.94%. As of today, the MACD Oscillator reading stands at -0.50, while the 14-day reading stands at -0.05.
Analyst Ratings
Essential Utilities Inc. downgraded its rating on Essential Utilities Inc. (NYSE: WTRG) to a Neutral in a note to investors on May 18, 2023. The analysts firm previously had a Buy rating on the stock.Essential Utilities Inc. (WTRG) has been rated Overweight by analysts. According to 0 brokerage firms, WTRG is a sell, and 3 firms recommend it is a Hold. There are 0 analysts who say the stock is underweight. A total of 1 analyst rate Essential Utilities Inc. stock as buy, with 6 recommending it as overweight.
With a median target price of $51.00, the current consensus forecast for the stock is $44.00 – $71.00. Based on these forecasts, analysts predict Essential Utilities Inc. (WTRG) will achieve an average price target of $52.14.
