The stock price of Essential Utilities Inc (NYSE: WTRG) has surged by 0.41 when compared to previous closing price of 36.25, but the company has seen a -4.92% decline in its stock price over the last five trading sessions. businesswire.com reported 2024-12-18 that BRYN MAWR, Pa.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Essential Utilities Inc. (NYSE: WTRG) expects to report financial results for the full year 2024 following market close on February 26, 2025. The company’s conference call with financial analysts will take place on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at 11 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. The call and presentation will be webcast live so interested parties may listen over the internet by logging on to Essential.co and following the link for Investors. The conference call wi.
Is It Worth Investing in Essential Utilities Inc (NYSE: WTRG) Right Now?
The price-to-earnings ratio for Essential Utilities Inc (NYSE: WTRG) is above average at 18.11x. The 36-month beta value for WTRG is also noteworthy at 0.85. There are mixed opinions on the stock, with 8 analysts rating it as a “buy,” 2 rating it as “overweight,” 1 rating it as “hold,” and 0 rating it as “sell.”
The public float for WTRG is 274.02M, and at present, short sellers hold a 1.63% of that float. The average trading volume of WTRG on December 25, 2024 was 1.44M shares.
WTRG’s Market Performance
The stock of Essential Utilities Inc (WTRG) has seen a -4.92% decrease in the past week, with a -8.63% drop in the past month, and a -5.12% fall in the past quarter. The volatility ratio for the week is 2.30%, and the volatility levels for the past 30 days are at 1.75% for WTRG. The simple moving average for the past 20 days is -5.38% for WTRG’s stock, with a -4.98% simple moving average for the past 200 days.
Analysts’ Opinion of WTRG
Many brokerage firms have already submitted their reports for WTRG stocks, with Jefferies repeating the rating for WTRG by listing it as a “Hold.” The predicted price for WTRG in the upcoming period, according to Jefferies is $41 based on the research report published on November 07, 2024 of the current year 2024.
Jefferies, on the other hand, stated in their research note that they expect to see WTRG reach a price target of $44. The rating they have provided for WTRG stocks is “Buy” according to the report published on October 07th, 2024.
BofA Securities gave a rating of “Buy” to WTRG, setting the target price at $45 in the report published on September 20th of the current year.
WTRG Trading at -6.73% from the 50-Day Moving Average
After a stumble in the market that brought WTRG to its low price for the period of the last 52 weeks, the company was unable to rebound, for now settling with -12.88% of loss for the given period.
Volatility was left at 1.75%, however, over the last 30 days, the volatility rate increased by 2.30%, as shares sank -9.25% for the moving average over the last 20 days. Over the last 50 days, in opposition, the stock is trading -8.77% lower at present.
During the last 5 trading sessions, WTRG fell by -4.19%, which changed the moving average for the period of 200-days by +1.11% in comparison to the 20-day moving average, which settled at $38.49. In addition, Essential Utilities Inc saw -3.29% in overturn over a single year, with a tendency to cut further losses.
Insider Trading
Reports are indicating that there were more than several insider trading activities at WTRG starting from RUBIN ROBERT A, who sale 2,342 shares at the price of $37.43 back on Jul 01 ’24. After this action, RUBIN ROBERT A now owns 53,391 shares of Essential Utilities Inc, valued at $87,661 using the latest closing price.
RUBIN ROBERT A, the Chief Accounting Officer of Essential Utilities Inc, sale 2,023 shares at $36.56 during a trade that took place back on May 01 ’24, which means that RUBIN ROBERT A is holding 13,358 shares at $73,961 based on the most recent closing price.
Stock Fundamentals for WTRG
Current profitability levels for the company are sitting at:
- 0.36 for the present operating margin
- 0.45 for the gross margin
The net margin for Essential Utilities Inc stands at 0.28. The total capital return value is set at 0.04. Equity return is now at value 9.02, with 3.21 for asset returns.
Based on Essential Utilities Inc (WTRG), the company’s capital structure generated 0.54 points at debt to capital in total, while cash flow to debt ratio is standing at 0.1. The debt to equity ratio resting at 1.2. The interest coverage ratio of the stock is 2.38.
Currently, EBITDA for the company is 1.06 billion with net debt to EBITDA at 6.86. When we switch over and look at the enterprise to sales, we see a ratio of 8.88. The receivables turnover for the company is 9.62for trailing twelve months and the total asset turnover is 0.11. The liquidity ratio also appears to be rather interesting for investors as it stands at 0.55.
Conclusion
In summary, Essential Utilities Inc (WTRG) has had a bad performance as of late. Analysts have bullish opinions on the stock, with some viewing it as a “buy” and others as a “hold”. It’s important to note that the stock is currently trading at a significant distance from its 50-day moving average and its 52-week high.
