Essential Utilities, Inc.
WTRG34 yrs growthUtilities · Utilities - Regulated Water · Stock · quarterly payer
Forward Yield
3.35%
Annual Dividend
$1.44
Payout Ratio
70%
5-Yr Growth
6.6%
Ex-Date
Nov 10, 2026
Frequency
Quarterly
Key facts about WTRG's dividend
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Oct 24, 2026, Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG) has a forward dividend yield of 3.35%, based on an annual dividend of $1.44 per share and a share price of $43.11.
- As of Oct 24, 2026, WTRG's dividend safety grade from SmarterDividends is A (90 out of 100), which rates the dividend as very safe.
- By SmarterDividends' count, Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG) has raised its dividend for 34 consecutive years as of Oct 24, 2026, which makes it a Dividend Aristocrat by the 25-year definition.
- WTRG has never cut its regular dividend in the payment history SmarterDividends has on record.
- WTRG's next ex-dividend date is Nov 10, 2026, with payment on Dec 1, 2026. Shares must be owned before that date to receive the dividend.
- As of Oct 24, 2026, WTRG pays out 70% of its trailing 12-month earnings as dividends (its payout ratio).
- WTRG's dividend has grown at an average rate of 6.6% a year over the past five years.
- As of Oct 24, 2026, WTRG's 3.35% yield is 17% above its five-year average yield of 2.87%.
- As of Oct 24, 2026, SmarterDividends' blended fair-value estimate for WTRG is $33.68 per share, 22% below the $43.11 share price, so WTRG screens as overvalued.
- Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG) pays its dividend quarterly, 4 times a year.
- Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG) has raised its regular dividend 38 times and cut it 0 times across the 159 payments on record since 1987. Its most recent change was a 5.2% increase to $0.361 per share, going ex-dividend on Aug 11, 2026.
- Essential Utilities (WTRG) has declared its first higher dividend of the year in July in 3 of the last 5 years; its most recent raise, 5.2%, was declared on Jul 29, 2026.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "WTRG Dividend: Yield, Safety Grade & Next Ex-Date," updated Oct 24, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/stocks/WTRG
Summary
As of Oct 24, 2026, Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG) yields 3.35% ($1.44 a year per share), has a dividend safety grade of A (90/100) and has 34 consecutive years of dividend increases on record.
Is WTRG a good dividend stock?
YesEssential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG) pays a quarterly dividend yielding 3.35% ($1.44/yr), with 34 years of growth and a dividend-safety grade of A. It scores well across payout coverage, growth history and safety — a dependable income holding.
Advantages
- Dividend Aristocrat — 34 consecutive years of growth
- Never cut its dividend on record
- Strong 6.6% 5-yr dividend growth
- Top-tier dividend safety score
Risks
- Share price is down over the past 5 years
Key Data
- Dividend Yield
- 3.35%
- Payout Ratio
- 70%
- Annual Dividend
- $1.44
- 5-Yr Avg Growth
- 6.6%
- Ex-Dividend Date
- Nov 10, 2026
- Years of Growth
- 34
- Frequency
- quarterly
- Beta
- 0.62
- Market Cap
- $12.2B
- P/E Ratio
- 22.0
- 5-Yr Total Return
- -9%
- 52-Week Range
- $36.11 – $43.61
- Dividend Safety
- A · 90/100
- Ever Cut?
- No
WTRG dividend raises and cuts
Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG) has raised its regular dividend 38 times and cut it 0 times across the 159 payments on record since 1987. Its most recent change was a 5.2% increase to $0.361 per share, going ex-dividend on Aug 11, 2026.
| Ex-date | Change | Old → new | Move |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 11, 2026 | Raise | $0.343 → $0.361 | +5.2% |
| Aug 12, 2025 | Raise | $0.326 → $0.343 | +5.2% |
| Aug 12, 2024 | Raise | $0.307 → $0.326 | +6.2% |
| Aug 10, 2023 | Raise | $0.287 → $0.307 | +7.0% |
| Aug 11, 2022 | Raise | $0.268 → $0.287 | +7.1% |
| Aug 12, 2021 | Raise | $0.251 → $0.268 | +6.8% |
| Aug 13, 2020 | Raise | $0.234 → $0.251 | +7.3% |
| Aug 15, 2019 | Raise | $0.219 → $0.234 | +6.8% |
| Aug 16, 2018 | Raise | $0.205 → $0.219 | +6.8% |
| Aug 14, 2017 | Raise | $0.191 → $0.205 | +7.3% |
| Aug 16, 2016 | Raise | $0.178 → $0.191 | +7.3% |
| Aug 12, 2015 | Raise | $0.165 → $0.178 | +7.9% |
Show all 38 changes since 1990
| Ex-date | Change | Old → new | Move |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 13, 2014 | Raise | $0.152 → $0.165 | +8.6% |
| Aug 14, 2013 | Raise | $0.140 → $0.152 | +8.6% |
| Nov 14, 2012 | Raise | $0.132 → $0.140 | +6.1% |
| Nov 15, 2011 | Raise | $0.124 → $0.132 | +6.5% |
| Nov 15, 2010 | Raise | $0.116 → $0.124 | +6.9% |
| Nov 12, 2009 | Raise | $0.108 → $0.116 | +7.4% |
| Nov 13, 2008 | Raise | $0.100 → $0.108 | +8.0% |
| Aug 15, 2007 | Raise | $0.0920 → $0.100 | +8.7% |
| Aug 16, 2006 | Raise | $0.0856 → $0.0920 | +7.5% |
| Nov 15, 2005 | Raise | $0.0780 → $0.0858 | +10.0% |
| Nov 10, 2004 | Raise | $0.0720 → $0.0780 | +8.3% |
| Nov 12, 2003 | Raise | $0.0672 → $0.0720 | +7.1% |
| Nov 13, 2002 | Raise | $0.0638 → $0.0672 | +5.3% |
| Feb 8, 2002 | Raise | $0.0637 → $0.0638 | +0.2% |
| Nov 14, 2001 | Raise | $0.0595 → $0.0637 | +7.1% |
| Nov 13, 2000 | Raise | $0.0553 → $0.0596 | +7.8% |
| Aug 13, 1999 | Raise | $0.0522 → $0.0553 | +5.9% |
| Aug 13, 1998 | Raise | $0.0498 → $0.0522 | +4.9% |
| Feb 11, 1998 | Raise | $0.0488 → $0.0498 | +1.9% |
| Aug 15, 1997 | Raise | $0.0465 → $0.0488 | +5.0% |
| Aug 13, 1996 | Raise | $0.0445 → $0.0465 | +4.5% |
| Aug 11, 1995 | Raise | $0.0430 → $0.0445 | +3.6% |
| Aug 9, 1994 | Raise | $0.0415 → $0.0430 | +3.7% |
| May 10, 1993 | Raise | $0.0399 → $0.0415 | +3.8% |
| Feb 11, 1992 | Raise | $0.0384 → $0.0399 | +4.0% |
| Feb 7, 1990 | Raise | $0.0361 → $0.0384 | +6.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is WTRG a good dividend stock?
Yes. Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG) pays a quarterly dividend yielding 3.35% ($1.44/yr), with 34 years of growth and a dividend-safety grade of A. It scores well across payout coverage, growth history and safety — a dependable income holding.
Is WTRG undervalued?
Based on a blend of discounted cash flow, a dividend-discount model and an earnings-multiple estimate, WTRG's fair value is about $33.68 versus a $43.11 share price — so it looks overvalued (-22% vs. fair value).
Is WTRG's dividend safe?
WTRG has a dividend-safety grade of A (90/100), based on its payout coverage, free-cash-flow, 34-year growth streak, a clean no-cut history, debt and yield-versus-history.
What is WTRG's fair value?
Our blended fair-value estimate for WTRG is about $33.68 per share, about 22% below the current $43.11 price — combining a discounted cash flow, a dividend-discount model and an earnings multiple.
Is WTRG a buy, hold, or sell?
We don't issue formal ratings, but on the data WTRG screens as "yes" and overvalued. Essential Utilities, Inc. (WTRG) pays a quarterly dividend yielding 3.35% ($1.44/yr), with 34 years of growth and a dividend-safety grade of A. It scores well across payout coverage, growth history and safety — a dependable income holding. This is research for your own analysis, not investment advice.
Will WTRG cut its dividend?
WTRG earns a dividend-safety grade of A (90/100), with no dividend cut on record. A higher score means lower cut risk based on payout coverage, cash flow and history — but no score guarantees a dividend.
Does WTRG pay a dividend?
Yes. Essential Utilities, Inc. pays a quarterly dividend of about $1.44 per share annually, a forward yield of roughly 3.35%.
What is WTRG's dividend yield?
As of Oct 24, 2026, WTRG's forward dividend yield is 3.35%, based on a $1.44 annual dividend and a $43.11 share price.
What is WTRG's dividend per share?
As of Oct 24, 2026, WTRG pays $1.44 per share per year, distributed on a quarterly basis.
What is WTRG's dividend payout ratio?
As of Oct 24, 2026, WTRG's payout ratio is 70% of trailing 12-month earnings — a moderate level that's generally sustainable.
How many years has WTRG grown its dividend?
As of Oct 24, 2026, WTRG has increased its dividend for 34 consecutive years.
When is the next WTRG ex-dividend date?
As of Oct 24, 2026, the next ex-dividend date on record for WTRG is Nov 10, 2026.
WTRG Price — Last 12 Months
Daily close
Price Return
1 Year
+9%
3 Years
+21%
5 Years
-9%
52-Week Range
$36.11 – $43.61
Price change over each period (excludes dividends). Past performance doesn't guarantee future results.
What is WTRG worth?
Overvaluedmedium confidenceOur blended fair-value estimate for Essential Utilities, Inc. is $33.68 per share, versus a market price of $43.11. That implies 22% of downside.
Fair Value
$33.68
Current Price
$43.11
Downside
-22%
Margin of Safety
-28%
How we get there
Dividend discount
Discounts the future dividend stream back to today.
Earnings multiple (Graham)
Graham's earnings-multiple formula, anchored to bond yields.
Assumptions: 8.0% discount rate (CAPM), 5.6% growth for five years fading to 2.5% over the next five, $1.96 EPS, $1.44 annual dividend. Updated weekly.
Fair-value estimates are model output for educational purposes only — not investment advice or a price target.
WTRG Dividend Safety Score
Very Safe
SmarterDividends' proprietary score, backtested against which dividends were actually cut over 15+ years (0.78 AUC). It blends a validated cut-risk model (growth streak, cut history) with current payout, cash-flow and debt. Higher is safer · not investment advice.
Dividend Growth
Total dividends per share by year
Dividend History
Full WTRG dividend history →| Ex-Date | Pay Date | Amount | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 11, 2026 | Sep 1, 2026 | $0.3610 | regular |
| May 12, 2026 | Jun 1, 2026 | $0.3430 | regular |
| Feb 9, 2026 | Mar 2, 2026 | $0.3430 | regular |
| Nov 12, 2025 | Dec 1, 2025 | $0.3430 | regular |
| Aug 12, 2025 | Sep 2, 2025 | $0.3430 | regular |
| May 13, 2025 | Jun 2, 2025 | $0.3260 | regular |
| Feb 10, 2025 | Mar 3, 2025 | $0.3260 | regular |
| Nov 12, 2024 | Dec 2, 2024 | $0.3260 | regular |
| Aug 12, 2024 | Sep 3, 2024 | $0.3260 | regular |
| May 9, 2024 | Jun 1, 2024 | $0.3070 | regular |
| Feb 8, 2024 | Mar 1, 2024 | $0.3070 | regular |
| Nov 9, 2023 | Dec 1, 2023 | $0.3070 | regular |
| Aug 10, 2023 | Sep 1, 2023 | $0.3070 | regular |
| May 11, 2023 | Jun 1, 2023 | $0.2870 | regular |
Income Calculator
At $1.44 / yr per share
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