WTRG Dividend History & Analysis | 3.6% Yield

WTRG has a dividend yield of 3.6% and paid 1.68 USD per share in the last 12M. Complete payout history, full analyses and peer comparison.

Yield 12m 3.56%
Payout Ratio 77.9%
Growth Rate CAGR 5y 6.55%
Consistency Lifetime 99.6%
Yield on Cost 5y 4.06%
Payout FCF -
Streak Years 41
Dividend Rating 71.23%

Dividends Cash Amount per Share Yearly

This chart shows the yearly cash amount paid as dividends per share. The exact values for each year can be found in the structured dataset with the html-id #yearly_dividend_dataset below.
Dividend Growth Year over Year This chart shows the annual dividend growth rate compared to the previous year.
5 Years Chart with Price and Dividend Yield This chart shows the dividend yield and price over time. Price is displayed as gray area (left axis), yield as dark blue line (right axis), and average yield as orange dashed line.
■ Yield (right) | ■ Price (left) | ┅ Avg Yield
Total Return 12m: 9.7%
Total Return 5y: -9.7%

Top Dividend Payers in Water Utilities

Top 5 Dividend Yields of Peer-Group
Symbol Market Cap USD Dividend Yield TTM Yield on Cost 5y
SBS 18,925 M 5.32% 17.3%
HTO 1,736 M 3.38% 3.43%
CWT 2,649 M 2.63% 2.92%
CWCO 603 M 1.72% 4.36%
AWR 2,825 M 2.55% 2.65%
Top 5 Dividend Growth Rates of Peer-Group
Symbol Market Cap USD Growth Rate Consistency
SBS 18,925 M 99.9% 77.3%
CWCO 603 M 10.1% 94.3%
AWR 2,825 M 8.48% 98.0%
AWK 25,203 M 8.33% 98.4%
CWT 2,649 M 6.87% 97.5%

Quality Dividend Peers in Water Utilities

SBS
Companhia de Saneamento
 5.32% Yield

WTRG Dividend History: Last 50 Payments (USD) as of February 2026

Ex-Dividend Date Record Date Payment Date Period Dividend per Share Dividend Growth Rate QoQ Payout Yield
2026-02-09 2026-02-09 2026-03-02 0.3426 -0.1% N/A
2025-11-12 2025-11-12 2025-12-01 Quarterly 0.343 0% 0.88%
2025-08-12 2025-08-12 2025-09-02 Quarterly 0.343 5.2% 0.89%
2025-05-13 2025-05-13 2025-06-02 Quarterly 0.326 0% 0.84%
2025-02-10 2025-02-10 2025-03-03 Quarterly 0.326 0% 0.94%
2024-11-12 2024-11-12 2024-12-02 Quarterly 0.326 0% 0.83%
2024-08-12 2024-08-12 2024-09-03 Quarterly 0.326 6.2% 0.83%
2024-05-09 2024-05-10 2024-06-01 Quarterly 0.307 0% 0.8%
2024-02-08 2024-02-09 2024-03-01 Quarterly 0.307 0% 0.87%
2023-11-09 2023-11-10 2023-12-01 Quarterly 0.307 0% 0.9%
2023-08-10 2023-08-11 2023-09-01 Quarterly 0.307 7% 0.77%
2023-05-11 2023-05-12 2023-06-01 Quarterly 0.287 0% 0.67%
2023-02-09 2023-02-10 2023-03-01 Quarterly 0.287 0% 0.62%
2022-11-09 2022-11-11 2022-12-01 Quarterly 0.287 0% 0.65%
2022-08-11 2022-08-12 2022-09-01 Quarterly 0.287 7.1% 0.56%
2022-05-12 2022-05-13 2022-06-01 Quarterly 0.268 0% 0.62%
2022-02-10 2022-02-11 2022-03-01 Quarterly 0.268 0% 0.58%
2021-11-10 2021-11-12 2021-12-01 Quarterly 0.268 0% 0.57%
2021-08-12 2021-08-13 2021-09-01 Quarterly 0.268 6.8% 0.55%
2021-05-13 2021-05-14 2021-06-01 Quarterly 0.251 0% 0.56%
2021-02-11 2021-02-12 2021-03-01 Quarterly 0.251 0% 0.52%
2020-11-12 2020-11-13 2020-12-01 Quarterly 0.251 0% N/A
2020-08-13 2020-08-14 2020-09-01 Quarterly 0.251 7.3% N/A
2020-05-14 2020-05-15 2020-06-01 Quarterly 0.234 0% N/A
2020-02-13 2020-02-14 2020-03-01 Quarterly 0.234 0% N/A
2019-11-14 2019-11-15 2019-12-01 Quarterly 0.234 0% N/A
2019-08-15 2019-08-16 2019-09-01 Quarterly 0.234 6.8% N/A
2019-05-16 2019-05-17 2019-06-01 Quarterly 0.219 0% N/A
2019-02-14 2019-02-15 2019-03-01 Quarterly 0.219 0% N/A
2018-11-15 2018-11-16 2018-12-01 Quarterly 0.219 0% N/A
2018-08-16 2018-08-17 2018-09-01 Quarterly 0.219 6.8% N/A
2018-05-17 2018-05-18 2018-06-01 Quarterly 0.205 0% N/A
2018-02-15 2018-02-16 2018-03-01 Quarterly 0.205 0% N/A
2017-11-16 2017-11-17 2017-12-01 Quarterly 0.205 0% N/A
2017-08-14 2017-08-16 2017-09-01 Quarterly 0.205 7.3% N/A
2017-05-15 2017-05-17 2017-06-01 Quarterly 0.191 0% N/A
2017-02-13 2017-02-15 2017-03-01 Quarterly 0.191 0% N/A
2016-11-14 2016-11-16 2016-12-01 Quarterly 0.191 0% N/A
2016-08-16 2016-08-18 2016-09-01 Quarterly 0.191 7.3% N/A
2016-05-11 2016-05-13 2016-06-01 Quarterly 0.178 0% N/A
2016-02-10 2016-02-12 2016-03-01 Quarterly 0.178 0% N/A
2015-11-10 2015-11-13 2015-12-01 Quarterly 0.178 0% N/A
2015-08-12 2015-08-14 2015-09-01 Quarterly 0.178 7.9% N/A
2015-05-13 2015-05-15 2015-06-01 Quarterly 0.165 0% N/A
2015-02-11 2015-02-13 2015-03-01 Quarterly 0.165 0% N/A
2014-11-12 2014-11-14 2014-12-01 Quarterly 0.165 0% N/A
2014-08-13 2014-08-15 2014-09-01 Quarterly 0.165 8.6% N/A
2014-05-14 2014-05-16 2014-06-01 Quarterly 0.152 0% N/A
2014-02-13 2014-02-18 2014-03-01 Quarterly 0.152 0% N/A
2013-11-14 2013-11-18 2013-12-01 Quarterly 0.152 0% N/A

WTRG Dividend FAQ

Essential Utilities, Inc. (NYSE: WTRG) is a regulated utility holding company that delivers water, wastewater, and natural-gas services across nine U.S. states. The firm operates through two primary segments-Regulated Water and Regulated Natural Gas-and generates the bulk of its revenue from long-term contracts with municipal authorities under the Aqua and Peoples brands.

What is the Dividend Yield of WTRG?

As of February 2026, WTRG`s dividend yield is 3.56%. This is calculated by dividing the trailing 12-month dividend rate (TTM rate) of 1.68 USD by the current share price of 37.42.

Does WTRG pay a dividend?

As of February 2026, WTRG paid a dividend of 1.68 USD in the last 12 months. The last dividend was paid on 2026-02-09 and the payout was 0.3426 USD.

How often does WTRG pay dividends?

WTRG pays dividends quarterly. Over the last 12 months, WTRG has issued 5 dividend payments. The last dividend payment was made on 2026-02-09.

WTRG dividend forecast

Based on historical data, the forecasted dividends per share for WTRG for the next 4 payments are between 0.334 (-2.5%) and 0.347 (+1.3%).
This suggests the dividend will remain relatively stable.

Will WTRG pay dividends in 2026?

The latest dividend paid per share was 0.3426 USD with an Ex-Dividend Date of 2026-02-09. The next Ex-Dividend date for Essential Utilities (WTRG) is 2026-02-09.

What is the next Ex-Dividend Date for WTRG?

The next Ex-Dividend date for Essential Utilities (WTRG) is 2026-02-09.

What is the Dividend Growth of WTRG?

WTRG's average dividend growth rate over the past 5 years is 6.55% per year.
Strong growth: WTRG's Dividend growth is outpacing inflation.

What is the Yield on Cost of WTRG?

WTRG's 5-Year Yield on Cost is 4.06%. If you bought WTRG's shares at 41.44 USD five years ago, your current annual dividend income (1.68 USD per share, trailing 12 months) equals 4.06% of your original purchase price.

What is the Payout Consistency of WTRG?

WTRG Payout Consistency is 99.6%. The payout consistency is a proprietary measure of how consistently a company has paid dividends over its lifetime and blends growth rate, number of dividend payments, interruptions or lowering dividends into one number.
Very consistent: Essential Utilities has a strong track record of consistent dividend payments over its lifetime.

Does WTRG have a good Dividend Yield?

WTRG`s 3.56% Dividend Yield is considered as moderate. This is usually a sign of a value company.

What is the Dividend Payout Ratio of WTRG?

The Dividend Payout Ratio of WTRG is 77.9%. Moderate - Typically an acceptable payout ratio.

What is the Dividend Rating of WTRG?

WTRG`s Overall Dividend Rating is 71.23%. Ratings surpassing 65% are regarded as acceptable, exceeding 75% are favorable and surpassing 85% are strong.

WTRG Outstanding Shares Analysis

What is the Trend in WTRG's Outstanding Shares?

Essential Utilities's outstanding shares have increased by approximately 1.59% annually over the past 3 years (Trend Reliability: 100.0%).

Neutral: Share count is relatively stable with minor dilution. This has minimal impact on dividend per share calculations.

Has WTRG ever had a Stock Split?

Yes, the last stock split was on Sep 3, 2013 with a ratio of 5:4.

This was a forward split: Each share became 1.25 shares, lowering the price proportionally. The dividend per share was also adjusted downward by the same ratio, so total dividend income remained unchanged.

Year Number of Shares Annual Growth Rate
1985 44,365,200
1986 44,319,700 -0.1%
1987 44,619,100 +0.68%
1988 48,854,200 +9.49%
1989 48,828,100 -0.05%
1990 52,083,300 +6.67%
1991 49,479,200 -5%
1992 67,708,300 +36.84%
1993 75,520,800 +11.54%
1994 78,125,000 +3.45%
1995 80,128,200 +2.56%
1996 83,705,400 +4.46%
1997 87,316,200 +4.31%
1998 104,166,700 +19.3%
1999 134,293,500 +28.92%
2000 142,178,700 +5.87%
2001 144,371,400 +1.54%
2002 142,883,900 -1.03%
2003 156,339,400 +9.42%
2004 161,104,300 +3.05%
2005 163,616,300 +1.56%
2006 166,553,800 +1.8%
2007 167,462,500 +0.55%
2008 169,845,000 +1.42%
2009 171,000,000 +0.68%
2010 172,980,000 +1.16%
2011 174,320,000 +0.77%
2012 175,838,800 +0.87%
2013 177,733,000 +1.08%
2014 177,651,000 -0.05%
2015 177,261,000 -0.22%
2016 177,880,000 +0.35%
2017 178,247,000 +0.21%
2018 178,431,000 +0.1%
2019 232,581,000 +30.35%
2020 254,774,000 +9.54%
2021 262,217,000 +2.92%
2022 263,317,000 +0.42%
2023 273,536,000 +3.88%
2024 275,161,000 +0.59%
2025 282,298,000 +2.59%

Key Metric Definitions

Dividend Yield
Annual dividend per share divided by current share price.
Payout Ratio
Percentage of earnings paid as dividends. Below 60% = safe, above 100% = unsustainable.
Payout FCF
Percentage of Free Cash Flow paid as dividends. More reliable than Payout Ratio since it measures actual cash.
Growth Rate (CAGR)
Compound annual growth rate of dividends over the last 5 years.
Consistency
Reliability of dividend payments over lifetime. Penalizes cuts and pauses.
Yield on Cost
Your effective yield if you bought 5 years ago. Shows dividend growth impact over time.
Streak
Consecutive years of dividend payments. 25+ years = Dividend Aristocrat.
Dividend Rating
Proprietary score (0-100) combining yield, growth, safety and consistency.

Last update: 2026-02-04 02:38