Start with its own history
At 22.45×, WTRG is 20.7% below its 10-observation annual average. A lower multiple can reflect a lower price, higher earnings, or weaker growth expectations—not necessarily a bargain.
NYSE · WTRGRegulated WaterUpdated Nov 5, 2026
Essential Utilities, Inc. P/E ratio
Current valuation, historical context, and peer comparisons.
Current P/E ratio
22.45×
20.7% belowthe 10-year annual average
Share price45.13
÷Earnings per share2.01
Price and EPS in quote currency. Calculation details
Investors are paying 22.45 for every 1 of reported earnings per share.
P/E over time
2016 – 2025
Annual P/ESelected-period average 28.33×
3-year average18.08×3 positive annual observations
5-year average22.64×5 positive annual observations
10-year average28.33×10 positive annual observations
Peer median · TTM24.06×8 peers with positive P/E
Historical P/E ratios
Annual period-end data · 25 observations
| Period end | P/E | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 31, 2025 | 17.44× | +4.2% |
| Dec 31, 2024 | 16.74× | -16.6% |
| Dec 31, 2023 | 20.08× | -25.5% |
| Dec 31, 2022 | 26.97× | -15.6% |
| Dec 31, 2021 | 31.96× | -23.0% |
| Dec 31, 2020 | 41.48× | -8.1% |
| Dec 31, 2019 | 45.13× | +42.6% |
| Dec 31, 2018 | 31.66× | +8.9% |
View all 25 annual observations +
| Period end | P/E | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 31, 2017 | 29.06× | +27.7% |
| Dec 31, 2016 | 22.76× | -12.9% |
| Dec 31, 2015 | 26.14× | +29.2% |
| Dec 31, 2014 | 20.23× | +8.0% |
| Dec 31, 2013 | 18.72× | +4.0% |
| Dec 31, 2012 | 18.00× | -15.3% |
| Dec 31, 2011 | 21.25× | -13.7% |
| Dec 31, 2010 | 24.63× | +9.0% |
| Dec 31, 2009 | 22.60× | -20.4% |
| Dec 31, 2008 | 28.40× | -2.9% |
| Dec 31, 2007 | 29.24× | -10.1% |
| Dec 31, 2006 | 32.54× | -13.6% |
| Dec 31, 2005 | 37.66× | +30.2% |
| Dec 31, 2004 | 28.92× | +4.7% |
| Dec 31, 2003 | 27.63× | +31.3% |
| Dec 31, 2002 | 21.04× | -18.3% |
| Dec 31, 2001 | 25.76× | N/M |
Change is relative to the preceding observation. N/M values are excluded from averages.
How WTRG compares
Company P/E vs. peer trailing-12-month ratios
| Company | P/E ratio |
|---|---|
 WTRG This stockEssential Utilities, Inc. | 22.45× |
 CWTCalifornia Water Service Group | 22.23× |
 AWKAmerican Water Works Company, Inc. | 25.89× |
 AWRAmerican States Water Company | 24.21× |
 GWRSGlobal Water Resources, Inc. | 101.49× |
 ARTNAArtesian Resources Corporation | 14.72× |
 HTOH2O America | 23.91× |
 SBSCompanhia de Saneamento Básico do Estado de São Paulo - SABESP | 2.15× |
 CWCOConsolidated Water Co. Ltd. | 26.85× |
Peers are selected by the data provider. Business models and earnings definitions can differ.
Put the numbers in context
What does WTRG’s P/E tell you?
Compare like with like
The median of the 8 positive peer ratios above is 24.06×. Check growth, margins, debt, and earnings quality before interpreting the gap. A faster-growing business may justify a higher multiple.
Check what drives earnings
One-off gains can temporarily lower P/E; unusual charges can raise it. Reported earnings and forward estimates answer different questions. Pair this view with return on equity and liquidity for a fuller picture.
Keep your research connected
Take WTRG into your spreadsheet
Pull historical P/E into Excel or Google Sheets with Wisesheets. Build your own comparisons alongside the rest of your financial model.
Explore WisesheetsQuarterly P/E · latest quarterLQ selects the latest reported quarter. Requires the Wisesheets add-in. See available data
=WISE("WTRG", "PE Ratio", "LQ")Sources & calculation methodology
Current P/E
Share price 45.13 ÷ EPS 2.01 = 22.45×. Data is supplied by Financial Modeling Prep through Wisesheets. Quote feed updated Nov 5, 2026; this is not a real-time trading quote.
History & averages
Annual and quarterly P/E observations are provided separately from the current quote. Averages use the latest 3, 5, or 10 annual observations, excluding missing and nonpositive ratios. Pre-IPO observations are omitted. These are period-end observations, not daily averages.
Data definitions and limitations
The current quote feed does not specify the exact EPS filing-period end or whether EPS is basic or diluted. We do not label it as forward P/E. Peer ratios are explicitly trailing-12-month (TTM) values. Historical observations do not include independently verified price and EPS inputs. Sources may update on different schedules; rounded inputs can produce small calculation differences. Historical comparisons describe past pricing, not an estimate of fair value.
WTRG P/E ratio: common questions
The essentials behind the numbers.
Essential Utilities, Inc.'s current P/E is 22.45× based on the quote data last updated Nov 5, 2026. It represents the share price divided by reported earnings per share. Prices and earnings may refresh on different schedules.
Annual P/E uses earnings for a completed fiscal year. Trailing-12-month (TTM) P/E uses the latest four quarters, while forward P/E uses forecast earnings. These are not interchangeable. This page labels peer ratios as TTM and shows dated annual or quarterly historical observations; it does not show forward estimates.
N/M means not meaningful: the feed has no positive P/E for that observation. Negative or zero earnings should not be ranked as a low positive valuation multiple. N/M observations are excluded from the averages shown above.
Divide the share price by earnings per share (EPS). For example, a share price of 100 and EPS of 5 gives a P/E of 20×. This page uses the price and EPS supplied together in the quote when both are positive.
Price timestamps, EPS definitions, share classes, adjustments, and fiscal periods can differ. A forward P/E also uses forecast earnings rather than reported earnings. Compare the inputs and as-of dates before comparing two displayed ratios.
Not necessarily. The average describes previous market pricing, not fair value. Changes in earnings quality, growth expectations, debt, accounting, and business risk can justify a different multiple today.