Essential Utilities vs California Water Service: why the prices moved differently

Weekly · monthly · quarterly news summaries, side by side in time

Essential Utilities Inc (WTRG)

Q3 202630 Jul – 8 Oct 2026

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WTRG holds steady growth path as merger advances toward 2027

Q2 profit slips but revenue beats Second-quarter profit fell to $105.7 million ($0.37/share) from $107.8 million a year earlier, yet revenue rose 3.1% to $530.9 million and beat expectations. Slightly lower profit pressures the stock, but solid revenue growth and steady adjusted earnings support it.
The quarter's earnings are the core financial result driving near-term sentiment.
Growth guidance and dividend reaffirmed Management kept its 5-7% annual earnings growth target through 2027 and raised the quarterly dividend 5.25% to $0.3606, extending an 80-year payout streak. A record $1.7 billion infrastructure plan supports future rate base and earnings.
Reaffirmed growth and a higher dividend are the main reasons investors hold the stock.
Merger with American Water stays on track The all-stock merger with American Water remains targeted for the first quarter of 2027, with Kentucky, Ohio and Virginia approvals secured and Illinois expected by November 2026. Leadership appointments signal the deal is progressing, though remaining state approvals are still needed.
The merger is the biggest structural event for WTRG and its timeline drives investor confidence.
Small water acquisitions keep adding customers Aqua Pennsylvania bought Ulster Municipal's water system for $0.5 million, adding 180 customers and $2 million of planned upgrades. Since 2015 WTRG has added over 138,000 customer equivalents, and its pipeline covers roughly 400,000 more, steadily growing rate base.
Ongoing bolt-on acquisitions show a durable growth engine beyond the merger.

September 202630 Jul – 8 Oct 2026

▲3

WTRG holds steady growth path as merger advances toward 2027

Q2 profit slips but revenue beats Second-quarter profit fell to $105.7 million ($0.37/share) from $107.8 million a year earlier, yet revenue rose 3.1% to $530.9 million and beat expectations. Slightly lower profit pressures the stock, but solid revenue growth and steady adjusted earnings support it.
The quarter's earnings are the core financial result driving near-term sentiment.
Growth guidance and dividend reaffirmed Management kept its 5-7% annual earnings growth target through 2027 and raised the quarterly dividend 5.25% to $0.3606, extending an 80-year payout streak. A record $1.7 billion infrastructure plan supports future rate base and earnings.
Reaffirmed growth and a higher dividend are the main reasons investors hold the stock.
Merger with American Water stays on track The all-stock merger with American Water remains targeted for the first quarter of 2027, with Kentucky, Ohio and Virginia approvals secured and Illinois expected by November 2026. Leadership appointments signal the deal is progressing, though remaining state approvals are still needed.
The merger is the biggest structural event for WTRG and its timeline drives investor confidence.
Small water acquisitions keep adding customers Aqua Pennsylvania bought Ulster Municipal's water system for $0.5 million, adding 180 customers and $2 million of planned upgrades. Since 2015 WTRG has added over 138,000 customer equivalents, and its pipeline covers roughly 400,000 more, steadily growing rate base.
Ongoing bolt-on acquisitions show a durable growth engine beyond the merger.

Latest30 Jul – 8 Oct 2026

▲3

WTRG holds steady growth path as merger advances toward 2027

Q2 profit slips but revenue beats Second-quarter profit fell to $105.7 million ($0.37/share) from $107.8 million a year earlier, yet revenue rose 3.1% to $530.9 million and beat expectations. Slightly lower profit pressures the stock, but solid revenue growth and steady adjusted earnings support it.
The quarter's earnings are the core financial result driving near-term sentiment.
Growth guidance and dividend reaffirmed Management kept its 5-7% annual earnings growth target through 2027 and raised the quarterly dividend 5.25% to $0.3606, extending an 80-year payout streak. A record $1.7 billion infrastructure plan supports future rate base and earnings.
Reaffirmed growth and a higher dividend are the main reasons investors hold the stock.
Merger with American Water stays on track The all-stock merger with American Water remains targeted for the first quarter of 2027, with Kentucky, Ohio and Virginia approvals secured and Illinois expected by November 2026. Leadership appointments signal the deal is progressing, though remaining state approvals are still needed.
The merger is the biggest structural event for WTRG and its timeline drives investor confidence.
Small water acquisitions keep adding customers Aqua Pennsylvania bought Ulster Municipal's water system for $0.5 million, adding 180 customers and $2 million of planned upgrades. Since 2015 WTRG has added over 138,000 customer equivalents, and its pipeline covers roughly 400,000 more, steadily growing rate base.
Ongoing bolt-on acquisitions show a durable growth engine beyond the merger.

California Water Service Group (CWT)

Q3 202617 Jul – 2 Oct 2026

▲3

California Water's growth rests on approved rate hikes and a big investment plan

Regulators approved a big investment and rate plan California regulators approved Cal Water's plan to invest $1.45 billion through 2027, letting it raise annual revenue by $90.5 million in 2026 and more later. This grows the base on which it earns profit, supporting earnings growth.
This is the core new event driving CWT's earnings outlook.
Second-quarter profit jumped on new rates CWT earned $56.5 million ($0.93 per share) versus $42.2 million a year earlier, with revenue up to $308.6 million. New rates and catch-up payments from the delayed rate case lifted results, and it invested a record $147 million in infrastructure.
Confirms the rate case is already flowing into profits.
Washington unit won rates to recover its spending Washington Water received approval for new rates starting October 2026, expected to add $4.1 million in yearly revenue and recover $26.5 million invested in pipes, treatment and PFAS testing. It shows CWT can get its costs paid back state by state.
A fresh regulatory win that adds revenue and supports cost recovery.
Dividend record and a $218 million acquisition still pending CWT was highlighted among Dividend Kings with 77 straight years of dividend increases, a defensive draw for income investors. Its $218 million deal for Nexus systems in Nevada and Oregon, adding about 36,000 customers, is still expected to close by end-2026.
Shows steady income appeal and growth-by-acquisition, but the deal is not yet closed.

August 202617 Jul – 2 Oct 2026

▲3

California Water's growth rests on approved rate hikes and a big investment plan

Regulators approved a big investment and rate plan California regulators approved Cal Water's plan to invest $1.45 billion through 2027, letting it raise annual revenue by $90.5 million in 2026 and more later. This grows the base on which it earns profit, supporting earnings growth.
This is the core new event driving CWT's earnings outlook.
Second-quarter profit jumped on new rates CWT earned $56.5 million ($0.93 per share) versus $42.2 million a year earlier, with revenue up to $308.6 million. New rates and catch-up payments from the delayed rate case lifted results, and it invested a record $147 million in infrastructure.
Confirms the rate case is already flowing into profits.
Washington unit won rates to recover its spending Washington Water received approval for new rates starting October 2026, expected to add $4.1 million in yearly revenue and recover $26.5 million invested in pipes, treatment and PFAS testing. It shows CWT can get its costs paid back state by state.
A fresh regulatory win that adds revenue and supports cost recovery.
Dividend record and a $218 million acquisition still pending CWT was highlighted among Dividend Kings with 77 straight years of dividend increases, a defensive draw for income investors. Its $218 million deal for Nexus systems in Nevada and Oregon, adding about 36,000 customers, is still expected to close by end-2026.
Shows steady income appeal and growth-by-acquisition, but the deal is not yet closed.

Latest17 Jul – 2 Oct 2026

▲3

California Water's growth rests on approved rate hikes and a big investment plan

Regulators approved a big investment and rate plan California regulators approved Cal Water's plan to invest $1.45 billion through 2027, letting it raise annual revenue by $90.5 million in 2026 and more later. This grows the base on which it earns profit, supporting earnings growth.
This is the core new event driving CWT's earnings outlook.
Second-quarter profit jumped on new rates CWT earned $56.5 million ($0.93 per share) versus $42.2 million a year earlier, with revenue up to $308.6 million. New rates and catch-up payments from the delayed rate case lifted results, and it invested a record $147 million in infrastructure.
Confirms the rate case is already flowing into profits.
Washington unit won rates to recover its spending Washington Water received approval for new rates starting October 2026, expected to add $4.1 million in yearly revenue and recover $26.5 million invested in pipes, treatment and PFAS testing. It shows CWT can get its costs paid back state by state.
A fresh regulatory win that adds revenue and supports cost recovery.
Dividend record and a $218 million acquisition still pending CWT was highlighted among Dividend Kings with 77 straight years of dividend increases, a defensive draw for income investors. Its $218 million deal for Nexus systems in Nevada and Oregon, adding about 36,000 customers, is still expected to close by end-2026.
Shows steady income appeal and growth-by-acquisition, but the deal is not yet closed.