Capitolis Liquid Global Markets LLC Invests $21.18 Million in Essential Utilities Inc. $WTRG

Capitolis Liquid Global Markets LLC purchased a new position in Essential Utilities Inc. (NYSE:WTRG) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 552,000 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $21,175,000. Capitolis Liquid Global Markets LLC owned about 0.19% of Essential Utilities at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Lansforsakringar Fondforvaltning AB publ lifted its position in Essential Utilities by 0.3% during the fourth quarter. Lansforsakringar Fondforvaltning AB publ now owns 83,188 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,191,000 after purchasing an additional 262 shares in the last quarter. HBK Sorce Advisory LLC lifted its position in Essential Utilities by 3.8% during the fourth quarter. HBK Sorce Advisory LLC now owns 8,604 shares of the company’s stock valued at $322,000 after purchasing an additional 312 shares in the last quarter. Rakuten Investment Management Inc. lifted its position in Essential Utilities by 2.9% during the fourth quarter. Rakuten Investment Management Inc. now owns 11,881 shares of the company’s stock valued at $460,000 after purchasing an additional 332 shares in the last quarter. Wealthcare Advisory Partners LLC lifted its position in Essential Utilities by 1.4% during the third quarter. Wealthcare Advisory Partners LLC now owns 26,080 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,041,000 after purchasing an additional 356 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Signaturefd LLC lifted its position in Essential Utilities by 4.2% during the fourth quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 8,996 shares of the company’s stock valued at $345,000 after purchasing an additional 365 shares in the last quarter. 74.78% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Essential Utilities Trading Down 2.7%

Shares of WTRG stock opened at $36.90 on Thursday. Essential Utilities Inc. has a 12-month low of $36.10 and a 12-month high of $42.37. The company has a current ratio of 0.95, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.21. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $38.09 and its 200-day moving average price is $38.79. The stock has a market capitalization of $10.47 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.73 and a beta of 0.66.

Essential Utilities (NYSE:WTRG) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, May 7th. The company reported $0.83 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.90 by ($0.07). Essential Utilities had a return on equity of 8.34% and a net margin of 21.82%.The firm had revenue of $861.76 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $782.90 million. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.03 earnings per share. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 10.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts predict that Essential Utilities Inc. will post 2.22 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on the company. UBS Group upgraded Essential Utilities from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and lifted their target price for the company from $41.00 to $43.00 in a research report on Friday, May 29th. Argus upgraded Essential Utilities to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Monday, March 23rd. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of Essential Utilities in a research report on Friday, May 22nd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have issued a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $42.80.

About Essential Utilities

Essential Utilities, Inc, formerly known as Aqua America, is a publicly traded water and natural gas utility holding company. Through its regulated water and wastewater subsidiaries, the company provides essential water services to residential, commercial and industrial customers. In addition, Essential Utilities delivers natural gas distribution services in Pennsylvania through its Peoples Gas subsidiary, offering integrated utility solutions under a unified corporate framework.

The company traces its roots to the Philadelphia Suburban Water Company, founded in 1886 to serve growing communities outside Philadelphia.