Essential Utilities (WTRG) Stock Buyback History
TTM buyback yield 0.03% · Shareholder yield (TTM) 0.03%.
TTM buyback yield
0.03%
Shareholder yield (TTM)
0.03%
5Y share count change
10.2%
TTM buyback spend
$2.98M
SBC coverage (TTM)
0.56x
YoY change in spend
-43.6%
5Y CAGR of spend
-12.1%
Peak year (2015)
$25.25M
Cumulative spend
$149.31M
TTM metrics calculated from the four most recent reported quarters, ending (reported ).
Key takeaways
- Essential Utilities (WTRG) repurchased about $2.98M of stock over the trailing twelve months.
- Diluted share count is up 10.2% over the last ~5 fiscal years — equity issuance and stock-based compensation are outpacing repurchases.
- TTM buyback ÷ stock-based-comp ratio of 0.56× — repurchases only partially offset SBC dilution.
- Cash buyback spend has compounded at -12.1% per year over the latest 5-year window.
Buyback context per fiscal year
Annual repurchases alongside stock-based compensation, diluted share count and the year-over-year change — useful for SBC-coverage and dilution-offset reading at a glance.
| Year | Buybacks | SBC | Net | Shares (dil.) | YoY shares | Buyback yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2.28M | $12.86M | −$10.57M | 0.28B | 2.3% | 0.02% |
| 2024 | $4.05M | $9.79M | −$5.74M | 0.27B | 2.5% | 0.04% |
| 2023 | $3.98M | $11.32M | −$7.34M | 0.27B | 1.8% | 0.04% |
| 2022 | $1.19M | $12.21M | −$11.01M | 0.26B | 1.8% | 0.01% |
| 2021 | $3.29M | $10.08M | −$6.79M | 0.26B | 1.4% | 0.02% |
| 2020 | $4.37M | $8.16M | −$3.79M | 0.25B | 17.9% | 0.04% |
| 2019 | $1.87M | $7.37M | −$5.50M | 0.22B | 21.0% | 0.02% |
| 2018 | $2.56M | $7.57M | −$5.01M | 0.18B | 0.1% | 0.04% |
| 2017 | $2.17M | $6.34M | −$4.17M | 0.18B | 0.2% | 0.03% |
| 2016 | $3.03M | $5.39M | −$2.36M | 0.18B | 0.2% | 0.06% |
| 2015 | $25.25M | $5.86M | $19.39M | 0.18B | -0.1% | 0.48% |
| 2014 | $15.76M | $6.82M | $8.94M | 0.18B | 0.5% | 0.33% |
| 2013 | $12.82M | $5.07M | $7.76M | 0.18B | 1.1% | 0.31% |
| 2012 | $1.46M | $5.55M | −$4.09M | 0.17B | 0.9% | 0.04% |
| 2011 | $1.16M | $3.85M | −$2.69M | 0.17B | 1.0% | 0.04% |
| 2010 | $770.00K | $4.03M | −$3.26M | 0.17B | 0.9% | 0.02% |
| 2009 | $304.00K | $3.60M | −$3.30M | 0.17B | 1.1% | 0.01% |
| 2008 | $397.00K | $0.00 | $397.00K | 0.17B | 0.8% | 0.01% |
| 2007 | $863.00K | $0.00 | $863.00K | 0.17B | 1.4% | 0.03% |
| 2006 | $972.00K | $0.00 | $972.00K | 0.16B | 2.0% | 0.03% |
| 2005 | $1.75M | $0.00 | $1.75M | 0.16B | 2.8% | 0.05% |
| 2004 | $1.08M | $0.00 | $1.08M | 0.16B | 5.6% | 0.05% |
| 2003 | $1.52M | $0.00 | $1.52M | 0.15B | 3.1% | 0.07% |
| 2002 | $25.05M | $0.00 | $25.05M | 0.14B | 0.7% | 1.79% |
| 2001 | $4.49M | $0.00 | $4.49M | 0.14B | 5.1% | 0.29% |
| 2000 | $4.38M | $0.00 | $4.38M | 0.14B | 1.4% | — |
| 1999 | $3.30M | $0.00 | $3.30M | 0.13B | 1.1% | — |
| 1998 | $7.60M | $0.00 | $7.60M | 0.13B | 56.7% | — |
| 1997 | $4.20M | $0.00 | $4.20M | 0.08B | 1.9% | — |
| 1996 | $2.30M | $0.00 | $2.30M | 0.08B | — | — |
| 1995 | $2.90M | $0.00 | $2.90M | — | — | — |
| 1994 | $2.20M | $0.00 | $2.20M | — | — | — |
Cash buyback spend (USD) — annual & quarterly history
Trailing-twelve-month and per-period cash repurchases for Essential Utilities (WTRG) from the consolidated cash flow statement (line: common stock repurchased), in USD as filed.
Cash buyback spend over time for Essential Utilities (WTRG)
Per-period cash repurchases
Cash buyback spend annual + quarterly history for Essential Utilities (WTRG)
| Fiscal year | Period ended | Reported | Buyback Spend | YoY | YoY change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2.28M | -43.6% | -$1.76M | ||
| 2024 | $4.05M | +1.7% | +$67,000 | ||
| 2023 | $3.98M | +234.0% | +$2.79M | ||
| 2022 | $1.19M | -63.8% | -$2.10M | ||
| 2021 | $3.29M | -24.6% | -$1.07M | ||
| 2020 | $4.37M | +133.8% | +$2.50M | ||
| 2019 | $1.87M | -26.9% | -$688,000 | ||
| 2018 | $2.56M | +17.9% | +$388,000 | ||
| 2017 | $2.17M | -28.4% | -$861,000 | ||
| 2016 | $3.03M | -88.0% | -$22.22M | ||
| 2015 | $25.25M | +60.2% | +$9.49M | ||
| 2014 | $15.76M | +22.9% | +$2.93M | ||
| 2013 | $12.82M | +775.9% | +$11.36M | ||
| 2012 | $1.46M | +25.9% | +$301,000 | ||
| 2011 | $1.16M | +51.0% | +$393,000 | ||
| 2010 | $770,000 | +153.3% | +$466,000 | ||
| 2009 | $304,000 | -23.4% | -$93,000 | ||
| 2008 | $397,000 | -54.0% | -$466,000 | ||
| 2007 | $863,000 | -11.2% | -$109,000 | ||
| 2006 | $972,000 | -44.4% | -$777,000 | ||
| 2005 | $1.75M | +61.6% | +$667,000 | ||
| 2004 | $1.08M | -29.0% | -$443,000 | ||
| 2003 | $1.52M | -93.9% | -$23.53M | ||
| 2002 | $25.05M | +458.5% | +$20.57M | ||
| 2001 | $4.49M | +2.3% | +$103,000 | ||
| 2000 | $4.38M | +32.8% | +$1.08M | ||
| 1999 | $3.30M | -56.6% | -$4.30M | ||
| 1998 | $7.60M | +81.0% | +$3.40M | ||
| 1997 | $4.20M | +82.6% | +$1.90M | ||
| 1996 | $2.30M | -20.7% | -$600,000 | ||
| 1995 | $2.90M | +31.8% | +$700,000 | ||
| 1994 | $2.20M | — | — |
In 2025, Essential Utilities (WTRG) buyback spend totalled $2.28M – plunged 43.6% year-over-year.
Through 2020–2025 (5 years), Essential Utilities buyback spend delivered a -12.1% annualised rate; with a net decline across the window.
Essential Utilities buyback spend peaked at $25.25M in 2015; the latest annual figure is $2.28M in 2025 (91.0% below peak).
The highest annual buyback spend of $25.25M was reported in 2015. The lowest in the available history was $304,000 in 2009.
Among 8 Utilities peers, Essential Utilities (WTRG) ranks 4th; the peer median for buyback spend is $0.
Essential Utilities Buyback Spend 2025: $2.28M
Essential Utilities buyback spend in 2025 was $2.28M, plunged 43.6% below 2024.
Essential Utilities Buyback Spend 2024: $4.05M
Essential Utilities buyback spend in 2024 was $4.05M, edged up 1.7% from 2023.
Essential Utilities Buyback Spend 2023: $3.98M
Essential Utilities buyback spend in 2023 was $3.98M, surged 234.0% from 2022.
Essential Utilities Buyback Spend 2022: $1.19M
Essential Utilities buyback spend in 2022 was $1.19M, plunged 63.8% below 2021.
Essential Utilities Buyback Spend 2021: $3.29M
Essential Utilities buyback spend in 2021 was $3.29M.
See more financial history for Essential Utilities (WTRG).
Sector peers by buyback spend
Companies in the same sector as Essential Utilities, ranked by their latest buyback spend.
| Company | Buyback Spend | Sector |
|---|---|---|
| GE Vernova (GEV) | $3.32B | Utilities |
| Sempra (SRE) | $958.00M | Utilities |
| Constellation Energy (CEG) | $400.00M | Utilities |
| NextEra Energy (NEE) | $0 | Utilities |
| Southern Company (SO) | $0 | Utilities |
| Duke Energy (DUK) | $0 | Utilities |
| American Electric Power Company (AEP) | $0 | Utilities |
| Dominion Energy (D) | $0 | Utilities |
Share count history
Diluted weighted-average shares drive the EPS denominator and per-share capital-return maths. A falling diluted share count means buybacks are outpacing dilution from stock-based compensation and option exercises.
Diluted vs basic shares (annual)
Year-over-year change in diluted shares
Green is fewer shares vs the prior fiscal year (net repurchase); red is growth (dilution). The earliest year shown has no prior year to compare.
Dividend & buyback yield over time
Stacked annual yields — buyback yield (TTM cash repurchases ÷ market cap) plus dividend yield from the same fiscal-year-end key-metrics period — show how total cash return per dollar of equity has evolved.
Buybacks vs stock-based compensation
Annual cash repurchases set against stock-based compensation. Coverage above 1× means buybacks fully offset the equity dilution from SBC. TTM coverage: 0.56×.
Capital allocation mix
How Essential Utilities splits cash returned to shareholders between dividends and buybacks, plus the headroom on free cash flow that's still available for additional repurchases.
Buybacks vs dividends (share of cash returned)
Buyback capacity (TTM)
Free cash flow minus dividends paid versus actual TTM repurchases — the headroom bar shows how much of post-dividend FCF is still being deployed elsewhere.
Headroom $0.00 (TTM FCF − TTM dividends, clamped at zero).
Data & methodology
Where do buyback, dividend and compensation figures come from?
Cash buyback spend (common stock repurchased), dividends paid and stock-based compensation come from Essential Utilities's consolidated cash flow statements — quarterly 10-Q and annual 10-K SEC filings, in USD as reported.
How are diluted shares and yields calculated?
Diluted weighted-average share counts come from the income statement (EPS denominator). Trailing twelve-month (TTM) aggregates sum the four most recent reported quarters. Buyback and dividend yields divide TTM cash flows by market capitalisation at the latest quarter-end.
How is buyback capacity defined?
Capacity compares TTM repurchases to free cash flow after dividends: operating cash flow minus capital expenditure, minus dividends paid, versus actual buybacks over the same trailing window.
Is this investment advice?
No. Figures are for informational and educational use only. Past buybacks and dividends do not predict future returns.
Frequently asked questions
Does Essential Utilities buy back its own stock?
Yes, Essential Utilities (WTRG) has repurchased shares in recent periods. See the history table and charts on this page for amounts and trends.
How much does Essential Utilities spend on share buybacks?
Trailing twelve months (TTM) buyback spend is about $2.98M (sum of the last four quarterly cash-flow periods in our data). Figures are illustrative; verify in filings.
What is Essential Utilities's buyback yield?
TTM buyback yield is about 0.03% (TTM buyback spend divided by market cap at the latest quarter-end in our data).
What is Essential Utilities's shareholder yield?
Shareholder yield combines dividend yield and buyback yield. For the latest period we show approximately 0.03% combined (TTM-based where available).
Is Essential Utilities diluting shareholders?
Compare stock-based compensation (SBC) to buybacks in the chart above. Net effect varies by year; see annual buyback vs SBC bars and the history table.
How has Essential Utilities's share count changed?
Diluted weighted average shares changed by about 10.2% over roughly five fiscal years (annual income statement data).
What is Essential Utilities's buyback spend?
Latest reported buyback spend for Essential Utilities (WTRG) is $2.98M (period ending March 31, 2026).
How has Essential Utilities buyback spend changed year-over-year?
Essential Utilities (WTRG) buyback spend changed -43.6% year-over-year on the latest annual filing.
What is the long-term growth rate of Essential Utilities buyback spend?
Essential Utilities (WTRG) buyback spend compound annual growth rate is -12.1% over the most recent 5 years available.
When did Essential Utilities buyback spend hit its highest annual value?
Essential Utilities buyback spend reached its highest annual value of $25.25M in 2015.
What was Essential Utilities buyback spend in 2024?
Essential Utilities (WTRG) buyback spend in 2024 was $4.05M.
What was Essential Utilities buyback spend in 2025?
Essential Utilities (WTRG) buyback spend in 2025 was $2.28M.
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