Essential Utilities (WTRG) Dividend History & Yield
Dividend ChampionEssential Utilities (WTRG) has increased its dividend for 35 consecutive years and currently yields 3.66%. The most recent dividend was $0.3426/share on Mar 2, 2026, paid Quarterly.
Current Yield
3.66%
TTM Dividend/Share
$1.37
Payment Frequency
Quarterly
Payout Ratio
69.6%
Consecutive Growth Years
35 (Dividend Champion)
Div Growth (1Y CAGR)
5.61%
Div Growth (5Y CAGR)
6.62%
Div Growth (10Y CAGR)
6.89%
WTRG: compare the "Now" marker to the 1Y / 3Y / 5Y averages on the scale. One valuation signal among many — review fundamentals before investing.
Dividend health
Chowder score
10.3%
FCF payout ratio
308.7%
Net debt / EBITDA
6.2x
Interest coverage
2.67x
ROIC (TTM)
5.8%
Dividend Safety Score
5 out of 8 checks passed
Payout ratio below 75%
Payout ratio is 69.6%, well below the 75% threshold.
Free cash flow covers dividend
FCF/share ($-1.50) does not fully cover dividend/share ($1.37).
No dividend cuts in 10+ years
No dividend cuts in the last 10 years.
Positive earnings growth trend
Earnings per share have grown over the past 5 years.
10+ years of consecutive growth
35 consecutive years of dividend growth.
FCF payout ratio below 70%
FCF payout ratio is 308.7%, above the 70% threshold.
Net Debt/EBITDA below 3x
Net Debt/EBITDA is 6.2x.
Dividend growth ≤ earnings growth (5Y)
Dividend growth (6.6%) ≤ EPS growth (21.2%) — sustainable.
Per-payment dividend history
Ex-date May 12, 2026
- Payment date
- Jun 1, 2026
- Dividend
- $0.3426
- Adj. dividend
- $0.3426
Ex-date Feb 9, 2026
- Payment date
- Mar 2, 2026
- Dividend
- $0.3426
- Adj. dividend
- $0.3426
Ex-date Nov 12, 2025
- Payment date
- Dec 1, 2025
- Dividend
- $0.3426
- Adj. dividend
- $0.3426
Ex-date Aug 12, 2025
- Payment date
- Sep 2, 2025
- Dividend
- $0.3426
- Adj. dividend
- $0.3426
Ex-date May 13, 2025
- Payment date
- Jun 2, 2025
- Dividend
- $0.3255
- Adj. dividend
- $0.3255
Ex-date Feb 10, 2025
- Payment date
- Mar 3, 2025
- Dividend
- $0.3255
- Adj. dividend
- $0.3255
Ex-date Nov 12, 2024
- Payment date
- Dec 2, 2024
- Dividend
- $0.3255
- Adj. dividend
- $0.3255
Ex-date Aug 12, 2024
- Payment date
- Sep 3, 2024
- Dividend
- $0.3255
- Adj. dividend
- $0.3255
Ex-date May 9, 2024
- Payment date
- Jun 1, 2024
- Dividend
- $0.3071
- Adj. dividend
- $0.3071
Ex-date Feb 8, 2024
- Payment date
- Mar 1, 2024
- Dividend
- $0.3071
- Adj. dividend
- $0.3071
Ex-date Nov 9, 2023
- Payment date
- Dec 1, 2023
- Dividend
- $0.3071
- Adj. dividend
- $0.3071
Ex-date Aug 10, 2023
- Payment date
- Sep 1, 2023
- Dividend
- $0.3071
- Adj. dividend
- $0.3071
| Ex-Date | Payment Date | Dividend | Adj. Dividend |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 12, 2026 | Jun 1, 2026 | $0.3426 | $0.3426 |
| Feb 9, 2026 | Mar 2, 2026 | $0.3426 | $0.3426 |
| Nov 12, 2025 | Dec 1, 2025 | $0.3426 | $0.3426 |
| Aug 12, 2025 | Sep 2, 2025 | $0.3426 | $0.3426 |
| May 13, 2025 | Jun 2, 2025 | $0.3255 | $0.3255 |
| Feb 10, 2025 | Mar 3, 2025 | $0.3255 | $0.3255 |
| Nov 12, 2024 | Dec 2, 2024 | $0.3255 | $0.3255 |
| Aug 12, 2024 | Sep 3, 2024 | $0.3255 | $0.3255 |
| May 9, 2024 | Jun 1, 2024 | $0.3071 | $0.3071 |
| Feb 8, 2024 | Mar 1, 2024 | $0.3071 | $0.3071 |
| Nov 9, 2023 | Dec 1, 2023 | $0.3071 | $0.3071 |
| Aug 10, 2023 | Sep 1, 2023 | $0.3071 | $0.3071 |
Historical Dividend Yield
Dividend Growth
Dividend Increase Track Record
Essential Utilities has raised its total annual dividend (split-adjusted, by ex-dividend calendar year) versus the prior year for 35 consecutive years — the same figure as the "Consecutive Growth Years" card above.
| Year | Previous DPS | New DPS | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $1.3362 | — | — |
| 2025 | $1.2652 | $1.3362 | +5.6% |
| 2024 | $1.1882 | $1.2652 | +6.5% |
| 2023 | $1.1104 | $1.1882 | +7.0% |
| 2022 | $1.0378 | $1.1104 | +7.0% |
| 2021 | $0.9700 | $1.0378 | +7.0% |
| 2020 | $0.9066 | $0.9700 | +7.0% |
| 2019 | $0.8474 | $0.9066 | +7.0% |
| 2018 | $0.7920 | $0.8474 | +7.0% |
| 2017 | $0.7386 | $0.7920 | +7.2% |
| 2016 | $0.6860 | $0.7386 | +7.7% |
| 2015 | $0.6340 | $0.6860 | +8.2% |
| 2014 | $0.5840 | $0.6340 | +8.6% |
| 2013 | $0.5360 | $0.5840 | +9.0% |
| 2012 | $0.5040 | $0.5360 | +6.3% |
| 2011 | $0.4720 | $0.5040 | +6.8% |
| 2010 | $0.4400 | $0.4720 | +7.3% |
| 2009 | $0.4080 | $0.4400 | +7.8% |
| 2008 | $0.3840 | $0.4080 | +6.3% |
| 2007 | $0.3552 | $0.3840 | +8.1% |
| 2006 | $0.3198 | $0.3552 | +11.1% |
| 2005 | $0.2940 | $0.3198 | +8.8% |
| 2004 | $0.2736 | $0.2940 | +7.5% |
| 2003 | $0.2587 | $0.2736 | +5.8% |
| 2002 | $0.2423 | $0.2587 | +6.8% |
| 2001 | $0.2255 | $0.2423 | +7.5% |
| 2000 | $0.2150 | $0.2255 | +4.9% |
| 1999 | $0.2040 | $0.2150 | +5.4% |
| 1998 | $0.1908 | $0.2040 | +6.9% |
| 1997 | $0.1822 | $0.1908 | +4.7% |
| 1996 | $0.1751 | $0.1822 | +4.0% |
| 1995 | $0.1690 | $0.1751 | +3.6% |
| 1994 | $0.1644 | $0.1690 | +2.8% |
| 1993 | $0.1597 | $0.1644 | +2.9% |
| 1992 | $0.1536 | $0.1597 | +4.0% |
| 1991 | $0.1536 | $0.1536 | 0.0% |
| 1990 | $0.1444 | $0.1536 | +6.4% |
| 1989 | $0.1444 | $0.1444 | 0.0% |
| 1988 | $0.1444 | $0.1444 | 0.0% |
| 1987 | $0.9112 | $0.1444 | -84.2% |
| 1986 | $0.8810 | $0.9112 | +3.4% |
| 1985 | — | $0.8810 | — |
DPS sums split-adjusted amounts (adj. dividend) by ex-dividend calendar year—the same basis as the Adj. Dividend column in Dividend Payment History. The Dividend column can differ after stock splits. This table uses four decimals per annual total so the Change column matches the shown amounts; each payment row in Dividend Payment History also uses four.
Cash dividends paid (USD) — TTM and history
Trailing-twelve-month and annual common dividends paid for Essential Utilities (WTRG) from the consolidated cash flow statement, in USD as filed.
Latest period
$381.35M
YoY change
+7.9%
5Y CAGR
+10.0%
Peak year (2025)
$373.82M
Latest annual
$373.82M
Cash dividends paid over time for Essential Utilities (WTRG)
Per-period cash dividends paid
Cash dividends paid annual + quarterly history for Essential Utilities (WTRG)
| Fiscal year | Period ended | Reported | Dividends Paid | YoY | YoY change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $373.82M | +7.9% | +$27.43M | ||
| 2024 | $346.39M | +9.3% | +$29.59M | ||
| 2023 | $316.81M | +9.8% | +$28.17M | ||
| 2022 | $288.63M | +11.6% | +$29.98M | ||
| 2021 | $258.65M | +11.2% | +$26.08M | ||
| 2020 | $232.57M | +23.4% | +$44.06M | ||
| 2019 | $188.51M | +25.1% | +$37.78M | ||
| 2018 | $150.74M | +7.2% | +$10.08M | ||
| 2017 | $140.66M | +7.4% | +$9.74M | ||
| 2016 | $130.92M | +8.0% | +$9.68M | ||
| 2015 | $121.25M | +8.2% | +$9.14M | ||
| 2014 | $112.11M | +9.0% | +$9.22M | ||
| 2013 | $102.89M | +10.1% | +$9.47M | ||
| 2012 | $93.42M | +7.2% | +$6.29M | ||
| 2011 | $87.13M | +7.7% | +$6.23M | ||
| 2010 | $80.91M | +8.3% | +$6.18M | ||
| 2009 | $74.73M | +9.1% | +$6.22M | ||
| 2008 | $68.50M | +7.4% | +$4.74M | ||
| 2007 | $63.76M | +9.9% | +$5.74M | ||
| 2006 | $58.02M | +13.5% | +$6.88M | ||
| 2005 | $51.14M | +11.6% | +$5.33M | ||
| 2004 | $45.81M | +14.7% | +$5.88M | ||
| 2003 | $39.93M | +8.4% | +$3.09M | ||
| 2002 | $36.84M | +7.3% | +$2.50M | ||
| 2001 | $34.34M | +12.5% | +$3.83M | ||
| 2000 | $30.51M | +4.1% | +$1.21M | ||
| 1999 | $29.30M | -0.7% | -$200,000 | ||
| 1998 | $29.50M | +81.0% | +$13.20M | ||
| 1997 | $16.30M | +10.1% | +$1.50M | ||
| 1996 | $14.80M | +9.6% | +$1.30M | ||
| 1995 | $13.50M | +7.1% | +$900,000 | ||
| 1994 | $12.60M | — | — |
The 2025 reading of Essential Utilities (WTRG) dividends paid is $373.82M – grew 7.9% year-over-year.
Essential Utilities dividends paid has grown for 26 consecutive years, with a +10.0% compound annual growth rate over 2020–2025 (5 years).
2025 marks the peak dividends paid at $373.82M, with the historical low of $12.60M recorded in 1994.
Within Utilities, Essential Utilities (WTRG) ranks 8th among 8 peers we track. The peer median for dividends paid is $2.14B.
Essential Utilities Dividends Paid 2025: $373.82M
Essential Utilities dividends paid in 2025 was $373.82M, grew 7.9% from 2024. This figure represents the highest annual value in the available history.
Essential Utilities Dividends Paid 2024: $346.39M
Essential Utilities dividends paid in 2024 was $346.39M, grew 9.3% from 2023.
Essential Utilities Dividends Paid 2023: $316.81M
Essential Utilities dividends paid in 2023 was $316.81M, grew 9.8% from 2022.
Essential Utilities Dividends Paid 2022: $288.63M
Essential Utilities dividends paid in 2022 was $288.63M, grew 11.6% from 2021.
Essential Utilities Dividends Paid 2021: $258.65M
Essential Utilities dividends paid in 2021 was $258.65M.
See more financial history for Essential Utilities (WTRG).
Sector peers by dividends paid
Companies in the same sector as Essential Utilities, ranked by their latest dividends paid.
| Company | Dividends Paid | Sector |
|---|---|---|
| NextEra Energy (NEE) | $4.68B | Utilities |
| Duke Energy (DUK) | $3.30B | Utilities |
| Southern Company (SO) | $3.02B | Utilities |
| Dominion Energy (D) | $2.28B | Utilities |
| American Electric Power Company (AEP) | $2.01B | Utilities |
| Sempra (SRE) | $1.60B | Utilities |
| Constellation Energy (CEG) | $486.00M | Utilities |
| GE Vernova (GEV) | $275.00M | Utilities |
Frequently asked questions
Does Essential Utilities pay dividends?
Yes, Essential Utilities (WTRG) pays quarterly dividends of approximately $1.37 per share annually, yielding 3.66%.
What is Essential Utilities's dividend yield?
Essential Utilities (WTRG) has a current dividend yield of 3.66%.
Is Essential Utilities's dividend safe?
Essential Utilities (WTRG) passes 5 out of 8 dividend safety checks. See the detailed breakdown above for each criterion.
How many consecutive years has Essential Utilities increased its dividend?
Essential Utilities (WTRG) has 35 consecutive years of dividend increases.
What is Essential Utilities's dividend payout ratio?
Essential Utilities (WTRG) has a dividend payout ratio of 69.6%. Trailing twelve months (GAAP): adjusted dividends over roughly 12 months aligned with the latest reported quarter, divided by the sum of diluted EPS from the last four fiscal quarters (not NII or taxable income for BDCs/REITs).
What is Essential Utilities's dividends paid?
Latest reported dividends paid for Essential Utilities (WTRG) is $381.35M (period ending March 31, 2026).
How has Essential Utilities dividends paid changed year-over-year?
Essential Utilities (WTRG) dividends paid changed +7.9% year-over-year on the latest annual filing.
What is the long-term growth rate of Essential Utilities dividends paid?
Essential Utilities (WTRG) dividends paid compound annual growth rate is +10.0% over the most recent 5 years available.
When did Essential Utilities dividends paid hit its highest annual value?
Essential Utilities dividends paid reached its highest annual value of $373.82M in 2025.
What was Essential Utilities dividends paid in 2024?
Essential Utilities (WTRG) dividends paid in 2024 was $346.39M.
What was Essential Utilities dividends paid in 2025?
Essential Utilities (WTRG) dividends paid in 2025 was $373.82M.
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