Essential (WTRG) dividend history and yield
Dividend summary
- Frequency
- Quarterly
- Trailing 12 months
- $1.39
- Forward yield
- 3.47%
- Payout ratio
- 69.1%
- Growth streak
- 5 years
Essential Utilities pays a quarterly dividend of $0.3606 per share, following its latest ex-date on August 11, 2026, and payment on September 1, 2026. Over the trailing 12 months, payouts totaled $1.3884 per share, providing a yield of 3.58% at a share price of $38.81.
The company maintains a 5-year dividend growth streak. Payout increases arrive on a regular annual schedule with the August ex-date. Quarterly payouts rose from $0.2343 in late 2019 to $0.2507 in August 2020, representing a 7.0% increase. Payouts then expanded through annual raises to $0.2682 in August 2021 (7.0%), $0.2870 in August 2022 (7.0%), $0.3071 in August 2023 (7.0%), $0.3255 in August 2024 (6.0%), $0.3426 in August 2025 (5.3%), and $0.3606 in August 2026 (5.3%). Each rate is maintained for four consecutive quarters before the next annual adjustment.
Complete calendar-year totals reflect this consistent upward trajectory, increasing from $0.9700 per share in 2020 to $1.0378 in 2021, $1.1104 in 2022, $1.1882 in 2023, $1.2652 in 2024, and $1.3362 in 2025. If the established quarterly schedule holds, the next payment would fall in November 2026.
Dividend per share by year
Dividend history
| Declared | Ex-dividend date | Pay date | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 29, 2026 | Aug 11, 2026 | Sep 1, 2026 | $0.36 |
| Feb 17, 2026 | May 12, 2026 | Jun 1, 2026 | $0.34 |
| Jan 23, 2026 | Feb 9, 2026 | Mar 2, 2026 | $0.34 |
| Oct 23, 2025 | Nov 12, 2025 | Dec 1, 2025 | $0.34 |
| Jul 30, 2025 | Aug 12, 2025 | Sep 2, 2025 | $0.34 |
| Feb 19, 2025 | May 13, 2025 | Jun 2, 2025 | $0.33 |
| Dec 11, 2024 | Feb 10, 2025 | Mar 3, 2025 | $0.33 |
| Oct 30, 2024 | Nov 12, 2024 | Dec 2, 2024 | $0.33 |
| Jul 31, 2024 | Aug 12, 2024 | Sep 3, 2024 | $0.33 |
| Feb 21, 2024 | May 9, 2024 | Jun 1, 2024 | $0.31 |
| Dec 12, 2023 | Feb 8, 2024 | Mar 1, 2024 | $0.31 |
| Oct 25, 2023 | Nov 9, 2023 | Dec 1, 2023 | $0.31 |
| Aug 1, 2023 | Aug 10, 2023 | Sep 1, 2023 | $0.31 |
| Feb 22, 2023 | May 11, 2023 | Jun 1, 2023 | $0.29 |
| Dec 7, 2022 | Feb 9, 2023 | Mar 1, 2023 | $0.29 |
| Oct 26, 2022 | Nov 9, 2022 | Dec 1, 2022 | $0.29 |
| Aug 2, 2022 | Aug 11, 2022 | Sep 1, 2022 | $0.29 |
| Mar 21, 2022 | May 12, 2022 | Jun 1, 2022 | $0.27 |
| Jan 31, 2022 | Feb 10, 2022 | Mar 1, 2022 | $0.27 |
| Oct 27, 2021 | Nov 10, 2021 | Dec 1, 2021 | $0.27 |
Frequently asked questions
Does Essential (WTRG) pay a dividend?
Yes. Essential pays a quarterly dividend; the most recent payment was $0.36 per share.
What is WTRG's dividend yield?
Essential paid $1.39 per share over the trailing twelve months, a yield of 3.47% at the last price of $40.03. Click here to learn more
When is WTRG's most recent ex-dividend date?
Essential's most recent ex-dividend date is Aug 11, 2026, payable on Sep 1, 2026.
What is the difference between ex and payment dates?
An ex-date is the cutoff day for ownership, the payment date is when the distribution actually happens. Click here to learn more
Has WTRG been raising its dividend?
Yes — Essential has increased its dividend for 5 consecutive calendar years.
Dividend amounts and dates are supplied by third parties and may be revised. Declaring, raising, cutting or suspending a dividend is entirely at the issuer’s discretion, and scheduled dates are estimates until declared. A past record of payments does not mean future payments will be made. Nothing here suggests trading around a distribution.
This page is for informational purposes only. Nothing on it is a recommendation, solicitation or offer to buy or sell any security, nor investment, legal or tax advice. Light Horse Securities Inc does not verify third-party data and is not responsible for its accuracy, completeness or timeliness.