# Essential (WTRG) — Dividends WTRG · NYSE · Stock Canonical page: https://www.lighthorse.io/tickers/wtrg/dividends ## Dividend summary | Metric | Value | | --- | --- | | Frequency | quarterly | | Trailing 12 months | $1.39 | | Forward yield | 3.45% | | Growth streak | 5 years | Essential Utilities pays a quarterly dividend of $0.3606 per share, following its latest [ex-date](/instructions/learning/ex-dividend-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](/instructions/learning/dividend-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. ## Payment history | Ex-date | Pay date | Amount per share | | --- | --- | --- | | Aug 11, 2026 | Sep 1, 2026 | $0.36 | | May 12, 2026 | Jun 1, 2026 | $0.34 | | Feb 9, 2026 | Mar 2, 2026 | $0.34 | | Nov 12, 2025 | Dec 1, 2025 | $0.34 | | Aug 12, 2025 | Sep 2, 2025 | $0.34 | | May 13, 2025 | Jun 2, 2025 | $0.33 | | Feb 10, 2025 | Mar 3, 2025 | $0.33 | | Nov 12, 2024 | Dec 2, 2024 | $0.33 | | Aug 12, 2024 | Sep 3, 2024 | $0.33 | | May 9, 2024 | Jun 1, 2024 | $0.31 | | Feb 8, 2024 | Mar 1, 2024 | $0.31 | | Nov 9, 2023 | Dec 1, 2023 | $0.31 | | Aug 10, 2023 | Sep 1, 2023 | $0.31 | | May 11, 2023 | Jun 1, 2023 | $0.29 | | Feb 9, 2023 | Mar 1, 2023 | $0.29 | | Nov 9, 2022 | Dec 1, 2022 | $0.29 | | Aug 11, 2022 | Sep 1, 2022 | $0.29 | | May 12, 2022 | Jun 1, 2022 | $0.27 | | Feb 10, 2022 | Mar 1, 2022 | $0.27 | | 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 3.45% at the last price of $40.29. [Click here to learn more](https://www.lighthorse.io/instructions/learning/dividend-yield) ### 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](https://www.lighthorse.io/instructions/learning/ex-dividend-date) ### Has WTRG been raising its dividend? Yes — Essential has increased its dividend for 5 consecutive calendar years. ## Similar Stocks - [AWK](https://www.lighthorse.io/tickers/awk) — American Water Works Company, Inc. Common Stock - [AWR](https://www.lighthorse.io/tickers/awr) — American States Water Company Common Stock - [CWT](https://www.lighthorse.io/tickers/cwt) — California Water Service Group Common Stock - [ED](https://www.lighthorse.io/tickers/ed) — Consolidated Edison, Inc. Common Stock - [DUK](https://www.lighthorse.io/tickers/duk) — Duke Energy Corporation (Holding Company) Common Stock - [WEC](https://www.lighthorse.io/tickers/wec) — WEC Energy Group, Inc. Common Stock - [LNT](https://www.lighthorse.io/tickers/lnt) — Alliant Energy Corporation - Common Stock - [MSEX](https://www.lighthorse.io/tickers/msex) — Middlesex Water Company - Common Stock - [CMS](https://www.lighthorse.io/tickers/cms) — CMS Energy Corporation Common Stock - [PPL](https://www.lighthorse.io/tickers/ppl) — PPL Corporation Common Stock --- 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. Data provided by [AInvest](https://www.ainvest.com).