Essential Utilities Is A Reliable Dividend Aristocrat, But Wait For A Correction

Aristofanis Papadatos
8.7K Followers

Summary

  • WTRG has raised its dividend for 30 consecutive years, and thus, it is a Dividend Aristocrat.
  • WTRG expects to grow its earnings per share by 5.0%-7.0% per year until at least 2023.
  • Thanks to its healthy payout ratio, its interest coverage ratio of 3.0, and its growth prospects, WTRG will easily continue raising its dividend for years.
  • However, the stock is richly valued right now.

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Essential Utilities (NYSE:WTRG) has raised its dividend for 30 consecutive years and thus it is a Dividend Aristocrat. The stock is offering a 2.3% dividend yield, which may seem uninspiring on the surface

This article was written by

8.7K Followers
I am a chemical engineer with a MS in Food Technology and Economics, and a MENSA member. I am the author of the book "Investing in Stocks and Bonds: The Early Retirement Project" (2024):I am also the author of the book "Mental Math: How to perform math calculations in your mind".I am also the author of 2 other mathematics books ("Arithmetic calculations without a calculator" and "Word Problems") and perform almost all the calculations in my mind, without a calculator, making it easier to make immediate investing decisions among many alternatives. I invest applying fundamental and technical analysis and mainly use options as a tool for both investing and trading. I achieved my goal of financial independence at the age of 45. In my spare time, I follow Warren Buffett's principle: "Some men read playboy. I read financial statements".

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

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