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Retained earnings is the accumulated portion of net income that is not distributed to shareholders. Essential Utilities's retained earnings for the quarter that ended in Jun. 2026 was $2,416 Mil.
Essential Utilities's quarterly retained earnings
increased
from Dec. 2025 ($2,281 Mil) to Mar. 2026 ($2,311 Mil) and
increased
from Mar. 2026 ($2,311 Mil) to Jun. 2026 ($2,416 Mil).
Essential Utilities's annual retained earnings
increased
from Dec. 2023 ($1,707 Mil) to Dec. 2024 ($1,949 Mil) and
increased
from Dec. 2024 ($1,949 Mil) to Dec. 2025 ($2,281 Mil).
Historically profitable companies sometimes have negative retained earnings. This is because they have cumulatively paid out more to shareholders than they reported in profits.
For example, in 2011, Microsoft had negative retained earnings. This does not mean the company lost more money than it made over the years. It just means it paid out more money than it earned.
If a company has negative retained earnings, investors should check the 10-year financial results. They should not assume that negative retained earnings prove a company has generally lost money in the past.
Of course, many companies with negative retained earnings have indeed lost money in the past.
Retained Earnings: Warren Buffett's Secret.
One of the most important indicators of durable competitive advantage. Net earnings can be paid out as dividends, used to buy back shares or retained for growth.
If the company loses more than it has accumulated, retained earnings is negative.
If a company isn't adding to its retained earnings, it isn't growing its net worth.
Rate of growth of retained earnings is good indicator whether it's benefiting from a competitive advantage.
Microsoft is negative because it chose to buyback stock and pay dividends.
The more earnings retained, the faster it grows and increases growth rate for future earnings.
Essential Utilities Retained Earnings Historical Data
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The historical data trend for Essential Utilities's Retained Earnings can be seen below:
* For Operating Data section: All numbers are indicated by the unit behind each term and all currency related amount are in USD. * For other sections: All numbers are in millions except for per share data, ratio, and percentage. All currency related amount are indicated in the company's associated stock exchange currency.
Retained Earnings is the accumulated portion of net income that is not distributed to shareholders. Because the net income was not distributed to shareholders, shareholders' equity is increased by the same amount.
Of course, if a company loses, it is called retained losses, or accumulated losses.
Essential Utilities (WTRG) has a Retained Earnings of $2,416 Mil as of Jun. 2026. Retained earnings is the amount of net income not issued to shareholders. View historical data on Essential Utilities and its competitors.
Is Essential Utilities' Retained Earnings too high?
Essential Utilities' current Retained Earnings is $2,416 Mil. Overall, Essential Utilities has a GF Score™ of 77/100 and is considered Fairly Valued, reflecting its overall financial health beyond just this single metric.
How does Essential Utilities' Retained Earnings compare to AWR and CWT?
Essential Utilities' Retained Earnings of $2,416 Mil can be compared against companies in the Utilities - Regulated industry. See the competitive comparison table and distribution chart on this page for a detailed peer-by-peer breakdown.
What is a good Retained Earnings for an Utilities - Regulated company?
A good Retained Earnings depends on the Utilities - Regulated industry context. However, Retained Earnings should not be evaluated in isolation — investors should consider it alongside profitability, growth, and financial strength metrics. Use the industry distribution chart on this page to see where any company falls relative to its peers.
What does a high Retained Earnings mean?
A high Retained Earnings can signal that a stock is expensive relative to its fundamentals. Retained earnings is the amount of net income not issued to shareholders. View historical data on Essential Utilities and its competitors. Essential Utilities's current Retained Earnings is $2,416 Mil. However, context matters — high-growth companies often justify higher valuations. Always evaluate alongside other metrics like GF Score™ and GF Value™.
Is Essential Utilities stock overvalued right now?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Essential Utilities (WTRG) is currently considered Fairly Valued. The stock's GF Value™ is $41.93, compared to a current price of $40.04 — trading 4.5% below its estimated fair value. The current Retained Earnings is $2,416 Mil. Essential Utilities' overall GF Score™ is 77/100 with 8 warning signs to review. Investors should evaluate multiple metrics — including profitability, growth, and financial strength — before making a decision.
How is Retained Earnings calculated?
Retained Earnings is calculated from a company's financial statements. For Essential Utilities (WTRG), the current Retained Earnings is $2,416 Mil as of Jun. 2026. GuruFocus calculates this using data sourced from SEC filings and annual reports. See the calculation section and 30-year financial data on this page for the full breakdown.
Is Essential Utilities (WTRG) Overvalued in 2026?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Essential Utilities stock appears to be undervalued.
The current stock price of $40.04 is trading 4.5% below its estimated GF Value™ of $41.93.
GuruFocus considers Essential Utilities to be Fairly Valued.
Key valuation signals for WTRG:
Retained Earnings: $2,416 Mil
GF Value™: $41.93 vs. price of $40.04 (4.5% below fair value)
No single metric tells the full story. See the WTRG stock analysis page for a complete view including 30-year financials, guru trades, and insider activity.
Essential Utilities is a Pennsylvania-based holding company for US water, wastewater, and natural gas distribution utilities. The company's water business serves 3 million people in eight states. Its largest service territory is in Pennsylvania, primarily suburban Philadelphia. Its Peoples subsidiary serves more than 740,000 gas distribution customers in Pennsylvania and Kentucky. It completed the sale of its West Virginia gas utility and the bulk of its nonregulated assets in 2024. Essential shareholders would own a 31% stake in American Water Works if the proposed all-stock merger closes in 2027.
77GF Score
Get the complete analysis for WTRG
Retained Earnings is just one metric. See GF Value™, 30-year financials, guru trades, warning signs, and more.
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