What is Essential Utilities Inc.'s average annual return?

Since 1981, Essential Utilities Inc. (WTRG) has returned about 14.5% a year (the compound annual growth rate) and an average calendar-year return of 15.9%.

What were Essential Utilities Inc.'s best and worst years?

Over 1981–2026, the best year was 1981 (+105.4%) and the worst was 1999 (-23.1%).

How often is Essential Utilities Inc. up in a year?

32 of the 45 full years since 1981 were positive — about 71% of the time.

WTRG

Essential Utilities Inc.Stock · Utilities

$40.46+$0.60 (+1.51%)as of market close, Aug 13, 2026

☾ After hours:$40.46+0.00%3:59 PM ET

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WTRG returns by year

Essential Utilities Inc. has returned +14.5% annually (CAGR) since 1981. Calendar-year, monthly and weekly total returns for Essential Utilities Inc. (WTRG) below, through August 13, 2026 — the most recent year is year-to-date.

Annualized (CAGR)

+14.5%

1981–2026

Average year

+15.9%

45 full years

Best year

+105.4%

1981

Worst year

-23.1%

1999

Positive years

32/45

71% up

Essential Utilities Inc. returns by year (1981–2026)#

Calendar-year returns with each year's path and its dividend contribution (dividend return = total minus price return).

Essential Utilities Inc. annual returns by year
Year	Start price	End price	Dividend	Total return
2026YTD	$38.36	$40.46	+1.9%	+7.4%
2025	$36.32	$38.36	+3.7%	+9.4%
2024	$37.35	$36.32	+3.3%	+0.5%
2023	$47.73	$37.35	+2.3%	-19.4%
2022	$53.69	$47.73	+2.1%	-9.0%
2021	$47.29	$53.69	+2.5%	+16.0%
2020	$46.94	$47.29	+2.2%	+2.9%
2019	$34.19	$46.94	+3.1%	+40.4%
2018	$39.23	$34.19	+2.2%	-10.7%
2017	$30.04	$39.23	+3.2%	+33.8%
2016	$29.80	$30.04	+2.4%	+3.2%
2015	$26.70	$29.80	+2.9%	+14.5%
2014	$23.59	$26.70	+2.9%	+16.1%
2013	$20.34	$23.59	+2.7%	+18.7%
2012	$17.64	$20.34	+3.3%	+18.6%
2011	$17.98	$17.64	+2.8%	+0.9%
2010	$14.01	$17.98	+4.1%	+32.5%
2009	$16.47	$14.01	+2.7%	-12.3%
2008	$16.96	$16.47	+2.7%	-0.1%
2007	$18.22	$16.96	+2.0%	-5.0%
2006	$21.84	$18.22	+1.2%	-15.3%
2005	$14.75	$21.84	+2.7%	+50.7%
2004	$13.26	$14.75	+2.6%	+13.9%
2003	$9.89	$13.26	+3.4%	+37.5%
2002	$10.82	$9.89	+2.3%	-6.4%
2001	$9.41	$10.82	+2.9%	+17.9%
2000	$6.36	$9.41	+5.1%	+53.1%
1999	$9.08	$6.36	+7.0%	-23.1%
1998	$6.78	$9.08	+13.6%	+47.5%
1997	$4.58	$6.78	+18.5%	+66.7%
1996	$3.19	$4.58	+16.7%	+60.3%
1995	$2.78	$3.19	+10.8%	+25.2%
1994	$2.82	$2.78	+0.0%	-1.4%
1993	$2.46	$2.82	+0.0%	+14.8%
1992	$2.42	$2.46	+0.0%	+1.6%
1991	$1.86	$2.42	+0.0%	+29.9%
1990	$2.13	$1.86	+0.0%	-12.6%
1989	$2.02	$2.13	+0.0%	+5.7%
1988	$2.15	$2.02	+0.0%	-6.2%
1987	$2.67	$2.15	+0.0%	-19.4%
1986	$2.18	$2.67	+0.0%	+22.6%
1985	$1.79	$2.18	+0.0%	+21.4%
1984	$1.75	$1.79	+0.0%	+2.2%
1983	$1.38	$1.75	+0.0%	+26.8%
1982	$0.95	$1.38	+0.0%	+45.9%
1981	$0.46	$0.95	+0.1%	+105.4%

Total return by period

-100%-50%+0%+50%+100%

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Methodology#

Returns are total returns (dividends reinvested), computed from WTRG's split- and dividend-adjusted closes. The bar chart switches between annual and monthly periods. Annualized return is the compound annual growth rate over the full period. The current year is year-to-date. See also the periodic table of returns. Past performance does not predict future returns; not investment advice.

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FAQ#

What is Essential Utilities Inc.'s average annual return?: Since 1981, Essential Utilities Inc. (WTRG) has returned about 14.5% a year (the compound annual growth rate) and an average calendar-year return of 15.9%.
What were Essential Utilities Inc.'s best and worst years?: Over 1981–2026, the best year was 1981 (+105.4%) and the worst was 1999 (-23.1%).
How often is Essential Utilities Inc. up in a year?: 32 of the 45 full years since 1981 were positive — about 71% of the time.