Essential Utils (WTRG) Q3 2026 Earnings Call Transcript

Essential Utilities (WTRG) expects its merger with American Water (AWK) to close by the end of Q1 2027, with regulatory approvals already secured in three states, according to its Q3 2026 earnings call.

The deal timeline arrived alongside a solid quarter. WTRG posted GAAP EPS of $0.36, up 9% year over year, and non-GAAP EPS of $0.38. Management credited regulatory recoveries and increased customer usage for the results.

WTRG is also spending aggressively on its network. The company is investing a record $1.7 billion in infrastructure in 2026. It has signed acquisition agreements totaling $290 million for approximately 208,000 customers, adding to its customer base independent of the AWK combination.

Interpretation: with three state approvals in hand and a stated Q1 2027 target, the open question shifts from whether regulators engage to how quickly the remaining approvals land. The earnings print gives WTRG a stable operating backdrop while that process runs, though the source provides no guidance on deal terms or exchange ratios.