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Essential Utilities vs California Water Service: WTRG and CWT compared
Essential Utilities is the larger company: $508M of revenue in its latest quarter (Q3 2026) against $331M for California Water Service (Q3 2026). Essential Utilities is growing faster (+7% against +5% a year earlier). Essential Utilities is more profitable, with an operating margin of 37.9% against 25.0%.
Where the money goes: WTRG and CWT
Essential Utilities (WTRG) · Q3 2026
Essential Utilities, Q3 2026: revenue $508M (+7% year over year), operating margin 37.9%, net earnings $104M, operating cash flow $229M. The chart follows the revenue to costs, profit and cash.
California Water Service (CWT) · Q3 2026
California Water Service, Q3 2026: revenue $331M (+5% year over year), operating margin 25.0%, net earnings $65.4M, operating cash flow $149M. The chart follows the revenue to costs, profit and cash.
| Essential Utilities (WTRG) | California Water Service (CWT) | |
|---|---|---|
| Latest quarter | Q3 2026 | Q3 2026 |
| Revenue | $508M | $331M |
| Revenue growth, Y/Y | +7% | +5% |
| Operating margin | 37.9% | 25.0% |
| Net earnings | $104M | $65.4M |
| Net margin | 20.4% | 19.7% |
| Operating cash flow | $229M | $149M |
| Market value | $13.0B | $3.0B |
| P/E | 8.3× | 21.7× |
| Analysts’ mean target | $41.20 | $54.75 |
Where the revenue comes from
Essential Utilities
- Regulated Water: $313M (62%)
- Regulated Natural Gas: $123M (24%)
- Wastewater: $64.8M (13%)
- Other: $8.2M (2%)
California Water Service
- Residential: $197M (59%)
- Business: $61.3M (19%)
- Multiple residential: $24.8M (8%)
- Public authorities: $20.4M (6%)
Questions
Which is bigger, Essential Utilities or California Water Service?
Essential Utilities is the larger company: $508M of revenue in its latest quarter (Q3 2026) against $331M for California Water Service (Q3 2026).
Is Essential Utilities or California Water Service growing faster?
Essential Utilities is growing faster (+7% against +5% a year earlier).
Which is more profitable, Essential Utilities or California Water Service?
Essential Utilities is more profitable, with an operating margin of 37.9% against 25.0%.
More: Essential Utilities earnings · how Essential Utilities makes money · California Water Service earnings · how California Water Service makes money
From the companies' latest 10-Q, 10-K or earnings release (10-Q filed Nov 4, 2026; 10-Q filed Oct 29, 2026). Fiscal quarters can end on different dates. Not investment advice.