Essential Utilities, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2025 March (Form 10-Q)

wtrg-20250331x10q

Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON DC 20549

FORM

(Mark One)

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

For the quarterly period ended

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

For the transition period from_______________ to _______________

Commission File Number

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



(State or other jurisdiction of	(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)	Identification No.)

, ,
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

()
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

N/A

(Former Name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report.)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes S No £

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes S No £

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12(b)-2 of the Exchange Act.:


S	Accelerated Filer £
Non-Accelerated Filer £	Smaller Reporting Company
Emerging Growth Company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. £

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes £ No


Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of April 25, 2025:

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ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

TABLE OF CONTENTS


	Page
Part I – Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements:

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) – March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024	2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (unaudited) – Three Months Ended March 31, 2025 and 2024	4



Condensed Consolidated Statements of Capitalization (unaudited) - March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024	5

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity (unaudited) – Three Months Ended March 31, 2025	6

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity (unaudited) – Three Months Ended March 31, 2024	7

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow (unaudited) – Three Months Ended March 31, 2025 and 2024	8

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)	9

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	26

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	37

Item 4. Controls and Procedures	37

Part II – Other Information

Item 1. Legal Proceedings	37

Item 1A. Risk Factors	37

Item 5. Other Information	37

Item 6. Exhibits	39

Signatures	40

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ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)


	March 31,	December 31,
Assets	2025	2024
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	$	$
Less: accumulated depreciation
Net property, plant and equipment

Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
Accounts receivable, net
Unbilled revenues
Inventory - materials and supplies
Inventory - gas stored
Prepayments and other current assets
Regulatory assets
Total current assets

Regulatory assets
Deferred charges and other assets, net
Funds restricted for construction activity
Goodwill
Operating lease right-of-use assets
Intangible assets
Total assets	$	$

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

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ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)


	March 31,		December 31,
Liabilities and Equity	2025		2024
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock at $ par value, authorized shares, issued and as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024	$		$
Capital in excess of par value
Retained earnings
Treasury stock, at cost, and shares as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024		()		()
Total stockholders' equity

Long-term debt, excluding current portion
Less: debt issuance costs
Long-term debt, excluding current portion, net of debt issuance costs
Commitments and contingencies (See Note 14)

Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt
Loans payable
Accounts payable
Book overdraft
Accrued interest
Accrued taxes
Regulatory liabilities
Dividends payable
Other accrued liabilities
Total current liabilities

Deferred credits and other liabilities:
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits
Customers' advances for construction
Regulatory liabilities
Operating lease liabilities
Pension and other postretirement benefit liabilities
Other
Total deferred credits and other liabilities

Contributions in aid of construction
Total liabilities and equity	$		$

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

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ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)


	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2025		2024
Operating revenues	$		$

Operating expenses:
Operations and maintenance
Purchased gas
Depreciation
Amortization
Taxes other than income taxes
Total operating expenses

Operating income

Other expense (income):
Interest expense
Interest income		()		()
Allowance for funds used during construction		()		()
Gain on sale of other assets		()		()
Other		()		()
Income before income taxes
Income tax benefit		()		()
Net income	$		$

Comprehensive income	$		$

Net income per common share:
Basic	$		$
Diluted	$		$

Average common shares outstanding during the period:
Basic
Diluted

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

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ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CAPITALIZATION

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)



		March 31,		December 31,
		2025		2024
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $ par value		$		$
Capital in excess of par value
Retained earnings
Treasury stock, at cost			()		()
Total stockholders' equity

Long-term debt of subsidiaries (substantially collateralized by utility plant):
Interest Rate Range	Maturity Date Range
% to %	to
% to %	to
% to %	to
% to %	to
% to %	to
% to %	to
% to %	to
% to %	to
% to %
% to %


Notes payable to bank under revolving credit agreement, variable rate, due
Unsecured notes payable:
Notes at % due
Notes at % due
Notes ranging from % to % due through
Notes at %, due
Notes at %, due
Notes at %, due
Notes at %, due
Notes at %, due through
Total long-term debt

Current portion of long-term debt
Long-term debt, excluding current portion
Less: debt issuance costs
Long-term debt, excluding current portion, net of debt issuance costs

Total capitalization		$		$

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

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ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

Capital in

Common

Excess of

Retained

Treasury

Stock

Par Value

Earnings

Stock

Total

Balance at December 31, 2024

()

Net income

Dividends of March 1, 2025 ($ per share)

()

Dividends of June 2, 2025 declared ($ per share)

()

Issuance of common stock under dividend reinvestment plan ( shares)

Issuance of common stock from at-the-market sale agreements ( shares)

Repurchase of stock ( shares)

()

Equity compensation plan ( shares)

()

Exercise of stock options ( shares)

Stock-based compensation

()

Other

()

Balance at March 31, 2025

()

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

‎

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ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

Capital in

Common

Excess of

Retained

Treasury

Stock

Par Value

Earnings

Stock

Total

Balance at December 31, 2023

()

Net income

Dividends of March 1, 2024 ($ per share)

()

Dividends of June 1, 2024 declared ($ per share)

()

Issuance of common stock under dividend reinvestment plan ( shares)

Repurchase of stock ( shares)

()

Equity compensation plan ( shares)

()

Exercise of stock options ( shares)

Stock-based compensation

Other

()

Balance at March 31, 2024

()

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

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ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW

(In thousands of dollars)

(UNAUDITED)


	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2025		2024
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$		$
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
Deferred income taxes		()		()
Provision for doubtful accounts
Stock-based compensation
Gain on sale of utility systems and other assets		()		()
Net change in receivables, deferred purchased gas costs, inventory and prepayments		()
Net change in payables, accrued interest, accrued taxes and other accrued liabilities		()		()
Other		()		()
Net cash flows from operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities:
Property, plant and equipment additions, including the debt component of allowance for funds used during construction of $ and $		()		()
Acquisitions of utility systems, net		()		-
Net proceeds from the sale of utility systems and other assets
Other		()		()
Net cash flows used in investing activities		()		()
Cash flows from financing activities:
Customers' advances and contributions in aid of construction
Repayments of customers' advances		()		()
Net repayments of short-term debt		()		()
Proceeds from long-term debt
Repayments of long-term debt		()		()
Change in cash overdraft position		()		()
Proceeds from issuance of common stock under dividend reinvestment plan
Proceeds from issuance of common stock from at-the-market sale agreement				-
Proceeds from exercised stock options
Repurchase of common stock		()		()
Dividends paid on common stock		()		()
Other
Net cash flows used in financing activities		()		()
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$		$

Non-cash investing activities:
Property, plant and equipment additions purchased at the period end, but not yet paid for	$		$
Non-cash utility property contributions

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

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ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

There have been no changes to the summary of significant accounting policies previously identified in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024.

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ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

Commercial

Fire protection

Industrial

Gas transportation & storage

Other water

Other wastewater

Other utility

Revenues from contracts with customers

Alternative revenue program

()

Other and eliminations

Consolidated

customers for $.

In January 2025, the Company acquired Greenville Sanitary Authority’s wastewater utility assets, which serve approximately customers in Greenville, Pennsylvania for $.

In October 2024, the Company acquired wastewater utility assets in Morgan County, Indiana, which serve approximately customers for $.

In May 2024, the Company acquired the wastewater utility assets of Westfield HOA, which serve approximately customers within Westfield Homeowners Subdivision in Glenview, Illinois for a cash purchase price of $.

The purchase price allocation for these acquisitions consisted primarily of property, plant and equipment.

Pending Acquisitions

In October 2024, the Company entered into a purchase agreement to acquire Integra Water Texas, LLC’s wastewater system assets in Bastrop County, Texas, which serve approximately customers for $.

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ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

equivalent retail customers for $.

In September 2023, the Company entered into a purchase agreement to acquire Greenville Municipal Water Authority’s water system in Greenville, Pennsylvania which serves approximately customers for $.

In October 2021, the Company entered into a purchase agreement to acquire the wastewater utility assets of the City of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania which consist of approximately equivalent retail customers for $, as amended.

The purchase price for these pending acquisitions are subject to certain adjustments at closing, and are subject to regulatory approval, including the final determination of the fair value of the rate base acquired. We plan to finance the purchase price of these acquisitions by utilizing our commercial paper program and revolving credit facility until permanent debt and common equity are secured. These pending acquisitions are expected to close in 2025. Closings for our utility acquisitions are subject to the timing of the respective regulatory approval processes.

East Whiteland Purchase Agreement

On July 29, 2022, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission issued an order (the “PUC Order”) approving the Company’s acquisition of the municipal wastewater assets of East Whiteland Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, which serves customers (the “East Whiteland Wastewater Assets”). On August 12, 2022, the Company acquired the East Whiteland Wastewater Assets for a cash purchase price of $. Subsequently on August 25, 2022, the Office of Consumer Advocate (“OCA”) filed an appeal of the PUC Order to the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court. On July 31, 2023, a decision was issued by the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court, in which the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court agreed with the OCA and reversed the PUC order which approved the acquisition. On September 26, 2023, the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court denied our motion for reargument. On October 26, 2023, the Company, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, and East Whiteland Township filed an appeal to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. East Whiteland Township filed to Supplement its Petition for Allowance of Appeal on January 2, 2024. On January 16, 2024, the Company, the OCA and the PUC filed Answers to East Whiteland Township’s Petition. On June 14, 2024, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court granted the Petitions for Allowance of Appeal of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, the Company, and East Whiteland Township. The Company, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, East Whiteland Township, and several Amicus Curiae filed Initial Briefs on September 26, 2024. The OCA submitted its Brief on December 10, 2024 and the Company, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, and East Whiteland Township submitted Reply Briefs. Arguments before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court are scheduled to occur in May 2025. Management believes the final resolution of this matter will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

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ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

customers, or the equivalent of retail customers, in municipalities in Southeast Pennsylvania for $. There are several legal proceedings involving the Company as a result of the purchase agreement that are on-going. The purchase price for this pending acquisition is subject to certain adjustments at closing, and is subject to regulatory approval, including the final determination of the fair value of the rate base acquired. We plan to finance the purchase price of this acquisition with a mix of equity and debt financing, utilizing our commercial paper program and revolving credit facility until permanent debt is secured. Closing of our acquisition of DELCORA is subject to regulatory approval and on-going litigation.

. The sale was completed in January 2024, and the Company recognized a gain of $ during the first quarter of 2024, which is included in other expense (income) in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations.

Reclassification to utility plant acquisition adjustment

Balance at March 31, 2025

(“2024 ATM”). During the three months ended March 31, 2025, we issued shares of common stock for net proceeds of approximately $ under the 2024 ATM. As of March 31, 2025, the 2024 ATM had approximately $ of equity available for issuance. The Company used the net proceeds from the sales of shares through the 2024 ATM for working capital, capital

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ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

common shares under the 2024 ATM for a total net proceeds of approximately $.

Commercial Paper Program

On March 19, 2025, the Company established a commercial paper program (the “CP Program”) that allows it to issue, through private placement, short-term, unsecured commercial paper notes (the “CP Notes”) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $. Maturities of CP Notes may vary, but cannot exceed days from the date of issue. Amounts available under the Program may be borrowed, repaid, and re-borrowed from time to time. The CP Program is reinforced by the Company’s revolving credit facility, as amounts undrawn under the Company’s revolving credit facility are available to repay the CP Notes. Notes issued under the CP Program will rank equally with the Company’s present and future unsecured indebtedness. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of the CP Notes for general corporate purposes, which may include working capital, capital expenditures, water and wastewater utility acquisitions, and repaying outstanding indebtedness, including under the Company’s revolving credit facility or the revolving credit facilities of its subsidiaries. As of March 31, 2025, CP Notes were issued and were outstanding under the CP Program.

Long-term and Short-Term Debt

The condensed consolidated statements of capitalization provide a summary of the Company’s long-term and short term debt as of March 31, 2025 and December 31 2024. There were no material changes in our debt instruments during the three months ended March 31, 2025.

The Company is obligated to comply with covenants under some of its loan and debt agreements. These covenants contain a number of restrictive financial covenants, which among other things limit, subject to specific exceptions, the Company’s ratio of consolidated total indebtedness to consolidated total capitalization, and require a minimum level of earnings coverage over interest expense. The Company was in compliance with its debt covenants under its loan and debt agreements as of March 31, 2025. Failure to comply with the Company’s debt covenants could result in an event of default, which could result in the Company being required to repay or finance its borrowings before their due date, possibly limiting the Company’s future borrowings, and increasing its borrowing costs.

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ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

and $, respectively, which equates to their estimated fair value. The fair value of cash and cash equivalents is determined based on Level 1 methods and assumptions. As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the carrying amounts of the Company's cash and cash equivalents was $ and $, respectively, which equates to their fair value. The Company’s assets underlying the deferred compensation and non-qualified pension plans are determined by the fair value of mutual funds, which are based on quoted market prices from active markets utilizing Level 1 methods and assumptions. As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the carrying amount of these securities was $ and $, respectively, which equates to their fair value, and is reported in the condensed consolidated balance sheet in deferred charges and other assets.

Unrealized gain and loss on equity securities held in conjunction with our non-qualified pension plan is as follows:

Less: net gain recognized during the period on equity securities sold during the period

Unrealized gain recognized during the reporting period on equity securities still held at the reporting date

The net gain recognized on equity securities is presented on the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income on the line item “Other”.

The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s long-term debt is as follows:

Estimated fair value

The fair value of long-term debt has been determined by discounting the future cash flows using current market interest rates for similar financial instruments of the same duration utilizing Level 2 methods and assumptions.

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ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

Effect of dilutive securities:

Employee stock-based compensation

Average common shares outstanding during the period for diluted computation

and for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Additionally, the dilutive effect of performance share units and restricted share units granted are included in the Company’s calculation of diluted net income per share.

shares were still available for issuance under the Plan.

Performance Share Units – A performance share unit (“PSU”) represents the right to receive a share of the Company’s common stock if specified performance goals are met over the performance period specified in the grant, subject to exceptions through the respective vesting period, which is generally . Each grantee is granted a target award of PSUs and may earn between % and % of the target amount depending on the Company’s performance against the performance goals.

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ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

Metric 2 – Achievement of a three-year average return on equity target (a performance-based condition)

Metric 3 – Achievement of a consolidated operations and maintenance expense target over a three-year measurement period (a performance-based condition)

The following were the assumptions used in the pricing model for the 2025 grants:

Risk-free interest rate

Expected volatility

The following table provides compensation expense for PSUs:

Income tax benefit

The following table summarizes the PSU transactions for the three months ended March 31, 2025:

Granted

Performance criteria adjustment

()

Actual vested

()

Forfeited

()

Nonvested share units at end of period

The per unit weighted-average fair value at the date of grant for PSUs granted during the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 was $ and $, respectively.

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ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

, beginning on the date of grant. RSUs granted in 2025 vest % each year. The following table provides the compensation expense and income tax benefit for RSUs:

Income tax benefit

The following table summarizes the RSU transactions for the three months ended March 31, 2025:

Granted

Stock units vested

()

Forfeited

()

Nonvested stock units at end of period

The per unit weighted-average fair value at the date of grant for RSUs granted during the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 was $ and $, respectively.

Stock Options – A stock option represents the option to purchase a number of shares of common stock of the Company as specified in the stock option grant agreement at the exercise price per share as determined by the closing market price of our common stock on the grant date. Stock options are exercisable in installments of % annually, starting from the grant date and expire years from the grant date, subject to satisfaction of designated performance goals. The following table provides the compensation cost and income tax benefit for stock-based compensation related to stock options:

Income tax benefit

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ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

The fair value of options was estimated at the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The following assumptions were used in the application of this valuation model for the 2025 grant:

Risk-free interest rate

Expected volatility

Dividend yield

Grant date fair value per option

The following table summarizes stock option transactions for the three months ended March 31, 2025:

Granted

Exercised

()

Outstanding at end of period

Exercisable at end of period

Restricted Stock – Restricted stock awards provide the grantee with the rights of a shareholder, including the right to receive dividends and to vote such shares, but not the right to sell or otherwise transfer the shares during the restriction period. Nonvested shares of restricted stock were as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024. There were restricted stock awards granted and vested during the three months ended March 31, 2025. The following table provides the compensation cost and income tax benefit for stock-based compensation related to restricted stock:

Income tax benefit

stock awards granted and vested during the three months ended March 31, 2025.

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ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

Interest cost

Expected return on plan assets

()

Amortization of prior service cost

Amortization of actuarial loss

Net periodic benefit cost (credit)

Other

Postretirement Benefits

Three Months Ended

March 31,

2025

2024

Service cost

Interest cost

Expected return on plan assets

()

Amortization of actuarial gain

()

Net periodic benefit cost

The net periodic benefit cost is based on estimated values and an extensive use of assumptions about the discount rate, expected return on plan assets, the rate of future compensation increases received by the Company’s employees, mortality, turnover, and medical costs. The Company presents the components of net periodic benefit cost other than service cost in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income on the line item “Other”.

t make cash contributions to its Pension Plan during the first quarter of 2025 and intends to make cash contributions of $ later in the year.

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ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

. New rates went into effect on February 22, 2025. At the time the rate order was received, the rates in effect also included $ in Distribution System Improvement Charges (“DSIC”), which was % above prior base rates. Consequently, the aggregate annual base rates increased by $ since the last base rate increase and DSIC was reset to zero.

During the first three months of 2025, of the Company’s water utility operating divisions in Ohio and its water and wastewater utility operating divisions in North Carolina also implemented approved base rate increases designed to increase total operating revenues on an annual basis by $. Further, during the first three months of 2025, the Company implemented infrastructure rehabilitation surcharges designed to increase total operating revenues on an annual basis by $ in its water and wastewater utility operating divisions in Pennsylvania and Ohio, and by $ in its natural gas operating division in Kentucky.

On November 21, 2024, Aqua Illinois received an order from the Illinois Commerce Commission designed to provide an increase in revenues of $ or % on an annual basis. New rates went into effect on December 5, 2024.

On October 9, 2024, Aqua New Jersey received an order from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities that was designed to provide an increase in water rates of $ on an annual basis. The order also approved the recovery of customer-side lead service line replacement costs of $, that have been deferred from April 2021 through June 2024, through the use of a customer surcharge over a three-year period. New rates went into effect on October 15, 2024.

On September 12, 2024, the PAPUC issued an order approving the settlement agreement to the general rate case filed by the Company’s regulated natural gas operating subsidiary, Peoples Natural Gas, that allowed base rate increases designed to increase total annual operating revenues by $ or %. At the time the rate order was received, the rates in effect included various surcharges and credits, such as the DSIC and Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”) amortization credits totaling approximately $ on an annual basis. The order also provided an annualized change in gathering and other operating revenues of approximately $. Consequently, the aggregate annual base rates increased approximately $ as the DSIC was reset to zero, and the TCJA amortization credit, other surcharges and other operating revenues were adjusted. New rates went into effect on September 27, 2024. The order also approved the implementation of a weather normalization adjustment mechanism (WNA), which is applied to customer bills during the heating season of October through May each year. The weather normalization adjustment mechanism is designed to stabilize our residential and commercial customers’ distribution charges by adjusting billings based on temperature variances from average weather, which effectively decreases rates when the weather is colder than average, and increases rates when the weather is warmer than average. The Company expects the weather normalization adjustment mechanism to result in reduced earnings volatility during the heating season. On October 11, 2024, the Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate appealed this rate case to the Commonwealth Court. On February 12, 2025, the Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate discontinued its appeal on all but one non-revenue matter which can potentially be resolved through settlement.

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ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

or % on an annual basis. The Company implemented interim rates in February 2024 and refunded to customers the difference between interim and final approved rates in December 2024.

Pending Base Rate Cases

On April 30, 2025, the Company’s regulated water and wastewater operating subsidiary in North Carolina, Aqua North Carolina, filed an application with the North Carolina Utilities Commission designed to increase rates by $ in the first year of new rates being implemented, then an additional $ and $ in the second and third years, respectively.

On November 25, 2024, the Company’s natural gas operating division in Kentucky filed an application with the Kentucky Public Service Commission for a rate case designed to increase rates by $ or % on an annual basis. The Company anticipates a final order to be issued by June 2025.

Gross receipts, excise and franchise

Payroll

Regulatory assessments

Pumping fees

Other

Total taxes other than income

operating segments and reportable segments. The Regulated Water segment is comprised of operating segments representing its water and wastewater regulated utility

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

water and wastewater utility operating segments are aggregated into reportable segment, because each of these operating segments has the following similarities: economic characteristics, nature of services, production processes, customers, water distribution or wastewater collection methods, and the nature of the regulatory environment. The Regulated Natural Gas segment is comprised of operating segment representing the Company’s natural gas utility companies, which provide natural gas distribution to retail, commercial, and industrial customers.

In addition to the Company’s reportable segments, the Company includes operating segments within the Other category below. These segments are not quantitatively significant and are comprised of its non-regulated natural gas operations and Aqua Resources. In addition to these segments, Other is comprised of business activities not included in the reportable segments, corporate costs that have not been allocated to the Regulated Water and Regulated Natural Gas segments, and intersegment eliminations. Corporate costs include general and administrative expenses, and interest expense. The Company reports these corporate costs within Other as they relate to corporate-focused responsibilities and decisions and are not included in internal measures of segment operating performance used by the Company to measure the underlying performance of the operating segments.

The following table presents information about the Company’s reportable segments and reconciliations to consolidated amounts. Asset information by segment is not utilized for purposes of assessing performance or allocating resources, and, as a result, such information is not presented.

Intersegment revenues

()

Total operating revenues

Operations and maintenance expense

()

Purchased gas

Depreciation and amortization

Taxes other than income taxes

Interest expense, net

Allowance for funds used during construction

()

Gain on sale of other assets ^(a)

()

Other segment items ^(b)

()

Provision for income taxes (benefit)

()

Net income (loss)

()

Capital expenditures

^(a)Refer to Note 4 – Dispositions for additional information.

^(b)Other segment items mainly consists of the non-service cost component of pension and other postretirement benefits for our regulated segments.

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

is accrued for loss contingencies and is reported in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet as other accrued liabilities and other liabilities. These accruals represent management’s best estimate of probable loss (as defined in the accounting guidance) for loss contingencies or the low end of a range of losses if no single probable loss can be estimated. For some loss contingencies, the Company is unable to estimate the amount of the probable loss or range of probable losses. Further, Essential Utilities has insurance coverage for certain of these loss contingencies, and as of March 31, 2025, estimates that approximately $ of the amount accrued for these matters are probable of recovery through insurance, which amount is also reported in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet as deferred charges and other assets, net.

During a portion of 2019, the Company initiated a do not consume advisory for some of its customers in one division served by the Company’s Illinois subsidiary. The do not consume advisory was lifted in 2019 and, in 2022, the water system was determined to be in compliance with the federal Lead and Copper Rule. The Company has accrued for the penalty and other fees that will be paid as a result of a settlement that was reached with the state and local regulators and approved by the Illinois court with jurisdiction over this matter in July 2024. In addition, on September 3, 2019, individuals, on behalf of themselves and those similarly situated, commenced an action against the Company’s Illinois subsidiary in the State court in Will County, Illinois related to this do not consume advisory. The complaint seeks class action certification, attorney’s fees, and “damages, including, but not limited to, out of pocket damages, and discomfort, aggravation, and annoyance” based upon the water provided by the Company’s subsidiary to a discrete service area in University Park, Illinois. The complaint contains allegations of damages as a result of supplied water. In December, 2024, the State court in Will County, Illinois dismissed the case against the Company, and plaintiffs have filed an appeal of that decision. In addition, plaintiffs commenced similar actions in federal court and in front of two state agencies. The Company has an accrual for the amount of loss asserted in the complaint that we determined to be probable and estimable of being incurred. The Company is vigorously defending against this claim. While the final outcome of this claim cannot be predicted with certainty, and unfavorable outcomes could negatively impact the Company, at this time in the opinion of management, the final resolution of this matter is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. Further, the Company submitted a claim for the expenses incurred to its insurance carrier for potential recovery of a portion of these costs and is currently in litigation with one of its carriers seeking to enforce its claims, and recently prevailed in the Third Circuit Court of Appeals which held that the insurance carrier possessed a duty to defend. In February 2025, the Company received $ in related insurance proceeds for a portion of expenses incurred by the Company. The Company continues to assess the potential loss contingency on this matter.

A number of the Company’s subsidiaries are parties to several lawsuits against manufacturers of certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or compounds (“PFAS”) for damages, contribution and

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ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

at March 31, 2025 and represents a reserve for unpaid claim costs, including an estimate for the cost of incurred but not reported claims.

% and % for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The increase in the income tax benefit in the first quarter of 2025 is primarily attributed to the release of $ of income tax reserve regulatory liability in the Regulated Water segment based on the rate order received by Aqua Pennsylvania in February 2025, while the remaining portion is refunded to customers through base rates over a two-year period. These increases are offset by the decreases in both the state tax benefit and amortization of tax repairs surcredit in the Regulated Natural Gas segment based on its rate order received in September 2024.

In determining its interim tax provision, the Company reflects its estimated impact from its permanent and flow-through tax differences. The Company uses the flow-through method to account for the repairs tax deduction for qualifying utility infrastructure at its regulated Pennsylvania and New Jersey subsidiaries.

The statutory Federal tax rate is % for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024. For states with a corporate net income tax, the state corporate net income tax rates range from % to % for all periods presented. Our effective tax rate differs from the federal statutory tax rate primarily due to flow-through tax, the amortization of deferred benefit from repair method changes, state income taxes and other permanent book-to-tax differences.

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ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

(UNAUDITED)

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ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

Item 2 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Forward-looking Statements

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and other sections of this Quarterly Report contain, in addition to historical information, forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements address, among other things: the expected timing of closing of our acquisitions; the projected impact of various legal proceedings; the projected effects of recent accounting pronouncements; prospects, plans, objectives, expectations and beliefs of management, as well as information contained in this report where statements are preceded by, followed by or include the words “believes,” “expects,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “future,” “potential,” “probably,” “predictions,” “intends,” “will,” “continue,” “in the event” or the negative of such terms or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions concerning future events, and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others, the effects of regulation, abnormal weather, geopolitical forces, the impact of inflation and supply chain pressures, including those resulting from changes in government fiscal policies and regulations, the imposition of tariffs, the threat of cyber-attacks and data breaches, changes in capital requirements and funding, the success of growth initiatives, including pending acquisitions, changes to the capital markets, impact of public health threats, and our ability to assimilate acquired operations, as well as those risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and elsewhere in such reports. As a result, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

General Information

Essential Utilities, Inc. (“we”, “us”, “our” or the “Company”), a Pennsylvania corporation, is the holding company for regulated utilities providing water, wastewater, or natural gas services to an estimated 5.5 million people in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas, Illinois, North Carolina, New Jersey, Indiana, Virginia, and Kentucky under the Aqua and Peoples brands. One of our largest operating subsidiaries, Aqua Pennsylvania, Inc. (“Aqua Pennsylvania”), provides water or wastewater services to approximately one-half of the total number of water or wastewater customers we serve, who are located in the suburban areas in counties north and west of the City of Philadelphia and in 27 other counties in Pennsylvania. Our other regulated water or wastewater utility subsidiaries provide similar services in seven additional states. Our Peoples subsidiaries provide natural gas distribution services to customers in western Pennsylvania and Kentucky. Approximately 95% of the total number of natural gas utility customers we serve are in western Pennsylvania. The Company also operates market-based businesses, conducted through its non-regulated subsidiaries, that provide utility service line protection solutions and repair services to households and gas marketing and production activities. Currently, the Company seeks to acquire businesses in the U.S. regulated sector, focusing on water and wastewater utilities and to

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

opportunistically pursue growth ventures in select market-based activities, such as infrastructure opportunities that are supplementary and complementary to our regulated water utility businesses.

In January 2024, the Company completed the sale of its interest in three non-utility local microgrid and distributed energy projects for $165,000, which resulted in a gain on sale of $91,236. The sale is consistent with the Company’s long-term strategy of focusing on its core business and will allow the Company to prioritize the growth of its utilities in states where it has scale. The Company used the proceeds from the sale to finance its capital expenditures and water and wastewater acquisitions, in place of external funding from equity and debt issuances.

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read together with our condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes.

Recent Developments

Macroeconomic Factors

Our business is subject to various economic factors that affect our customers and our industry. The recent changes in government fiscal policies and regulations introduced by the new administration have resulted in heightened uncertainty for businesses and consumers, as well as volatility in financial markets. We will continue to evaluate the evolving macroeconomic environment, including those impacts resulting from the recent imposition, or proposed imposition, of tariffs and potential changes to environmental regulations, and to take action to mitigate the impact on our business, consolidated results of operations, and financial condition. Timely and adequate rate relief is important to our continued profitability and in providing a fair return to our shareholders. We continue to pursue enhancements to our regulatory practices to facilitate the efficient recovery of the increased cost of providing services and infrastructure improvements in our rates and mitigate the inherent regulatory lag associated with traditional rate making processes.

Regulatory Developments

During the first three months of 2025, we implemented, or received approval to implement, base rate increases that result in a $78,820 increase in annual revenues as summarized below.


State	Segment	Effective Date		Annualized Revenue Increase
Pennsylvania	Water	2/22/2025	$	58,400
	Wastewater	2/22/2025		14,600
North Carolina*	Water	1/1/2025		2,820
	Wastewater	1/1/2025		1,310
Ohio	Water	1/1/2025		1,690
Total Base Rate Case Authorizations in 2025			$	78,820

* Base rate case - step increase for Year 3

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ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

As of March 31, 2025, we have a pending base rate case with the Kentucky Public Service Commission designed to increase rates by $10,910 or 19.0% on an annual basis. The Company anticipates a final order to be issued by June 2025. On April 30, 2025, the Company’s regulated water and wastewater operating subsidiary in North Carolina, Aqua North Carolina, filed an application with the North Carolina Utilities Commission designed to increase rates by $29,857 in the first year of new rates being implemented, then an additional $5,956 and $6,025 in the second and third years, respectively.

Growth Through Acquisitions and Capital Investment

In January 2025, the Company acquired Greenville Sanitary Authority’s wastewater utility assets, which serves approximately 2,300 customers in Greenville, Pennsylvania for $18,000. As of March 31, 2025, the Company has six signed purchase agreements for additional water and wastewater systems that are expected to serve approximately 211,000 equivalent retail customers or equivalent dwelling units and total approximately $340,000 in purchase price in three of our existing states. This includes the Company’s agreement to acquire the Delaware County Regional Water Quality Control Authority (DELCORA) for $276,000. DELCORA, a Pennsylvania sewer authority, serves approximately 198,000 equivalent dwelling units in the Philadelphia suburbs. In April 2025, the Company closed on its acquisition of the Village of Midvale’s water system in Ohio, which serves approximately 1,000 customers for $2,950. Refer to Note 3 – Water and Wastewater Acquisitions for further discussion.

For the three months ended March 31, 2025, we invested $270,539 to improve our regulated water and natural gas infrastructure system and to enhance customer service. From 2025 through 2029, the Company plans to invest approximately $7,800,000 to improve water and natural gas systems and better serve customers through improved information technology. The capital investments made to rehabilitate and expand the infrastructure of the communities the Company serves are critical to its mission of safely and reliably delivering Earth’s most essential resources.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our regulated water and gas business is capital intensive and requires a significant level of capital spending. The liquidity required to fund our working capital, capital expenditures and other cash needs is provided from a combination of internally generated cash flows and external debt and equity financing. The Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet historically has had a negative working capital position whereby our current liabilities routinely exceed our current assets. Management believes that internally generated funds along with existing credit facilities, and the proceeds from the issuance of commercial paper notes, long-term debt and equity will be adequate to provide sufficient working capital to maintain normal operations and to meet our financing requirements for at least the next twelve months.

Net cash flows from operating activities were $299,517 for the first three months of 2025, compared to $240,713 for the first three months of 2024. Operating cash flow increased by $58,804 primarily due to an increase in operating income in 2025 resulting from additional revenues from regulatory recoveries, and an increase in gas volumes delivered due to colder weather conditions during the first quarter of 2025 as compared to 2024.

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ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

During the first three months of 2025, we incurred $270,539 of capital expenditures, obtained $706,906 of proceeds from borrowings and made $550,000 of repayments to our long-term revolving credit facility, obtained proceeds of $1,244 and repaid $1,150 of long-term subsidiary debt, and made short-term debt net repayments of $97,252. The capital expenditures were related to new and replacement water, wastewater, and natural gas mains, improvements to treatment plants, tanks, hydrants, and service lines, well and booster improvements, information technology improvements, and other enhancements and improvements. Net cash flows used in financing activities decreased by $123,633 during the first three months of 2025 as compared to 2024. The decrease is primarily due to higher financing activity cash inflow resulting from the issuance of common stock from the Company’s at-the-market equity sales program (“ATM”) and increase in borrowings from the Company’s revolving credit facility as compared to the prior period.

On August 13, 2024, the Company established an ATM, under which we may issue and sell shares of our common stock up to an aggregate offering price of $1,000,000 (“2024 ATM”). During the three months ended March 31, 2025, we issued 1,627,009 shares of common stock for net proceeds of approximately $63,000 under the 2024 ATM. As of March 31, 2025, the 2024 ATM had approximately $900,000 of equity available for issuance. The Company used the net proceeds from the sales of shares through the 2024 ATM for working capital, capital expenditures, water and wastewater utility acquisitions, and repaying a portion of outstanding indebtedness. In April 2025, the Company issued 3,664,762 common shares under the 2024 ATM for a total net proceeds of approximately $145,500.

At March 31, 2025, we had $20,784 of cash and cash equivalents compared to $9,156 at December 31, 2024. During the first three months of 2025, we used the proceeds from long-term debt and the proceeds from issuance of common stock, as well as internally generated funds, for capital expenditures, repayment of existing indebtedness, payment of dividends, and general corporate purposes.

At March 31, 2025 our $1,000,000 unsecured revolving credit facility, which expires in December 2027, had $417,368 available for borrowing. Additionally, at March 31, 2025, we had short-term lines of credit of $400,000, primarily used for working capital, of which $310,711 was available for borrowing. Although we believe we will be able to renew these facilities, there is no assurance that they will be renewed, or what the terms of any such renewal will be.

On March 19, 2025, the Company established a commercial paper program (the “CP Program”) that allows it to issue, through private placement, short-term, unsecured commercial paper notes (the “CP Notes”) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $1,000,000. Maturities of CP Notes may vary, but cannot exceed 364 days from the date of issue. Amounts available under the Program may be borrowed, repaid, and re-borrowed from time to time. The CP Program is reinforced by the Company’s revolving credit facility, as amounts undrawn under the Company’s revolving credit facility are available to repay the CP Notes. Notes issued under the CP Program will rank equally with the Company’s present and future unsecured indebtedness. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of the CP Notes for general corporate purposes, which may include working capital, capital expenditures, water and wastewater utility acquisitions, and repaying outstanding indebtedness, including under the Company’s revolving credit facility or the revolving credit facilities of its subsidiaries. As of March 31, 2025, no CP Notes were issued and were outstanding under the CP Program.

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ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

As of March 31, 2025, our credit ratings remained at investment grade levels. On March 19, 2024, S&P lowered its credit rating for the Company, Aqua Pennsylvania, and Peoples Natural Gas Companies from A to A-, citing weakening financial measures as a result of inflationary pressures and our significant capital spending; and revised its outlook from negative to stable for the companies. However, as can be noted in their report, S&P continues to assess our business risk profile as excellent, considering our low-risk and rate-regulated water and gas distribution operations in credit-supportive regulatory environments, our geographic and regulatory diversity, our large and stable residential and commercial customer base, and our solid and reliable operations. On October 3, 2024, Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”) affirmed the Company’s senior unsecured notes rating of Baa2 and changed its outlook from stable to negative; and, changed Peoples Natural Gas Companies’ senior secured notes rating from Baa1 to Baa2 and maintained a negative outlook. The Company’s ability to maintain its credit rating depends, among other things, on adequate and timely rate relief, its ability to fund capital expenditures in a balanced manner using both debt and equity, and its ability to generate cash flow. A material downgrade of our credit rating may result in the imposition of additional financial and/or other covenants, impact the market prices of equity and debt securities, increase our borrowing costs, and adversely affect our liquidity, among other things. Management continues to enhance our regulatory practices to address regulatory lag and recover capital project costs and increases in operating costs efficiently and timely through various rate-making mechanisms.

Results of Operations

Consolidated Results of Operations

Consolidated financial and operational highlights for the periods ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 are presented below.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2025		2024		Increase (Decrease)		% change
Operating revenues	$	783,626	$	612,069	$	171,557	28.0%
Operations and maintenance expense	$	137,824	$	136,900	$	924	0.7%
Purchased gas	$	184,641	$	129,675	$	54,966	42.4%
Net income	$	283,789	$	265,772	$	18,017	6.8%

Operating Statistics
Selected operating results as a percentage of operating revenues:
Operations and maintenance		17.6%		22.4%
Purchased gas		23.6%		21.2%
Depreciation and amortization		12.7%		14.7%
Taxes other than income taxes		2.9%		4.1%
Interest expense, net of interest income		10.4%		11.8%
Net income		36.2%		43.4%

Effective tax rate		-7.8%		-4.2%

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

Three months ended March 31, 2025 compared with three months ended March 31, 2024

Consolidated operating revenues increased by $171,557 or 28.0% as compared to the same period in 2024. Revenues from our Regulated Water, Regulated Natural Gas, and Other segments increased by $20,954, $146,466, and $4,137, respectively. A detailed discussion of the factors contributing to the changes in segment revenue is included below under the section, Segment Results of Operations.

Consolidated operations and maintenance expense increased by $924 or 0.7%, primarily due to:

an increase in customer assistance surcharge costs of $8,464 in our Regulated Natural Gas segment, which has an equivalent offsetting amount in revenues;

an increase in employee-related costs of $4,882, primarily resulting from annual merit increases, increases in overtime pay due to outages from extreme cold weather conditions during the first quarter of 2025, increases in employee medical costs, and higher performance-based compensation expense compared to prior period;

an increase in production costs for water and wastewater operations of $2,684; and

an increase in legal expense of $2,138 in our Regulated Natural Gas segment; offset by

an insurance recovery of $5,602 for a portion of expenses incurred by the Company associated with remediating an advisory for some of our Illinois water utility customers;

a decrease in bad debt expense of $7,399, of which $5,889 relates to a favorable regulatory asset adjustment in our Regulated Water segment;

a decrease in materials and supplies in our Regulated Natural Gas segment of $2,030; and

a decrease in outside services and other expenses in our Regulated Natural Gas segment due to higher capitalization in the current period compared to the prior period.

Purchased gas increased by $54,966 or 42.4%. Purchased gas represents the cost of gas sold by the Company, which for the regulated natural gas business has a corresponding offset in revenue. The increase is the result of an increase in the average cost of gas of $27,025 and higher gas usage of $28,327 during the first quarter of 2025, offset by a decrease of $386 from the sale of our interest in three non-utility local microgrid and distributed energy projects in January 2024.

Depreciation and amortization expense increased by $9,573 or 10.7% principally due to continued capital expenditures to expand and improve our utility facilities, our acquisitions of new water and wastewater utility systems, and the implementation of new depreciation rates in our Regulated Natural Gas segment.

Taxes other than income taxes decreased by $2,145 or 8.6% during the three months ended March 31, 2025 as compared to the prior period largely due to a decrease in our Illinois subsidiary’s invested capital tax and lower sales and use tax and property taxes in our Regulated Natural Gas segment.

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ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

Interest expense, net of interest income, increased by $9,552 or 13.2%. Interest expense, net of interest income, increased by $1,773 in our Regulated Water segment and by $784 in our Regulated Natural Gas segment. Interest expense, net of interest income, in Other relates to our corporate operations, and this increased by $6,995 primarily due to increased borrowings from the Company’s revolving credit facility during the first quarter of 2025 as compared to the prior period.

Allowance for funds used during construction (“AFUDC”) increased by $1,151 or by 24.6% primarily due to the increase in the average balance of utility plant construction work in progress, to which AFUDC is applied, in our Regulated Water segment.

For the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, gain on sale of other assets totaled $237 and $91,625, respectively. During the first quarter of 2024, the Company completed the sale of its interest in three non-utility local microgrid and distributed energy projects and recognized a gain of $91,236 in its Regulated Natural Gas segment.

Our effective income tax rate was a benefit of 7.8% and 4.2% in the first quarter of 2025 and 2024, respectively. The increase in the income tax benefit is primarily attributed to the release of $22,575 of income tax reserve regulatory liability in the Regulated Water segment based on the rate order received by Aqua Pennsylvania in February 2025, while the remaining portion is refunded to customers through base rates over a two-year period. This is offset by decreases in both the state tax benefit and the amortization of the tax repair surcredit in the Regulated Natural Gas segment based on its rate order received in September 2024.

Segment Results of Operations

Regulated Water Segment

Our Regulated Water segment is comprised of eight operating segments representing its water and wastewater regulated utility companies which are organized by the states where the Company provides water and wastewater services. The Regulated Water segment is aggregated into one reportable segment.

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

The following tables present selected operating results and statistics for our Regulated Water segment for the periods ended March 31, 2025 and 2024:


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2025		2024		Increase (Decrease)		% change
Operating revenues	$	300,848	$	279,894	$	20,954	7.5%
Operations and maintenance expense	$	89,418	$	90,683	$	(1,265)	-1.4%
Segment net income	$	107,922	$	63,905	$	44,017	68.9%

Operating Statistics
Selected operating results as a percentage of operating revenues:
Operations and maintenance		29.7%		32.4%
Depreciation and amortization		20.2%		20.4%
Taxes other than income taxes		5.2%		5.8%
Interest expense, net of interest income		12.2%		12.4%
Segment net income		35.9%		22.8%

Effective tax rate		-4.4%		24.6%

Three months ended March 31, 2025 compared with three months ended March 31, 2024

Revenues from our Regulated Water segment increased by $20,954 or 7.5% for the first quarter of 2025 as compared to the same period in 2024, mainly due to the following:

an increase in water and wastewater rates, including infrastructure rehabilitation surcharges, of $22,336;

additional water and wastewater revenues of $1,498 associated with a larger customer base due to utility acquisitions and organic growth; offset by

a decrease in volume consumption of $2,994.

Operations and maintenance expense decreased by $1,265 or 1.4% primarily due to the following:

a decrease in bad debt expense of $6,366, of which $5,889 relates to a favorable regulatory asset adjustment; offset by

an increase in production costs for water and wastewater operations of $2,684; and

an increase in employee related costs of $887.

Depreciation and amortization increased by $3,435 or 6.0% primarily due to continued capital investment to expand and improve our utility facilities and our acquisitions of new utility systems.

Interest expense, net of interest income, increased by $1,773 or 5.1% for the quarter primarily due to higher push down debt borrowings and operating company debt issuances for the Regulated Water segment.

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

Allowance for funds used during construction (“AFUDC”) increased by $1,044 or by 28.3% primarily due to the increase in the average balance of utility plant construction work in progress, to which AFUDC is applied.

Our effective income tax rate for our Regulated Water Segment was a benefit of 4.4% in the first quarter of 2025, compared to an expense of 24.6% in the first quarter of 2024. The decrease in the effective tax rate is attributed to the release of $22,575 of income tax reserve regulatory liability based on the rate order received by Aqua Pennsylvania in February 2025, while the remaining portion is refunded to customers through base rates over a two-year period.

Regulated Natural Gas Segment

Our Regulated Natural Gas segment recognizes revenues by selling gas directly to customers at approved rates or by transporting gas through our pipelines at approved rates to customers that have purchased gas directly from other producers, brokers, or marketers. Natural gas sales to residential, commercial and industrial customers are seasonal, which results in higher demand for natural gas for heating purposes during the colder months. A weather normalization adjustment (“WNA”) mechanism is in place for our natural gas customers served in Kentucky, and, beginning in October 2024, for our natural gas customers in Pennsylvania. The WNA mechanism serves to minimize the effects of weather on the Company’s ability to collect revenues to cover operating expenses for its residential and small and medium commercial natural gas customers. The WNA mechanism adjust revenues earned for the variance between actual and normal weather and can have either positive (warmer than normal) or negative (colder than normal) effects on revenues.

The following tables present selected operating results and statistics for our Regulated Natural Gas segment, for the periods ended March 31, 2025 and 2024:


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2025		2024		Increase (Decrease)		% change
Operating revenues	$	470,797	$	324,331	$	146,466	45.2%
Operations and maintenance expense	$	55,675	$	45,917	$	9,758	21.3%
Purchased gas	$	176,959	$	125,542	$	51,417	41.0%
Segment net income	$	189,505	$	209,940	$	(20,435)	-9.7%

Operating Statistics
Selected operating results as a percentage of operating revenues:
Operations and maintenance		11.8%		14.2%
Purchased gas		37.6%		38.7%
Depreciation and amortization		8.1%		10.0%
Taxes other than income taxes		1.2%		2.2%
Segment net income		40.3%		64.7%

Effective tax rate		-12.0%		-16.1%

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ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

Three months ended March 31, 2025 compared with three months ended March 31, 2024

Operating revenues from the Regulated Natural Gas segment increased by $146,466 or by 45.2% due to:

an increase in purchased gas costs of $51,417; refer to purchased gas costs discussion below for further information;

an increase of $44,679 due to higher rates and other surcharges;

impact of higher volumes delivered of $29,521 due to colder weather conditions during the first quarter of 2025 as compared to 2024;

an increase of $11,005 due to lower tax repair surcredit; and

an increase in customer assistance surcharge of $8,464, which has an equivalent offsetting amount in operations and maintenance expense; offset by

a weather normalization adjustment of $1,989 in Peoples Pennsylvania, which had the effect of decreasing revenues for the quarter ended March 31, 2025.

Operations and maintenance expense for the three months ended March 31, 2025 increased by $9,758 or 21.3% primarily due to the following:

an increase in customer assistance surcharge costs of $8,464, which has an equivalent offsetting amount in revenues;

an increase in labor and employee benefits of $2,702;

an increase in legal expenses of $2,138; offset by

a decrease in materials and supplies of $2,030;

a decrease in bad debt expense of $1,006; and

a decrease in outside services and other expenses due to higher capitalization as a result of greater capital expenditures in the current period compared to the prior period.

Our Regulated Natural Gas segment is affected by the cost of natural gas, which is passed through to customers using a purchased gas adjustment clause and includes commodity price, transportation and storage costs. These costs are reflected in the condensed consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income as purchased gas expenses. Fluctuations in the cost of purchased gas impact operating revenues on a dollar-for-dollar basis. Purchased gas increased by $51,417 or 41.0% due to an increase in the average cost of gas of $26,868 and higher gas usage of $24,935 due to colder weather conditions during the first quarter of 2025, offset by a decrease of $386 from the sale of our interest in three non-utility local microgrid and distributed energy projects in January 2024. During the quarter ended March 31, 2025, we experienced 2,730 actual heating degree days (HDDs), which was colder by 20% than prior year’s 2,280 HDDs for Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which we use as a proxy for our western Pennsylvania service territory. HDDs are used in the natural gas industry to measure the relative coldness of weather and to estimate the demand for natural gas.

Depreciation and amortization increased by $5,928 or 18.3% primarily due to continued capital investment, and the implementation of new depreciation rates following a recently completed rate case.

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ESSENTIAL UTILITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

Taxes other than income taxes decreased by $1,466 or 20.3% largely due to lower sales and use tax and property taxes during the period.

Gain on sale of assets was $0 and $91,581 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. During the first quarter of 2024, the Company completed the sale of its interest in three non-utility local microgrid and distributed energy projects and recognized a gain of $91,236.

Our effective income tax rate for our Regulated Natural Gas segment was a benefit of 12.0% and 16.1% in the first quarter of 2025 and 2024, respectively. The decrease in the income tax benefit is primarily attributed to decreases in both the state tax benefit and the amortization of the tax repair surcredit based on the rate order received in September 2024.

Impact of Recent Accounting Pronouncements

We describe the impact of recent accounting pronouncements in Note 16, Recent Accounting Pronouncements, to the condensed consolidated financial statements in this report.

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Item 3 – Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We are subject to market risks in the normal course of business, including changes in interest rates and equity prices. Refer to Item 7A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed February 27, 2025, for additional information on market risks.

Item 4 – Controls and Procedures

(a)Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report are effective such that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure.

(b)Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

No change in our internal control over financial reporting occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2025 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Part II. Other Information

Item 1 – Legal Proceedings

For a discussion of the Company’s legal proceedings, see Part I – Item I – Note 14 to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

Item 1A – Risk Factors

Please review the risks disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, under “Part 1, Item 1A – Risk Factors”.

Item 5 - Other Information

any contract, instruction or written plan for the purchase or sale of Company securities that was intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c) or any “ 10b5-1 ”, except for as follows:

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,
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Rule 10b5-1(c) Trading Arrangement

-
‎

Up to shares to be sold

6/13/2025 - 12/15/2025

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Item 6 – Exhibits



Exhibit No.		Description

31.1*		Certification of Chief Executive Officer, filed pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934

31.2*		Certification of Chief Financial Officer, filed pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934

32.1*		Certification of Chief Executive Officer, furnished pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

32.2*		Certification of Chief Financial Officer, furnished pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

101.INS		Inline XBRL Instance Document – The instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.

101.SCH		Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL		Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF		Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB		Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRES		Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

104		The cover page from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, formatted in Inline XBRL (included in Exhibit 101)

*Filed herewith.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be executed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

May 12, 2025


		Essential Utilities, Inc.
		Registrant



		/s/ Christopher H. Franklin
		Christopher H. Franklin
		Chairman, President and
		Chief Executive Officer



		/s/ Daniel J. Schuller
		Daniel J. Schuller
		Executive Vice President and
		Chief Financial Officer

Essential Utilities, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2025 March (Form 10-Q)

Item 2 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Forward-looking Statements

General Information

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Results of Operations

Consolidated Results of Operations

Consolidated financial and operational highlights for the periods ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 are presented below.

Three months ended March 31, 2025 compared with three months ended March 31, 2024

Consolidated operations and maintenance expense increased by $924 or 0.7%, primarily due to:

Taxes other than income taxes decreased by $2,145 or 8.6% during the three months ended March 31, 2025 as compared to the prior period largely due to a decrease in our Illinois subsidiary’s invested capital tax and lower sales and use tax and property taxes in our Regulated Natural Gas segment.

Allowance for funds used during construction (“AFUDC”) increased by $1,151 or by 24.6% primarily due to the increase in the average balance of utility plant construction work in progress, to which AFUDC is applied, in our Regulated Water segment.

Segment Results of Operations

Regulated Water Segment

Our Regulated Water segment is comprised of eight operating segments representing its water and wastewater regulated utility companies which are organized by the states where the Company provides water and wastewater services. The Regulated Water segment is aggregated into one reportable segment.

Three months ended March 31, 2025 compared with three months ended March 31, 2024

Revenues from our Regulated Water segment increased by $20,954 or 7.5% for the first quarter of 2025 as compared to the same period in 2024, mainly due to the following:

an increase in water and wastewater rates, including infrastructure rehabilitation surcharges, of $22,336;

Operations and maintenance expense decreased by $1,265 or 1.4% primarily due to the following:

Depreciation and amortization increased by $3,435 or 6.0% primarily due to continued capital investment to expand and improve our utility facilities and our acquisitions of new utility systems.

Interest expense, net of interest income, increased by $1,773 or 5.1% for the quarter primarily due to higher push down debt borrowings and operating company debt issuances for the Regulated Water segment.

Allowance for funds used during construction (“AFUDC”) increased by $1,044 or by 28.3% primarily due to the increase in the average balance of utility plant construction work in progress, to which AFUDC is applied.

Regulated Natural Gas Segment

Three months ended March 31, 2025 compared with three months ended March 31, 2024

Operating revenues from the Regulated Natural Gas segment increased by $146,466 or by 45.2% due to:

Operations and maintenance expense for the three months ended March 31, 2025 increased by $9,758 or 21.3% primarily due to the following:

Depreciation and amortization increased by $5,928 or 18.3% primarily due to continued capital investment, and the implementation of new depreciation rates following a recently completed rate case.

Taxes other than income taxes decreased by $1,466 or 20.3% largely due to lower sales and use tax and property taxes during the period.

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