Essential Balances Growth Between Acquisitions, Capital Investment

For more than 50 years, Essential Utilities--formerly Aqua America--was one of the few pure-play water utilities in the United States. But its $4.3 billion acquisition of Peoples Gas in March 2020 made the company nearly 50% larger and diversified its earnings mix. The gas business contributes about one third of earnings on a normalized basis, but that could shrink if Essential's municipal water system acquisition strategy picks up speed.