Artesian Resources (ARTNA) vs Essential Utilities (WTRG)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Artesian Resources (ARTNA) has outperformed Essential Utilities (WTRG) over the past year, gaining 2.3% versus a loss of 5.7%. Over five years, ARTNA leads with a -14.6% price change compared with -18.4% for WTRG. Essential Utilities is the larger company by market cap ($11.06 billion vs $347.3 million), about 31.8 times the size.
On valuation, Artesian Resources trades at a lower forward P/E (16.1x vs 16.4x for Essential Utilities). Artesian Resources offers the higher dividend yield (3.73% vs 3.51%).
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | ARTNA | WTRG |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $33.63 | $38.98 |
| Market cap | $347.30M | $11.06B |
| 1-day change | +0.27% | +0.67% |
| YTD return | +6.11% | +0.94% |
| 1-year return | +2.35% | -5.65% |
| 5-year return | -14.59% | -18.45% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 14.69 | 19.89 |
| Forward P/E | 16.09 | 16.38 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.29 | $1.96 |
| Dividend yield | 3.73% | 3.51% |
| Annual dividend | $1.26 | $1.37 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | — | $2.47B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | — | +18.62% |
| Net income (latest FY) | — | $616.37M |
| Operating margin | — | 37.22% |
| Net margin | — | 24.91% |
| 52-week high | $36.98 | $42.51 |
| 52-week low | $30.50 | $36.11 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -9.06% | -8.30% |
| Analyst consensus | — | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | — | +8.26% |
| Average volume | 30.58K | 2.27M |
| Shares outstanding | 9.45M | 283.63M |
| Employees | 272 | 3,303 |
| Sector | Utilities | Utilities |
| Industry | Water Supply | Water Supply |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Essential Utilities is about 31.8 times larger than Artesian Resources by market value ($11.06B vs $347.30M).
- Essential Utilities trades at a higher earnings multiple (19.9x vs 14.7x trailing P/E).
About Artesian Resources
ARTNA stock →Artesian Resources Corporation provides water, wastewater, and other services in Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. The company distributes and sells water to residential, commercial, industrial, governmental, municipal, and utility customers, as well as for public and private fire protection; and offers wastewater collection, treatment infrastructure, and wastewater services to customers.
Utilities · Water Supply · 272 employees
About Essential Utilities
WTRG stock →Essential Utilities, Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates regulated utilities that provide water, wastewater, and natural gas services in the United States. The company operates through Regulated Water; and Regulated Natural Gas segments.
Utilities · Water Supply · 3,303 employees
ARTNA vs WTRG FAQ
Which is bigger, Artesian Resources or Essential Utilities?
Essential Utilities (WTRG) is larger, with a market capitalization of $11.06B compared with $347.30M for Artesian Resources (ARTNA).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ARTNA or WTRG?
ARTNA returned +2.35% over the past 12 months, compared with -5.65% for WTRG (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ARTNA or WTRG?
ARTNA has the lower trailing P/E at 14.7, versus 19.9 for WTRG. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Artesian Resources or Essential Utilities?
Artesian Resources has the higher yield at 3.73%, compared with 3.51% for Essential Utilities.
Are Artesian Resources and Essential Utilities in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Water Supply industry within the Utilities sector.