Essential Utilities (WTRG) EVP Luning receives RSUs, stock options and updates holdings

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Essential Utilities EVP and General Counsel Christopher Paul Luning reported new equity awards and updated holdings. On January 23, 2026, he received 6,351 restricted stock units of Common Stock at $0 per share, vesting one-third each year on the anniversary.

He was also granted 15,258 stock options with an exercise price of $39.19 per share, which vest one-third each year starting January 23, 2027 and expire on January 23, 2036. After these transactions, he beneficially owned 79,835.87 shares of Common Stock directly and 1,764.53 shares indirectly through the company 401(k) plan, plus the newly granted 15,258 options.

SEC Form 4

FORM 4

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP

Filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
or Section 30(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940

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Check this box if no longer subject to Section 16. Form 4 or Form 5 obligations may continue. See Instruction 1(b).

Check this box to indicate that a transaction was made pursuant to a contract, instruction or written plan for the purchase or sale of equity securities of the issuer that is intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c). See Instruction 10.

1. Name and Address of Reporting Person^*

Luning Christopher Paul

(Last) (First) (Middle)

762 W. LANCASTER AVE

(Street)

BRYN MAWR PA 19010

(City) (State) (Zip)

2. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol
Essential Utilities, Inc. [ WTRG ]

5. Relationship of Reporting Person(s) to Issuer
(Check all applicable)

	Director		10% Owner
X	Officer (give title below)		Other (specify below)
	EVP, General Counsel

3. Date of Earliest Transaction (Month/Day/Year)
01/23/2026

4. If Amendment, Date of Original Filed (Month/Day/Year)

6. Individual or Joint/Group Filing (Check Applicable Line)

X	Form filed by One Reporting Person
	Form filed by More than One Reporting Person

Table I - Non-Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned
1. Title of Security (Instr. 3)	2. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year)	2A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year)	3. Transaction Code (Instr. 8)		4. Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed Of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5)			5. Amount of Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 3 and 4)	6. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4)	7. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
			Code	V	Amount	(A) or (D)	Price
Common Stock	01/23/2026		A		6,351(1)	A	$0	79,835.87	D(2)
Common Stock 401k								1,764.53(3)	I	401k

Table II - Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned (e.g., puts, calls, warrants, options, convertible securities)
1. Title of Derivative Security (Instr. 3)	2. Conversion or Exercise Price of Derivative Security	3. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year)	3A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year)	4. Transaction Code (Instr. 8)		5. Number of Derivative Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5)		6. Date Exercisable and Expiration Date (Month/Day/Year)		7. Title and Amount of Securities Underlying Derivative Security (Instr. 3 and 4)		8. Price of Derivative Security (Instr. 5)	9. Number of derivative Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 4)	10. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4)	11. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
				Code	V	(A)	(D)	Date Exercisable	Expiration Date	Title	Amount or Number of Shares
Stock Options (Right to Buy)	$39.19	01/23/2026		A		15,258		01/23/2027(4)	01/23/2036	Common Stock	15,258	$39.19	15,258	D

Explanation of Responses:

1. Represents the award of restricted stock units. Each restricted stock unit represents a contingent right to receive one share of Common Stock. The restricted stock units vest one-third each year on the anniversary.

2. Includes RSU shares not included in item 7 in the 2025 Form 4.

3. Represents shares acquired under the Company's 401k plan since the last filing.

4. Grant of 15,258 shares of stock options which vest one-third each year on the anniversary of the grant.

	Kimberly A. Joyce, attorney-in-fact for Mr. Luning	01/27/2026
	** Signature of Reporting Person	Date
Reminder: Report on a separate line for each class of securities beneficially owned directly or indirectly.
* If the form is filed by more than one reporting person, see Instruction 4 (b)(v).
** Intentional misstatements or omissions of facts constitute Federal Criminal Violations See 18 U.S.C. 1001 and 15 U.S.C. 78ff(a).
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FAQ

What insider transactions did Essential Utilities (WTRG) report for Christopher Paul Luning?

Essential Utilities reported that EVP and General Counsel Christopher Paul Luning received 6,351 restricted stock units and 15,258 stock options on January 23, 2026. These awards updated his direct and indirect ownership of the company’s Common Stock and related equity incentives.

How many restricted stock units did WTRG’s EVP Christopher Luning receive?

Christopher Luning received 6,351 restricted stock units of Essential Utilities Common Stock. Each unit represents a right to receive one share, with the award vesting in three equal annual installments on the anniversary of the grant date, subject to continued service conditions.

What are the terms of Christopher Luning’s new stock option grant at Essential Utilities (WTRG)?

Luning was granted 15,258 stock options with an exercise price of $39.19 per share. The options vest one-third each year starting January 23, 2027, and expire on January 23, 2036, aligning compensation with longer-term company performance.

What is Christopher Luning’s total direct Common Stock holding after these transactions?

After the January 23, 2026 transactions, Luning directly beneficially owned 79,835.87 shares of Essential Utilities Common Stock. This figure reflects his updated direct equity stake, excluding shares held indirectly through retirement plans and separate derivative holdings such as stock options.

How many Essential Utilities (WTRG) shares does Christopher Luning hold through the 401(k) plan?

Luning indirectly held 1,764.53 shares of Essential Utilities Common Stock through the company’s 401(k) plan. These shares represent accumulated plan purchases since his last reported filing and are reported as indirect beneficial ownership due to their retirement plan structure.

Do Christopher Luning’s new equity awards at Essential Utilities involve any cash transactions?

The restricted stock unit award to Luning was reported at a price of $0 per share, indicating a compensatory grant rather than a purchase. The stock options carry an exercise price of $39.19, payable only if and when he later exercises those options.