Essential Utilities (WTRG) CEO awarded 10,068 restricted stock units in Form 4

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Essential Utilities, Inc. Chief Executive Officer Chris Franklin reported an equity compensation grant on Common Stock. He acquired 10,068 restricted stock units, each representing the right to receive one share at a reference price of $39.73 per share. These restricted stock units vest in three equal annual installments on each anniversary of the grant date. Following this award, Franklin directly holds 338,088 shares of Common Stock.

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^*

Franklin Chris

(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)

X	Director		10% Owner
X	Officer (give title below)		Other (specify below)
	Chief Executive Officer

3. Date of Earliest Transaction (Month/Day/Year)
02/17/2026

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	02/17/2026		A		10,068(1)	A	$39.73	338,088	D

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

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.

	Kimberly A. Joyce, attorney-in-fact for Mr. Franklin	02/19/2026
	** 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).
Note: File three copies of this Form, one of which must be manually signed. If space is insufficient, see Instruction 6 for procedure.
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FAQ

What insider transaction did Essential Utilities (WTRG) report for Chris Franklin?

Essential Utilities reported that CEO Chris Franklin received a grant of 10,068 restricted stock units. Each unit represents a right to one share of Common Stock, vesting over three years in equal annual installments as part of his equity compensation.

Was the Essential Utilities (WTRG) Form 4 a stock purchase or an equity grant?

The Form 4 reflects an equity grant, not an open-market stock purchase. CEO Chris Franklin was awarded 10,068 restricted stock units as compensation, vesting one-third each year, rather than buying shares directly in the market.

How many Essential Utilities (WTRG) shares does Chris Franklin hold after this Form 4?

After the reported equity award, CEO Chris Franklin directly holds 338,088 shares of Essential Utilities Common Stock. This figure includes the impact of the 10,068 restricted stock units granted in the reported transaction, as disclosed in the Form 4.

What are the vesting terms of Chris Franklin’s restricted stock units at Essential Utilities (WTRG)?

The 10,068 restricted stock units granted to CEO Chris Franklin vest in three equal parts. One-third of the units vest on each anniversary of the grant date, aligning the award with multi-year retention and performance horizons.

What price is associated with Chris Franklin’s restricted stock unit grant at Essential Utilities (WTRG)?

The restricted stock unit grant is referenced at $39.73 per share of Common Stock. This figure is used for reporting purposes on the Form 4 and does not indicate an open-market purchase price paid by Chris Franklin.