Executive at Essential Utilities (NYSE: WTRG) receives stock grant

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Essential Utilities, Inc. reported that executive Michael Huwar, President – Peoples, received an equity award and had shares withheld for taxes. On February 22, 2026, he acquired 2,598.5 shares of common stock at $0 per share from the earning and vesting of performance-based share units granted on February 22, 2023, which vested at 63.58%. On the same date, 2,068 shares were disposed of to the issuer at $38.78 per share to satisfy tax obligations tied to the vesting of restricted stock units and performance-based share units. After these transactions, he directly owned 21,293.5 shares of Essential Utilities 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^*

Huwar Michael

(Last) (First) (Middle)

762 W. LANCASTER AVENUE

(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)
	President - Peoples

3. Date of Earliest Transaction (Month/Day/Year)
02/22/2026

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	02/22/2026		A		2,598.5(1)	A	$0	23,361.5	D
Common Stock	02/22/2026		F		2,068(2)	D	$38.78	21,293.5	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 acquisition of shares upon the earning and vesting of performance-based share units awarded on 2/22/2023. Vesting determination was made by the Compensation Committee on 02/04/2026. Represents vesting at 63.58%.

2. Disposition to issuer for tax obligations upon the vesting of restricted stock units and performance-based share units.

	Kimberly A. Joyce, attorney-in-fact for Mr. Huwar	02/24/2026
	** Signature of Reporting Person	Date
Reminder: Report on a separate line for each class of securities beneficially owned directly or indirectly.
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FAQ

What insider transactions did Essential Utilities (WTRG) report for Michael Huwar?

Essential Utilities reported that Michael Huwar received 2,598.5 common shares from vesting performance-based units and had 2,068 shares withheld and returned to the issuer for taxes. These actions reflect equity compensation and related tax settlement, not open-market buying or selling.

How many Essential Utilities shares did Michael Huwar acquire in the latest Form 4?

Michael Huwar acquired 2,598.5 Essential Utilities common shares at no cost through the earning and vesting of performance-based share units. The Compensation Committee determined vesting on February 4, 2026, based on performance, resulting in a 63.58% vesting level of the original award.

Why were some Essential Utilities (WTRG) shares disposed of in Michael Huwar’s Form 4?

The 2,068 Essential Utilities shares shown as disposed were delivered back to the issuer to cover tax obligations arising from the vesting of restricted stock units and performance-based share units. This tax-withholding disposition is a common administrative mechanism, not an open-market sale.

What is Michael Huwar’s Essential Utilities share ownership after these transactions?

After the reported equity grant and tax-withholding disposition, Michael Huwar directly owns 21,293.5 shares of Essential Utilities common stock. This balance reflects both the shares acquired from vested performance-based units and the shares surrendered to the company to satisfy tax liabilities.

How were Michael Huwar’s performance-based share units at Essential Utilities determined to vest?

The performance-based share units originally granted on February 22, 2023 vested based on a determination by the Compensation Committee on February 4, 2026. The committee’s review resulted in a 63.58% vesting level, which translated into 2,598.5 common shares being issued to Michael Huwar.

Does Michael Huwar’s Form 4 for Essential Utilities indicate open-market share purchases or sales?

The Form 4 does not show open-market purchases or sales. It reports a grant of 2,598.5 shares from vesting performance-based units at $0 and a 2,068-share tax-withholding disposition back to the issuer at $38.78, both tied to equity compensation vesting events.