Financial Performance - Total revenue for Q4 2025 was $6,313 million, representing a 7.1% increase year-over-year, while full-year revenue reached $25,204 million, up 14.2% from the previous year[5] - Operating revenues for Q4 2025 reached $6,313 million, a 7.1% increase from $5,893 million in Q4 2024[29] - Consolidated net income for the year ended December 31, 2025, was $2,709 million, slightly down from $2,745 million in 2024[33] - Basic earnings per share for Q4 2025 were $1.84, compared to $1.49 in Q4 2024, reflecting a 23.5% increase[29] - Operating revenues for the year ended December 31, 2025, were reported at $25,204 million, an increase from $22,063 million in 2024, representing a growth of approximately 9.7%[53] - Income from operations for 2025 was reported at $4,308 million, down from $4,063 million in 2024, indicating a decrease of approximately 6.0%[53] - The company reported a net income attributable to Waste Management, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2025, was reported at $2,708 million, with a diluted earnings per share of $6.70[51] Cash Flow and Capital Expenditures - Free cash flow in 2025 was $2.94 billion, an increase of 26.8% compared to the prior year, with net cash provided by operating activities at $6.04 billion, up 12.1%[11] - Cash flows from operating activities for the year were $6,043 million, up from $5,390 million in 2024, indicating a 12.1% increase[33] - Capital expenditures for the year were $3,227 million, consistent with $3,231 million in 2024[33] - Projected free cash flow for 2026 is estimated to be between $3,750 million and $3,850 million, depending on different scenarios[61] EBITDA and Margins - Operating EBITDA for the total company grew 13.3% in 2025, with an adjusted operating EBITDA margin exceeding 30% for the first time, reaching 30.1% for the full year[4] - Adjusted operating EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2025, was $7,582 million, with an adjusted operating EBITDA margin of 30.1%[51] - The adjusted operating EBITDA margin for the three months ended December 31, 2025, was 31.3%, up from 28.9% in the same period of 2024[45] - Adjusted operating EBITDA for 2026 is projected to be between $8,150 million and $8,250 million, indicating a growth of 6.2% on a comparable basis[13] Shareholder Returns - The company plans to return approximately $3.5 billion to shareholders in 2026 through dividends and share repurchases[2] Business Segments and Growth - The Healthcare Solutions business achieved an operating EBITDA margin of 13.5% in 2025, up from 1.0% in 2024, with further improvements expected in 2026[8] - The company invested approximately $400 million in acquisitions in 2025, focusing on solid waste and recycling businesses[11] - Acquisitions during the year resulted in gross annualized revenue of $2,622 million, with total consideration net of cash acquired amounting to $6,720 million[40] Sustainability and Future Projects - WM anticipates completing six additional renewable natural gas plants and four recycling projects in 2026 as part of its sustainability growth strategy[15] - The company anticipates capital spending of about $85 million in 2026 for renewable natural gas facilities and a new recycling growth project, expected to contribute to operating EBITDA by 2028[10] Pricing and Market Conditions - The company reported a blended average price for single-stream recycled commodities of approximately $62 per ton in the quarter, down from $87 per ton in the prior year period[7] - The average price for renewable natural gas sold in 2025 was about $31 per MMBtu, with expectations to generate between 21 and 22 million MMBtu of renewable natural gas in 2026[21] - The company has contracted 60% of its renewable natural gas at a blended average price of about $27 per MMBtu for 2026[21] - The 2026 financial outlook includes a blended average single-stream recycled commodity price of approximately $70 per ton, with a $10 per ton change impacting operating EBITDA by approximately $27 million[21] Debt and Liabilities - Long-term debt decreased to $22,196 million in 2025 from $22,541 million in 2024, a reduction of 1.5%[31] - The total liabilities decreased to $35,844 million in 2025 from $36,313 million in 2024, a decline of 1.3%[31] Operational Efficiency - Operating expenses as a percentage of revenue for the Legacy Business improved by 150 basis points in 2025, reflecting effective cost management strategies[7] - Operating expenses as a percentage of revenues for 2025 were 59.6%, a slight decrease from 60.7% in 2024[57] - Adjusted SG&A expenses for 2025 were $14,996 million, compared to $13,382 million in 2024, indicating an increase of approximately 12.1%[57] Conference Call - The company will host a conference call on January 29, 2026, to discuss the fourth quarter and full-year 2025 results[18]

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--WM (NYSE: WM) today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended Dec. 31, 2025. | Three Months Ended | Year Ended | | | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | | | | | | | (in millions, except per | (in millions, except per | | | | | | | | | share amounts) | share amounts) | | | | | | | | | (a) | | | (a) | | (a) | | (a) | | | As | | As | | As | | As | | | ...

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the author's investment strategy, focusing on medium-term investing in growth stories and identifying catalysts for value unlocking or downside risks [1]. Group 1: Investment Strategy - The company emphasizes a medium-term investment approach, targeting ideas with catalysts that can unlock value and drive upside [1]. - The strategy includes short selling when there are identified downside catalysts [1]. - The company prefers investing in growth stories that are available at reasonable prices [1]. Group 2: Sector Preferences - The company is a generalist in terms of sector preferences but has significant experience analyzing the industrial, consumer, and technology sectors [1]. - Higher conviction in investments is typically found within the industrial, consumer, and technology sectors due to the author's professional background [1].

Waste Management stock price has rebounded in the past few months, helped by its recent dividend and buyback hikes. WM jumped to a high of $230 on Monday, up by 20% from its lowest level in October. ...

Core Insights - Gold prices remain steady above $5,000 per ounce amid geopolitical and economic risks, with predictions of potential increases to $6,000 due to a weaker dollar [1] - Consumer staples are highlighted as a defensive sector that can protect capital during market volatility, offering steady dividend income and reliable revenue [1] Consumer Staples Sector - Consumer staples are considered a 'safe' sector as they sell essential goods, leading to predictable revenue streams [1] - These companies typically have steady dividend income, reliable earnings, and the ability to pass on rising costs to consumers [1] - Low beta characteristics of consumer staples stocks make them less volatile compared to the broader market, appealing to institutional investors during turbulent times [1] Featured Consumer Staples Stocks 1. Waste Management - Waste Management Inc. has a near-monopoly in many locations due to its extensive landfill network, making it a strong dividend payer with a 52% dividend payout rate and a 22-year history of annual increases [1] - The stock is experiencing a bullish trend, having surpassed the 200-day simple moving average for the first time since last September [1] 2. British American Tobacco - British American Tobacco plc has shifted towards smokeless products, maintaining a dividend yield of over 5% with a 63% dividend payout ratio [1] - The stock has returned nearly 60% in the last 12 months and shows potential for further gains following a period of consolidation [1] 3. Service Corporation International - Service Corporation International Inc. is the largest provider of funeral and cemetery services in North America, benefiting from an aging population [1] - The company has a dividend yield of 1.68% with a 36.7% payout ratio, and it has raised its dividend for 15 consecutive years [1] - The company raised its 2025 cash flow guidance to between $915 million and $950 million, supporting future payout increases [2]

Core Viewpoint - WM is expected to report its fourth-quarter 2025 results on January 28, 2026, with a consensus revenue estimate of $6.4 billion, reflecting a 14.5% increase year-over-year [1][2][11] Revenue Expectations - The revenue from the Collection segment is estimated at $3.9 billion, indicating a 4% year-over-year increase [3][11] - Landfill revenues are projected at $958 million, suggesting a 12% growth compared to the previous year [3][11] - The Transfer segment is expected to generate $381 million in revenues, representing a 6% rise year-over-year [3][11] - Recycling Processing and Sales segment revenues are estimated at $360 million, which is a 10% decline from the year-ago quarter [4] - WM Healthcare Solutions is anticipated to see revenues of $616 million, marking a significant 53% increase year-over-year [4][11] - Renewable Energy revenues are projected at $149 million, reflecting a 60% increase compared to the previous year [5][11] Earnings Expectations - The consensus estimate for earnings per share (EPS) is set at $1.95, indicating a 14.7% growth from the year-ago quarter [5][11] - WM currently has an Earnings ESP of -2.85% and a Zacks Rank of 3, suggesting that the model does not predict a definitive earnings beat this time [6][7]

Core Viewpoint - Wall Street analysts predict Waste Management (WM) will report quarterly earnings of $1.95 per share, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 14.7%, with revenues expected to reach $6.39 billion, an 8.4% increase compared to the previous year [1]. Earnings Estimates - The consensus EPS estimate has been revised 1.3% lower over the last 30 days, indicating a reevaluation of initial estimates by analysts [2]. - Changes in earnings estimates are crucial for predicting investor reactions, as empirical research shows a strong correlation between earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock performance [3]. Revenue Metrics - Analysts estimate 'Operating revenues- Recycling Processing and Sales' will be $360.11 million, showing a year-over-year decline of 9.5% [5]. - 'Operating revenues- WM Renewable Energy' is expected to reach $149.45 million, indicating a significant year-over-year increase of 60.7% [5]. - 'Operating revenues- Corporate and Other' is projected at $5.18 million, reflecting a 3.6% increase from the previous year [6]. Internal Revenue Growth - The estimated 'Internal Revenue Growth - Period-to-Period Change - Total - As a % of Total Company' is likely to be 8.1%, down from 13.0% reported in the same quarter last year [6]. - 'Internal Revenue Growth - Period-to-Period Change - Internal revenue growth - As a % of Total Company' is forecasted to be 2.5%, compared to 4.0% reported in the same quarter last year [7]. Stock Performance - Waste Management shares have returned +3.5% over the past month, outperforming the Zacks S&P 500 composite, which changed by +0.6% [7]. - WM holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), suggesting it is expected to mirror overall market performance in the near future [7].

Company Performance - Waste Management (WM) shares increased by 1.11% to $229.00, outperforming the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.55% [1] - Over the past month, WM's shares gained 2.32%, while the Business Services sector declined by 2.82% and the S&P 500 rose by 0.71% [1] Upcoming Earnings - The upcoming earnings report for Waste Management is scheduled for January 28, 2026, with projected EPS of $1.95, indicating a 14.71% increase year-over-year [2] - Quarterly revenue is expected to reach $6.39 billion, reflecting an 8.44% increase from the same period last year [2] Fiscal Year Estimates - For the fiscal year, earnings are projected at $7.51 per share and revenue at $25.26 billion, showing changes of +3.87% and 0% respectively from the previous year [3] - Recent changes to analyst estimates for Waste Management may indicate short-term business trends, with positive revisions suggesting optimism about the business outlook [3] Analyst Ratings and Valuation - The Zacks Rank system, which ranges from 1 (Strong Buy) to 5 (Strong Sell), currently rates Waste Management at 3 (Hold) [5] - The Forward P/E ratio for Waste Management is 27.33, aligning with the industry average [6] - The PEG ratio for WM is 2.54, compared to the industry average of 2.27, indicating a higher expected earnings growth rate relative to peers [7] Industry Context - The Waste Removal Services industry, part of the Business Services sector, ranks 157th in the Zacks Industry Rank, placing it in the bottom 36% of over 250 industries [7] - The Zacks Industry Rank suggests that the top 50% of rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1 [8]

Core Insights - Waste Management Inc. (NYSE: WM) experienced a significant Power Inflow alert, indicating a bullish trend in trading activity, particularly from institutional and retail investors [4][6]. Trading Activity - On January 21, WM triggered a Power Inflow signal at a price of $222.60, following a period of stagnant trading. After the alert, the stock price rose to a post-alert high of $226.15 by 2:45 PM EST, reflecting increased buying interest [5][8]. - The Power Inflow alert is designed to highlight moments of significant order flow shifts, suggesting a higher probability of bullish price movement for the remainder of the trading day [6][8]. Order Flow Analytics - Order flow analytics provide insights into real-time buying and selling behavior, analyzing volume, timing, and order size among retail and institutional participants. This data helps traders make informed decisions based on market sentiment [7]. - The effectiveness of TradePulse's Power Inflow alert is demonstrated by the intraday gains captured by traders who acted on the signal, emphasizing the value of monitoring order flow data for identifying bullish momentum [8].

Market Overview - The waste management market was valued at US$ 1.20 trillion in 2024 and is projected to reach US$ 2.30 trillion by 2033, with a CAGR of 6.72% from 2025 to 2033 [1] - Municipal solid waste production has surpassed 2.2 billion tons annually globally, highlighting the urgent need for innovative waste management solutions [2][11] Urbanization and Waste Generation - Urban populations are expected to increase by an additional 1.5 billion people by 2030, intensifying the strain on existing waste management infrastructures [3] - Cities like Mumbai generate over 9,400 tons of municipal waste daily, emphasizing the need for efficient waste handling systems [12] Waste-to-Energy (WtE) Adoption - The adoption of waste-to-energy plants is transforming the waste management market, with over 450 WtE plants processing around 250 million tons of municipal solid waste annually [4] - In the U.S., Florida has 11 WtE plants processing approximately 5.5 million tons of waste annually, generating enough electricity to power over 300,000 homes [5] Technological Innovations - The waste management market is experiencing a technological transformation, with IoT-powered smart waste systems in Dubai handling over 3,000 tons of waste daily and optimizing collection routes [7] - AI-powered robots developed by companies like ZenRobotics can sort 250,000 tons of waste annually, improving efficiency and recycling quality [8][10] Market Segmentation - Municipal waste accounts for over 32% of the total market share, driven by the enormous volume generated globally [11] - Collection services dominate the market with over 43% share, collecting more than 1.8 billion tons of municipal waste each year [14][16] Regional Insights - The Asia Pacific region holds over 59.14% of the global waste management market share, driven by high population density and rapid urbanization [17] - Countries like China and India generate over 500 million tons of waste annually, with China alone accounting for approximately 235 million tons [17][18]