Core Viewpoint - Wallbridge Mining Company Limited has initiated drilling at its Martiniere gold project, aiming to explore and expand its mineral resources in northwestern Quebec [1][2]. Exploration and Drilling Plans - The company is focusing on the Bug Lake deformation corridor, where previous drilling in 2024 yielded multiple high-grade intercepts from three satellite targets located within 100 to 500 meters of the defined mineral resource [2]. - The first hole of the 2025 drilling program targets the down-plunge extension of the Dragonfly zone, which has been delineated approximately 500 meters along strike and to a vertical depth of 75 to 200 meters below the surface [2]. - A total of 10,000 to 15,000 meters of drilling is planned for 2025, with the first phase expected to be completed by May 2025, and results to be reported by the end of the second quarter [3]. Property and Project Overview - Wallbridge holds a contiguous mineral property position totaling 830 km along the Detour-Fenelon gold trend, which includes the Fenelon Gold Project and the Martiniere Gold Project [5]. - The company is also engaged in generative exploration to identify earlier stage greenfields targets within its regional property position [4].

TORONTO, March 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wallbridge Mining Company Limited (TSX: WM, OTCQB: WLBMF) (“Wallbridge” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that it has received final assay results from the 2024 exploration drilling program carried out by Agnico Eagle Mines (“Agnico”) on the Detour East property located approximately 55 kilometres west of its 100% owned Fenelon Gold Project (“Fenelon”) and 25 kilometres east of Agnico’s Detour Lake gold mine. Agnico holds an option to earn a 75% interest in ...

The founder of Microsoft, renowned philanthropist Bill Gates, funds his charitable efforts, in large part, through investing in the stock market.Gates’ portfolio is actually quite concentrated — with only 4 stock holdings accounting for 79% of the portfolio’s value. For the Gates Foundation, stability is a priority, so blue-chip stocks with stable dividends are a mainstay.One of the long-term holdings in this portfolio is Waste Management (NYSE: WM). At present, it is the 3rd largest holding, and accounts f ...

Waste Management, Inc. (WM) shares have gained 11% in the past six months, while the industry has seen a modest loss.Key competitors' performance has been mixed during this time, with Republic Services (RSG) rising 14% and Clean Harbors (CLH) declining 10%.Given the consolidation, let's explore the factors shaping WM’s performance and evaluate whether this is an opportune moment to invest in the company.WM: Sustainability, Stability and Growth CombinedOver the years, WM has shown consistent revenue growth. ...

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Group 1 - Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE: WM) is expected to benefit from a strong pricing environment, which will support revenue growth [1] - Volume recovery in the industrial end market, along with easing comparisons in the residential sector, is anticipated to further enhance revenue growth [1] - The company's entry into the medical waste market is seen as a strategic move to diversify and expand its service offerings [1]

Company Performance - Waste Management (WM) closed at $229.61, marking a +0.4% move from the prior day, outperforming the S&P 500's daily loss of 1.59% [1] - The stock has climbed by 9.13% in the past month, exceeding the Business Services sector's gain of 2.76% and the S&P 500's loss of 2.23% [1] Upcoming Financial Results - The company is expected to report an EPS of $1.69, a 3.43% decline compared to the same quarter of the previous year [2] - Revenue is anticipated to be $6.14 billion, indicating a 19.03% increase compared to the same quarter of the previous year [2] Fiscal Year Projections - For the entire fiscal year, earnings are projected at $7.68 per share and revenue at $25.63 billion, representing changes of +6.22% and +16.16% from the prior year, respectively [3] Analyst Estimates and Market Sentiment - Recent changes to analyst estimates for Waste Management reflect shifting business dynamics, with positive revisions indicating optimism about the company's outlook [4] - The Zacks Rank system, which assesses estimate changes, currently gives Waste Management a rank of 3 (Hold) [6] Valuation Metrics - Waste Management has a Forward P/E ratio of 29.79, trading at a premium compared to the industry average of 26.31 [7] - The company also has a PEG ratio of 2.72, which aligns with the average PEG ratio for Waste Removal Services stocks [8] Industry Context - The Waste Removal Services industry ranks in the bottom 45% of all industries, with a current Zacks Industry Rank of 139 [9]

Core Insights - Waste Management, Inc. has a market capitalization of $90 billion and is projecting significant growth in 2025, with revenue growth expected at 16% to 17%, EBITDA growth at 15%, and free cash flow growth at 17% to 18% [5] Company Overview - Devina Rankin has been with Waste Management for 22 years, serving as CFO for the past 8 years [2] - Michael Watson has been with the company for 33 years, currently serving as Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer, with previous roles in operations and revenue management [3] Industry Context - The growth projections for Waste Management are notable, especially for a company of its size, as such growth is typically associated with sectors like AI or data centers [5]

Core Points - Wallbridge Mining Company Limited announced recent transactions related to the Casault and Beschefer gold properties in Quebec's Northern Abitibi region [1] Group 1: Casault Gold Property - The company has amended its agreement with Midland Exploration Inc. to extend the deadline for earning an initial 50% interest in the Casault property to December 31, 2026 [2] - The Casault property is strategically located between Wallbridge's Detour East Gold property and Martiniere gold property, covering over 20 km of the Sunday Lake Deformation Zone [3] Group 2: Beschefer Gold Property - Wallbridge has confirmed that Abitibi Metals Corp. has satisfied the terms of the purchase option agreement for the Beschefer gold project by incurring $3,000,000 in expenditures and issuing 2,033,672 common shares [4] - The Beschefer property is located approximately 28 km southwest of Wallbridge's Fenelon Gold Project, and the transfer of mineral titles to Abitibi is currently underway [4] Group 3: Company Overview - Wallbridge is focused on exploring and developing gold projects in Quebec's Northern Abitibi region, holding a contiguous mineral property position totaling 830 km along the Detour-Fenelon gold trend [5]

Business Strategy and Risks - The company faces significant risks in implementing its business strategy, which could materially affect financial performance and growth [140]. - The recent acquisition of Stericycle is expected to enhance the company's WM Healthcare Solutions segment, but its success depends on achieving financial and operational targets [144]. - The company anticipates challenges in realizing cost synergies from the Stericycle acquisition due to the complexity of integration and potential management distractions [145]. - Regulatory compliance is a major concern, with extensive regulations impacting operations and potentially increasing costs [146]. - The company is actively seeking to divest underperforming and non-strategic assets, which may lead to asset impairments if not successfully executed [147]. - The company is subject to new laws and regulations regarding medical waste management following the Stericycle acquisition, which could increase operational risks [151]. - The company may face increased operating costs due to emerging regulations related to PFAS management and other environmental concerns [149]. - The ability to obtain and maintain necessary permits for operations is critical, with challenges in securing approvals potentially leading to decreased revenue [160]. - The company is exposed to operational and safety risks, including potential liabilities from accidents and environmental damage [158]. - Changes in government regulations and enforcement could impact the company's competitive landscape and operational costs [156]. - The company faces challenges in obtaining necessary permits due to land scarcity and environmental regulations, which could adversely impact financial condition and cash flows [162]. - Labor costs are expected to increase due to union organization efforts and potential minimum wage hikes, which may significantly affect operating expenses and net income [164]. Financial Performance - The company experienced a year-over-year revenue increase of $245 million in 2024 due to rising market prices for recyclable commodities, while 2023 saw a revenue decrease of $308 million from declining prices [186]. - Significant economic pressures, including rising interest rates and inflation, have adversely impacted the company's cost structure and capital expenditures, potentially reducing margins [182]. - Total operating revenues for 2024 reached $22,063 million, a 8.0% increase from $20,426 million in 2023 [470]. - Consolidated net income attributable to Waste Management, Inc. was $2,746 million in 2024, up from $2,304 million in 2023, representing a 19.2% growth [470]. - Basic earnings per common share increased to $6.84 in 2024, compared to $5.69 in 2023, reflecting a 20.2% rise [470]. - Total assets grew to $44,567 million in 2024, up from $32,823 million in 2023, marking a 35.8% increase [469]. - Cash flows from operating activities amounted to $5,390 million in 2024, compared to $4,719 million in 2023, indicating a 14.2% increase [472]. - The company reported a net cash used in investing activities of $10,601 million in 2024, significantly higher than $3,091 million in 2023 [472]. - Long-term debt, less current portion, increased to $22,541 million in 2024 from $15,895 million in 2023, a rise of 42.0% [469]. - The company’s total liabilities rose to $36,313 million in 2024, compared to $25,927 million in 2023, reflecting a 40.0% increase [469]. - The company’s goodwill increased to $13,438 million in 2024, up from $9,254 million in 2023, representing a 45.0% growth [469]. - Other intangible assets, net, surged to $4,188 million in 2024, compared to $759 million in 2023, indicating a significant increase of 450.5% [469]. - Consolidated net income for 2024 was $2,745 million, an increase from $2,276 million in 2023, representing a growth of approximately 20.6% [474]. - Cash dividends declared increased to $3.00 per common share in 2024, up from $2.80 in 2023, reflecting a 7.1% increase [474]. - Total stockholders' equity increased to $8,254 million by December 31, 2024, compared to $6,896 million in 2023, marking a growth of approximately 19.6% [474]. Market and Operational Challenges - Seasonal fluctuations in operating revenues typically see increases during summer months, with severe weather events potentially disrupting operations and affecting waste generation [165]. - Market disruptions, including labor shortages and supply chain constraints, have recently affected financial results and may continue to do so, creating uncertainty in the financial outlook [181]. - The company faces intense competition from governmental and private entities, which may hinder its ability to execute pricing strategies and affect revenue growth [183]. - A decrease in landfill volumes due to customer preferences for recycling and composting could negatively impact the company's revenues and operating results, as landfills currently provide the highest income margins [189]. - The company is increasingly dependent on technology, with potential vulnerabilities to cyberattacks and system failures that could lead to substantial costs and reputational harm [207]. - Cybersecurity incidents could lead to substantial business disruption, financial loss, and reputational damage, with ongoing attempts at cyber intrusions anticipated [210]. - The company is expanding its information technologies and utilizing cloud computing services, increasing exposure to cybersecurity risks associated with new technologies [215]. - Geopolitical conflicts and economic pressures may exacerbate market disruptions, impacting commodity prices and operational costs [181]. Regulatory and Compliance Issues - The company is subject to significant fines and penalties if it fails to comply with U.S. or foreign laws, which could adversely affect its reputation [236]. - Regulatory pressures are increasing for the transition to electric vehicles, which could lead to substantial capital investments and impair existing natural gas infrastructure investments [171]. - Sustainability-related goals, including greenhouse gas emissions reduction, may not be achieved within planned timelines, potentially damaging the company's reputation [172]. - The company is subject to increased scrutiny regarding sustainability disclosures, which could lead to reputational damage and compliance risks [178]. - The company is subject to environmental liabilities and risks associated with waste management, which could adversely affect financial condition and operations [222]. - Climate change legislation and regulations could increase operational costs and compliance burdens, potentially affecting financial condition and reputation [232]. - The company is actively monitoring legislative efforts related to greenhouse gas emissions, which could impose additional operational costs and affect service delivery [232]. - The company is pursuing long-term sales transactions in the voluntary market to mitigate risks associated with RINs market volatility [432]. - The new U.S. presidential administration may seek to reduce existing renewable fuel targets, which could negatively impact demand for renewable fuels and the value of RINs [432]. Debt and Financial Liabilities - The company has $1.4 billion in tax-exempt bonds maturing within the next 12 months, which could lead to increased interest expenses if market dynamics result in higher interest rates [198]. - Changes in tax laws or regulations could increase the company's tax liabilities, adversely affecting operating results and cash flows [200]. - The company has $2.7 billion of debt exposed to changes in market interest rates within the next 12 months, primarily from $1.3 billion of short-term borrowings and $1.4 billion of tax-exempt bonds [240]. - A 100-basis point increase in interest rates would increase the company's 2024 interest expense by $19 million [425]. Environmental and Remediation Liabilities - The estimated remediation liability recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2024, is $222 million, with a potential increase of approximately $9 million if high-end estimates are used [510]. - Environmental remediation liabilities may arise from operations, with costs including settlements and legal fees related to site investigations and clean-up [509]. - The company accrues for remediation liabilities when they are probable and reasonably estimable, which involves various assumptions and estimates [510]. - The ultimate responsibility for remediation may differ materially from current estimates due to various external factors [510]. - The company evaluates its remediation obligations based on management's judgment, regulatory information, and the financial resources of other potentially responsible parties (PRPs) [512]. Investments and Future Outlook - The company is making ongoing investments in its Recycling Processing and Sales and Renewable Energy segments, but these may be impacted by regulatory changes and commodity price fluctuations [174]. - The company is investing in facilities to capture methane from landfills to produce renewable natural gas (RNG) and electricity, driven by federal tax credits and incentive programs [430]. - The company is focusing on developing new technologies to improve operations and customer experience, which may require significant investment and could impact traditional business operations [204]. - The company has communicated an expectation that its leverage will return to targeted levels about 18 months after the November 2024 acquisition of Stericycle [240].