TSE:WCN

Waste Connections (WCN.TO)

216.40
+2.33 (1.09%)
as of Jun 5, 2026, 8:00:00 pm Market Open.
282 watching
0
Investor Insights
star iconJun 5, 2026, 12:00 am

This summary was created by AI, based on 14 opinions in the last 12 months.

Waste Connections (WCN) is regarded as a fundamentally solid company within the waste management sector, characterized by steady earnings and growth potential. Despite its strong operational track record and disciplined management, the stock is seen as expensive, trading at a forward PE of 27x, which has made some investors cautious. Analysts agree that while WCN has avenues for growth through acquisitions and a solid market position, the current market sentiments lean towards finding more exciting investment opportunities. The potential for double-digit earnings growth and the company’s commitment to employee safety and solid cash flows provides a robust long-term investment case, yet, the stock has been facing downward pressure partly due to challenges like environmental concerns and rising fuel costs. Overall, while potentially offering good long-term returns through stability, there's a consensus that it may be best to seek a pullback before entering a position.

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Consensus
Hold
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Valuation
Overvalued
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BUY

It has been a great stock for him. It trades at a bit of a premium to some of the peers in the US because there aren't a lot of quality industrials in Canada. It is quite a recession resistant business. No need to crystallize your gains.

COMMENT

This has been a freight train hitting new highs. After decades of consolidation economies of scale have been reached. Valuation is way too rich for him. It is a good business but you have to buy it right.

TOP PICK

Pays a modest dividend. Free cash flow grew by 16% to $855 million. Paid down $300 million in debt in the past year. They grow by acquisitionEarnings to grow 17% this year, 14% in 2019. Multi-quarter breakout with 20% upside. (Analysts' price target $99.70)

PAST TOP PICK

(A Top Pick July 14/17 Up 18%). This garbage collection company been growing successfully through acquisitions. They are benefitting from EPA regulations to collect methane at garbage dumps, collecting methane to fuel their fleet.

COMMENT

A disciplined acquirer. They've bought several companies over the years. Yield will grow over time, but their more focussed on increasing their assets.

DON'T BUY

Sold it, but it's continued to do well and reported a strong quarter. It looks positive in the short-term, but valuations are trading around 4x book, which is out of his league.

WATCH

It is in its seasonal period. It is related to industrial activities. Technically we have broken the uptrend. He would take a look at the recent highs and if it broke those, he would enter the position.

BUY ON WEAKNESS

Optically doesn’t look cheap. 30 times earnings. But the company is growing at 15% and that justifies the price. They are looking to consolidate the garbage industry in North America. Good business to be in.

BUY

This has been an all-star performer. It had a terrific 2017. It is run by very smart group of allocators and there is more room to go. Waste collection is still a very fragmented business in North America. A very attractive business.

PARTIAL SELL

If you own this, he would start to play with the house money, maybe give half of it back. At this stage, it is really anybody's guess as to what it is going to do. He likes the volume and the run it’s had, but where does it stop. You should reward yourself and take a little bit off the table.

BUY

Wait for a pullback or buy today? Doesn’t expect less garbage in the future, but will be producing more. This company has pretty good pricing power and the waste services industry is still extremely fragmented in the US. A good opportunity here.

BUY

The waste business is economically sensitive. A lot of customers are commercial. As the economy strengthens, you produce more waste. This is a play on a strengthening economy, which is one of the reasons you would want to own this. It has a very interesting geographic footprint in parts of the US that are growing. Technically it is sound.

BUY ON WEAKNESS

Has been a pretty hot stock lately. Expensively priced. Growth by acquisition, and a yield, but not a really high one. You take that combination, but unless you can really buy it well, or you already hold it, he would look for a cheaper entry point. He would look in the low $80s before he would be an interested buyer.

COMMENT

Last time he looked, this was pretty expensively priced. Has met with management, and it is pretty impressive. The kind of a name he wished he had bought.

WEAK BUY

It has corrected. It is still expensive. He likes one in the US (Republic Services). The multiple is too high for him to buy it. They are doing the right things and are acquiring the right companies and turning them around quickly.

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