Waste Management (WM) Buy, Sell or Hold

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Waste Management (WM)

224.21

-2.11 (0.93%)

as of Aug 13, 2026, 8:00:00 pm Market Open.

114 watching

Investor Insights

Aug 13, 2026, 12:00 am

This summary was created by AI, based on 8 opinions in the last 12 months.

Waste Management (WM) has garnered attention from various experts for its solid cash flow and defensive characteristics, making it a staple in investment portfolios during volatile times. While it competes well in a strong industry with essential services, its valuation raises concerns, trading at approximately 40x P/E, a figure deemed high by some analysts. Despite this, its market leadership with a significant share and a challenging regulatory environment for new entrants fortifies its competitive moat. Future growth appears steady, driven by consistent earnings, acquisitions in new service areas, and a reliable dividend. However, caution is advised due to current market risks and technical indicators, suggesting that investors might consider waiting for a better entry point.

Consensus

Positive

Valuation

Overvalued

Similar

WCN

BUY

Reported a tremendous quarter, and shares popped 6% today in a bad market. A good operator before, but much better now.

DON'T BUY

Quality defensive for the next year?

Quite defensive. Last quarter, WM cited lower costs and favourable pricing trends. 9% growth rate, but 23x. With all the carnage on the side of the highway, you don't need to be paying this much. Look in other areas.

HOLD

Classified as an industrial, but it doesn't have cyclicality. Zero product obsolescence. Sold WCN in favour of this one.

SELL

Great, stable business model. Wide economic moat, barriers to entry. Streamlined costs. Tends to do well in more of a down or sideways market, similar to healthcare or consumer staples. Started to underperform last October. Decent yield of 1.67%.

PAST TOP PICK

(A Top Pick Jun 16/22, Up 18%)

A treasure in a challenging market environment. A light industrial, since there isn't much cyclicality. Good line of sight to high single-digit organic growth rate. Tuck-in acquisitions. Vertically integrated. Good recycling business, with an emerging renewable nat gas division. A happy shareholder.

HOLD

His preferred way to play the space. Cleaner balance sheet. Best in class, "A" credit so borrowing is cheaper. "Highgrated" up from GFL a number of months ago.

BUY

In difficult economic environments, investors sometimes trade up to one best-in-class name in a sector. He sold WCN in favour of WM, which is bigger, more profitable, stronger credit rating. WN is a better quality business at a less demanding multiple. All waste management takes on debt to finance acquisitions.

BUY ON WEAKNESS

Very stable business that has good long term prospects. Long term contracts with recurring revenue. Service is something people always need. Multiples are high, so would wait to buy. Overall, is a good investment.

BUY

Just made a new 5-year high. Technically, that's very attractive. Everyone's making money, so no one's looking for a spot to get out. Waste sector is doing well, as the economy has reopened. Likes it technically and fundamentally. He could buy it here.

TOP PICK

Biggest and best in class in US solid waste. Collection, recycling, transfer, and landfill. A light industrial, because waste collection is a need. Pricing power not as strong, but volume makes up for it. Integrated ownership of landfills avoids NIMBY issues. A-rated balance sheet, almost bullet-proof. Dividend growth 6% annually, earnings about 8%. Yield is 1.81%. (Analysts’ price target is $171.25)

COMMENT

The biggest player in the waste-disposal business. They are tied to the economy--more commerce and construction business translates into more garbage. That's why this stock has been falling in he last two weeks. They reported an in-line quarter today, neither inflaming the bears or bulls.

DON'T BUY

Earnings and price stability. Collecting garbage doesn't go away despite the economy. Trades at close to 30x earnings, which is excessive for a relatively slow grower. Sees more downside risk than upside potential.

DON'T BUY

A very good company that is classified as recession proof and highly predictable. Yields on their collection business is firming and prices of recycling is good. Trades at 30x earnings. Traditionally a 5-6% grower. Unless they pick up more contracts, they will continue to grow according to economic growth. Valuation is too high here.

WEAK BUY

WM vs. WCN Fell last year, and now is picking up steam. It's more of a utility industrial than a cyclical. If you want cyclical, look at CAT or other industrial names. 28x forward earnings for 11% growth, so a bit rich for him. Fundamentally, a great business. Better valuation than WCN and growth is about the same. To choose, he'd pick WM, the larger one.

DON'T BUY

Whole industry is mature and grows through consolidation. A local business, so prices are set by marginally small players. Not an area she's interested in. Other industries have more exciting growth opportunities than by acquisition alone.

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Waste Management (WM)