Waste Connections (WCN-T)

Has done well. Classified as an industrial, but it doesn't have cyclicality. Pricing power and acquisitions drive the long-term growth. Operate in a lot of uncontested markets. Should continue growing at high single-digit pace. Zero product obsolescence. Sold, and high-graded his portfolio to WM instead. Both are good.

Great business that's grown by acquisition, which has been fruitful. Balance sheet in great shape, tons of free cashflow, inflation-protected contracts. Core position. Great management team. Expects more deals.

It is in the waste collection business - a very defensive place to be. A lot of contracts are tied to the CPI so revenues are bumped up and it can raise prices. Has owned for a long time and will buy more.

WCN vs. WM 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. WM has a better valuation than WCN and growth is about the same. To choose, he'd pick the larger one, which is WM.

(A Top Pick Jul 30/19, Up 12%) Death, taxes and garbage are life's certainties. He's long owned this. WCN continues to do well, though there will be softness from commercial activity, though consider all the cardboard boxes from Amazon deliveries. Still a good company. Well-managed.