WASTE CONNECTIONS INC (WCN) Fundamental Analysis & Valuation
NYSE:WCN • CA94106B1013
Current stock price
166.08 USD
+3.26 (+2%)
At close:
166.08 USD
0 (0%)
After Hours:
This WCN fundamental analysis includes valuation metrics, fair value assessment, financial health analysis, profitability trends, growth metrics and dividend sustainability analysis.
1. WCN Profitability Analysis
1.1 Basic Checks
- WCN had positive earnings in the past year.
- WCN had a positive operating cash flow in the past year.
- In the past 5 years WCN has always been profitable.
- In the past 5 years WCN always reported a positive cash flow from operatings.
1.2 Ratios
- WCN has a better Return On Assets (5.10%) than 72.84% of its industry peers.
- WCN has a Return On Equity of 13.06%. This is in the better half of the industry: WCN outperforms 71.60% of its industry peers.
- With a decent Return On Invested Capital value of 7.60%, WCN is doing good in the industry, outperforming 71.60% of the companies in the same industry.
- The Average Return On Invested Capital over the past 3 years for WCN is below the industry average of 10.18%.
- The 3 year average ROIC (7.41%) for WCN is below the current ROIC(7.60%), indicating increased profibility in the last year.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ROA | 5.1% | ||
| ROE | 13.06% | ||
| ROIC | 7.6% |
ROA(3y)4.16%
ROA(5y)4.31%
ROE(3y)10.28%
ROE(5y)10.29%
ROIC(3y)7.41%
ROIC(5y)7%
1.3 Margins
- Looking at the Profit Margin, with a value of 11.37%, WCN belongs to the top of the industry, outperforming 88.89% of the companies in the same industry.
- WCN's Profit Margin has improved in the last couple of years.
- WCN's Operating Margin of 19.48% is amongst the best of the industry. WCN outperforms 93.83% of its industry peers.
- WCN's Operating Margin has improved in the last couple of years.
- WCN has a Gross Margin of 42.37%. This is in the better half of the industry: WCN outperforms 76.54% of its industry peers.
- In the last couple of years the Gross Margin of WCN has remained more or less at the same level.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| OM | 19.48% | ||
| PM (TTM) | 11.37% | ||
| GM | 42.37% |
OM growth 3Y3.01%
OM growth 5Y3.6%
PM growth 3Y-0.62%
PM growth 5Y24.78%
GM growth 3Y2.05%
GM growth 5Y1.25%
2. WCN Health Analysis
2.1 Basic Checks
- WCN has a Return on Invested Capital (ROIC), which is below the Cost of Capital (WACC), which means it is destroying value.
- Compared to 1 year ago, WCN has less shares outstanding
- Compared to 5 years ago, WCN has less shares outstanding
- WCN has a worse debt/assets ratio than last year.
2.2 Solvency
- An Altman-Z score of 3.01 indicates that WCN is not in any danger for bankruptcy at the moment.
- The Altman-Z score of WCN (3.01) is better than 67.90% of its industry peers.
- WCN has a debt to FCF ratio of 7.23. This is a slightly negative value and a sign of low solvency as WCN would need 7.23 years to pay back of all of its debts.
- With a decent Debt to FCF ratio value of 7.23, WCN is doing good in the industry, outperforming 64.20% of the companies in the same industry.
- WCN has a Debt/Equity ratio of 1.07. This is a high value indicating a heavy dependency on external financing.
- WCN has a worse Debt to Equity ratio (1.07) than 67.90% of its industry peers.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Debt/Equity | 1.07 | ||
| Debt/FCF | 7.23 | ||
| Altman-Z | 3.01 |
ROIC/WACC0.89
WACC8.51%
2.3 Liquidity
- WCN has a Current Ratio of 0.62. This is a bad value and indicates that WCN is not financially healthy enough and could expect problems in meeting its short term obligations.
- WCN has a Current ratio of 0.62. This is amonst the worse of the industry: WCN underperforms 86.42% of its industry peers.
- WCN has a Quick Ratio of 0.62. This is a bad value and indicates that WCN is not financially healthy enough and could expect problems in meeting its short term obligations.
- With a Quick ratio value of 0.58, WCN is not doing good in the industry: 86.42% of the companies in the same industry are doing better.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio | 0.62 | ||
| Quick Ratio | 0.58 |
3. WCN Growth Analysis
3.1 Past
- The Earnings Per Share has been growing slightly by 7.52% over the past year.
- The Earnings Per Share has been growing by 14.21% on average over the past years. This is quite good.
- Looking at the last year, WCN shows a small growth in Revenue. The Revenue has grown by 6.14% in the last year.
- Measured over the past years, WCN shows a quite strong growth in Revenue. The Revenue has been growing by 11.69% on average per year.
EPS 1Y (TTM)7.52%
EPS 3Y10.57%
EPS 5Y14.21%
EPS Q2Q%11.21%
Revenue 1Y (TTM)6.14%
Revenue growth 3Y9.49%
Revenue growth 5Y11.69%
Sales Q2Q%5%
3.2 Future
- Based on estimates for the next years, WCN will show a quite strong growth in Earnings Per Share. The EPS will grow by 9.22% on average per year.
- Based on estimates for the next years, WCN will show a small growth in Revenue. The Revenue will grow by 5.74% on average per year.
EPS Next Y6.56%
EPS Next 2Y10.82%
EPS Next 3Y11.2%
EPS Next 5Y9.22%
Revenue Next Year5.2%
Revenue Next 2Y5.67%
Revenue Next 3Y5.81%
Revenue Next 5Y5.74%
3.3 Evolution
- The EPS growth rate is decreasing: in the next years the growth will be less than in the last years.
- The Revenue growth rate is decreasing: in the next years the growth will be less than in the last years.
4. WCN Valuation Analysis
4.1 Price/Earnings Ratio
- The Price/Earnings ratio is 32.25, which means the current valuation is very expensive for WCN.
- Compared to the rest of the industry, the Price/Earnings ratio of WCN is on the same level as its industry peers.
- When comparing the Price/Earnings ratio of WCN to the average of the S&P500 Index (25.60), we can say WCN is valued slightly more expensively.
- A Price/Forward Earnings ratio of 30.26 indicates a quite expensive valuation of WCN.
- The rest of the industry has a similar Price/Forward Earnings ratio as WCN.
- WCN is valuated rather expensively when we compare the Price/Forward Earnings ratio to 22.84, which is the current average of the S&P500 Index.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| PE | 32.25 | ||
| Fwd PE | 30.26 |
4.2 Price Multiples
- The rest of the industry has a similar Enterprise Value to EBITDA ratio as WCN.
- WCN's Price/Free Cash Flow ratio is in line with the industry average.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| P/FCF | 34.81 | ||
| EV/EBITDA | 16.66 |
4.3 Compensation for Growth
- The high PEG Ratio(NY), which compensates the Price/Earnings for growth, indicates WCN does not grow enough to justify the current Price/Earnings ratio.
- The excellent profitability rating of WCN may justify a higher PE ratio.
PEG (NY)4.91
PEG (5Y)2.27
EPS Next 2Y10.82%
EPS Next 3Y11.2%
5. WCN Dividend Analysis
5.1 Amount
- With a yearly dividend of 0.81%, WCN is not a good candidate for dividend investing.
- WCN's Dividend Yield is a higher than the industry average which is at 0.85.
- With a Dividend Yield of 0.81, WCN pays less dividend than the S&P500 average, which is at 1.88.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield | 0.81% |
5.2 History
- The dividend of WCN is nicely growing with an annual growth rate of 11.37%!
- WCN has paid a dividend for at least 10 years, which is a reliable track record.
- WCN has not decreased its dividend in the last 3 years.
Dividend Growth(5Y)11.37%
Div Incr Years3
Div Non Decr Years3
5.3 Sustainability
- WCN pays out 31.01% of its income as dividend. This is a sustainable payout ratio.
- WCN's earnings are growing slower than its dividend. This means the dividend growth is not sustainable.
DP31.01%
EPS Next 2Y10.82%
EPS Next 3Y11.2%
WCN Fundamentals: All Metrics, Ratios and Statistics
166.08
+3.26 (+2%)
Chartmill FA Rating
GICS SectorIndustrials
GICS IndustryGroupCommercial & Professional Services
GICS IndustryCommercial Services & Supplies
Earnings (Last)02-11 2026-02-11/amc
Earnings (Next)04-22 2026-04-22/amc
Inst Owners90.22%
Inst Owner Change2.31%
Ins Owners0.12%
Ins Owner Change4.91%
Market Cap42.46B
Revenue(TTM)9.47B
Net Income(TTM)1.08B
Analysts83
Price Target149.42 (-10.03%)
Short Float %0.7%
Short Ratio1.09
Dividend
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield | 0.81% |
Yearly Dividend1.3
Dividend Growth(5Y)11.37%
DP31.01%
Div Incr Years3
Div Non Decr Years3
Ex-Date02-25 2026-02-25 (0.35)
Surprises & Revisions
EPS beat(2)1
Avg EPS beat(2)1.4%
Min EPS beat(2)-0.31%
Max EPS beat(2)3.11%
EPS beat(4)3
Avg EPS beat(4)1.65%
Min EPS beat(4)-0.31%
Max EPS beat(4)3.11%
EPS beat(8)6
Avg EPS beat(8)1.47%
EPS beat(12)9
Avg EPS beat(12)1.17%
EPS beat(16)11
Avg EPS beat(16)1.38%
Revenue beat(2)0
Avg Revenue beat(2)-0.71%
Min Revenue beat(2)-0.82%
Max Revenue beat(2)-0.59%
Revenue beat(4)0
Avg Revenue beat(4)-0.65%
Min Revenue beat(4)-0.82%
Max Revenue beat(4)-0.45%
Revenue beat(8)2
Avg Revenue beat(8)-0.2%
Revenue beat(12)2
Avg Revenue beat(12)-0.36%
Revenue beat(16)5
Avg Revenue beat(16)-0.21%
PT rev (1m)0%
PT rev (3m)0.31%
EPS NQ rev (1m)0.2%
EPS NQ rev (3m)-4.93%
EPS NY rev (1m)-4.52%
EPS NY rev (3m)-4.64%
Revenue NQ rev (1m)0%
Revenue NQ rev (3m)-0.96%
Revenue NY rev (1m)-0.17%
Revenue NY rev (3m)-0.57%
Valuation
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| PE | 32.25 | ||
| Fwd PE | 30.26 | ||
| P/S | 4.49 | ||
| P/FCF | 34.81 | ||
| P/OCF | 17.59 | ||
| P/B | 5.15 | ||
| P/tB | N/A | ||
| EV/EBITDA | 16.66 |
EPS(TTM)5.15
EY3.1%
EPS(NY)5.49
Fwd EY3.3%
FCF(TTM)4.77
FCFY2.87%
OCF(TTM)9.44
OCFY5.69%
SpS37.03
BVpS32.25
TBVpS-8.42
PEG (NY)4.91
PEG (5Y)2.27
Graham Number61.13
Profitability
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ROA | 5.1% | ||
| ROE | 13.06% | ||
| ROCE | 9.7% | ||
| ROIC | 7.6% | ||
| ROICexc | 7.62% | ||
| ROICexgc | 16.88% | ||
| OM | 19.48% | ||
| PM (TTM) | 11.37% | ||
| GM | 42.37% | ||
| FCFM | 12.88% |
ROA(3y)4.16%
ROA(5y)4.31%
ROE(3y)10.28%
ROE(5y)10.29%
ROIC(3y)7.41%
ROIC(5y)7%
ROICexc(3y)7.44%
ROICexc(5y)7.03%
ROICexgc(3y)16.68%
ROICexgc(5y)15.84%
ROCE(3y)9.46%
ROCE(5y)8.93%
ROICexgc growth 3Y5.3%
ROICexgc growth 5Y5.84%
ROICexc growth 3Y5.56%
ROICexc growth 5Y6.23%
OM growth 3Y3.01%
OM growth 5Y3.6%
PM growth 3Y-0.62%
PM growth 5Y24.78%
GM growth 3Y2.05%
GM growth 5Y1.25%
F-Score6
Asset Turnover0.45
Health
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Debt/Equity | 1.07 | ||
| Debt/FCF | 7.23 | ||
| Debt/EBITDA | 2.86 | ||
| Cap/Depr | 96.94% | ||
| Cap/Sales | 12.62% | ||
| Interest Coverage | 5.98 | ||
| Cash Conversion | 78.48% | ||
| Profit Quality | 113.3% | ||
| Current Ratio | 0.62 | ||
| Quick Ratio | 0.58 | ||
| Altman-Z | 3.01 |
F-Score6
WACC8.51%
ROIC/WACC0.89
Cap/Depr(3y)93.59%
Cap/Depr(5y)94.33%
Cap/Sales(3y)12.03%
Cap/Sales(5y)12.17%
Profit Quality(3y)153.2%
Profit Quality(5y)149.35%
High Growth Momentum
Growth
EPS 1Y (TTM)7.52%
EPS 3Y10.57%
EPS 5Y14.21%
EPS Q2Q%11.21%
EPS Next Y6.56%
EPS Next 2Y10.82%
EPS Next 3Y11.2%
EPS Next 5Y9.22%
Revenue 1Y (TTM)6.14%
Revenue growth 3Y9.49%
Revenue growth 5Y11.69%
Sales Q2Q%5%
Revenue Next Year5.2%
Revenue Next 2Y5.67%
Revenue Next 3Y5.81%
Revenue Next 5Y5.74%
EBIT growth 1Y8.05%
EBIT growth 3Y12.78%
EBIT growth 5Y15.71%
EBIT Next Year80.66%
EBIT Next 3Y28.11%
EBIT Next 5Y19.08%
FCF growth 1Y3.99%
FCF growth 3Y3.2%
FCF growth 5Y10.39%
OCF growth 1Y8.31%
OCF growth 3Y6.08%
OCF growth 5Y11.38%
WASTE CONNECTIONS INC / WCN Fundamental Analysis FAQ
What is the ChartMill fundamental rating of WASTE CONNECTIONS INC (WCN) stock?
ChartMill assigns a fundamental rating of 5 / 10 to WCN.
What is the valuation status of WASTE CONNECTIONS INC (WCN) stock?
ChartMill assigns a valuation rating of 3 / 10 to WASTE CONNECTIONS INC (WCN). This can be considered as Overvalued.
How profitable is WASTE CONNECTIONS INC (WCN) stock?
WASTE CONNECTIONS INC (WCN) has a profitability rating of 8 / 10.
How financially healthy is WASTE CONNECTIONS INC?
The financial health rating of WASTE CONNECTIONS INC (WCN) is 3 / 10.
How sustainable is the dividend of WASTE CONNECTIONS INC (WCN) stock?
The dividend rating of WASTE CONNECTIONS INC (WCN) is 5 / 10 and the dividend payout ratio is 31.01%.