WASTE CONNECTIONS INC (WCN) Fundamental Analysis & Valuation
NYSE:WCN • CA94106B1013
Current stock price
159.99 USD
+0.19 (+0.12%)
At close:
159.99 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
- In the past year WCN was profitable.
- In the past year WCN had a positive cash flow from operations.
- WCN had positive earnings in each of the past 5 years.
- Each year in the past 5 years WCN had a positive operating cash flow.
1.2 Ratios
- Looking at the Return On Assets, with a value of 5.10%, WCN is in the better half of the industry, outperforming 75.00% of the companies in the same industry.
- With a decent Return On Equity value of 13.06%, WCN is doing good in the industry, outperforming 73.75% of the companies in the same industry.
- The Return On Invested Capital of WCN (7.60%) is better than 72.50% of its industry peers.
- WCN had an Average Return On Invested Capital over the past 3 years of 7.41%. This is below the industry average of 9.76%.
- 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
- WCN has a better Profit Margin (11.37%) than 88.75% of its industry peers.
- WCN's Profit Margin has improved in the last couple of years.
- With an excellent Operating Margin value of 19.48%, WCN belongs to the best of the industry, outperforming 93.75% of the companies in the same industry.
- WCN's Operating Margin has improved in the last couple of years.
- With a decent Gross Margin value of 42.37%, WCN is doing good in the industry, outperforming 71.25% of the companies in the same industry.
- WCN's Gross Margin has been stable in the last couple of years.
| 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
- With a Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) below the Cost of Capital (WACC), WCN is destroying value.
- Compared to 1 year ago, WCN has less shares outstanding
- The number of shares outstanding for WCN has been reduced compared to 5 years ago.
- The debt/assets ratio for WCN is higher compared to a year ago.
2.2 Solvency
- An Altman-Z score of 2.93 indicates that WCN is not a great score, but indicates only limited risk for bankruptcy at the moment.
- WCN has a better Altman-Z score (2.93) than 67.50% of its industry peers.
- The Debt to FCF ratio of WCN is 7.23, which is on the high side as it means it would take WCN, 7.23 years of fcf income to pay off all of its debts.
- Looking at the Debt to FCF ratio, with a value of 7.23, WCN is in the better half of the industry, outperforming 65.00% of the companies in the same industry.
- A Debt/Equity ratio of 1.07 is on the high side and indicates that WCN has dependencies on debt financing.
- With a Debt to Equity ratio value of 1.07, WCN is not doing good in the industry: 66.25% of the companies in the same industry are doing better.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Debt/Equity | 1.07 | ||
| Debt/FCF | 7.23 | ||
| Altman-Z | 2.93 |
ROIC/WACC0.85
WACC8.93%
2.3 Liquidity
- A Current Ratio of 0.62 indicates that WCN may have some problems paying its short term obligations.
- Looking at the Current ratio, with a value of 0.62, WCN is doing worse than 86.25% of the companies in the same industry.
- 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.
- WCN's Quick ratio of 0.58 is on the low side compared to the rest of the industry. WCN is outperformed by 85.00% of its industry peers.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio | 0.62 | ||
| Quick Ratio | 0.58 |
3. WCN Growth Analysis
3.1 Past
- WCN shows a small growth in Earnings Per Share. In the last year, the EPS has grown by 7.52%.
- WCN shows quite a strong growth in Earnings Per Share. Measured over the last years, the EPS has been growing by 14.21% yearly.
- Looking at the last year, WCN shows a small growth in Revenue. The Revenue has grown by 6.14% in the last year.
- The Revenue has been growing by 11.69% on average over the past years. This is quite good.
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
- The Earnings Per Share is expected to grow by 9.22% on average over the next years. This is quite good.
- WCN is expected to show a small growth in Revenue. In the coming years, the Revenue will grow by 5.74% yearly.
EPS Next Y6.88%
EPS Next 2Y10.67%
EPS Next 3Y11.45%
EPS Next 5Y9.22%
Revenue Next Year5.17%
Revenue Next 2Y5.67%
Revenue Next 3Y6.04%
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
- A Price/Earnings ratio of 31.07 indicates a quite expensive valuation of WCN.
- Compared to the rest of the industry, the Price/Earnings ratio of WCN indicates a somewhat cheap valuation: WCN is cheaper than 62.50% of the companies listed in the same industry.
- WCN's Price/Earnings ratio indicates a similar valuation than the S&P500 average which is at 27.53.
- Based on the Price/Forward Earnings ratio of 29.07, the valuation of WCN can be described as expensive.
- WCN's Price/Forward Earnings is on the same level as the industry average.
- The average S&P500 Price/Forward Earnings ratio is at 37.95. WCN is valued slightly cheaper when compared to this.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| PE | 31.07 | ||
| Fwd PE | 29.07 |
4.2 Price Multiples
- Compared to the rest of the industry, the Enterprise Value to EBITDA ratio of WCN is on the same level as its industry peers.
- WCN's Price/Free Cash Flow ratio is in line with the industry average.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| P/FCF | 33.43 | ||
| EV/EBITDA | 16.09 |
4.3 Compensation for Growth
- The high PEG Ratio(NY), which compensates the Price/Earnings for growth, indicates an expensive valuation of the company.
- WCN has an outstanding profitability rating, which may justify a higher PE ratio.
PEG (NY)4.52
PEG (5Y)2.19
EPS Next 2Y10.67%
EPS Next 3Y11.45%
5. WCN Dividend Analysis
5.1 Amount
- WCN has a yearly dividend return of 0.80%, which is pretty low.
- Compared to an average industry Dividend Yield of 0.85, WCN pays a bit more dividend than its industry peers.
- With a Dividend Yield of 0.80, WCN pays less dividend than the S&P500 average, which is at 1.82.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield | 0.8% |
5.2 History
- On average, the dividend of WCN grows each year by 11.37%, which is quite nice.
- 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 Years4
Div Non Decr Years4
5.3 Sustainability
- 31.01% of the earnings are spent on dividend by WCN. This is a low number and sustainable payout ratio.
- WCN's earnings are growing slower than its dividend. This means the dividend growth is not sustainable.
DP31.01%
EPS Next 2Y10.67%
EPS Next 3Y11.45%
WCN Fundamentals: All Metrics, Ratios and Statistics
159.99
+0.19 (+0.12%)
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 Owners90.16%
Inst Owner Change0.01%
Ins Owners0.12%
Ins Owner Change4.92%
Market Cap40.77B
Revenue(TTM)9.47B
Net Income(TTM)1.08B
Analysts83
Price Target201.3 (25.82%)
Short Float %0.83%
Short Ratio1.32
Dividend
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield | 0.8% |
Yearly Dividend1.3
Dividend Growth(5Y)11.37%
DP31.01%
Div Incr Years4
Div Non Decr Years4
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)34.72%
PT rev (3m)35.13%
EPS NQ rev (1m)-0.2%
EPS NQ rev (3m)-5.11%
EPS NY rev (1m)0.29%
EPS NY rev (3m)-4.36%
Revenue NQ rev (1m)0%
Revenue NQ rev (3m)-0.96%
Revenue NY rev (1m)-0.03%
Revenue NY rev (3m)-0.6%
Valuation
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| PE | 31.07 | ||
| Fwd PE | 29.07 | ||
| P/S | 4.31 | ||
| P/FCF | 33.43 | ||
| P/OCF | 16.89 | ||
| P/B | 4.95 | ||
| P/tB | N/A | ||
| EV/EBITDA | 16.09 |
EPS(TTM)5.15
EY3.22%
EPS(NY)5.5
Fwd EY3.44%
FCF(TTM)4.79
FCFY2.99%
OCF(TTM)9.47
OCFY5.92%
SpS37.15
BVpS32.35
TBVpS-8.45
PEG (NY)4.52
PEG (5Y)2.19
Graham Number61.2291 (-61.73%)
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 | 2.93 |
F-Score6
WACC8.93%
ROIC/WACC0.85
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 Y6.88%
EPS Next 2Y10.67%
EPS Next 3Y11.45%
EPS Next 5Y9.22%
Revenue 1Y (TTM)6.14%
Revenue growth 3Y9.49%
Revenue growth 5Y11.69%
Sales Q2Q%5%
Revenue Next Year5.17%
Revenue Next 2Y5.67%
Revenue Next 3Y6.04%
Revenue Next 5Y5.74%
EBIT growth 1Y8.05%
EBIT growth 3Y12.78%
EBIT growth 5Y15.71%
EBIT Next Year80.5%
EBIT Next 3Y28.36%
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%.