WASTE CONNECTIONS INC (WCN) Stock Fundamental Analysis

NYSE:WCN • CA94106B1013

163.62 USD
-2.44 (-1.47%)
At close: Feb 20, 2026
163.62 USD
0 (0%)
After Hours: 2/20/2026, 8:10:21 PM
Fundamental Rating

5

We assign a fundamental rating of 5 out of 10 to WCN. WCN was compared to 80 industry peers in the Commercial Services & Supplies industry. While WCN belongs to the best of the industry regarding profitability, there are concerns on its financial health. WCN is quite expensive at the moment. It does show a decent growth rate.


Dividend Valuation Growth Profitability Health

8

1. Profitability

1.1 Basic Checks

  • WCN had positive earnings in the past year.
  • WCN had a positive operating cash flow in the past year.
  • Each year in the past 5 years WCN has been profitable.
  • Each year in the past 5 years WCN had a positive operating cash flow.
WCN Yearly Net Income VS EBIT VS OCF VS FCFWCN Yearly Net Income VS EBIT VS OCF VS FCFYearly Net Income VS EBIT VS OCF VS FCF 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 500M 1B 1.5B 2B

1.2 Ratios

  • WCN has a Return On Assets of 5.10%. This is in the better half of the industry: WCN outperforms 72.50% of its industry peers.
  • WCN has a better Return On Equity (13.06%) than 71.25% of its industry peers.
  • Looking at the Return On Invested Capital, with a value of 7.60%, WCN is in the better half of the industry, outperforming 70.00% of the companies in the same industry.
  • WCN had an Average Return On Invested Capital over the past 3 years of 7.41%. This is below the industry average of 10.56%.
  • The last Return On Invested Capital (7.60%) for WCN is above the 3 year average (7.41%), which is a sign of increasing profitability.
Industry RankSector 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%
WCN Yearly ROA, ROE, ROICWCN Yearly ROA, ROE, ROICYearly ROA, ROE, ROIC 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2 4 6 8 10

1.3 Margins

  • WCN has a Profit Margin of 11.37%. This is amongst the best in the industry. WCN outperforms 88.75% of its industry peers.
  • In the last couple of years the Profit Margin of WCN has grown nicely.
  • WCN has a better Operating Margin (19.48%) than 92.50% of its industry peers.
  • In the last couple of years the Operating Margin of WCN has grown nicely.
  • The Gross Margin of WCN (42.37%) is better than 76.25% 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 RankSector 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%
WCN Yearly Profit, Operating, Gross MarginsWCN Yearly Profit, Operating, Gross MarginsYearly Profit, Operating, Gross Margins 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 10 20 30 40

3

2. Health

2.1 Basic Checks

  • The Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) is below the Cost of Capital (WACC), so WCN is destroying value.
  • Compared to 1 year ago, WCN has less shares outstanding
  • WCN has less shares outstanding than it did 5 years ago.
  • WCN has a worse debt/assets ratio than last year.
WCN Yearly Shares OutstandingWCN Yearly Shares OutstandingYearly Shares Outstanding 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 50M 100M 150M 200M 250M
WCN Yearly Total Debt VS Total AssetsWCN Yearly Total Debt VS Total AssetsYearly Total Debt VS Total Assets 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 5B 10B 15B 20B

2.2 Solvency

  • An Altman-Z score of 3.01 indicates that WCN is not in any danger for bankruptcy at the moment.
  • With a decent Altman-Z score value of 3.01, WCN is doing good in the industry, outperforming 63.75% of the companies in the same industry.
  • 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.
  • WCN has a better Debt to FCF ratio (7.23) than 68.75% of its industry peers.
  • A Debt/Equity ratio of 1.07 is on the high side and indicates that WCN has dependencies on debt financing.
  • WCN has a worse Debt to Equity ratio (1.07) than 70.00% of its industry peers.
Industry RankSector Rank
Debt/Equity 1.07
Debt/FCF 7.23
Altman-Z 3.01
ROIC/WACC0.98
WACC7.74%
WCN Yearly LT Debt VS Equity VS FCFWCN Yearly LT Debt VS Equity VS FCFYearly LT Debt VS Equity VS FCF 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2B 4B 6B 8B

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's Current ratio of 0.62 is on the low side compared to the rest of the industry. WCN is outperformed by 88.75% of its industry peers.
  • A Quick Ratio of 0.58 indicates that WCN may have some problems paying its short term obligations.
  • WCN has a Quick ratio of 0.58. This is amonst the worse of the industry: WCN underperforms 86.25% of its industry peers.
Industry RankSector Rank
Current Ratio 0.62
Quick Ratio 0.58
WCN Yearly Current Assets VS Current LiabilitesWCN Yearly Current Assets VS Current LiabilitesYearly Current Assets VS Current Liabilites 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 500M 1B 1.5B 2B

4

3. Growth

3.1 Past

  • WCN shows a small growth in Earnings Per Share. In the last year, the EPS has grown by 7.52%.
  • 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 8.51% on average per year.
  • Based on estimates for the next years, WCN will show a small growth in Revenue. The Revenue will grow by 6.27% on average per year.
EPS Next Y11.61%
EPS Next 2Y12.62%
EPS Next 3Y13.89%
EPS Next 5Y8.51%
Revenue Next Year5.38%
Revenue Next 2Y5.87%
Revenue Next 3Y6.21%
Revenue Next 5Y6.27%

3.3 Evolution

  • When comparing the EPS growth rate of the last years to the growth rate of the upcoming years, we see that the growth is decreasing.
  • The Revenue growth rate is decreasing: in the next years the growth will be less than in the last years.
WCN Yearly Revenue VS EstimatesWCN Yearly Revenue VS EstimatesYearly Revenue VS Estimates 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 5B 10B 15B
WCN Yearly EPS VS EstimatesWCN Yearly EPS VS EstimatesYearly EPS VS Estimates 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2 4 6

3

4. Valuation

4.1 Price/Earnings Ratio

  • With a Price/Earnings ratio of 31.77, WCN can be considered very expensive at the moment.
  • WCN's Price/Earnings ratio is in line with the industry average.
  • WCN's Price/Earnings ratio indicates a similar valuation than the S&P500 average which is at 26.99.
  • WCN is valuated quite expensively with a Price/Forward Earnings ratio of 28.47.
  • Compared to the rest of the industry, the Price/Forward Earnings ratio of WCN indicates a somewhat cheap valuation: WCN is cheaper than 61.25% of the companies listed in the same industry.
  • The average S&P500 Price/Forward Earnings ratio is at 28.06. WCN is around the same levels.
Industry RankSector Rank
PE 31.77
Fwd PE 28.47
WCN Price Earnings VS Forward Price EarningsWCN Price Earnings VS Forward Price Earnings ChartPrice Earnings - Forward Price Earnings PE FPE 10 20 30 40

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.
  • The rest of the industry has a similar Price/Free Cash Flow ratio as WCN.
Industry RankSector Rank
P/FCF 34.34
EV/EBITDA 16.67
WCN Per share dataWCN EPS, Sales, OCF, FCF, BookValue per sharePer Share Data Per Share 0 10 20 30

4.3 Compensation for Growth

  • The high PEG Ratio(NY), which compensates the Price/Earnings for growth, indicates an expensive valuation of the company.
  • The excellent profitability rating of WCN may justify a higher PE ratio.
  • WCN's earnings are expected to grow with 13.89% in the coming years. This may justify a more expensive valuation.
PEG (NY)2.74
PEG (5Y)2.24
EPS Next 2Y12.62%
EPS Next 3Y13.89%

5

5. Dividend

5.1 Amount

  • With a yearly dividend of 0.81%, WCN is not a good candidate for dividend investing.
  • Compared to an average industry Dividend Yield of 0.80, WCN pays a bit more dividend than its industry peers.
  • With a Dividend Yield of 0.81, WCN pays less dividend than the S&P500 average, which is at 1.85.
Industry RankSector 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
WCN Yearly Dividends per shareWCN Yearly Dividends per shareYearly Dividends per share 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1

5.3 Sustainability

  • 31.01% of the earnings are spent on dividend by WCN. This is a low number and sustainable payout ratio.
  • The dividend of WCN is growing, but the earnings are growing slower. This means the dividend growth is not sustainable.
DP31.01%
EPS Next 2Y12.62%
EPS Next 3Y13.89%
WCN Yearly Income VS Free CF VS DividendWCN Yearly Income VS Free CF VS DividendYearly Income VS Free CF VS Dividend 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 200M 400M 600M 800M 1B
WCN Dividend Payout.WCN Dividend Payout, showing the Payout Ratio.WCN Dividend Payout.PayoutRetained Earnings

WASTE CONNECTIONS INC

NYSE:WCN (2/20/2026, 8:10:21 PM)

After market: 163.62 0 (0%)

163.62

-2.44 (-1.47%)

Chartmill FA Rating
GICS SectorIndustrials
GICS IndustryGroupCommercial & Professional Services
GICS IndustryCommercial Services & Supplies
Earnings (Last)02-11
Earnings (Next)04-21
Inst Owners89.12%
Inst Owner Change1.38%
Ins Owners0.11%
Ins Owner Change-1%
Market Cap41.89B
Revenue(TTM)9.47B
Net Income(TTM)1.08B
Analysts83
Price Target152.34 (-6.89%)
Short Float %0.9%
Short Ratio1.54
Dividend
Industry RankSector 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
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)2.27%
PT rev (3m)-25.82%
EPS NQ rev (1m)-0.89%
EPS NQ rev (3m)-1.03%
EPS NY rev (1m)-0.04%
EPS NY rev (3m)-0.09%
Revenue NQ rev (1m)-0.13%
Revenue NQ rev (3m)-0.13%
Revenue NY rev (1m)0%
Revenue NY rev (3m)0%
Valuation
Industry RankSector Rank
PE 31.77
Fwd PE 28.47
P/S 4.42
P/FCF 34.34
P/OCF 17.35
P/B 5.08
P/tB N/A
EV/EBITDA 16.67
EPS(TTM)5.15
EY3.15%
EPS(NY)5.75
Fwd EY3.51%
FCF(TTM)4.76
FCFY2.91%
OCF(TTM)9.43
OCFY5.76%
SpS36.98
BVpS32.21
TBVpS-8.41
PEG (NY)2.74
PEG (5Y)2.24
Graham Number61.09
Profitability
Industry RankSector 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 RankSector 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
WACC7.74%
ROIC/WACC0.98
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 Y11.61%
EPS Next 2Y12.62%
EPS Next 3Y13.89%
EPS Next 5Y8.51%
Revenue 1Y (TTM)6.14%
Revenue growth 3Y9.49%
Revenue growth 5Y11.69%
Sales Q2Q%5%
Revenue Next Year5.38%
Revenue Next 2Y5.87%
Revenue Next 3Y6.21%
Revenue Next 5Y6.27%
EBIT growth 1Y8.05%
EBIT growth 3Y12.78%
EBIT growth 5Y15.71%
EBIT Next Year81.87%
EBIT Next 3Y29.59%
EBIT Next 5Y19.58%
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 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.


What is the profitability of WCN stock?

WASTE CONNECTIONS INC (WCN) has a profitability rating of 8 / 10.


What are the PE and PB ratios of WASTE CONNECTIONS INC (WCN) stock?

The Price/Earnings (PE) ratio for WASTE CONNECTIONS INC (WCN) is 31.77 and the Price/Book (PB) ratio is 5.08.


Can you provide the dividend sustainability for WCN stock?

The dividend rating of WASTE CONNECTIONS INC (WCN) is 5 / 10 and the dividend payout ratio is 31.01%.