The end of the earnings season is always a good time to take a step back and see who shined (and who not so much). Let’s take a look at how waste management stocks fared in Q1, starting with Waste Management (NYSE:WM).

Waste management companies can possess licenses permitting them to handle hazardous materials. Furthermore, many services are performed through contracts and statutorily mandated, non-discretionary, or recurring, leading to more predictable revenue streams. However, regulation can be a headwind, rendering existing services obsolete or forcing companies to invest precious capital to comply with new, more environmentally-friendly rules. Lastly, waste management companies are at the whim of economic cycles. Interest rates, for example, can greatly impact industrial production or commercial projects that create waste and byproducts.

The 9 waste management stocks we track reported a mixed Q1. As a group, revenues missed analysts’ consensus estimates by 1%.

Thankfully, share prices of the companies have been resilient as they are up 6.2% on average since the latest earnings results.

Waste Management (NYSE:WM)

Headquartered in Houston, Waste Management (NYSE:WM) is a provider of comprehensive waste management services in North America.

Waste Management reported revenues of $6.02 billion, up 16.7% year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 1.4%. Overall, it was a slower quarter for the company with some shareholders anticipating a better outcome.

“Our first quarter results reflect the strong track record of the WM team as we started the year delivering on each of our strategic priorities,” said Jim Fish, WM’s President and CEO.Waste Management Total Revenue

The market was likely pricing in the results, and the stock is flat since reporting. It currently trades at $227.50.

Read our full report on Waste Management here, it’s free.

Best Q1: Montrose (NYSE:MEG)

Founded to protect a tree-lined two-lane road, Montrose (NYSE:MEG) provides air quality monitoring, environmental laboratory testing, compliance, and environmental consulting services.

Montrose reported revenues of $177.8 million, up 14.5% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 6%. The business had a stunning quarter with a solid beat of analysts’ organic revenue estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.Montrose Total Revenue

Montrose pulled off the biggest analyst estimates beat and highest full-year guidance raise among its peers. The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 28.2% since reporting. It currently trades at $19.21.

Is now the time to buy Montrose? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Story Continues

Slowest Q1: Perma-Fix (NASDAQ:PESI)

Tackling hazardous waste challenges since 1990, Perma-Fix (NASDAQ:PESI) provides environmental waste treatment services.

Perma-Fix reported revenues of $13.92 million, up 2.2% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 9%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ EBITDA and EPS estimates.

Perma-Fix delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates in the group. Interestingly, the stock is up 8.6% since the results and currently trades at $9.61.

Read our full analysis of Perma-Fix’s results here.

Casella Waste Systems (NASDAQ:CWST)

Starting with the founder picking up garbage with a pickup truck he purchased using savings from high school, Casella (NASDAQ:CWST) offers waste management services for businesses, residents, and the government.

Casella Waste Systems reported revenues of $417.1 million, up 22.3% year on year. This print topped analysts’ expectations by 3.1%. More broadly, it was a mixed quarter as it also recorded a solid beat of analysts’ EPS estimates but a significant miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

Casella Waste Systems delivered the fastest revenue growth but had the weakest full-year guidance update among its peers. The stock is down 2.2% since reporting and currently trades at $114.52.

Read our full, actionable report on Casella Waste Systems here, it’s free.

Waste Connections (NYSE:WCN)

Operating a network of municipal solid waste landfills in the U.S. and Canada, Waste Connections (NYSE:WCN) is North America's third-largest waste management company providing collection, disposal, and recycling services.

Waste Connections reported revenues of $2.23 billion, up 7.5% year on year. This number was in line with analysts’ expectations. Overall, it was a very strong quarter as it also put up an impressive beat of analysts’ organic revenue estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

The stock is down 1.7% since reporting and currently trades at $191.92.

Read our full, actionable report on Waste Connections here, it’s free.

Market Update

In response to the Fed’s rate hikes in 2022 and 2023, inflation has been gradually trending down from its post-pandemic peak, trending closer to the Fed’s 2% target. Despite higher borrowing costs, the economy has avoided flashing recessionary signals. This is the much-desired soft landing that many investors hoped for. The recent rate cuts (0.5% in September and 0.25% in November 2024) have bolstered the stock market, making 2024 a strong year for equities. Donald Trump’s presidential win in November sparked additional market gains, sending indices to record highs in the days following his victory. However, debates continue over possible tariffs and corporate tax adjustments, raising questions about economic stability in 2025.

Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Top 6 Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.

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