Expert Outlook: Waste Connections Through The Eyes Of 11 Analysts
Benzinga Insights 8 months ago
Analyst Ratings
Ratings for Waste Connections (NYSE:WCN) were provided by 11 analysts in the past three months, showcasing a mix of bullish and bearish perspectives.
Summarizing their recent assessments, the table below illustrates the evolving sentiments in the past 30 days and compares them to the preceding months.
| Bullish | Somewhat Bullish | Indifferent | Somewhat Bearish | Bearish | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Ratings | 3 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Last 30D | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1M Ago | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2M Ago | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3M Ago | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Analysts provide deeper insights through their assessments of 12-month price targets, revealing an average target of $201.36, a high estimate of $220.00, and a low estimate of $176.00. A 2.87% drop is evident in the current average compared to the previous average price target of $207.30.
Deciphering Analyst Ratings: An In-Depth Analysis
The perception of Waste Connections by financial experts is analyzed through recent analyst actions. The following summary presents key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
| Analyst | Analyst Firm | Action Taken | Rating | Current Price Target | Prior Price Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Konark Gupta | Scotiabank | Lowers | Sector Outperform | $197.00 | $204.00 |
| William Grippin | Barclays | Lowers | Equal-Weight | $176.00 | $194.00 |
| Shlomo Rosenbaum | Stifel | Lowers | Buy | $213.00 | $218.00 |
| James Schumm | TD Cowen | Lowers | Buy | $200.00 | $210.00 |
| Noah Kaye | Oppenheimer | Lowers | Outperform | $205.00 | $206.00 |
| Konark Gupta | Scotiabank | Lowers | Sector Outperform | $204.00 | $210.00 |
| Bryan Burgmeier | Citigroup | Lowers | Neutral | $183.00 | $196.00 |
| Tami Zakaria | JP Morgan | Lowers | Overweight | $210.00 | $220.00 |
| Connor Cerniglia | Bernstein | Raises | Outperform | $205.00 | $200.00 |
| Toni Kaplan | Morgan Stanley | Raises | Overweight | $220.00 | $215.00 |
| Adam Bubes | Goldman Sachs | Announces | Buy | $202.00 | - |
Key Insights:
- Action Taken: Analysts frequently update their recommendations based on evolving market conditions and company performance. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their reaction to recent developments related to Waste Connections. This information provides a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.
- Rating: Analyzing trends, analysts offer qualitative evaluations, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings convey expectations for the relative performance of Waste Connections compared to the broader market.
- Price Targets: Analysts gauge the dynamics of price targets, providing estimates for the future value of Waste Connections's stock. This comparison reveals trends in analysts' expectations over time.
Capture valuable insights into Waste Connections's market standing by understanding these analyst evaluations alongside pertinent financial indicators. Stay informed and make strategic decisions with our Ratings Table.
Stay up to date on Waste Connections analyst ratings.
Delving into Waste Connections's Background
Waste Connections is a North American waste management company focused on integrated waste collection services. The firm primarily focuses on residential, commercial, municipal, and industrial waste collection, with a secondary market focus on rural areas. With 113 landfills and 222 transfer stations as of 2024, it is the third-largest waste management company by revenue. Revenue is split among six operating segments: Western, Southern, Eastern, Central, Canada, and Midsouth.
Understanding the Numbers: Waste Connections's Finances
Market Capitalization: Surpassing industry standards, the company's market capitalization asserts its dominance in terms of size, suggesting a robust market position.
Revenue Growth: Waste Connections's revenue growth over a period of 3M has been noteworthy. As of 30 September, 2025, the company achieved a revenue growth rate of approximately 5.13%. This indicates a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. As compared to competitors, the company encountered difficulties, with a growth rate lower than the average among peers in the Industrials sector.
Net Margin: Waste Connections's net margin excels beyond industry benchmarks, reaching 11.64%. This signifies efficient cost management and strong financial health.
Return on Equity (ROE): Waste Connections's ROE surpasses industry standards, highlighting the company's exceptional financial performance. With an impressive 3.48% ROE, the company effectively utilizes shareholder equity capital.
Return on Assets (ROA): Waste Connections's ROA surpasses industry standards, highlighting the company's exceptional financial performance. With an impressive 1.38% ROA, the company effectively utilizes its assets for optimal returns.
Debt Management: Waste Connections's debt-to-equity ratio is below the industry average at 1.1, reflecting a lower dependency on debt financing and a more conservative financial approach.
The Basics of Analyst Ratings
Benzinga tracks 150 analyst firms and reports on their stock expectations. Analysts typically arrive at their conclusions by predicting how much money a company will make in the future, usually the upcoming five years, and how risky or predictable that company's revenue streams are.
Analysts attend company conference calls and meetings, research company financial statements, and communicate with insiders to publish their ratings on stocks. Analysts typically rate each stock once per quarter or whenever the company has a major update.
In addition to their assessments, some analysts extend their insights by offering predictions for key metrics such as earnings, revenue, and growth estimates. This supplementary information provides further guidance for traders. It is crucial to recognize that, despite their specialization, analysts are human and can only provide forecasts based on their beliefs.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.