AlphAIalphai — Financial news for AI agents
fool.comAUG 213 min read$WM

3 Things to Know Before You Buy Waste Management Stock

Waste Management (WM) is a Houston-based company involved in waste collection, transportation, and recycling. Its shares have risen less than 2% this year, trading at a forward P/E of 28. WM has a competitive advantage due to its extensive landfill network and utility-like pricing power. The company reported Q2 revenue of $6.68B, up 4% YoY, and EPS of $1.95, up 8% YoY. WM forecasts full-year adjusted EBITDA between $8.15B and $8.25B, and free cash flow between $3.75B and $3.85B.

Original reporting
fool.com
Published Aug 21, 2026, 11:30 AM UTC
Analysis
alphai AI DeskAI-generated
Added to alphai Aug 21, 2026, 12:25 PM UTC. Informational, not investment advice.
How this was made
alphai summarizes source reporting and applies a structured AI analysis for relevance, timing, sentiment and ticker impact. Always verify material claims with the original publisher.
About alphai AI DeskScoring methodologyReport an issue
3 Things to Know Before You Buy Waste Management Stock — source image
Source · fool.com
Decision brief

The 30-second read

$WMBullishHigh
01

Why it matters

The guidance upgrade is a primary disclosure that can shift valuation models and trigger buying interest.

02

Market read

WM's guidance lift is material for investors and may influence sector sentiment and related utility‑like stocks.

03

What to watch

Potential regulatory headwinds on landfill expansion and rising labor costs could temper growth.

Relevance 9/10Novelty 9/10Timing: FY2026 guidance released today

Background

The article is a buy‑side overview of Waste Management (WM) focusing on its moat, recent Stericycle acquisition, and FY2026 guidance.

Company-level read

Ticker impact

$WMBullishHigh confidence
Context

WM disclosed FY2026 adjusted EBITDA guidance of $8.15‑$8.25 B and free‑cash‑flow guidance of $3.75‑$3.85 B, plus FY revenue guidance of $26.275‑$26.475 B.

Expected impact

Potential upside of 5‑10% as investors re‑price the higher earnings outlook.

Evidence & confidence

Large‑cap waste‑management firm with durable moat; guidance lift is material and likely to move the stock.

Market effects

Sector

Sets a higher earnings baseline for the waste‑management sector, pressuring peers to raise guidance.

Regional

Supports broader U.S. industrial and utility‑like stocks amid inflationary environment.

Global

Highlights demand for renewable natural gas, relevant to global clean‑energy trends.

Counterpoint

What could challenge this read

Guidance may already be priced in; execution risk on new Stericycle assets could limit upside.

Key entities

  • company
    Waste Management, Inc.

    U.S. waste‑collection and disposal firm (ticker WM).

Read at source← All news

Related articles

JUL 30
$WMMed

WM Q2 Deep Dive: Improving Margins and Integration Progress Offset Softer Volume Trends

Revenue: $6.68 billion vs analyst estimates of $6.71 billion (4% year-on-year growth, in line) Adjusted EPS: $2.02 vs analyst estimates of $1.98 (2.1% beat) Adjusted EBITDA: $2.07 billion vs analyst estimates of $2.03 billion (30.9% margin, 1.6% beat) EBITDA guidance for the full year is $8.2 billion at the midpoint, in line with analyst expectations Operating Margin: 18.7%, in line with the same quarter last year Market Capitalization: $95.01 billion Cost discipline and automation:...

yahoo.com4 min
JUL 29
$WMMedAI 8/10

WM's Q2 recycling and renewable energy EBITDA jumps

Waste Management (WM) reported Q2 2026 revenue of $6.68B, up 4.0% y/y. Recycling and renewable energy adjusted operating EBITDA rose to $163M, up 32.5%, helped by higher volumes, automation efficiencies, and more RNG output. WM said full-year outlook is slightly ahead, raised EBITDA margin guidance to 31% to 31.2%, and narrowed revenue to $26.275B-$26.475B.

resource-recycling.com7 min
JUL 28
$WMHighAI 9/10

WASTE MANAGEMENT INC (WM): Results of Operations and Financial Condition

WASTE MANAGEMENT INC (WM) filed an SEC Form 8-K — Results of Operations and Financial Condition. EX-99.1 2 tm2621414d1_ex99-1.htm EXHIBIT 99.1 Exhibit 99.1 WM Announces Second Quarter 2026 Earnings Cash Flow from Operations Increases Nearly 12%, Supporting the Return of More Than $1 Billion to Shareholders During the Quarter WM Completes Four Sustainability Growth Projects a

SEC EDGAR 8-K6 min
JUL 2
$WMMed

Wallbridge Temporarily Evacuates Fenelon Camp, Suspends Exploration Due to Quebec Forest Fire Risk

Wallbridge Mining (TSX:WM, OTCQB:WLBMF) said it temporarily evacuated its Fenelon Gold project camp and suspended drilling and related exploration on its Detour-Fenelon Gold Trend due to an SOPFEU and Quebec natural resources ministry evacuation order tied to rising Quebec wildland fire risk. The company will monitor conditions and resume when authorities deem it safe.

manilatimes.net4 min
MAY 25
$MSFTLow

Billionaire Bill Gates' Foundation Sold Its Microsoft Stake and Has 43% of Its $33 Billion Portfolio Invested in 2 Other Stocks

According to the article, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation sold its remaining Microsoft stake, leaving about 43% of its roughly $33 billion public-equity portfolio invested in two stocks. Microsoft exposure remains via Gates’ personal holdings of 103 million shares worth about $43 billion. The top holdings are Berkshire Hathaway (~25%) and WM (~18%), based on the latest SEC 13F.

fool.com7 min
MAY 24
$WMMed

Thrivent Adds 10,746 Waste Management Shares in Fourth Quarter

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans increased its Waste Management stake by 18.6% in the fourth quarter, adding 10,746 shares to 68,661. The position was valued at $15.12 million at the end of the latest reporting period, according to a filing. Other institutions also adjusted holdings. Analyst price targets rose, including RBC to $240 and TD Cowen to $275.

el-balad.com4 min