ACM vs. GFL: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ACM and GFL, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
ACM’s market capitalization stands at 15.31 billion USD, while GFL’s is 17.21 billion USD, indicating their market valuations are broadly comparable.
With betas of 0.97 for ACM and 1.01 for GFL, both stocks show similar sensitivity to overall market movements.
| Symbol | ACM | GFL |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Aecom | GFL Environmental Inc. |
| Country | US | CA |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Engineering & Construction | Waste Management |
| CEO | W. Troy Rudd | Patrick Dovigi |
| Price | 115.75 USD | 48.49 USD |
| Market Cap | 15.31 billion USD | 17.21 billion USD |
| Beta | 0.97 | 1.01 |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| IPO Date | May 10, 2007 | March 3, 2020 |
| ADR | No | No |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ACM and GFL by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period.
Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Profitability
Return on Equity
ACM
27.52%
Engineering & Construction Industry
- Max
- 39.77%
- Q3
- 28.08%
- Median
- 13.64%
- Q1
- 7.13%
- Min
- -14.48%
ACM’s Return on Equity of 27.52% is on par with the norm for the Engineering & Construction industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
GFL
40.07%
Waste Management Industry
- Max
- 40.07%
- Q3
- 22.07%
- Median
- 11.65%
- Q1
- -3.10%
- Min
- -27.58%
In the upper quartile for the Waste Management industry, GFL’s Return on Equity of 40.07% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Return on Invested Capital
ACM
6.55%
Engineering & Construction Industry
- Max
- 22.01%
- Q3
- 12.65%
- Median
- 8.09%
- Q1
- 4.79%
- Min
- -2.53%
ACM’s Return on Invested Capital of 6.55% is in line with the norm for the Engineering & Construction industry, reflecting a standard level of efficiency in generating profits from its capital base.
GFL
-0.09%
Waste Management Industry
- Max
- 9.07%
- Q3
- 7.95%
- Median
- 3.52%
- Q1
- 1.30%
- Min
- -4.75%
GFL has a negative Return on Invested Capital of -0.09%. This indicates that its operations are failing to generate a profit on the total capital invested, signaling significant inefficiency or value destruction.
Net Profit Margin
ACM
3.85%
Engineering & Construction Industry
- Max
- 11.23%
- Q3
- 6.47%
- Median
- 3.96%
- Q1
- 2.79%
- Min
- -2.45%
ACM’s Net Profit Margin of 3.85% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Engineering & Construction industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
GFL
37.53%
Waste Management Industry
- Max
- 12.88%
- Q3
- 11.97%
- Median
- 6.76%
- Q1
- -0.76%
- Min
- -9.89%
GFL’s Net Profit Margin of 37.53% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Waste Management industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.
Operating Profit Margin
ACM
5.98%
Engineering & Construction Industry
- Max
- 13.74%
- Q3
- 8.50%
- Median
- 6.20%
- Q1
- 4.58%
- Min
- 0.34%
ACM’s Operating Profit Margin of 5.98% is around the midpoint for the Engineering & Construction industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
GFL
-0.27%
Waste Management Industry
- Max
- 20.22%
- Q3
- 13.63%
- Median
- 7.87%
- Q1
- 1.29%
- Min
- -5.01%
GFL has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -0.27%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | ACM | GFL |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 27.52% | 40.07% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 5.24% | 14.69% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | 6.55% | -0.09% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 3.85% | 37.53% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 5.98% | -0.27% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 7.09% | 19.37% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
ACM
--
Engineering & Construction Industry
- Max
- 2.02
- Q3
- 1.66
- Median
- 1.38
- Q1
- 1.24
- Min
- 0.94
Current Ratio data for ACM is currently unavailable.
GFL
0.82
Waste Management Industry
- Max
- 2.37
- Q3
- 1.98
- Median
- 1.06
- Q1
- 0.79
- Min
- 0.66
GFL’s Current Ratio of 0.82 aligns with the median group of the Waste Management industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio
ACM
1.32
Engineering & Construction Industry
- Max
- 1.76
- Q3
- 0.91
- Median
- 0.67
- Q1
- 0.28
- Min
- 0.01
ACM’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Engineering & Construction industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.32. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
GFL
0.93
Waste Management Industry
- Max
- 2.64
- Q3
- 1.57
- Median
- 1.12
- Q1
- 0.87
- Min
- 0.07
GFL’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.93 is typical for the Waste Management industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio
ACM
5.28
Engineering & Construction Industry
- Max
- 20.20
- Q3
- 11.91
- Median
- 6.46
- Q1
- 3.18
- Min
- -2.69
ACM’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 5.28 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Engineering & Construction industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
GFL
-0.03
Waste Management Industry
- Max
- 6.06
- Q3
- 5.49
- Median
- 2.34
- Q1
- 0.26
- Min
- -2.04
GFL has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -0.03. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ACM | GFL |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | -- | 0.82 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | -- | 0.82 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 1.32 | 0.93 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.26 | 0.38 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | 1.23 | 6.08 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 5.28 | -0.03 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for ACM and GFL. These metrics are based on the companies’ annual financial reports.
Revenue Growth
Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth
Free Cash Flow Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield
ACM
0.86%
Engineering & Construction Industry
- Max
- 1.31%
- Q3
- 0.40%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 0.86%, ACM offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Engineering & Construction industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
GFL
0.12%
Waste Management Industry
- Max
- 1.38%
- Q3
- 0.73%
- Median
- 0.06%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
GFL’s Dividend Yield of 0.12% is consistent with its peers in the Waste Management industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio
ACM
20.16%
Engineering & Construction Industry
- Max
- 32.30%
- Q3
- 7.09%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ACM’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 20.16% is in the upper quartile for the Engineering & Construction industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.
GFL
1.04%
Waste Management Industry
- Max
- 49.31%
- Q3
- 43.13%
- Median
- 17.31%
- Q1
- 0.26%
- Min
- 0.00%
GFL’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 1.04% is within the typical range for the Waste Management industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | ACM | GFL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.86% | 0.12% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 20.16% | 1.04% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
ACM
24.84
Engineering & Construction Industry
- Max
- 95.41
- Q3
- 56.70
- Median
- 32.28
- Q1
- 22.94
- Min
- 4.72
ACM’s P/E Ratio of 24.84 is within the middle range for the Engineering & Construction industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
GFL
8.66
Waste Management Industry
- Max
- 76.31
- Q3
- 66.40
- Median
- 35.51
- Q1
- 32.40
- Min
- 9.07
GFL’s P/E Ratio of 8.66 is below the typical range for the Waste Management industry. This may indicate that the stock is potentially undervalued, or it could reflect market concerns about the company’s future prospects.
Forward P/E to Growth Ratio
ACM
2.51
Engineering & Construction Industry
- Max
- 4.99
- Q3
- 3.64
- Median
- 2.51
- Q1
- 1.64
- Min
- 0.03
The Forward PEG Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric in the Engineering & Construction industry.
GFL
0.19
Waste Management Industry
- Max
- 6.52
- Q3
- 4.74
- Median
- 2.97
- Q1
- 0.85
- Min
- 0.06
In the lower quartile for the Waste Management industry, GFL’s Forward PEG Ratio of 0.19 is a positive indicator. It suggests that the stock may be attractively valued relative to its expected earnings growth.
Price-to-Sales Ratio
ACM
0.95
Engineering & Construction Industry
- Max
- 3.34
- Q3
- 2.05
- Median
- 1.50
- Q1
- 0.83
- Min
- 0.44
ACM’s P/S Ratio of 0.95 aligns with the market consensus for the Engineering & Construction industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
GFL
3.03
Waste Management Industry
- Max
- 5.29
- Q3
- 4.49
- Median
- 3.59
- Q1
- 1.82
- Min
- 0.31
GFL’s P/S Ratio of 3.03 aligns with the market consensus for the Waste Management industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio
ACM
6.71
Engineering & Construction Industry
- Max
- 10.70
- Q3
- 7.33
- Median
- 4.69
- Q1
- 2.53
- Min
- 0.79
ACM’s P/B Ratio of 6.71 is within the conventional range for the Engineering & Construction industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
GFL
3.08
Waste Management Industry
- Max
- 10.62
- Q3
- 6.13
- Median
- 4.78
- Q1
- 2.85
- Min
- 1.68
GFL’s P/B Ratio of 3.08 is within the conventional range for the Waste Management industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | ACM | GFL |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | 24.84 | 8.66 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 2.51 | 0.19 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 0.95 | 3.03 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 6.71 | 3.08 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | 18.31 | 98.29 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 14.51 | 26.30 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 1.04 | 3.94 |