AVAV vs. WCN: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at AVAV and WCN, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
WCN’s market capitalization of 46.70 billion USD is significantly greater than AVAV’s 11.24 billion USD, highlighting its more substantial market valuation.
With betas of 0.81 for AVAV and 0.62 for WCN, both stocks show similar sensitivity to overall market movements.
| Symbol | AVAV | WCN |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | AeroVironment, Inc. | Waste Connections, Inc. |
| Country | US | CA |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Aerospace & Defense | Waste Management |
| CEO | Wahid Nawabi | Ronald J. Mittelstaedt |
| Price | 246.23 USD | 180.73 USD |
| Market Cap | 11.24 billion USD | 46.70 billion USD |
| Beta | 0.81 | 0.62 |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | NYSE |
| IPO Date | January 23, 2007 | May 22, 1998 |
| ADR | No | No |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of AVAV and WCN 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
AVAV
5.06%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 42.57%
- Q3
- 16.67%
- Median
- 8.39%
- Q1
- -0.77%
- Min
- -23.36%
AVAV’s Return on Equity of 5.06% is on par with the norm for the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
WCN
7.83%
Waste Management Industry
- Max
- 40.07%
- Q3
- 22.07%
- Median
- 11.65%
- Q1
- -3.10%
- Min
- -27.58%
WCN’s Return on Equity of 7.83% is on par with the norm for the Waste Management industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Return on Invested Capital
AVAV
4.16%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 23.42%
- Q3
- 8.86%
- Median
- 5.47%
- Q1
- -5.60%
- Min
- -22.46%
AVAV’s Return on Invested Capital of 4.16% is in line with the norm for the Aerospace & Defense industry, reflecting a standard level of efficiency in generating profits from its capital base.
WCN
4.78%
Waste Management Industry
- Max
- 9.07%
- Q3
- 7.95%
- Median
- 3.52%
- Q1
- 1.30%
- Min
- -4.75%
WCN’s Return on Invested Capital of 4.78% is in line with the norm for the Waste Management industry, reflecting a standard level of efficiency in generating profits from its capital base.
Net Profit Margin
AVAV
5.54%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 22.67%
- Q3
- 8.04%
- Median
- 4.95%
- Q1
- -5.07%
- Min
- -16.58%
AVAV’s Net Profit Margin of 5.54% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Aerospace & Defense industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
WCN
6.93%
Waste Management Industry
- Max
- 12.88%
- Q3
- 11.97%
- Median
- 6.76%
- Q1
- -0.76%
- Min
- -9.89%
WCN’s Net Profit Margin of 6.93% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Waste Management industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin
AVAV
5.18%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 22.01%
- Q3
- 11.49%
- Median
- 8.96%
- Q1
- 3.77%
- Min
- -4.96%
AVAV’s Operating Profit Margin of 5.18% is around the midpoint for the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
WCN
12.19%
Waste Management Industry
- Max
- 20.22%
- Q3
- 13.63%
- Median
- 7.87%
- Q1
- 1.29%
- Min
- -5.01%
WCN’s Operating Profit Margin of 12.19% is around the midpoint for the Waste Management industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | AVAV | WCN |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 5.06% | 7.83% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 3.89% | 3.11% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | 4.16% | 4.78% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 5.54% | 6.93% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 5.18% | 12.19% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 40.23% | 38.88% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
AVAV
3.52
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 5.13
- Q3
- 3.36
- Median
- 2.16
- Q1
- 1.20
- Min
- 0.41
AVAV’s Current Ratio of 3.52 is in the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
WCN
0.70
Waste Management Industry
- Max
- 2.37
- Q3
- 1.98
- Median
- 1.06
- Q1
- 0.79
- Min
- 0.66
WCN’s Current Ratio of 0.70 falls into the lower quartile for the Waste Management industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio
AVAV
0.04
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 1.20
- Q3
- 0.73
- Median
- 0.51
- Q1
- 0.09
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, AVAV’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.04 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
WCN
1.09
Waste Management Industry
- Max
- 2.64
- Q3
- 1.57
- Median
- 1.12
- Q1
- 0.87
- Min
- 0.07
WCN’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.09 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
AVAV
245.75
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 12.62
- Q3
- 7.38
- Median
- 2.95
- Q1
- 1.68
- Min
- -6.68
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 245.75, AVAV demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
WCN
3.36
Waste Management Industry
- Max
- 6.06
- Q3
- 5.49
- Median
- 2.34
- Q1
- 0.26
- Min
- -2.04
WCN’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 3.36 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Waste Management industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | AVAV | WCN |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 3.52 | 0.70 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 2.69 | 0.70 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 0.04 | 1.09 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.03 | 0.43 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | -0.11 | 3.73 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 245.75 | 3.36 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for AVAV and WCN. These metrics are based on the companies’ annual financial reports.
Revenue Growth
Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth
Free Cash Flow Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield
AVAV
0.00%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 6.00%
- Q3
- 0.66%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AVAV currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
WCN
0.68%
Waste Management Industry
- Max
- 1.38%
- Q3
- 0.73%
- Median
- 0.06%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
WCN’s Dividend Yield of 0.68% is consistent with its peers in the Waste Management industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio
AVAV
0.00%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 172.02%
- Q3
- 32.47%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AVAV has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
WCN
49.31%
Waste Management Industry
- Max
- 49.31%
- Q3
- 43.13%
- Median
- 17.31%
- Q1
- 0.26%
- Min
- 0.00%
WCN’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 49.31% is in the upper quartile for the Waste Management 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.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | AVAV | WCN |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.68% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 49.31% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
AVAV
158.45
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 75.34
- Q3
- 54.40
- Median
- 38.63
- Q1
- 26.10
- Min
- 16.44
At 158.45, AVAV’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
WCN
74.18
Waste Management Industry
- Max
- 76.31
- Q3
- 66.40
- Median
- 35.51
- Q1
- 32.40
- Min
- 9.07
A P/E Ratio of 74.18 places WCN in the upper quartile for the Waste Management industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
Forward P/E to Growth Ratio
AVAV
4.65
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 10.68
- Q3
- 5.36
- Median
- 2.31
- Q1
- 1.47
- Min
- 0.01
AVAV’s Forward PEG Ratio of 4.65 is within the middle range of its peers in the Aerospace & Defense industry. This suggests a reasonable balance between the stock’s price and its expected growth, aligning with sector valuation norms.
WCN
6.34
Waste Management Industry
- Max
- 6.52
- Q3
- 4.74
- Median
- 2.97
- Q1
- 0.85
- Min
- 0.06
A Forward PEG Ratio of 6.34 places WCN in the upper quartile for the Waste Management industry. This suggests the stock is potentially expensive compared to its peers relative to its growth forecast, which may warrant caution.
Price-to-Sales Ratio
AVAV
14.27
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 19.34
- Q3
- 9.54
- Median
- 2.71
- Q1
- 1.59
- Min
- 0.35
AVAV’s P/S Ratio of 14.27 is in the upper echelon for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
WCN
5.15
Waste Management Industry
- Max
- 5.29
- Q3
- 4.49
- Median
- 3.59
- Q1
- 1.82
- Min
- 0.31
WCN’s P/S Ratio of 5.15 is in the upper echelon for the Waste Management industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
Price-to-Book Ratio
AVAV
7.80
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 16.08
- Q3
- 8.12
- Median
- 4.12
- Q1
- 2.69
- Min
- 0.69
AVAV’s P/B Ratio of 7.80 is within the conventional range for the Aerospace & Defense 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.
WCN
5.82
Waste Management Industry
- Max
- 10.62
- Q3
- 6.13
- Median
- 4.78
- Q1
- 2.85
- Min
- 1.68
WCN’s P/B Ratio of 5.82 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 | AVAV | WCN |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | 158.45 | 74.18 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 4.65 | 6.34 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 14.27 | 5.15 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 7.80 | 5.82 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | -821.15 | 39.54 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 188.22 | 24.02 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 14.26 | 6.09 |