CWST vs. GFL: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at CWST and GFL, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | CWST | GFL |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Casella Waste Systems, Inc. | GFL Environmental Inc. |
| Country | United States | Canada |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Commercial Services & Supplies | Commercial Services & Supplies |
| Market Capitalization | 6.04 billion USD | 16.40 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | October 29, 1997 | March 3, 2020 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of CWST 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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | CWST | GFL |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 4.28% | 4.79% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -8.46% | -6.90% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -19.78% | -5.63% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -14.94% | 2.95% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 5.02% | 6.28% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -12.09% | 1.70% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.56M | 0.42M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 0.57M | 0.42M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 30.06% | 19.57% |
| Beta | 0.78 | 0.41 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
CWST
0.98%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 31.86%
- Q3
- 17.95%
- Median
- 10.20%
- Q1
- 6.64%
- Min
- -9.69%
CWST’s Return on Equity of 0.98% is in the lower quartile for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry. This indicates a less efficient generation of profit from its equity base when compared to its competitors.
GFL
47.67%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 31.86%
- Q3
- 17.95%
- Median
- 10.20%
- Q1
- 6.64%
- Min
- -9.69%
GFL’s Return on Equity of 47.67% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
CWST
0.85%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 17.54%
- Q3
- 10.35%
- Median
- 5.85%
- Q1
- 3.23%
- Min
- -2.31%
Falling into the lower quartile for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry, CWST’s Net Profit Margin of 0.85% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.
GFL
52.22%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 17.54%
- Q3
- 10.35%
- Median
- 5.85%
- Q1
- 3.23%
- Min
- -2.31%
GFL’s Net Profit Margin of 52.22% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
CWST
3.84%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 25.57%
- Q3
- 15.63%
- Median
- 8.06%
- Q1
- 4.76%
- Min
- -7.48%
CWST’s Operating Profit Margin of 3.84% is in the lower quartile for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.
GFL
6.00%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 25.57%
- Q3
- 15.63%
- Median
- 8.06%
- Q1
- 4.76%
- Min
- -7.48%
GFL’s Operating Profit Margin of 6.00% is around the midpoint for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | CWST | GFL |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 0.98% | 47.67% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 0.47% | 18.39% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 0.85% | 52.22% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 3.84% | 6.00% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 33.75% | 20.38% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
CWST
1.51
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 3.94
- Q3
- 2.24
- Median
- 1.28
- Q1
- 0.91
- Min
- 0.58
CWST’s Current Ratio of 1.51 aligns with the median group of the Commercial Services & Supplies industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
GFL
0.69
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 3.94
- Q3
- 2.24
- Median
- 1.28
- Q1
- 0.91
- Min
- 0.58
GFL’s Current Ratio of 0.69 falls into the lower quartile for the Commercial Services & Supplies 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 (MRQ)
CWST
0.73
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 2.24
- Q3
- 1.11
- Median
- 0.73
- Q1
- 0.30
- Min
- 0.00
CWST’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.73 is typical for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
GFL
1.03
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 2.24
- Q3
- 1.11
- Median
- 0.73
- Q1
- 0.30
- Min
- 0.00
GFL’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.03 is typical for the Commercial Services & Supplies 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 (TTM)
CWST
1.40
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 24.70
- Q3
- 24.47
- Median
- 9.83
- Q1
- 3.74
- Min
- -10.97
In the lower quartile for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry, CWST’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 1.40 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.
GFL
-0.09
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 24.70
- Q3
- 24.47
- Median
- 9.83
- Q1
- 3.74
- Min
- -10.97
GFL has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -0.09. 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 | CWST | GFL |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.51 | 0.69 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.34 | 0.56 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.73 | 1.03 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 1.40 | -0.09 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
CWST
0.00%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 4.46%
- Q3
- 2.38%
- Median
- 1.70%
- Q1
- 0.89%
- Min
- 0.00%
CWST 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.
GFL
0.13%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 4.46%
- Q3
- 2.38%
- Median
- 1.70%
- Q1
- 0.89%
- Min
- 0.00%
GFL’s Dividend Yield of 0.13% is in the lower quartile for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
CWST
0.00%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 137.88%
- Q3
- 72.93%
- Median
- 50.54%
- Q1
- 29.39%
- Min
- 0.00%
CWST 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.
GFL
0.62%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 137.88%
- Q3
- 72.93%
- Median
- 50.54%
- Q1
- 29.39%
- Min
- 0.00%
GFL’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 0.62% is in the lower quartile for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | CWST | GFL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.13% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.62% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
CWST
390.83
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 57.06
- Q3
- 35.30
- Median
- 21.86
- Q1
- 16.24
- Min
- 6.18
At 390.83, CWST’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
GFL
6.48
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 57.06
- Q3
- 35.30
- Median
- 21.86
- Q1
- 16.24
- Min
- 6.18
In the lower quartile for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry, GFL’s P/E Ratio of 6.48 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
CWST
3.32
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 6.55
- Q3
- 3.15
- Median
- 1.07
- Q1
- 0.68
- Min
- 0.06
CWST’s P/S Ratio of 3.32 is in the upper echelon for the Commercial Services & Supplies 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.
GFL
3.38
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 6.55
- Q3
- 3.15
- Median
- 1.07
- Q1
- 0.68
- Min
- 0.06
GFL’s P/S Ratio of 3.38 is in the upper echelon for the Commercial Services & Supplies 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 (MRQ)
CWST
3.84
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 6.18
- Q3
- 4.19
- Median
- 2.44
- Q1
- 1.61
- Min
- 0.40
CWST’s P/B Ratio of 3.84 is within the conventional range for the Commercial Services & Supplies 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
3.13
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 6.18
- Q3
- 4.19
- Median
- 2.44
- Q1
- 1.61
- Min
- 0.40
GFL’s P/B Ratio of 3.13 is within the conventional range for the Commercial Services & Supplies 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 | CWST | GFL |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 390.83 | 6.48 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 3.32 | 3.38 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 3.84 | 3.13 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 71.30 | 63.81 |