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 | 6.42 billion USD | 18.34 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 | 2.53% | 0.03% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -12.81% | 0.56% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -5.31% | 6.77% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -4.48% | 25.67% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -7.02% | -0.39% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -4.45% | 8.47% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.56M | 0.34M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 0.49M | 0.37M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 22.50% | 22.39% |
| Beta | 0.87 | 0.68 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
CWST
0.91%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 31.93%
- Q3
- 18.03%
- Median
- 9.43%
- Q1
- 6.44%
- Min
- -9.69%
CWST’s Return on Equity of 0.91% 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
48.97%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 31.93%
- Q3
- 18.03%
- Median
- 9.43%
- Q1
- 6.44%
- Min
- -9.69%
GFL’s Return on Equity of 48.97% 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
0.79%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 17.53%
- Q3
- 9.01%
- Median
- 5.20%
- Q1
- 2.75%
- Min
- -2.31%
Falling into the lower quartile for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry, CWST’s Net Profit Margin of 0.79% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.
GFL
49.85%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 17.53%
- Q3
- 9.01%
- Median
- 5.20%
- Q1
- 2.75%
- Min
- -2.31%
GFL’s Net Profit Margin of 49.85% 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
4.14%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 23.43%
- Q3
- 12.19%
- Median
- 8.10%
- Q1
- 3.18%
- Min
- -6.03%
CWST’s Operating Profit Margin of 4.14% is around the midpoint for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
GFL
5.83%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 23.43%
- Q3
- 12.19%
- Median
- 8.10%
- Q1
- 3.18%
- Min
- -6.03%
GFL’s Operating Profit Margin of 5.83% 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) | 0.91% | 48.97% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 0.43% | 18.18% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 0.79% | 49.85% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 4.14% | 5.83% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 34.06% | 20.03% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
CWST
1.96
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 2.94
- Q3
- 1.89
- Median
- 1.38
- Q1
- 0.87
- Min
- 0.53
CWST’s Current Ratio of 1.96 is in the upper quartile for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
GFL
0.67
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 2.94
- Q3
- 1.89
- Median
- 1.38
- Q1
- 0.87
- Min
- 0.53
GFL’s Current Ratio of 0.67 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
- 1.67
- Q3
- 1.08
- Median
- 0.73
- Q1
- 0.36
- 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
0.94
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 1.67
- Q3
- 1.08
- Median
- 0.73
- Q1
- 0.36
- Min
- 0.00
GFL’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.94 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
- 12.37
- Median
- 7.16
- Q1
- 2.69
- 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
- 12.37
- Median
- 7.16
- Q1
- 2.69
- 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) | 1.96 | 0.67 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.79 | 0.55 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.73 | 0.94 |
| 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
- 3.44%
- Q3
- 2.30%
- Median
- 1.37%
- Q1
- 0.63%
- 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
0.12%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 3.44%
- Q3
- 2.30%
- Median
- 1.37%
- Q1
- 0.63%
- Min
- 0.00%
GFL’s Dividend Yield of 0.12% 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
- 40.45%
- Q1
- 23.31%
- 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
0.61%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 137.88%
- Q3
- 72.93%
- Median
- 40.45%
- Q1
- 23.31%
- Min
- 0.00%
GFL’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 0.61% 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% | 0.12% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.61% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
CWST
497.20
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 57.20
- Q3
- 37.10
- Median
- 22.38
- Q1
- 16.35
- Min
- 0.00
At 497.20, 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
7.07
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 57.20
- Q3
- 37.10
- Median
- 22.38
- Q1
- 16.35
- Min
- 0.00
In the lower quartile for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry, GFL’s P/E Ratio of 7.07 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
CWST
3.91
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 4.64
- Q3
- 2.28
- Median
- 0.97
- Q1
- 0.64
- Min
- 0.00
CWST’s P/S Ratio of 3.91 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
3.52
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 4.64
- Q3
- 2.28
- Median
- 0.97
- Q1
- 0.64
- Min
- 0.00
GFL’s P/S Ratio of 3.52 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
4.57
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 6.71
- Q3
- 4.38
- Median
- 2.39
- Q1
- 1.57
- Min
- 0.43
CWST’s P/B Ratio of 4.57 is in the upper tier for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
GFL
3.27
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 6.71
- Q3
- 4.38
- Median
- 2.39
- Q1
- 1.57
- Min
- 0.43
GFL’s P/B Ratio of 3.27 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) | 497.20 | 7.07 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 3.91 | 3.52 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 4.57 | 3.27 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 63.59 | 76.96 |