CWST vs. WCN: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at CWST and WCN, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | CWST | WCN |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Casella Waste Systems, Inc. | Waste Connections, Inc. |
| Country | United States | Canada |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Commercial Services & Supplies | Commercial Services & Supplies |
| Market Capitalization | 6.51 billion USD | 47.77 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | October 29, 1997 | May 22, 1998 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of CWST 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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | CWST | WCN |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 5.17% | 1.02% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -10.55% | -3.77% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -10.83% | -4.73% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -2.91% | 3.64% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -5.68% | -0.20% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -3.08% | 4.71% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.56M | 0.26M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 0.49M | 0.31M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 22.45% | 17.48% |
| Beta | 0.87 | 0.46 |
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.
WCN
7.93%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 31.93%
- Q3
- 18.03%
- Median
- 9.43%
- Q1
- 6.44%
- Min
- -9.69%
WCN’s Return on Equity of 7.93% is on par with the norm for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
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.
WCN
6.97%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 17.53%
- Q3
- 9.01%
- Median
- 5.20%
- Q1
- 2.75%
- Min
- -2.31%
WCN’s Net Profit Margin of 6.97% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Commercial Services & Supplies industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
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.
WCN
12.19%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 23.43%
- Q3
- 12.19%
- Median
- 8.10%
- Q1
- 3.18%
- Min
- -6.03%
WCN’s Operating Profit Margin of 12.19% 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 | WCN |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 0.91% | 7.93% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 0.43% | 3.19% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 0.79% | 6.97% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 4.14% | 12.19% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 34.06% | 42.03% |
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.
WCN
0.67
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 2.94
- Q3
- 1.89
- Median
- 1.38
- Q1
- 0.87
- Min
- 0.53
WCN’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.
WCN
1.00
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 1.67
- Q3
- 1.08
- Median
- 0.73
- Q1
- 0.36
- Min
- 0.00
WCN’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.00 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.
WCN
3.42
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 24.70
- Q3
- 12.37
- Median
- 7.16
- Q1
- 2.69
- Min
- -10.97
WCN’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 3.42 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | CWST | WCN |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.96 | 0.67 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.79 | 0.57 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.73 | 1.00 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 1.40 | 3.42 |
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.
WCN
0.66%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 3.44%
- Q3
- 2.30%
- Median
- 1.37%
- Q1
- 0.63%
- Min
- 0.00%
WCN’s Dividend Yield of 0.66% is consistent with its peers in the Commercial Services & Supplies industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
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.
WCN
28.21%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 137.88%
- Q3
- 72.93%
- Median
- 40.45%
- Q1
- 23.31%
- Min
- 0.00%
WCN’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 28.21% is within the typical range for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | CWST | WCN |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.66% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 28.21% |
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.
WCN
74.37
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 57.20
- Q3
- 37.10
- Median
- 22.38
- Q1
- 16.35
- Min
- 0.00
At 74.37, WCN’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.
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.
WCN
5.19
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 4.64
- Q3
- 2.28
- Median
- 0.97
- Q1
- 0.64
- Min
- 0.00
With a P/S Ratio of 5.19, WCN trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Commercial Services & Supplies industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
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.
WCN
5.67
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 6.71
- Q3
- 4.38
- Median
- 2.39
- Q1
- 1.57
- Min
- 0.43
WCN’s P/B Ratio of 5.67 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | CWST | WCN |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 497.20 | 74.37 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 3.91 | 5.19 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 4.57 | 5.67 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 63.59 | 41.99 |