EFX vs. WM: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at EFX and WM, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | EFX | WM |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Equifax Inc. | Waste Management, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Professional Services | Commercial Services & Supplies |
| Market Capitalization | 31.21 billion USD | 92.61 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | March 17, 1980 | June 22, 1988 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of EFX and WM 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 | EFX | WM |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 4.70% | -1.42% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -8.35% | 1.92% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 2.35% | 2.21% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -10.68% | 13.19% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 5.44% | 0.32% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -0.61% | 13.93% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.19M | 1.41M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.06M | 1.74M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 31.28% | 17.69% |
| Beta | 1.68 | 0.66 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
EFX
12.93%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 52.17%
- Q3
- 30.06%
- Median
- 22.21%
- Q1
- 11.67%
- Min
- -13.44%
EFX’s Return on Equity of 12.93% is on par with the norm for the Professional Services industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
WM
31.93%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 31.93%
- Q3
- 18.03%
- Median
- 9.43%
- Q1
- 6.44%
- Min
- -9.69%
In the upper quartile for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry, WM’s Return on Equity of 31.93% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
EFX
10.95%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 26.06%
- Q3
- 13.34%
- Median
- 7.88%
- Q1
- 3.50%
- Min
- -2.93%
EFX’s Net Profit Margin of 10.95% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Professional Services industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
WM
11.36%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 17.53%
- Q3
- 9.01%
- Median
- 5.20%
- Q1
- 2.75%
- Min
- -2.31%
A Net Profit Margin of 11.36% places WM in the upper quartile for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
EFX
18.52%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 35.84%
- Q3
- 19.38%
- Median
- 12.54%
- Q1
- 7.36%
- Min
- -5.21%
EFX’s Operating Profit Margin of 18.52% is around the midpoint for the Professional Services industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
WM
17.52%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 23.43%
- Q3
- 12.19%
- Median
- 8.10%
- Q1
- 3.18%
- Min
- -6.03%
An Operating Profit Margin of 17.52% places WM in the upper quartile for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | EFX | WM |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 12.93% | 31.93% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 5.34% | 6.42% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 10.95% | 11.36% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 18.52% | 17.52% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 55.80% | 39.72% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
EFX
0.77
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 2.45
- Q3
- 1.65
- Median
- 1.26
- Q1
- 1.10
- Min
- 0.47
EFX’s Current Ratio of 0.77 falls into the lower quartile for the Professional Services industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
WM
0.86
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 2.94
- Q3
- 1.89
- Median
- 1.38
- Q1
- 0.87
- Min
- 0.53
WM’s Current Ratio of 0.86 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)
EFX
0.96
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 2.63
- Q3
- 1.44
- Median
- 0.91
- Q1
- 0.49
- Min
- 0.00
EFX’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.96 is typical for the Professional Services industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
WM
2.61
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 1.67
- Q3
- 1.08
- Median
- 0.73
- Q1
- 0.36
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 2.61, WM operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Commercial Services & Supplies industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
EFX
4.54
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 39.67
- Q3
- 20.05
- Median
- 11.07
- Q1
- 5.36
- Min
- -2.22
In the lower quartile for the Professional Services industry, EFX’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 4.54 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.
WM
6.82
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 24.70
- Q3
- 12.37
- Median
- 7.16
- Q1
- 2.69
- Min
- -10.97
WM’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 6.82 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 | EFX | WM |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.77 | 0.86 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.69 | 0.86 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.96 | 2.61 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 4.54 | 6.82 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
EFX
0.67%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 5.28%
- Q3
- 2.51%
- Median
- 1.63%
- Q1
- 0.62%
- Min
- 0.00%
EFX’s Dividend Yield of 0.67% is consistent with its peers in the Professional Services industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
WM
1.37%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 3.44%
- Q3
- 2.30%
- Median
- 1.37%
- Q1
- 0.63%
- Min
- 0.00%
WM’s Dividend Yield of 1.37% 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)
EFX
32.41%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 109.23%
- Q3
- 64.39%
- Median
- 47.00%
- Q1
- 20.35%
- Min
- 0.00%
EFX’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 32.41% is within the typical range for the Professional Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
WM
46.71%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 137.88%
- Q3
- 72.93%
- Median
- 40.45%
- Q1
- 23.31%
- Min
- 0.00%
WM’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 46.71% 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 | EFX | WM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.67% | 1.37% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 32.41% | 46.71% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
EFX
48.21
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 49.59
- Q3
- 36.59
- Median
- 28.13
- Q1
- 18.55
- Min
- 10.07
A P/E Ratio of 48.21 places EFX in the upper quartile for the Professional Services industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
WM
34.02
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 57.20
- Q3
- 37.10
- Median
- 22.38
- Q1
- 16.35
- Min
- 0.00
WM’s P/E Ratio of 34.02 is within the middle range for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
EFX
5.28
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 9.54
- Q3
- 5.11
- Median
- 2.10
- Q1
- 0.75
- Min
- 0.11
EFX’s P/S Ratio of 5.28 is in the upper echelon for the Professional Services 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.
WM
3.86
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 4.64
- Q3
- 2.28
- Median
- 0.97
- Q1
- 0.64
- Min
- 0.00
WM’s P/S Ratio of 3.86 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)
EFX
6.31
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 13.75
- Q3
- 8.87
- Median
- 4.35
- Q1
- 2.43
- Min
- 0.54
EFX’s P/B Ratio of 6.31 is within the conventional range for the Professional Services 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.
WM
10.01
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 6.71
- Q3
- 4.38
- Median
- 2.39
- Q1
- 1.57
- Min
- 0.43
At 10.01, WM’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Commercial Services & Supplies industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | EFX | WM |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 48.21 | 34.02 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 5.28 | 3.86 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 6.31 | 10.01 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 33.63 | 42.79 |