HWM vs. WM: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at HWM and WM, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | HWM | WM |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Howmet Aerospace Inc. | Waste Management, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Aerospace & Defense | Commercial Services & Supplies |
| Market Capitalization | 69.31 billion USD | 92.66 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | November 1, 2016 | June 22, 1988 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of HWM 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 | HWM | WM |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -2.30% | 1.72% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 3.43% | -0.83% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 34.24% | 1.07% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 78.42% | 11.35% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -4.36% | 0.38% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 57.21% | 13.99% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 2.19M | 2.05M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 3.04M | 1.72M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 27.87% | 16.51% |
| Beta | 1.47 | 0.66 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
HWM
29.58%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 43.89%
- Q3
- 22.42%
- Median
- 12.50%
- Q1
- 5.21%
- Min
- -6.24%
In the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, HWM’s Return on Equity of 29.58% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
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)
HWM
18.09%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 14.54%
- Q3
- 8.08%
- Median
- 6.17%
- Q1
- 2.49%
- Min
- -1.63%
HWM’s Net Profit Margin of 18.09% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.
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)
HWM
24.28%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 16.63%
- Q3
- 10.38%
- Median
- 8.29%
- Q1
- 6.21%
- Min
- 0.95%
HWM’s Operating Profit Margin of 24.28% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This demonstrates outstanding efficiency in managing its core operations, which can be a result of strong pricing power or superior cost control.
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 | HWM | WM |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 29.58% | 31.93% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 13.03% | 6.42% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 18.09% | 11.36% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 24.28% | 17.52% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 32.69% | 39.72% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
HWM
2.31
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 3.09
- Q3
- 1.98
- Median
- 1.23
- Q1
- 1.03
- Min
- 0.02
HWM’s Current Ratio of 2.31 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.
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)
HWM
0.65
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 1.70
- Q3
- 1.04
- Median
- 0.68
- Q1
- 0.41
- Min
- 0.00
HWM’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.65 is typical for the Aerospace & Defense 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)
HWM
7.92
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 36.57
- Q3
- 19.90
- Median
- 7.04
- Q1
- 2.40
- Min
- -7.63
HWM’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 7.92 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
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 | HWM | WM |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.31 | 0.86 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.91 | 0.86 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.65 | 2.61 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 7.92 | 6.82 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
HWM
0.22%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 2.03%
- Q3
- 1.22%
- Median
- 0.43%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
HWM’s Dividend Yield of 0.22% is consistent with its peers in the Aerospace & Defense 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)
HWM
10.74%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 83.87%
- Q3
- 49.90%
- Median
- 16.48%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
HWM’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 10.74% is within the typical range for the Aerospace & Defense 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 | HWM | WM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.22% | 1.37% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 10.74% | 46.71% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
HWM
49.65
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 65.97
- Q3
- 54.11
- Median
- 34.53
- Q1
- 23.66
- Min
- 0.00
HWM’s P/E Ratio of 49.65 is within the middle range for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
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)
HWM
8.98
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 8.07
- Q3
- 4.49
- Median
- 2.42
- Q1
- 1.39
- Min
- 0.00
With a P/S Ratio of 8.98, HWM trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Aerospace & Defense industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
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)
HWM
14.90
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 13.67
- Q3
- 7.92
- Median
- 4.65
- Q1
- 2.68
- Min
- 0.82
At 14.90, HWM’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Aerospace & Defense 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.
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 | HWM | WM |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 49.65 | 34.02 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 8.98 | 3.86 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 14.90 | 10.01 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 68.14 | 42.79 |