RTO vs. WCN: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at RTO and WCN, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
RTO trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors a convenient way to access its foreign-listed shares. In contrast, WCN is a standard domestic listing.
| Symbol | RTO | WCN |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Rentokil Initial plc | Waste Connections, Inc. |
| Country | United Kingdom | Canada |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Commercial Services & Supplies | Commercial Services & Supplies |
| Market Capitalization | 12.40 billion USD | 47.77 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | November 18, 1996 | May 22, 1998 |
| Security Type | ADR | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of RTO 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 | RTO | WCN |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -2.47% | 1.02% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 3.18% | -3.77% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -12.52% | -4.73% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -24.83% | 3.64% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -4.27% | -0.20% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -9.36% | 4.71% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 3.54M | 0.26M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 4.20M | 0.31M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 31.78% | 17.48% |
| Beta | 0.93 | 0.46 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
RTO
6.17%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 31.93%
- Q3
- 18.03%
- Median
- 9.43%
- Q1
- 6.44%
- Min
- -9.69%
RTO’s Return on Equity of 6.17% 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)
RTO
5.49%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 17.53%
- Q3
- 9.01%
- Median
- 5.20%
- Q1
- 2.75%
- Min
- -2.31%
RTO’s Net Profit Margin of 5.49% 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.
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)
RTO
9.93%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 23.43%
- Q3
- 12.19%
- Median
- 8.10%
- Q1
- 3.18%
- Min
- -6.03%
RTO’s Operating Profit Margin of 9.93% 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 | RTO | WCN |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 6.17% | 7.93% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 2.38% | 3.19% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 5.49% | 6.97% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 9.93% | 12.19% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | -- | 42.03% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
RTO
1.12
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 2.94
- Q3
- 1.89
- Median
- 1.38
- Q1
- 0.87
- Min
- 0.53
RTO’s Current Ratio of 1.12 aligns with the median group of the Commercial Services & Supplies industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector 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)
RTO
1.14
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 1.67
- Q3
- 1.08
- Median
- 0.73
- Q1
- 0.36
- Min
- 0.00
RTO’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Commercial Services & Supplies industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.14. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
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)
RTO
5.22
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 24.70
- Q3
- 12.37
- Median
- 7.16
- Q1
- 2.69
- Min
- -10.97
RTO’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 5.22 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
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 | RTO | WCN |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.12 | 0.67 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.03 | 0.57 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.14 | 1.00 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 5.22 | 3.42 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
RTO
3.44%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 3.44%
- Q3
- 2.30%
- Median
- 1.37%
- Q1
- 0.63%
- Min
- 0.00%
RTO’s Dividend Yield of 3.44% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry. While this may seem attractive, an unusually high yield can sometimes be a warning sign, reflecting a falling stock price or market concerns about the dividend’s sustainability.
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)
RTO
93.97%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 137.88%
- Q3
- 72.93%
- Median
- 40.45%
- Q1
- 23.31%
- Min
- 0.00%
RTO’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 93.97% is in the upper quartile for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.
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 | RTO | WCN |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 3.44% | 0.66% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 93.97% | 28.21% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
RTO
27.30
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 57.20
- Q3
- 37.10
- Median
- 22.38
- Q1
- 16.35
- Min
- 0.00
RTO’s P/E Ratio of 27.30 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.
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)
RTO
1.50
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 4.64
- Q3
- 2.28
- Median
- 0.97
- Q1
- 0.64
- Min
- 0.00
RTO’s P/S Ratio of 1.50 aligns with the market consensus for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
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)
RTO
1.69
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 6.71
- Q3
- 4.38
- Median
- 2.39
- Q1
- 1.57
- Min
- 0.43
RTO’s P/B Ratio of 1.69 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.
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 | RTO | WCN |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 27.30 | 74.37 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.50 | 5.19 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1.69 | 5.67 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 13.32 | 41.99 |