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Waste Connections (WCN) vs. Waste Management (WM)

This page compares Waste Connections (WCN) with Waste Management (WM) using historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation metrics.

Company Profile

Waste Connections (WCN) and Waste Management (WM) are both classified in the Environmental & Facilities Services sub-industry within the broader Commercial Services & Supplies industry, placing them in the closest GICS peer bucket.

SymbolWCNWM
Company NameWaste Connections, Inc.Waste Management, Inc.
Country/RegionCanadaUnited States
GICS SectorIndustrialsIndustrials
GICS Industry GroupCommercial & Professional ServicesCommercial & Professional Services
GICS IndustryCommercial Services & SuppliesCommercial Services & Supplies
GICS Sub-IndustryEnvironmental & Facilities ServicesEnvironmental & Facilities Services
Market Capitalization39.98 billion USD89.29 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNYSENYSE
Listing DateMay 22, 1998June 22, 1988
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Historical Performance

WCN
WM
Loading price history…
Waste Connections (WCN) vs. Waste Management (WM): Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Historical Performance at a Glance

SymbolWCNWM
5-Day Price Return4.44%2.33%
13-Week Price Return-0.75%-5.03%
26-Week Price Return-7.62%11.10%
52-Week Price Return-19.27%-3.11%
Month-to-Date Return-3.19%-4.22%
Year-to-Date Return-10.01%1.37%
10-Day Avg. Volume0.40M2.21M
3-Month Avg. Volume0.36M2.20M
3-Month Volatility27.12%21.06%
Beta0.270.49

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

Waste Management (WM) at 28.86% ranks in the top quartile for Return on Equity (TTM), ahead of Waste Connections (WCN) at 12.88%, which sits closer to the industry mid-range.

WCN

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

12.88%

Max
54.05%
Q3
26.87%
Median
15.19%
Q1
6.71%
Min
-22.10%

WM

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

28.86%

Max
54.05%
Q3
26.87%
Median
15.19%
Q1
6.71%
Min
-22.10%
Waste Connections (WCN) vs. Waste Management (WM): A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against the Commercial & Professional Services industry group benchmark.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

Both Waste Connections (WCN) at 10.97% and Waste Management (WM) at 10.99% post Net Profit Margin (TTM) near their industry mid-ranges, so neither company stands out strongly from peers on net profitability.

WCN

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

10.97%

Max
25.84%
Q3
12.89%
Median
6.88%
Q1
2.10%
Min
-5.98%

WM

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

10.99%

Max
25.84%
Q3
12.89%
Median
6.88%
Q1
2.10%
Min
-5.98%
Waste Connections (WCN) vs. Waste Management (WM): A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against the Commercial & Professional Services industry group benchmark.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

Both Waste Connections (WCN) at 17.53% and Waste Management (WM) at 17.35% post Operating Profit Margin (TTM) near their industry mid-ranges, so neither company stands out strongly from peers on operating profitability.

WCN

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

17.53%

Max
36.49%
Q3
17.91%
Median
10.47%
Q1
5.48%
Min
-1.64%

WM

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

17.35%

Max
36.49%
Q3
17.91%
Median
10.47%
Q1
5.48%
Min
-1.64%
Waste Connections (WCN) vs. Waste Management (WM): A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against the Commercial & Professional Services industry group benchmark.

Profitability at a Glance

SymbolWCNWM
Return on Equity (TTM)12.88%28.86%
Return on Assets (TTM)5.03%6.11%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)10.97%10.99%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)17.53%17.35%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)42.50%40.74%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Both Waste Connections (WCN) at 0.69 and Waste Management (WM) at 0.93 run Current Ratio (MRQ) in the tighter-liquidity quartile of industry peers, leaving thinner cushions against current liabilities than typical competitors.

WCN

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

0.69

Max
3.17
Q3
2.00
Median
1.48
Q1
1.11
Min
0.49

WM

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

0.93

Max
3.17
Q3
2.00
Median
1.48
Q1
1.11
Min
0.49
Waste Connections (WCN) vs. Waste Management (WM): A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against the Commercial & Professional Services industry group benchmark.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

Waste Connections (WCN) at 1.13 carries Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) around its industry mid-range, while Waste Management (WM) at 2.28 sits in the higher-leverage quartile.

WCN

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

1.13

Max
2.37
Q3
1.49
Median
0.97
Q1
0.44
Min
0.00

WM

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

2.28

Max
2.37
Q3
1.49
Median
0.97
Q1
0.44
Min
0.00
Waste Connections (WCN) vs. Waste Management (WM): A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against the Commercial & Professional Services industry group benchmark.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

Both Waste Connections (WCN) at 5.40 and Waste Management (WM) at 4.80 post Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) near their industry mid-ranges, so neither company stands out strongly from peers on interest-coverage headroom.

WCN

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

5.40

Max
25.54
Q3
13.26
Median
4.81
Q1
2.35
Min
-8.06

WM

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

4.80

Max
25.54
Q3
13.26
Median
4.81
Q1
2.35
Min
-8.06
Waste Connections (WCN) vs. Waste Management (WM): A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against the Commercial & Professional Services industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength at a Glance

SymbolWCNWM
Current Ratio (MRQ)0.690.93
Quick Ratio (MRQ)0.570.89
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)1.132.28
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)5.404.80

Growth

Revenue Growth

Waste Connections (WCN) vs. Waste Management (WM): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

Revenue Growth at a Glance

SymbolWCNWM
Revenue Growth (MRQ vs Prior YoY)6.39%3.47%
Revenue Growth (TTM vs Prior YoY)5.89%10.87%
3-Year Revenue CAGR9.49%8.56%
5-Year Revenue CAGR11.69%10.62%

EPS Growth

Waste Connections (WCN) vs. Waste Management (WM): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth at a Glance

SymbolWCNWM
EPS Growth (MRQ vs Prior YoY)-8.10%13.36%
EPS Growth (TTM vs Prior YoY)68.68%4.21%
3-Year EPS CAGR8.82%7.50%
5-Year EPS CAGR39.99%13.74%

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Both Waste Connections (WCN) at 0.86% and Waste Management (WM) at 1.55% report Dividend Yield (TTM) near their industry mid-ranges, so neither company stands out strongly from peers on cash yield relative to share price.

WCN

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

0.86%

Max
5.26%
Q3
2.51%
Median
1.12%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

WM

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

1.55%

Max
5.26%
Q3
2.51%
Median
1.12%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
Waste Connections (WCN) vs. Waste Management (WM): A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against the Commercial & Professional Services industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Waste Connections (WCN) at 32.35% maintains Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) around its industry median — a balanced dividend policy. Waste Management (WM) at 49.50% sits outside the typical mid-range, leaning toward more retention or more distribution than the industry median.

WCN

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

32.35%

Max
94.97%
Q3
38.60%
Median
25.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

WM

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

49.50%

Max
94.97%
Q3
38.60%
Median
25.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
Waste Connections (WCN) vs. Waste Management (WM): A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against the Commercial & Professional Services industry group benchmark.

Dividend at a Glance

SymbolWCNWM
Dividend Yield (TTM)0.86%1.55%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)32.35%49.50%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

Waste Management (WM) at 32.01 carries typical industry Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM), while Waste Connections (WCN) at 37.70 sits in the higher-multiple quartile — WCN carries a higher trailing earnings multiple relative to peers.

WCN

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

37.70

Max
61.41
Q3
34.75
Median
20.62
Q1
14.48
Min
4.70

WM

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

32.01

Max
61.41
Q3
34.75
Median
20.62
Q1
14.48
Min
4.70
Waste Connections (WCN) vs. Waste Management (WM): A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against the Commercial & Professional Services industry group benchmark.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

Waste Management (WM) at 3.52 carries typical industry Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM), while Waste Connections (WCN) at 4.14 sits in the higher-multiple quartile — WCN carries a higher trailing revenue multiple relative to peers.

WCN

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

4.14

Max
7.24
Q3
3.68
Median
1.59
Q1
0.66
Min
0.07

WM

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

3.52

Max
7.24
Q3
3.68
Median
1.59
Q1
0.66
Min
0.07
Waste Connections (WCN) vs. Waste Management (WM): A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against the Commercial & Professional Services industry group benchmark.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

Waste Connections (WCN) at 5.18 carries typical industry Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ), while Waste Management (WM) at 9.24 sits in the higher-multiple quartile — WM carries a higher book-value multiple relative to peers.

WCN

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

5.18

Max
12.88
Q3
7.12
Median
3.40
Q1
2.20
Min
0.30

WM

Commercial & Professional Services industry group

9.24

Max
12.88
Q3
7.12
Median
3.40
Q1
2.20
Min
0.30
Waste Connections (WCN) vs. Waste Management (WM): A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against the Commercial & Professional Services industry group benchmark.

Valuation at a Glance

SymbolWCNWM
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)37.7032.01
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)4.143.52
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)5.189.24
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)34.8827.19