When investors search for new trade ideas or potential breakout stocks, only a handful of indicators tend to stand out beyond the typical technical patterns. One of the most valuable comes not from price charts, but from the research and positioning of experienced market participants with the insight and track record to spot real opportunities. Waste Management TodayWMWaste Management$238.05 +1.24 (+0.52%) 52-Week Range$196.59▼$239.32Dividend Yield1.39%P/E Ratio35.01Price Target$247.06Add to WatchlistBy tr ...

Economic Outlook - The probability of a U.S. recession in 2025 is decreasing from a peak of 60% to below 50% due to the Trump administration easing aggressive tariff policies, which has allowed the S&P 500 to recover from a correction in March [1] Company Analysis Walmart (WMT) - Walmart has historically thrived during recessions due to its essential grocery offerings and reputation for affordability, attracting budget-conscious customers [3] - Approximately two-thirds of Walmart's inventory is produced in the U.S., providing a buffer against global trade tensions [4] - Over the past year, Walmart has achieved a 47% return, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's 10% return, with analysts optimistic about steady growth in the coming months [4] HCA Healthcare (HCA) - HCA Healthcare is the largest non-governmental hospital chain in the U.S. and has shown resilience during economic downturns, particularly in critical care sectors [5] - The company reported a remarkable growth of +236.97% and aims for a 29% market share by 2030 [5] - Cantor Fitzgerald raised its price target for HCA from $405 to $444, indicating a potential 16% upside from the stock's previous closing price [6] Waste Management (WM) - Waste Management has experienced a +135.87% growth over the past five years, as demand for waste collection and recycling services remains stable during recessions [9] - The waste management industry is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.4% by 2030, driven by advancements in recycling technologies and increasing environmental awareness [10] - Recent evaluations by JPMorgan indicate optimism regarding WM's growth prospects, with a valuation of approximately 16x forward-year EV/EBITDA and a free cash flow yield of 3% [11]

Company Performance - WM's shares have increased by 12.9% over the past year, outperforming the industry's growth of 11.6% [1] - Revenues are projected to grow by 15.9% in 2025 and 5.4% in 2026 [1] - Earnings are expected to rise by 4.8% in 2025 and 12.2% in 2026 [1] Industry Outlook - The waste management industry is set to grow due to the adoption of advanced waste collection and recycling techniques, driven by environmental concerns, industrialization, population growth, and increased non-hazardous waste [2] - Government initiatives aimed at sustainable waste management and reducing greenhouse gas emissions are likely to enhance demand for WM's services [3] Operational Strategy - WM is focusing on core operational initiatives that emphasize differentiation and continuous improvement, which enhances margins [4] - The company is committed to cost control and process enhancement to improve service quality [4] Dividend Strategy - WM has a consistent dividend payment strategy, paying $1.21 billion, $1.14 billion, and $1.1 billion in dividends during 2022, 2023, and 2024, respectively [5] - This long-standing dividend policy is attractive to dividend-seeking investors [5]

Core Viewpoint - Waste Management's stock declined by 4% amidst a broader market rally, indicating a shift in investor sentiment towards higher-risk stocks due to optimism surrounding a potential U.S.-China trade deal [1][4]. Company Performance - Despite the stock drop, Waste Management's operations remain unchanged, suggesting that the decline is not reflective of the company's fundamentals [2]. - Over the past decade, Waste Management has outperformed the S&P 500, doubling its total returns and more than quadrupling in value [6]. Market Sentiment - The current market environment is characterized by a "risk-on" attitude, favoring high-beta stocks over low-volatility investments like Waste Management [4][6]. - The market's bullish sentiment may overlook Waste Management's potential as a growth stock, given its consistent performance and strategic acquisitions [6]. Strategic Acquisitions - Waste Management has made approximately 100 acquisitions since 2018, contributing to steady sales growth and enhancing its growth narrative [7]. - The company is expanding its presence in the renewable natural gas sector and diversifying into healthcare waste disposal through the acquisition of Stericycle [7].

Parkev Tatevosian, CFA has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Waste Management. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Parkev Tatevosian is an affiliate of The Motley Fool and may be compensated for promoting its services. If you choose to subscribe through his link, he will earn some extra money that supports his channel. His opinions remain his own and are unaffected by The Motley Fool. ...

Core Insights - The report highlights the transformative impact of AI technologies on food waste management, addressing a $1 trillion annual challenge that contributes 8-10% to global greenhouse gas emissions [2][8] - Companies are encouraged to develop regionally balanced innovation networks and flexible technology roadmaps to adapt to tariff volatility and ensure waste reduction commitments remain achievable [3][9] Industry Innovations - Walmart is implementing AI-powered waste management systems to enhance inventory management, demand forecasting, and shelf-life optimization, yielding financial benefits while addressing environmental impacts [4] - PepsiCo's "Oscar Sort" initiative has increased recycling rates by up to 300%, showcasing how technological innovation can enhance circular economy principles in food packaging [5] Regulatory Landscape - The EU's binding food waste reduction targets are expected to reshape disclosure requirements and operational practices across the food sector, with companies demonstrating preparedness for CSRD reporting obligations [6] Technological Advancements - Tyson Foods' 2025 Demo Day is attracting technological solutions aimed at reducing waste throughout the production process, representing both risk mitigation strategies and potential competitive advantages [7] Challenges and Opportunities - Tariff escalations on food technologies and packaging materials are creating challenges for waste reduction initiatives, with 56% of companies reporting delays in investments due to trade uncertainties [9]

Waste Management TodayWMWaste Management$233.60 +0.24 (+0.10%) 52-Week Range$196.59▼$239.32Dividend Yield1.41%P/E Ratio34.35Price Target$243.29Add to WatchlistInvestors got a split decision when Waste Management Inc. NYSE: WM reported earnings after the market closed on April 28. Earnings per share (EPS) of $1.67 beat analysts’ forecasts by eight cents. However, revenue came in at $6.02 billion, which was 1.4% lower than the $6.14 billion that was expected. To add more context, even with the miss, the comp ...

Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE: NYSE: WM ) is the biggest waste and environmental services company in North America. It handles everything from trash pickup and landfills to recycling, and more recently, has moved into renewable energy and medical waste. Full disclosure: WM’s beenI focus on producing objective, data-driven research, mostly about small- to mid-cap companies, as these tend to be overlooked by many investors. From time to time, though, I also look at large-cap names, just to give a fuller sense ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total company operating EBITDA grew by more than 12% in Q1 2025 compared to Q1 2024, driven by solid operational performance in the collection and disposal business, contributions from WM Health Care Solutions, and increases in sustainability businesses [8][19] - Operating cash flow was $1,210 million in Q1 2025, a decrease from Q1 2024, but in line with expectations due to planned increases in cash interest payments and working capital headwinds [21][22] - First quarter free cash flow was $475 million, on track to achieve full year free cash flow outlook of between $2,675 million and $2,775 million [23] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Operating EBITDA for the collection and disposal business was up almost 5%, with margin expanding by 10 basis points [14] - Combined operating EBITDA from recycling and renewable energy grew by over 20% year over year [10] - Operating EBITDA margin in the residential line of business grew more than 130 basis points, achieving 20% for the first time in six years [18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue growth across all lines of business was driven by collection and disposal yield of 4% and core price of 6.5%, with churn remaining stable at around 9% [15] - Special waste volumes were positively impacted by California wildfire cleanup, although gains were offset by winter weather events [16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company focuses on growing customer lifetime value while leveraging technology to optimize cost structure and delivering on strategic investments in sustainability [9] - The leadership position in sustainability investments is positioning the WM brand to be synonymous with sustainability, which is not easily matched by competitors [9] - The company continues to identify opportunities to scale the core business through acquisitions, with a robust pipeline of tuck-in opportunities anticipated for solid waste M&A [10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving all financial guidance outlined last quarter, citing strong operational execution and the resiliency of the business model [8] - The company remains optimistic about the volume outlook for 2025, supported by strong special waste pipelines and positive service intervals [16] - Management noted that the business is resilient to economic downturns, with volumes turning back up in March and April after challenging weather in January and February [84][86] Other Important Information - The company is on track to achieve $250 million of annual run rate synergies in 2027 from the integration of WM HealthCare Solutions [12] - Capital expenditures totaled $831 million in Q1 2025, with investments in sustainability growth in line with expectations [22] Q&A Session Summary Question: Outlook for Q2 and margin improvement for solid waste - Management indicated no unusual seasonality impacts except for California wildfires, expecting another step change in margin on a year-over-year basis [28][29] Question: Yield in solid waste business compared to expectations - Yield conversion dropped 400 basis points in the quarter, but core price performance was strong, translating to margin expansion [30][31] Question: Performance of healthcare solutions business and revenue quality - Revenue in the regulated medical waste business was slightly up, while the Secure Information Destruction side saw a dip due to event work weakness [38] Question: Synergy capture in Q1 - The company achieved $16 million in synergy value capture in Q1, with confidence in reaching the midpoint of the synergy guidance range [46][47] Question: M&A opportunities and market conditions - The company expects to close on more than $500 million of solid waste acquisitions in 2025, with a strong pipeline of transactions [58][62] Question: Resilience of the company in downturns - Management emphasized the diversification provided by sustainability and healthcare investments, noting the company's resilience to economic downturns [83][86]

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 Form 10-Q (Mark One) ☑ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2025 or ☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from to Commission file number 1-12154 Waste Management, Inc. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employ ...