Core Thesis - Clean Harbors, Inc. (CLH) is positioned as a leading provider in hazardous waste disposal, with a strong growth outlook driven by regulatory needs and industrial demand [1][6] Company Overview - CLH operates the largest network of incinerators in North America, supported by a robust logistics system with over 20,000 vehicles and 5,000 drivers [2] - The company specializes in complex waste streams from various sectors, including semiconductor manufacturing and emergency response [2] Business Segments - The Safety-Kleen Sustainability Solutions (SKSS) segment focuses on used-oil recycling, which is more sensitive to global oil prices and has lower margins compared to core environmental services [3] - CLH's competitive advantage lies in its extensive network of incinerators and regulatory expertise, particularly in PFAS destruction, which is a growing market contributing $100–125 million in revenue with a 20% annual growth rate [3] Market Position and Competition - CLH competes with major firms like Veolia, Waste Management, and Republic Services but offers a more comprehensive service for industrial clients [4] - While organic growth has historically been low to mid-single digits, factors like PFAS demand and reshoring may provide additional growth opportunities [4] Financial Metrics - As of November 28th, CLH's share price was $227.56, with trailing and forward P/E ratios of 31.61 and 28.82 respectively [1] - The company has a run-rate free cash flow of approximately $400 million against an enterprise value of around $13.5 billion, indicating modest returns without further expansion or higher oil prices [4] Investment Considerations - The stock is viewed as fundamentally strong but may be overvalued, suggesting a cautious approach to investment until more attractive valuations emerge [5]

Group 1 - Vow ASA and its subsidiary Scanship received a purchase order worth EUR 29.6 million from a major European shipyard for equipment deliveries starting in July 2027 for two vessels [1] - The first vessel is scheduled to enter operation by the end of 2029, with equipment deliveries continuing throughout 2028 [1] Group 2 - The contract reinforces the long-standing cooperation between Vow ASA, the shipyard, and the cruise line, emphasizing a commitment to reliable and sustainable solutions [2] - Scanship technology will ensure that all wastewater on the ships is purified to meet the highest standards at sea, specifically for the Baltic Sea and Alaskan State waters [3] Group 3 - The waste management system enhances the circular economy on board, recovering valuable materials such as glass and aluminum [4] - Scanship's integrated clean ship solutions are designed to comply with maritime environmental requirements, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and prevent pollution [4] Group 4 - Vow ASA is a leader in wastewater purification and waste valorization in the cruise market, providing technology that enables industries to transition towards a fossil-free future [9] - The company offers advanced technologies that convert biomass, sewage sludge, plastic waste, and end-of-life tires into clean energy and low carbon fuels [7][9]

Core Insights - The global waste problem is not due to excessive waste generation but rather the inability to track and identify materials effectively, leading to significant economic losses [1][3] - SMX has developed a proof layer that enhances the visibility of waste materials, transforming them into trackable and tradable assets, supported by a $111.5 million equity purchase agreement [2][12] Waste Management Challenges - The current waste management system is inefficient due to a lack of material verification, resulting in municipalities measuring inputs rather than outputs and recyclers facing inconsistent feedstocks [3][5] - The chaos in waste streams arises from the mixing of high-value and low-value materials, leading to billions in losses annually as recyclers cannot optimize their processes [5][6] SMX's Technological Solution - SMX addresses the visibility issue by embedding molecular identities into materials, ensuring that they remain traceable throughout the waste cycle, thus preventing loss of track during processing [4][10] - Partnerships, such as with REDWAVE, demonstrate that materials with embedded identifiers can significantly improve sorting efficiency, allowing recyclers to separate high-value materials accurately [6][8] Economic Implications - The introduction of identity-backed waste streams allows for more accurate measurement of recovery rates, transforming waste management into a data-driven process rather than an aspirational one [7][11] - Verified recycled materials command higher prices and are easier to finance and insure, reshaping the economics of waste by replacing uncertainty with measurable value [9][10] Future Outlook - As proof becomes the standard in waste management, the global waste problem is expected to shift, leading to reduced landfill use and increased recycling rates, ultimately turning waste into an economic engine [12][13] - SMX's technology positions it as a key player in the transition to a low-carbon economy, providing essential tools for businesses to meet regulatory standards [14]

Company Overview - Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:RSG) is an Arizona-based waste management and environmental services company that collects, processes, and disposes of residential and industrial waste, including hazardous and non-hazardous materials [5] Investment Rating - On November 24, Goldman Sachs assigned a Buy rating on Republic Services, with a price target of $255 [1] Business Update - The Benton County Board of Commissioners approved the extension of Republic Services' 178-acre Coffin Butte Landfill on November 17, after the company sought authorization for the enlargement since 2021 [2][3] - The current proposal for the landfill's expansion is 50% smaller than the previous plan submitted in July 2024 [2] Conditions for Expansion - The approval includes conditions such as monitoring effects on nearby wells and wildlife, managing odor, and an annual payment of $242,000 to Benton County for professional audits of the company's monitoring and surveillance [4]

Core Insights - Republic Services, Inc. (RSG) is a leading provider in the environmental and waste management sector, with a market capitalization of $67.2 billion, offering a range of services including non-hazardous solid waste collection and recycling [1] Company Overview - RSG is classified as a large-cap stock, reflecting its significant size and influence in the waste management industry, supported by strong operational footprint and customer retention [2] - The company has experienced a 16.1% decline from its 52-week high of $258.75, reached on June 3, and a 6.9% decrease over the past three months, underperforming the Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI) [2] Stock Performance - Year-to-date, RSG shares are up 7.9%, while XLI has returned 16.6%, indicating underperformance in the longer term as RSG has decreased slightly over the past 52 weeks compared to XLI's 7.3% increase [3] - RSG has been trading below its 200-day moving average since early September and below its 50-day moving average since late June, confirming a bearish trend [3] Financial Performance - In Q3, RSG reported a revenue growth of 3.3% year-over-year to $4.2 billion, which was below analyst expectations due to cyclical volume pressures [4] - The company achieved an 80-basis-point increase in adjusted EBITDA margin, contributing to a 5% year-over-year rise in adjusted EPS to $1.90, exceeding consensus estimates by 7.3% [4]

Group 1 - Waste Management (WM) has a market capitalization of $85 billion and is classified as a defensive company, showing double-digit revenue growth and operating at premium, above-market margins [1] - The stock price of WM has decreased by 4% over the past 12 months, which may present a compelling diversification opportunity for investors [1] Group 2 - The analysis emphasizes the importance of understanding macro trends that influence asset prices and investor behavior, particularly in relation to central bank policies and sector rotation [1] - The article aims to share insights and foster discussions among investors to enhance confidence in long-term investing strategies [1]

Group 1 - Waste Management (WM) has a market capitalization of $85 billion and is classified as a defensive company, showing double-digit revenue growth and operating at premium, above-market margins [1] - The stock price of WM has decreased by 4% over the past 12 months, which may present a compelling diversification opportunity for investors [1] Group 2 - The analysis emphasizes the importance of understanding macro trends that influence asset prices and investor behavior, particularly in relation to central bank policies and sector rotation [1] - The article aims to share insights and foster discussions among investors to enhance confidence in long-term investing strategies [1]

Core Viewpoint - The article expresses a belief that it is still a viable opportunity to invest in Waste Management, Inc. (WM) stock despite recent performance not aligning with optimistic expectations [1]. Company Analysis - Waste Management, Inc. (WM) stock was recommended for purchase in early August, indicating a positive outlook from the analyst [1]. - The performance of WM stock has not met the analyst's optimistic perspective as illustrated in a referenced chart [1]. Analyst Background - The analyst has a strong focus on the tech sector and holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree with Distinction, majoring in Finance [1]. - The analyst is a lifetime member of the Beta Gamma Sigma International Business Honor Society, emphasizing a commitment to excellence and integrity in investment analysis [1].

Core Insights - Waste Management, Inc. (WM) is valued at a market cap of $87.6 billion and provides waste collection, recycling, and environmental services across various customer segments [1] - WM is classified as a large-cap stock, reflecting its significant size and influence in the waste management industry, and it is enhancing its competitive position through investments in automation and sustainability [2] Financial Performance - WM's shares have decreased by 10.4% from its 52-week high of $242.58, reached on June 8, and have declined 3.5% over the past three months, slightly underperforming the VanEck Environmental Services ETF (EVX) which dropped 3.3% [3] - Year-to-date, WM shares are up 7.7%, while EVX has returned 12.4%, and over the past 52 weeks, WM has fallen 4.4%, underperforming EVX which has seen a slight increase [4] - On October 27, WM reported Q3 earnings that were weaker than expected, with revenue increasing 14.9% year-over-year to $6.4 billion, but missing analyst expectations [5] - The adjusted EPS for WM was $1.98, a 1% increase from the previous year, but fell short of consensus estimates by 1.5% [5] - WM has lowered its fiscal 2025 revenue outlook to approximately $25.3 billion, attributed to ongoing weakness in recycled commodity pricing and lower revenue expectations from WM Healthcare Solutions [5]

Core Insights - Waste Management, Inc. (WM) is perceived as a defensive and stable investment option, which can still hold value in a growth-oriented portfolio [1] Group 1: Company Overview - WM is characterized as a defensive stock, often considered boring and slow-moving, yet it possesses merits that can appeal to growth investors [1] Group 2: Analyst Background - The analysis is conducted by a seasoned stock analyst with over 20 years of experience in quantitative research, financial modeling, and risk management, focusing on equity valuation and market trends [1]