Core Insights - Small-cap stocks in the Russell 2000 present investment opportunities but come with higher risks and challenges compared to large-cap stocks [1] Company Summaries Casella Waste Systems (CWST) - Market Cap: $5.61 billion, provides waste management services for various sectors [2] - Current trading price is $87.01 per share, with a forward P/E ratio of 73.4 [4] Omnicell (OMCL) - Market Cap: $1.60 billion, focuses on medication management automation to enhance efficiency in healthcare [5] - Current trading price is $35.76 per share, with a forward P/E ratio of 20.3 [7] Farmer Mac (AGM) - Market Cap: $1.73 billion, established to facilitate a secondary market for agricultural and rural loans [8] Performance Concerns Casella Waste Systems (CWST) - Organic revenue growth has not met benchmarks over the past two years, indicating a need for improvement in products or strategies [9] - Operating margin has declined by 5 percentage points due to costs rising faster than revenue [9] Omnicell (OMCL) - Sales have remained flat over the last two years, necessitating new growth strategies [10] - Adjusted operating margin has decreased by 9.5 percentage points as expenses have risen as a percentage of revenue [10] Farmer Mac (AGM) - Low returns on capital suggest ineffective fund allocation, with decreasing returns indicating aging profit centers [9]

Group 1 - Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE:WM) is recognized for its waste collection, recycling, and landfill services, as well as renewable energy production from landfill gas [2] - The company also provides specialized services such as hazardous waste disposal, secure information destruction, and marketing of recycled materials and compost products [2] - Recent stock performance indicates volatility, with a notable increase of three points in a single day, suggesting potential for further investment [1] Group 2 - There is a perspective that while WM has investment potential, certain AI stocks may offer greater upside and less downside risk [3] - The article hints at the benefits of investing in undervalued AI stocks that could gain from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend [3]

Core Insights - WM reported disappointing third-quarter 2025 results, with adjusted earnings of $1.98 per share missing the consensus estimate by 1.5%, although it represented a 1% year-over-year increase. Total revenues of $6.4 billion also missed estimates but grew 14.9% from the previous year [1][9]. Financial Performance - The Collection segment generated revenues of $3.9 billion, a 3.5% increase year-over-year, but fell short of the $4.1 billion estimate. The Landfill segment saw a 7.8% increase to $995 million, exceeding the $986.5 million projection. The Transfer segment's revenues rose 8.5% to $396 million, surpassing the $391.5 million estimate. However, the Recycling Processing and Sales segment's revenues declined 13.9% to $372 million, missing the $432.3 million estimate [3][4][9]. - Adjusted operating EBITDA was $2 billion, missing the estimate of $1.9 billion but increasing 15.1% year-over-year. The adjusted operating EBITDA margin improved by 10 basis points to 30.6%, exceeding the 30.1% estimate [5][9]. Cash Flow and Dividends - WM generated $1.6 billion in cash from operating activities, with capital expenditures of $635 million, resulting in free cash flow of $821 million. The company distributed $332 million in cash dividends to shareholders during the quarter [6][9]. 2025 Outlook - For 2025, WM expects revenues of $25.275 billion, which is below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $25.36 billion. The company anticipates adjusted operating EBITDA in the range of $7.475 billion to $7.625 billion [7][9].

Earnings Reports - United Parcel Service Inc. (UPS) is expected to report quarterly earnings of $1.31 per share on revenue of $20.83 billion [2] - Waste Management Inc. (WM) posted weaker-than-expected results for Q3, leading to a 3.4% decline in shares to $206.50 [2] - Visa Inc. (V) is anticipated to report quarterly earnings of $2.97 per share on revenue of $10.61 billion [2] - Nucor Corp. (NUE) reported Q3 earnings of $2.63 per share, exceeding the analyst estimate of $2.25 per share, with revenue of $8.52 billion, surpassing the consensus estimate of $8.15 billion [2] - PayPal Holdings Inc. (PYPL) is expected to report quarterly earnings of $1.20 per share on revenue of $8.23 billion [2] Stock Performance - UPS shares rose 0.7% to $89.80 in after-hours trading [2] - WM shares fell 3.4% to $206.50 in after-hours trading [2] - Visa shares increased by 0.3% to $348.80 in after-hours trading [2] - Nucor shares slipped 0.6% to $143.24 in after-hours trading [2] - PayPal shares gained 1.3% to $71.15 in after-hours trading [2]

Earnings Reports - Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. (NASDAQ: KDP) is expected to report quarterly earnings of 54 cents per share on revenue of $4.15 billion [2] - Nucor Corp. (NYSE: NUE) is projected to post quarterly earnings of $3.70 per share on revenue of $12.57 billion [2] - Whirlpool Corp. (NYSE: WHR) is anticipated to report quarterly earnings of $1.41 per share on revenue of $3.93 billion [2] - Waste Management Inc. (NYSE: WM) is expected to report quarterly earnings of $2.02 per share on revenue of $6.50 billion [2] Stock Movements - Keurig Dr Pepper shares rose 0.3% to $27.25 in after-hours trading [2] - Nucor shares increased by 0.2% to close at $138.70 on Friday [2] - Plymouth Industrial REIT Inc. (NYSE: PLYM) shares fell 1.5% to $21.75 in after-hours trading following acquisition news [2] - Whirlpool shares gained 1% to $74.40 in after-hours trading [2] - Waste Management shares rose 0.3% to $215.20 in after-hours trading [2] Acquisition News - Plymouth Industrial REIT Inc. agreed to be acquired by Makarora Management LP and Ares Alternative Credit Funds in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $2.1 billion [2]

Core Viewpoint - The analysis presents a neutral stance on Waste Connections, Inc. (NYSE: WCN) (TSX: WCN:CA), highlighting strengths in pricing but noting challenges such as volume softness, commodity price headwinds, and ongoing regulatory and litigation risks [1]. Summary by Relevant Categories Company Performance - Waste Connections, Inc. exhibits good pricing strength, which is a positive aspect of its performance [1]. Market Challenges - The company faces volume softness, which may impact overall growth [1]. - There are commodity price headwinds that could affect profitability [1]. - Ongoing regulatory and litigation risks are present, potentially posing challenges to the company's operations [1].

Core Insights - Waste Connections reported $2.46 billion in revenue for Q3 2025, a year-over-year increase of 5.1% and an EPS of $1.44, up from $1.35 a year ago, exceeding Zacks Consensus Estimates for both revenue and EPS [1] Revenue Performance - Total revenue of $2.46 billion compared to Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.45 billion, resulting in a surprise of +0.37% [1] - EPS of $1.44 compared to consensus estimate of $1.38, delivering a surprise of +4.35% [1] Geographic Revenue Breakdown - Canada: $349.77 million, exceeding the estimate of $339.42 million, a +2.3% change year-over-year [4] - Southern: $485.39 million, slightly below the estimate of $491.45 million, a +7.1% change year-over-year [4] - Central: $413.39 million, above the estimate of $409.56 million, a +5.5% change year-over-year [4] - Eastern: $440.77 million, slightly below the estimate of $441.88 million, an +8.1% change year-over-year [4] Revenue Breakdown by Segment - E&P Waste Treatment, Recovery and Disposal: $179.14 million, exceeding the estimate of $165.78 million, a +21.6% change year-over-year [4] - Intermodal and Other: $41.99 million, below the estimate of $47.43 million, a -10.4% change year-over-year [4] - Solid Waste Recycling: $56.24 million, below the estimate of $61.58 million, a -16.2% change year-over-year [4] - Solid Waste Collection: $1.72 billion, slightly below the estimate of $1.73 billion, a +6.6% change year-over-year [4] - Revenues from Intercompany: -$366.12 million, worse than the estimate of -$350.34 million, a +10.3% change year-over-year [4] - Total collection revenues: $1.73 billion, slightly above the estimate of $1.72 billion, a +6.7% change year-over-year [4] - Recycling revenues: $58.35 million, below the estimate of $71 million, a -16.3% change year-over-year [4] - E&P revenues: $188.68 million, exceeding the estimate of $165.31 million, a +22.4% change year-over-year [4] Stock Performance - Shares of Waste Connections returned +1% over the past month, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +1.1% change [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating potential performance in line with the broader market [3]

Core Insights - The head of Brazilian firm Ambipar Participacoes e Empreendimentos and a co-investor lost collateral in a debt issuance as creditors moved to seize shares in a hydroelectric power company [1] - The acquisition of Empresa Metropolitana de Águas e Energia SA (Emae) by Cia. de Saneamento Basico do Estado de Sao Paulo reflects ongoing financial troubles for Ambipar and its leadership [4][3] Company Developments - Tércio Borlenghi Junior and Nelson Tanure pledged shares of Emae as collateral for a local bond issuance, with Tanure's fund Phoenix FIP acquiring control of Emae last year [2] - Ambipar's shares and bonds have significantly declined after the company indicated potential financial collapse, leading to the hiring of BR Partners for restructuring [4] Industry Context - The acquisition of Emae by Sabesp is seen as strategic for enhancing water supply security in the São Paulo metropolitan area, which currently faces water scarcity [6] - Sabesp's CEO noted that the investment, while small, is crucial for operational synergy and improving water security as the region expands [7][6]

Core Insights - Monroe Capital LLC has successfully exited its strategic investment in Superior Waste Industries, which was sold to GFL Environmental Inc. [1] - Superior Waste Industries, founded in 2022 and based in Shawnee, OK, achieved rapid growth through strategic acquisitions [1]. Company Overview - Superior Waste Industries was established in 2022 and is headquartered in Shawnee, Oklahoma [1]. - The company expanded its operations by acquiring several firms, including Central Disposal, Harley Hollan, Sue's Recycling and Sanitation, and SDS Roll-off Dumpsters [1]. Transaction Details - The exit from the investment was executed through the sale of Superior Waste Industries to GFL Environmental Inc. [1].

Microsoft - Microsoft has a significant backlog of remaining performance obligations in its cloud business, driven by growing demand from AI developers for computational power, while its enterprise software business continues to provide stable cash flow and support for new data center investments [1][2] - The Azure cloud computing segment has reached a valuation of $75 billion, growing 39% year over year in fiscal 2025's fourth quarter, with management indicating that growth will continue despite supply constraints [2] - Microsoft is planning to spend a record $30 billion in capital expenditures this quarter [1] Gates Foundation - The Gates Foundation remains the largest holder of Microsoft shares, with 26,191,207 shares valued at approximately $13.4 billion as of the end of June [4] - Bill Gates has donated $5 billion in 2022 and previously pledged $15 billion in 2021 to fund the foundation's efforts, which has a portfolio worth about $48 billion, with over two-thirds invested in three major stocks [4][5] - The investment strategy of the Gates Foundation is heavily influenced by Warren Buffett, who has been a longtime friend of Gates [7] Berkshire Hathaway - Berkshire Hathaway constitutes 25% of the Gates Foundation's trust fund, with a current holding of 24,123,684 shares valued at $11.8 billion [9][10] - The stock has seen a decline in value since May due to Buffett's announcement of retirement, leading to reduced investor confidence [11] - Despite this, Berkshire's operating results have been strong, with operating earnings exceeding expectations [12] Waste Management - Waste Management represents 15% of the Gates Foundation's trust, with 32,234,344 shares valued at about $7 billion [14] - The company has a strong competitive position due to regulatory hurdles that limit new landfill openings, making its existing assets highly valuable [16] - Waste Management reported an EBITDA margin of 29.9% last quarter, with overall EBITDA growth of 19%, reflecting strong organic growth despite challenges from a newly acquired business segment [17][18]