Group 1: Market Overview - Many S&P 500 dividend stocks are trading at high valuations, but some are presenting buy-the-dip opportunities after recent declines [1][2] - Two specific stocks have experienced declines of 10% and 14% from their 2025 highs, making them attractive as 2026 approaches [2] Group 2: WM (Waste Management) - WM operates 506 waste transfer facilities, 105 recycling centers, 262 active solid waste landfills, and 10 renewable natural gas facilities, making it the largest waste and recycling company in North America [4] - The company has delivered total returns of 1,060% over the last two decades, outperforming the S&P 500's 680% [5] - WM is expanding into the medical waste industry and automating recycling centers, which could significantly boost free cash flow [5] - The current dividend yield is 1.5%, with a 15% increase recently, and the dividend payout ratio is 50% of profits [5] - WM stock is trading at 26 times forward earnings, considered not "cheap," but still a good buy-the-dip opportunity after a 10% decline [5] Group 3: Cintas - Cintas is the leading uniform rental provider in North America, operating over 12,000 distribution routes across two business segments: uniform rental and facility services, and first aid and safety services [6] - The company has achieved 9% annualized sales growth over the last decade by consolidating its presence in a fragmented market through acquisitions and strong customer value propositions [8] - Despite trailing the broader market recently, Cintas maintains a strong business model and competitive advantages [7]

Core Insights - Waste Management is the largest provider of trash and recycling services in the U.S. and Canada, with projected revenues of $22 billion in 2024 and a market capitalization of approximately $90 billion [3] Company Operations - The company employs over 60,000 individuals and has emphasized safety as a cornerstone of its operations, aiming to reduce its total recordable injury rate (TRIR) by 3% annually, targeting a TRIR of 2.0 by 2030 [4] - In the previous year, Waste Management reported a 5.8% reduction in overall injuries and a 2.4% decrease in lost-time injuries [4] Leadership and Management Practices - CEO Jim Fish has been with Waste Management for two decades and has held various roles, including CFO, before becoming president and CEO in November 2016 [3] - Fish's approach includes direct engagement with employees, visiting 20 to 30 sites annually and riding along with drivers to understand their challenges and improve communication [2][5] Employee Engagement and Safety Improvements - Fish identified that safety results in a district with a predominantly Spanish-speaking workforce improved significantly after hiring a bilingual manager, addressing communication barriers [10][13] - The company has taken steps to empower employees by promoting from within and ensuring that language barriers do not hinder safety communication [11][12] Cultural and Operational Insights - Fish's experiences in the field have highlighted the impact of environmental conditions on productivity, such as the challenges faced by drivers during winter months [7][8] - The company differentiates itself from competitors by focusing on understanding and improving the workforce's productivity and efficiency at the field level rather than solely at the executive level [14]

Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE:WM) is one of the best industrial stocks to buy. On November 24, Adam Bubes at Goldman Sachs reiterated a Buy call on Waste Management. The price target for the shares came in at $256. In a different business update on November 12, the company shared that it now accepts plastic cups made of polypropylene and paper to-go cups, categorizing them as recyclable materials. Residents can now participate in curbside recycling of to-go cups in more local programs across the United Sta ...

Core Insights - The North American waste and recycling industry generates approximately $75 billion annually, with Waste Management capturing the largest market share [1] - Waste Management, established in 1968, is the largest environmental services firm in the US, with a market cap of $87.5 billion and a diverse range of services [2] - Environmental Services stocks have transitioned from low-growth to high-quality compounders, with a 13% EPS CAGR over the last decade [4] Waste Management Company Overview - Waste Management derives about 80% of its business from private industry contracts and 20% from the public sector [1] - Collection services account for 55% of Waste Management's revenue, with transfer services at 21%, landfill at 10%, and recycling at 5% [6] - The company reported Q3 2025 revenue of $6.44 billion, a 14% year-over-year increase, but missed forecasts by $60 million [7] Financial Performance - Waste Management's non-GAAP EPS for Q3 2025 was $1.98, up 2 cents year-over-year but also below expectations by 3 cents [7] - The company generated a free cash flow of $2.11 billion for the first nine months of 2025, reflecting a 13.5% increase [7] - Following the earnings miss, Waste Management's stock fell nearly 8% but has since recovered [8] Analyst Insights - Goldman Sachs analyst Adam Bubes forecasts a 7.7% EBITDA CAGR for Waste Management from 2025 to 2027, driven by strong price/cost spreads and investments in recycling and landfill gas [9] - Bubes maintains a Buy rating with a price target of $256, indicating an 18% upside potential [9] - The consensus rating for Waste Management is Moderate Buy, with 15 Buys and 7 Holds, and an average target price of $246.70, suggesting a 13.5% upside [10] Republic Services Overview - Republic Services is the second-largest waste management company in the US, valued at $67 billion, with a top-line revenue of $16.5 billion for the four quarters ending Q3 2025 [10][11] - The company offers a full range of environmental solutions and maintains a network of over 1,000 locations and a fleet of 17,000 vehicles [12][11] Financial Performance of Republic Services - Republic Services reported Q3 2025 revenue of $4.2 billion, a 3.4% year-over-year increase, but missed forecasts by $38.5 million [13] - The non-GAAP EPS was $1.90, up 9 cents year-over-year and exceeding expectations by 12 cents [13] - The company generated a cash flow from operations of $3.32 billion year-to-date, with adjusted free cash flow of $2.19 billion [13] Analyst Insights on Republic Services - Analyst Bubes highlights Republic's strong portfolio quality and operational execution, forecasting a 5.5% EBITDA CAGR from 2025 to 2027 [14] - Bubes assigns a Buy rating with a price target of $255, implying a 17% upside potential [14] - The consensus rating for Republic Services is Moderate Buy, with 11 Buys and 8 Holds, and an average target price of $245.76, suggesting a 13% gain [15]

Company Overview - Quest Resource Holding Corporation (QRHC) is a national provider of waste & recycling solutions to large businesses [1,8] - The company serves a $200B+ North American waste and recycling industry [10] - Quest offers expertise with 130+ waste streams and has a nationwide footprint, delivering services in every zip code in the U S [10] - The company focuses on large clients with complex waste streams, including Fortune 1000 businesses [11,13] Financial Performance - The company has experienced ~20% CAGR in Gross Profit dollars from 2016 to 2024 [14] - Quest's revenue for the trailing twelve months (TTM) ending in Q3 2025 was $261.281 million [10,17] - Gross profit for the same period was $44.162 million [17] - Adjusted EBITDA for TTM 3Q25 was $8.853 million, representing a 3.4% margin [17,78] Business Strategy - Quest employs an asset-light model, differentiating itself from asset-based integrated majors and fragmented players [34,32,36] - The company's platform delivers nationwide waste and recycling services, regulatory compliance, and comprehensive data reporting [24] - Quest aims to improve clients' sustainability, reduce waste footprint, and improve efficiencies & cost control [24]

Core Viewpoint - Federal Signal Corporation has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Scranton Manufacturing Company Inc. d/b/a New Way Trucks for an initial purchase price of $396 million, with additional considerations bringing the total potential cost to $480 million, reflecting a strategic expansion into the waste and recycling industry [1][3]. Financial Details - The initial purchase price of $396 million assumes a cash-free, debt-free transaction and is subject to post-closing adjustments. An additional $30 million will be paid for New Way's manufacturing facilities and real estate rights [1]. - The acquisition includes a contingent earn-out opportunity of up to $54 million based on specified financial targets over two years [1]. - The combined initial purchase price represents a multiple of approximately 11x New Way's projected 2026 EBITDA and about 7x projected 2028 EBITDA, factoring in expected synergies [1]. - The transaction will be financed through cash on hand and Federal Signal's credit facility, with a pro-forma net debt leverage ratio anticipated to be less than 1.5x upon completion [1]. Company Overview - New Way is recognized as a leading U.S. manufacturer of refuse collection vehicles, known for its automated side loaders, rear loaders, and front loaders, serving both municipal and private-hauler customers [2]. - The acquisition is expected to enhance Federal Signal's position in the environmental solutions sector and create a new growth vertical within its Environmental Solutions Group [3]. Strategic Implications - The acquisition is seen as a meaningful expansion into the recession-resilient waste and recycling industry, with significant opportunities for synergies and growth acceleration for New Way [3]. - Federal Signal's expertise in selling refuse equipment and its specialty vehicle platform are expected to drive New Way's growth and margin trajectory [3]. Future Outlook - The transaction is expected to be neutral to earnings per share (EPS) in 2026 but accretive in subsequent years, with anticipated EPS accretion of between $0.40 and $0.45 in 2028, alongside expected annual run-rate synergies of $15 million to $20 million [5][6].

Company Overview - Quest Resource Holding Corporation is a national provider of waste & recycling solutions[4,8] - The company's solutions help customers meet business efficiency, sustainability and ESG goals[10] - The company serves the $200B+ North American waste and recycling industry[10] - The company has expertise with 100+ waste streams and a nationwide footprint[10] Financial Performance - The company's TTM Revenue is $271 million[10] - The company experienced ~20% CAGR in Gross Profit dollars from 2016 to 2024[14] - The company's gross margins have more than doubled to >17% since 2016[60] - The Adjusted EBITDA for TTM 2Q25 is $8449 thousand with a margin of 3.1%[17] Business Strategy - The company focuses on large clients with complex waste streams[11] - The company has invested in building a national asset-light model[25] - The company is pursuing a focused M&A strategy to acquire companies with strong clients & focus on service[55]

Core Viewpoint - Long-term dividend stocks are generally more stable and provide consistent dividends due to their established nature and lower volatility compared to the broader market [1][2] Group 1: Waste Management - Waste Management Inc. is a significant player in the waste and recyclables collection industry, with a market capitalization exceeding $92 billion [4] - The company has a dividend yield of 1.40%, an annual dividend of $3.30, and a 22-year track record of increasing dividends, with a payout ratio of 48.96% [5] - In the second quarter of 2025, Waste Management reported a 19% year-over-year increase in revenue, alongside strong earnings per share (EPS) [6] - Operating expenses have decreased to less than 60% of revenue, contributing to a solid free cash flow projection of nearly $3 billion for the year [7] Group 2: Eversource Energy - Eversource Energy, a major utility provider in the northeast, has a dividend yield of 4.63% and an annual dividend of $3.01, but a high payout ratio of 129.18% [9] - The company managed to slightly increase its EPS to 96 cents, surpassing analyst expectations, and reaffirmed its full-year EPS guidance [10] - Eversource's revenue grew by 12% year-over-year, although it fell short of predictions, with a permanent rate increase in New Hampshire expected to provide stability [11] Group 3: Johnson & Johnson - Johnson & Johnson boasts a dividend yield of 3.00%, an annual dividend of $5.20, and an impressive 64-year history of dividend increases, with a payout ratio of 55.61% [12][13] - The company exceeded EPS predictions by 9 cents and revenue estimates by nearly $900 million in its mid-July earnings report [13] - Growth is driven by its innovative medicine business, particularly in oncology, with potential peak sales of $5 billion for its drug candidate TAR200 [14]

Core Insights - The company experienced a revenue growth of 4.6% in Q2 2025, driven by strong core pricing in waste and recycling segments despite ongoing demand challenges in construction and manufacturing markets [5][23][15] - Adjusted EBITDA increased by 8% with a 100 basis point margin expansion, primarily due to pricing above cost inflation and event-related landfill activities [6][35] - The full-year 2025 revenue guidance was updated to a range of $16.675 billion to $16.75 billion, reflecting a reduction of approximately $190 million at the midpoint due to weak construction and manufacturing volumes [11][31] Revenue and Volume Performance - Environmental Solutions revenue decreased by $11 million in Q2 2025, attributed to lower event volumes and softness in manufacturing end markets [2][35] - Residential and large container volumes declined by 3.2% and 3.4%, respectively, due to soft construction activity and shedding of underperforming contracts [3][34] - Organic volume increased by 20 basis points, supported by hurricane cleanup in the Carolinas and wildfire remediation in Los Angeles, but was partially offset by declines in collection categories [6][25] Pricing and Customer Metrics - Core pricing on related revenue was 7%, with open market pricing at 8.6% and restricted pricing at 4.6% for Q2 2025 [7][33] - Customer retention rate exceeded 94%, indicating strong customer loyalty [7][24] - Average yield on total revenue was 4.1%, with an average yield on related revenue at 5% [33][24] Financial Metrics - Adjusted free cash flow for the first half of 2025 reached $1.42 billion, with full-year guidance raised to $2.375 billion to $2.415 billion, reflecting an $80 million cash tax benefit from bonus depreciation [8][31] - Total debt stood at $13.1 billion, with total liquidity at $3 billion and a leverage ratio of approximately 2.5x as of the end of Q2 2025 [9][36] - Year-to-date capital expenditures totaled $727 million, representing 38% of projected full-year spend [8][36] Sustainability and Strategic Initiatives - The Indianapolis Polymer Center began commercial production in July 2025, with six renewable natural gas projects commenced year-to-date [10][27] - The company aims to have over 150 electric collection vehicles in service by year-end 2025, with 27 facilities equipped with commercial-scale EV charging infrastructure [10][28] - Nearly $900 million was invested in acquisitions year-to-date, with a pipeline supporting more than $1 billion in potential deals for 2025 [9][29] Management Commentary - The CEO emphasized a commitment to pricing discipline amid volume challenges, stating that the company will prioritize price over volume when necessary [15][41] - Management described the current demand environment as the most challenging in over a decade, particularly in construction markets [15][51] - The CFO noted that $65 million of the revenue guidance reduction was due to recycling and waste volume weakness, with the remainder largely stemming from Environmental Solutions [14][39]

Core Insights - Republic Services reported $4.24 billion in revenue for Q2 2025, a year-over-year increase of 4.6%, with an EPS of $1.77 compared to $1.61 a year ago, indicating positive growth in earnings [1] - The reported revenue fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.27 billion, resulting in a surprise of -0.75%, while the EPS exceeded the consensus estimate of $1.75 by 1.14% [1] Revenue Breakdown - Environmental solutions revenue was $462 million, below the average estimate of $508.67 million, reflecting a year-over-year decline of 2.2% [4] - Recycling & Waste revenue reached $3.77 billion, slightly above the average estimate of $3.76 billion [4] - Total Collection revenue was $2.82 billion, below the estimated $2.88 billion, but showed a year-over-year increase of 3.6% [4] - Small-container Collection revenue was $1.26 billion, slightly below the average estimate of $1.28 billion, with a year-over-year increase of 4.8% [4] - Large-container Collection revenue was $794 million, below the estimated $810.03 million, with a year-over-year increase of 3.1% [4] - Residential Collection revenue was $752 million, below the average estimate of $771.05 million, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 2.5% [4] - Landfill revenue was $854 million, exceeding the average estimate of $801.1 million, with a significant year-over-year increase of 12.2% [4] - Other revenue from recycling processing and commodity sales was $114 million, above the estimated $107.31 million, with a year-over-year increase of 6.1% [4] Stock Performance - Over the past month, shares of Republic Services have returned -2.1%, contrasting with the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +3.6% change, indicating underperformance relative to the broader market [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), suggesting it may perform in line with the market in the near term [3]